Anyone But You

However, William really did come.

When Emelie was pulled under the stairs and saw his face clearly, she was stunned.

Stunned that she had guessed correctly. Stunned that he had disregarded his own safety to come find her. And stunned and to realize that, deep down, she had always known how much she meant to him.

Now, with William spelling it out, Emelie's first reaction was to get up. "I'm going to blowdry my hair. You can do whatever you want, Mr. Middleton.'

William quickly grabbed her arm, but Emelie instinctively shook him off.

It was uncertain whether she was embarrassed or angry, but she must have hurt him somehow, because William let out a muffled groan.

Emelie remembered the beating he had taken in the alley. Although he didn't have any internal injuries, the external injuries that he suffered were serious.

Without thinking, she reached out to steady him.

However, William had been pretending and took the chance to pull her into his arms.

Emelie was shocked and tried to push him away, but when he hissed in pain, she froze once more.

William just wanted to hold her.

Emelie was tall, but being held by William, who was over six feet tall, she still felt small and delicate. He could envelop her completely. When he lowered his head, he could breathe in the scent of her neck.

She could tease him, use him, or do whatever she wanted to him. As long as she still had feelings for him, even just the tiniest bit, that was enough for him.

Jodie went to look for Emelie when she didn't return to the room for a long time. So, she saw them locked in an embrace in the room through the opened door.

She froze and then blurted out, "Ma'am!"

Emelie snapped back to reality and immediately tried to push him away, but William held her tighter. "You never answered my question at the clinic. Do you dare to make a bet with me?"

"Let go!" she yelled.

Emelie wanted to push him away, but then she remembered that he might have a wound on his chest. Unsure where to place her hands, she ended up just gripping his clothes.

William ignored her attempts to break free and asked in a low voice, "If you find out Wesley really is... then marry me in April.'

Emelie was extremely frustrated. "William, if you don't let go of me, don't blame me for what happens next!" William wanted an answer. "Yes or no?"

Jodie, unable to hear what they were saying, frowned with worry. "Ma'am, Mr. Graham has arrived."

Emelie didn't care anymore and shoved him away.

William stubbornly demanded, "Will you agree?"

Emelie took a deep breath, finding it utterly ridiculous. 'Do you honestly think that that's possible, William? Even in your wildest dreams, you should know when to stop. Are you out of your mind, thinking we could ever get to that point?"

A flicker of pain crossed William's eyes.

"I would marry anyone in the world but you!" she said.

Emelie pushed him away forcefully. Then, she left with Jodie without a second glance.

She walked quickly, as if she could no longer stand it, or as if she were fleeing.

Jodie followed behind, hesitant to speak.

Emelie descended the stairs, her gaze fixed straight ahead. She saw several black cars parked in the courtyard, with the butler and maids welcoming them.

Wesley had returned.

Emelie paused, quickly tidied her slightly disheveled clothes and hair, and took a deep breath.© - All rights reserved.

She turned around to glance at Jodie and said calmly, "If you think I've betrayed Wesley, go ahead and tell him.

Jodie said, "I won't say a word, ma'am. But, even if William helped you after that and saved your life, don't forget that he tried to kill you once. The scar on your chest will never fade. What's more, your adoptive mother died at his hands."