The Second Marriage Chance

Emily

To ensure her safety, Willow had to be brought back to the hospital so Dr. Vanderbilt could recheck her a week after she developed an allergy.

Dr. Ethan Vanderbilt appeared in the hallway, prompting me to realize that my small bag had been left in his father's clinic. Requesting his assistance, I asked if Willow could stay with him since the clinic was in the neighboring building and I needed to go up to the third floor.

Upon returning, my smile faded as I saw Dr. Ethan talking to none other than Bronn Martin at the end of the hallway.

Shit! I gasped and quickly walked toward them. Casually greeting Ethan, I deliberately ignored Bronn's intense stare.

"Thank you, Ethan!" I smiled at him. I was grateful that he and Willow got along well. We've met several times at Sarah and Philip Cornell's large villa in Serenity Pines Estates, and he's been kind to my daughter since her allergy. "You mentioned heading to Serenity Pines after this, right?" Ethan asked. "Why don't I take you there? Sarah's villa isn't far from here."

"I appreciate the offer, but we don't want to be a burden," I replied.

Bronn cleared his throat, the sound making my heart race. I feigned surprise as if noticing him. "Mr. Martin, I apologize if we're blocking the hallway and taking up your time." I turned to Robert and nodded at him. Bronn glanced at Willow with an interest. My stomach knotted. "Dr. Vanderbilt, I'll take Emily to Serenity Pines. Sarah and I have some pressing work matters to discuss anyway."

I swallowed hard but didn't let my tension show. Being alone with Bronn and my child in an enclosed space was the absolute last thing I wanted. "Uhm, it's fine, Mr. Martin, really. I have a car with me." I took Willow's small hand in mine, squeezing it a bit too tightly. "Let's go, sweetie!"

"Bye, uncles!" My daughter waved goodbye.

We left without looking back, guiding Willow through the hospital's main entrance and into the bright afternoon sunlight. We needed to leave that place. When we reached the parking lot, I was startled as Bronn roughly turned me around after I had safely placed Willow in her seat.

"Are you avoiding me, Emily?" Bronn Martin asked.

I considered making an excuse, but a bitter laugh escaped my lips instead. "Shouldn't I be?"

His eyes narrowed, a flash of realization crossing his face.

"Now it makes sense! That daughter-is she Ethan's?" My heart pounded, and a mix of anger and hurt flooded through me. Why did I feel more insulted than accused by his assumption?

"As far as I recall, Mr. Martin, I don't owe you any explanations," I retorted firmly.

"But-"

Forcefully removing his hand from my arm, I tried to ignore the familiar warmth of his touch. It pained me that he'd assume someone else was Willow's father. Then again, Bronn had never been interested in having children with me.

It's my fault; our contract required me to take birth control pills. But with his frequent absences from the mansion, my stress from school, and my mother's condition, I haven't been diligent with my medication. Bronn's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Why did you have to come back, Emily?" he demanded, a hint of resentment in his tone. "Why did you leave back then, only to disturb my life now?"

His accusation stung like a physical blow. "Fuck you, Bronn! Fuck you!" I hissed, careful to keep my voice down with Willow nearby. "Go back to Henderson or hide in BM Technologies! Just don't show up in front of me again. Don't ask me questions I have no answers for!"

Suddenly, his hand was at the nape of my neck, pulling me close. His lips crashed against mine in a searing kiss-right there in broad daylight, with our confused child watching from the car.

It was the kiss I'd longed for, the one I'd missed dearly. But it was from the very wrong man!

Remembering Willow's presence, I pushed him away and slapped him hard across the face. Bronn's expression darkened as he touched his reddened cheek, but I saw him visibly restraining his anger.

On the contrary, I stood my ground and discreetly glanced at him.

"I know what you're doing, Mr. Martin. You're bored with your perfect life and decided to toy with me again. What is it this time-looking for a new contractual mistress to add to your collection? Well, I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'm not that desperate girl anymore. I have a job and a boss who respects me, and I certainly don't need your blood money. The very thought is insulting!"

I was seething with anger. My surprise peaked when the car door suddenly swung open, and Willow stepped out. She locked eyes with me and then with Bronn.

"Why are you bullying my mommy? You're bad!" Willow shouted at Bronn. "I thought you were a nice uncle, but you're just a big bully!"

Before I could react, Willow darted forward, her small hand connecting with Bronn's leg.

"Willow!"

Damn!

I gasped, lunging forward to pull her back. She clung to my thigh, her body trembling against mine as she continued to glare at Bronn. Well, she definitely inherited Bronn's strong territorial attitude!

"I hate you, uncle! You're a mean bully!" Willow shouted, her hand still raised as if to strike again.

"Go back to Henderson, Mr. Martin!" I asserted firmly, guiding Willow back into the car.

"Mommy, let's go home..." she whimpered, tears starting to roll down her cheeks, confused as she glanced at Bronn.

"We're going home, sweetie. Don't worry."

As I adjusted her seat belt, Bronn spoke again. "Emily, I... I regret not coming back when your mother passed away. I didn't know you needed support so badly. I only discovered everything when I started searching for you after you left the mansion."

I closed the car door and turned to him with a steely expression. His words reopened a painful wound, and tears welled up despite my hardened resolve.

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"No, Bronn. That was the day I realized I had fallen in love with the wrong man."

As I spoke, I saw a flicker in Bronn's eyes-pain, regret, perhaps a trace of the love I once believed in. But by then, it was too late.

I continued, my voice trembling with emotion, "That was the day you made me realize I meant nothing more to you than a sexual object. Do you know what happened between my mother and me before she died? She accused me of being just a mistress! I tried desperately to convince myself you treated me beyond that. But you proved her accusation right... and then she lost her life, leaving me alone with that bitter truth."

Entering the car, I left the hospital parking lot. His figure remained in the side mirror, prompting uncontrollable sobs as he stirred up painful memories...

"Mommy, please stop crying," Willow's small voice came from the back seat. "I hate that uncle! When is Daddy coming back? I'll ask Daddy to kick that uncle's butt!" Her small face twisted into a determined pout.

I focused on the road ahead, my vision blurry as I drove away from the parking lot. The bitterness of the past weighed heavily on me.

Days passed, and I foolishly thought everything was fine; Bronn had disappeared from my personal life, and I started to breathe easier.

However, destiny had different intentions. During one of Sarah's business meetings centered around Love Logic, I unexpectedly encountered Bronn Martin once more. Bronn's face darkened upon seeing Sarah and me together, burned with accusation.

"How long do you two intend to keep lying to me?" Bronn accused Sarah and me.

Sarah stepped forward, her brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about, Bronn?"

Before I could even process what was happening, Bronn's following words shattered my world.

"The truth about Willow! You hid it from me, Sarah! And you, Emily... you're the worst of all. Well, see you in court because I'll do everything possible to get my daughter!" My thoughts went blank, unable to process his words.