Chapter 42 The quiet of Ryans home office was punctuated only by the soft tapping of keys and the occasional sigh of frustration.
Ryan sat at his desk, scrolling through lists of business contacts and correspondence.
The glow from his laptop cast harsh shadows on his face, deepening the lines of worry etched there.
Amelia sat on the couch, her own laptop perched on her knees.
She clicked through emails, scanning each one for anything that might stand out.
What are we even looking for? she muttered, her frustration seeping into her voice.
Anything unusual, Ryan replied without looking up.
Hostile emails, cryptic messages, connections to Horizon Enterprises… whatever stands out.
Amelia leaned back, rubbing her temples.
If this is about Horizon, why go after the kids? It doesnt make sense.
Its about leverage, Ryan said, his tone grim.
Theyve been trying to undercut my company for years.
If they can rattle me, make me look unstable, they can take the upper hand.
As he spoke, Amelias eyes landed on an email with the subject line: Horizon Proposal Rejected.
She clicked on it, her heart quickening as she read the terse response from one of Ryans competitors.
This one, she said, turning her laptop toward him.
Ryan leaned closer, his brows knitting as he scanned the message.
It was curt, almost threatening, referencing a rejected partnership that had been in their mutual interest.
This came in a month ago, Amelia said.
Right before the threats started.
Ryan leaned back, his expression dark.
Thats not a coincidence.
Amelia nodded, her voice firm.
Theyre trying to destroy youthrough us.
Ryan stood abruptly, pacing the room.
If this is Horizon, we need proof.
Real proof.
Suspicion isnt enough.
Amelia closed her laptop, her jaw set.
Then we dig until we find it.
Damien and Debby are depending on us.
Ryan stopped pacing, meeting her gaze.
No matter how deep this goes, well protect them.
He stepped closer to her, lowering himself into the seat beside her.
He reached out, his hand warm and steady as it closed over hers.
The strength in his grip grounded her, and for the first time in days, Amelia felt the tension in her chest loosen slightly.
I will protect them, Amelia, Ryan said, his voice low and fierce.
With my life, if I have to.
Youll never have to face this alone.
The sincerity in his tone made her throat tighten.
She searched his face, looking for any hint of the man who had once let her down.
But all she saw was determination.
Before she could respond, the intensity of his gaze deepened, and the air between them shifted.
Ryans thumb brushed against her knuckles, his touch lingering.
Amelias breath hitched as the closeness sparked something electric.
Ryan, she whispered, half a warning, half a plea.
He leaned in, his free hand brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
Tell me to stop, he murmured, his voice husky and thick with emotion.
Amelia hesitated, her pulse racing.
She knew this was dangerous, another complication in an already tangled web.
But the vulnerability in his eyes, the strength in his touchit was impossible to ignore.
Instead of pulling away, she tilted her face toward him, her lips parting as he closed the gap.
The kiss was slow but searing, filled with unspoken words and years of unresolved tension.
For a moment, the weight of their shared burdens disappeared, leaving only the heat between them.
Amelia pulled back first, her breathing uneven.
We cant do this, she said softly, though her voice lacked conviction.
Ryans hand lingered on her cheek.
Maybe not.
But it felt real.

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You cant deny that.
She stood abruptly, breaking the moment.
We should keep working, she said, her tone clipped as she grabbed her laptop and moved to the far side of the room.
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