Chapter 14 - UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Later that afternoon,
while Maisie played in the sprawling indoor conservatory with Mrs.
Gable,
Nathaniel led Emma out to the private garden behind the mansion.
The snow crunched softly beneath their boots as they walked along the stone path.
“The board members at the docks have officially surrendered,
” Nathaniel said,
breaking the peaceful silence.
“They realized that opposing me without Marcus is a losing battle.
”
“Does that mean you're safe?” Emma asked,
looking up at him.
“In this world,
safety is never permanent,
” Nathaniel answered honestly.
“But my enemies know better than to test me again.
”
He stopped by an ancient stone fountain,
turning to face her with a serious expression.
“Emma,
I need to tell you something about my past,
” Nathaniel said quietly.
“You don't have to,
” Emma interrupted gently.
“I know who you are,
and I know what you do.
”
“No,
you know the legend,
” Nathaniel corrected.
“You don't know the boy who lost everything on a cold Boston night twenty years ago.
”
Emma listened intently,
sensing that he was lowering the impenetrable walls around his heart.
“My father built this empire through blood and betrayal,
” Nathaniel spoke softly,
his gaze fixed on the frozen fountain.
“When he was killed,
I had to take his place to survive.
“I built a wall around myself so thick that no one could ever hurt me again.
“For twenty years,
I had money,
power,
and fear.
“But I didn't have a single person who cared whether I lived or died.
”
Emma stepped closer,
placing her hand gently over his cold leather-gloved fingers.
“You have us now,
Nathaniel,
May you like
” Emma whispered,
her voice carrying a profound weight of truth.
