The Forbidden Throb Chapter 14

Nicholas's POV:

I stood frozen on the sidewalk, my eyes locked on a scene that made my blood run cold.

Emma was stepping out of a sleek black BMW.

Her golden-brown hair caught the autumn sunlight as she smiled at something the driver said.

My stomach twisted when I recognized the car. Daniel's car.

"Nicholas? What are you staring at?" Megan tugged at my sleeve, following my gaze across the street. "Oh! Isn't that your ex?"

I didn't answer, transfixed as Emma briefly met my gaze.

Her eyes flicked to mine for just a moment before she deliberately looked away, acting as if she hadn't seen me at all.

That casual dismissal left me seething with irritation.

"Well, well," Megan's voice dripped with false sweetness. "She certainly didn't waste any time, did she? First you, now your brother. Climbing the Prescott ladder."

"Shut up," I snapped, unable to tear my eyes away.

My mind flashed back to Tom's words at the restaurant after Emma had unceremoniously dumped me.

*Your grandfather's marriage plan never specified which Prescott son, did it? *

* If you're not interested, there's always your brother. *

I had dismissed it then. Daniel wouldn't be interested in someone like Emma. He was too consumed with his precious career, too focused on being the perfect Prescott heir.

But seeing them together now sent an uncomfortable jolt through me.

"I mean, I'm not surprised," Megan continued, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "That night at the charity gala? When she came knocking on your door and found us together? It was your brother Daniel who whisked her away afterward. Your brother's quite the good Samaritan, isn't he?"

I was about to respond when something caught my attention.

The passenger door opened, and Sophia bounded out, immediately linking arms with Emma. My sister's animated chatter carried faintly across the street as Daniel drove away.

I felt an inexplicable wave of relief wash over me. So Daniel was just playing chauffeur after all.

"Daniel was probably just dropping them off," I said, smoothing down my cashmere sweater. " Sophia and Emma are friends. My sister probably asked for a ride and he happened to be free."

I didn't understand why I even cared. So what if they had been shopping together? Emma wasn't my concern anymore. But I had to admit, seeing Emma step out of Daniel's car had sent a flash of unease through me.

"If you say so." Megan's skeptical tone grated on my nerves.

"Enough," I said with more confidence than I felt. "Daniel wouldn't be interested in someone like her. She's not exactly his type—too provincial, too... ordinary."

The words felt hollow even as they left my mouth, but I maintained my dismissive expression.

"Then how do you explain that night?" Megan pressed.

"I asked around," I replied firmly. "That night, it was Harrison—our family driver—who took her home."

Megan studied my face carefully. "You know, for someone who's supposedly over his ex, you seem awfully concerned about her."

"I'm just stating facts," I scoffed, straightening my shoulders. "I couldn't care less who drives her around or what she does. I'm simply correcting your misunderstanding about my brother."

"Right," she smiled, suddenly tugging me toward the entrance of the shopping center. "Let's go inside. I want to check out that new boutique on the second floor."

I allowed her to lead me through the revolving doors, grateful for the distraction.

The air-conditioned interior welcomed us with soft lighting and the subtle scent of expensive perfume. Megan chatted about some designer collaboration as we ascended the escalator, but I was only half-listening.

Twenty minutes later, we were browsing through an upscale jewelry boutique when I spotted Emma examining a delicate silver necklace with a small sapphire pendant.

Sophia had wandered to another display case, temporarily distracted by something that had caught her eye.

Megan followed my gaze and immediately made a beeline for the counter where Emma stood.

"Excuse me," Megan called to the saleswoman who had just finished showing Emma the necklace. "I'd like to purchase that piece."

Emma's head snapped up. "I'm sorry, but I was actually just about to buy it."

"Were you?" Megan's voice dripped with false sweetness. "I don't see it in your hands or your credit card out."

She turned to the saleswoman. "Please wrap it up for me."

"I was here first," Emma said firmly, her composure impressive despite the clear irritation in her eyes.

"Not everything in life follows the rule of first come, first served." Megan replied with a smirk, glancing meaningfully at me. "Just like with Nicholas here. You might have been first, but I'm the one he's with now. "

Though Megan and I weren't actually dating, I didn't bother to correct her.

Emma had been completely ignoring my existence from the moment we walked in, so why should I clarify anything? Making my decision, I stepped forward, pulled out my platinum card, and handed it to the saleswoman.

"We'll take it," I said decisively.

Only then did Emma finally acknowledge me. Her eyes met mine for the first time—a gaze so complex I couldn't decipher all the emotions swirling within.

"Nicholas?" Sophia's voice cut through the tension as she rushed over. "What are you doing here?"

Her surprised expression darted between me, Emma, and Megan, quickly assessing the situation.

"What's going on?" Sophia asked, her tone growing suspicious.

Megan smiled triumphantly as she accepted the small velvet box from the saleswoman. "Emma and I both liked the same necklace, but Nicholas was kind enough to buy it for me."

Sophia gave Megan a thorough once-over, her eyes narrowing. "And who exactly are you?"

"Megan Reid," she replied smoothly, extending her hand.

Ignoring the outstretched hand, Sophia turned to me with disbelief written across her face. "Nicholas, what are you doing? Why aren't you helping your girlfriend?"

"Emma didn't ask for my help," I said coldly, avoiding Emma's gaze. "It's not my problem."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked toward the exit.

Megan hurried after me, the shopping bag with her new purchase swinging triumphantly from her wrist as she followed me out of the store.

As I left, I could hear Sophia's bewildered voice behind me.

"What was that about?" she demanded. "Are you two fighting or something?"

"We broke up," I heard Emma reply quietly.

"You WHAT?" Sophia's shocked exclamation carried through the store, but I kept walking, not looking back.