Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3012

Hearing his demand, Emily whipped her head around. Without a second thought, she lunged for his phone and ended the call.

His expression darkened instantly. "Give it back."

"No." She glared at him with fiery defiance. "Charlie, please stay out of my business. Do you think every time I hit a speed bump at work, I'm supposed to come crying to you to fix it? Or if I'm short on cash for the studio, I should just beg you for money? I know you could snap your fingers and have my boss replaced. But what if the next one hates me too? Are you going to replace them as well? I may be with you, but I refuse to be a parasite who relies on you for everything! Everyone faces challenges when they're starting out in their career. I don't see it as a burden; it's how I grow. So please, back off."

A thick knot formed in Charlie's throat. "Did you ever stop to think about my side of it?" he asked, his voice heavy. "How am I supposed to sit back and watch my girlfriend get bullied? Everyone else seems to know you're struggling, yet I'm the one left entirely in the dark!"

Her eyes reddened, and she pressed her lips into a tight line. "I am your girlfriend, but I am also Emily Sullivan. I just want to be me."

He stared at her, utterly stunned, his dark eyes swirling with a profound, quiet devastation.

A choked sob escaped Emily's lips. Overwhelmed by the crushing weight in her chest, she blurted out, "These issues have always been the fundamental flaws between us. If I can't meet your expectations and you can't stand my independence, maybe we should just break up. We'd both be better off."

His stomach dropped into a bottomless pit. Reaching out, he gripped her chin, his gaze fierce and deeply wounded. "Emily Sullivan. Do you really think breaking up is something you can just throw around so easily?"

Tears welled in her wide eyes. She wrenched herself out of his grasp, fighting as if escaping a cage. "If you interfere with my career, we are done!"

"Try me," he fired back, furious.

Emily spun around and grabbed the door handle, but he yanked her back by her arm.

She slammed against the seat as he leaned over her. He was absolutely livid. The calm, refined demeanor he usually wore was entirely gone, replaced by a dark, volatile intensity.

This version of him reminded her of the early days, back when she had constantly rejected his advances.

Taking a shaky breath, Emily whispered, "We both need to cool down."

*

She returned to the Royal Mansion alone.

But by the time she walked out of her room, all she saw was his retreating back and a takeout bag of dinner left on the dining table.

*

Charlie had received an abrupt call from Mrs. James and immediately sped back to the James family estate. He strode through the doors, his pace frantic. "Is Kya sick again?"

His mother peered around him. "Did you come back by yourself again?"

"Where is she?" he demanded.

"She's fine," Mrs. James replied calmly. "She's out in the yard playing with your father. I'm the one who needed to see you."

He let out a massive sigh of relief and collapsed onto the sofa. "Next time, could you please just tell me that over the phone?"