Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3013

When she had suddenly called saying she needed him, he had assumed Kya's fever had spiked again. He hadn't even been home for a full minute before he rushed right back out.

Mrs. James frowned. "I couldn't say it over the phone. That's exactly why I needed you here."

"What is it, then?"

She handed him a thick envelope. "Someone dropped this off today. Have a look."

Shooting her a skeptical look, he ripped it open. His expression instantly hardened.

Inside were over a dozen photographs of Emily and Wilson.

They showed Emily stepping out of Wilson's car, Wilson handing her a gift, and the two of them standing outside her office building, looking incredibly cozy as they laughed together.

The timestamp on the photos was from just two days ago.

Charlie tossed the stack onto the coffee table, his voice flat. "I know him. He's just someone from Emily's college days. Whoever sent these is sick in the head if they think a few pictures will tear us apart."

His mother let out a sharp scoff. "Who else could it be? Don't pretend you don't know. You created this mess, so you fix it. Do not let this disrupt the peace in this family. And you'd better handle it quickly—if this reaches Emily, don't expect me to take your side."

Already agitated from his fight with Emily, the sight of the photos felt like salt in an open wound. "I'll get to the bottom of this," he said grimly.

"I don't care what kind of drama anyone tries to stir up," Mrs. James warned. "The only thing that matters is your relationship with her. Besides, you need to finalize the engagement plans as soon as possible so these other women finally get the message."

The mention of an engagement only brought back the stinging memory of Emily suggesting a breakup. Frustrated, he stood up. "I know. I'm going to check on Kya."

Out in the garden, the little girl was happily swinging. The moment she spotted him, her face lit up, and she hopped off to run toward him.

Dressed in a pristine white dress, she looked vibrant and adorable. Her bright, innocent eyes were a perfect copy of Emily's.

Charlie dropped to one knee and opened his arms, scooping her into a tight hug. His voice instinctively softened.

She nodded, pushing his chair toward a shaded spot under a large oak tree. She handed him a tissue. "You're sweating."

"It's nothing," he brushed it off. "Look at them out there in the blazing sun."

She passed him a bottle of water. "How have you been?"

Work had been a nightmare lately, and it had been over two weeks since her last visit.

"Great. No complaints at all," he said. "Where's Kya? Did you come alone?"

She quickly came up with an excuse. "It's way too hot out, so I left her at home."

"Your brother stopped by this morning," Shawn noted. "We chatted for a bit before his wife called and dragged him away."

Remembering the fruit basket on his table, Emily nodded in understanding.