My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 87

Chapter 87

But it was my father. “Emma“you okay?”

“Hi, Dad. Yeah, I’m okay. Jeremygot back safely?”

“He did. He’s in the war room now, mapping out defensive positions with the military advisors.” A pause “He told me what happened. How you two argued before he left.”

Embarrassment flooded through me. “I was a jerk. He was doing the right thing and I made him feel guilty about it.”

“You were scared,” my father corrected gently. “There’s a difference, baby girl. And Jeremy understands that. He’s not angry.”

“He should be.”

“He’s not. He’s worried about you. Feels guilty for leaving you alone after-” He stopped. “After you two finally started

reconnecting.”

So Jeremy had told him about that too. About us being intimate. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

“Dad, I’m fine. Really. I was just–I reacted badly. But I’m okay now.”

“Are you? Because being alone in a safe house while mercenaries plan to attack your pack–that’s not exactly fine.”

“I’m safe here. Safer than I’d be in pack lands.”

“That’s true. Doesn’t mean it’s easy.” He paused. “Emma, I need you to know something. Jeremy’s going to do everything he can to end this quickly. To get back to you. He’s motivated in a way I haven’t seen since–well, since before everything went wrong between you two.”

“I know. I can see it.” I curled up on the couch. “Dad, what if–what if he doesn’t make it back? What if the mercenaries-”

“Don’t think like that. Jeremy’s smart, skilled, and has the entire pack backing him up. He’s going to be fine.”

“You can’t know that.”

“No. But I believe it. And you should too.” His voice softened. “Emma, I watched you two together before this all fell apart. Watched the way he looked at you, the way you looked at him. You had something real. Something worth fighting for.”

“And then he destroyed it.”

“And then he’s been spending every day since trying to rebuild it. That has to count for something.”

It did count. I knew it did. Jeremy had been consistent, honest, committed to healing and change. He’d done the work. Showed up to therapy. Actually engaged instead of going through the motions.

And just when we’d finally made real progress, when we’d been intimate and vulnerable and honest–the universe threw another crisis at us.

“I should have been more supportive,” I admitted. “Should have told him I was proud of him for stepping up instead of making him feel bad about leaving.”

“You can tell him when he calls. Or when he gets back.” My father’s voice turned serious. “But Emma, I need you to promise me something.”

“What?”

“Stay in the safe house. Don’t try to come back to help. Don’t put yourself in danger because you’re worried about Jeremy or the pack.” He paused. “Promise me you’ll stay safe.”

“I promise, Dad.”

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“Goud. Berause losing you would destroy more than jus! Jeremy. It would destroy me too.”

“I know. I love you, Dad.”

“Love you too, baby girl. Now getsome rest Tomorrow’s going to be a long day for all of us.”

After we hung up, I tried to follow his advice. Tried to sleep. But every time I closed my eyes, I saw jeremy fighting. Saw him bleeding. Saw him dying while sat uselessly in a cabin three hours away.

So I got up. Made coffee I didn’t need. Paced the small space until I’d worn a path in the floor.

My phone buzzed again. Another text from Jeremy: “Briefing done. Defensive plan in place. About to get a few hours sleep before early meeting. You okay?”

“Can t sleep. Worried.”

“About?”

“You The pack. Everything.”

“Emma, I need you to trust me. I’m good at this. Tactical planning is one of my strengths. We have a solid defense, good positioning, alliance support. We’re going to win this.”

“And if you don’t?”

“Then I’ll have died protecting something that matters. But I’m not planning to die. I’m planning to destroy Black River, end this threat, and come back to you.”

“Promise?”

“Promise. Now please, try to sleep. I need to know you’re taking care of yourself.”

“Only if you do the same.”

“Deal. Goodnight, Emma. I love you.”

“I love you too. So much. Please be safe.”

“Always.”

I finally forced myself to go to the bedroom. To lie down in the bed where we’d made love just hours ago. His scent was still on the pillows, the sheets.

I buried my face in his pillow and let myself cry. For the fear, the uncertainty, the horrible timing of it all

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