Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 14

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 14: Unwelcome Affections**

An hour later, within the bustling confines of Central Planet’s First Mech Building, Corvin finally concluded his long day in the lab. He reached for his lightcore, intent on sending a quick message to Emma, only to find his contact vanished from his list—deleted without a trace.

Staring at the glaring red exclamation mark, he felt a wave of disbelief wash over him.

“Isn’t it a given that females adore star coins?” he thought, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “So why would she sever our connection right after I transferred some? Did she think I was being stingy?”

Meanwhile, Emma was unfazed by her recent decision to cut ties. “Out with the old, in with the new,” she mused, her thoughts drifting to the countless males that populated her world. If one didn’t meet her expectations, she could easily replace him with another. With this mindset, she drifted into a deep, uninterrupted sleep, feeling liberated.

The following morning, a sense of optimism filled the air as she descended the stairs to prepare breakfast.

As she entered the kitchen, her lightcore chimed with an incoming message from Damian.

“Ms. Tibarn, I’ll be arriving at F-268 soon,” he typed eagerly.

“Just the thought of seeing you makes me so excited,” he continued, his words laced with an eagerness that felt almost palpable.

“I’m not very smart, and I don’t have much. You won’t dislike me, will you?” he added, his apprehension evident even through the screen.

Sitting comfortably in his private starrail, Damian crafted these messages with a sly, almost sinister smile playing on his lips. He had anticipated that a few kind words would coax Emma into unmatching him herself, but she hadn’t taken the bait. Now, he found himself begrudgingly forced to travel to F-268, wasting precious time.

“Fine. If that’s how it is, I won’t hold back,” he thought, determination hardening in his chest.

Since he was already en route, he had no intention of leaving empty-handed. His plan was to manipulate her—and every other match she had—until they were stripped of every last credit.

Emma casually glanced through his messages before responding with a lighthearted ease. “All right, I’ll be waiting at home,” she typed back, shutting her lightcore with a sense of satisfaction as she made her way into the kitchen.

Breakfast was a simple yet inviting affair: oatmeal paired with homemade pickles, alongside a small basket of steaming dumplings. It was humble, yet it radiated warmth.

Drake didn’t need to be called; the moment the aroma of breakfast wafted through the air, he appeared as if summoned by the scent itself. His lazy gaze brightened at the sight of the spread before him.

“You’re really good at cooking,” he remarked, admiration evident in his tone.

“With talent like that, she’ll be welcomed anywhere—and paid well, too,” he thought, picturing the opportunities that lay ahead for her.

“Why not become a chef?” he asked, genuinely curious.

A burst of pink energy rushed inside, and before she could react, Emma found herself enveloped in a warm embrace, the faint scent of his cologne filling her senses.

“Ms. Tibarn! I finally get to see you!” Damian exclaimed, holding her tightly, his face buried against her neck.

In that moment, she felt a strange mix of emotions—his affection was intoxicating, unlike anything she had experienced before. It was impossible to resist.

He inhaled deeply, and his previously restless energy seemed to settle, replaced by a sense of calm.

Emma could hardly breathe as he nuzzled against her neck repeatedly, eliciting a ticklish sensation that made her squirm. It took several gentle pushes before she finally managed to break free from his embrace.

“Ms. Tibarn,” he began, his voice laced with a vulnerability that tugged at her heartstrings.

As she looked into his shimmering red eyes, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. He appeared almost like a lost puppy left out in the rain, his expression a mixture of hope and uncertainty.

“Don’t you like me?” he asked, biting his lip in a way that was both endearing and pitiful.

Emma felt a rush of conflicting emotions as she processed his words, unsure of how to respond.