The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 143

Chapter 143

Her breath caught. But you

There’s a bucket se

1 was going to tell you everything My voice remained steady, certain. Tonight, act written you a note, asking you to meet me here. In this garden, at the fountain. I was going to about that summer

ow you the be

I paused, my hand still cradling her face. I just didn’t expect the plan to be disrupted.”

Emma stared at me, snowflakes melting in her hair where they’d fallen during her walk here. Then her expression shifted, rotring and sharpening at once.

“Did you ever think,” she said, voice rising slightly, “that I might want to do something for you? That I might want to know what you

The words hit like a physical blow.

“You talk about wanting me to be happy, Emma continued, tears spilling over. “But what about your happiness?”

*I’ll get to love you the way you deserve.”

“Emma” My voice barely functioned.

“I’m not afraid of you anymore, you know,” she said, and something in her expression shifted-softer but bolder at once. “I figured out your weakness.”

Before I could process what she meant, Emma rose onto her toes and pressed her lips to mine.

I bent down instinctively, trying to close the distance, but she still had to stretch, her neck arching as she kissed me with a fierce tenderness that undid something fundamental in my chest.

When she finally pulled back-just slightly-her lips found my jaw, then the edge of my chin.

“No more of this,” she whispered against my skin, her breath warm. “From now on, you have to tell me things. If something’s bothering you, tell me. If you’re happy about something, tell me. If I hurt you-especially if I hurt you-you tell me. No more hiding. No more secrets.”

She wrapped her arms around my waist again, her cheek pressing against my chest as she molded herself to me, closing every gap until we fit together seamlessly.

We stood like that for a long moment, snow falling outside, warmth building between us. When she finally pulled back, her eyes held a question.

“The wishing fountain Hermann mentioned,” she said. “What did you wish for?”

A smile tugged at my lips despite everything. You really want to know?”

“Every detail

9:02 am Pppp.

Chapter 143

We started walking, my hand finding hers naturally. “Three coins. Wishing you and Nicholas all the best.”

Her fingers tightened around mine, then she stopped abruptly, turning to face me with an expression caught between indignation and hurt.

“No more wishing,” she declared, her voice firm despite the tremor in it. “From now on, if you want something, you tell me. You make your wishes to me, not to some fountain.”

The fierce protectiveness in her tone surprised a genuine laugh from me. “All right. No more fountain wishes. The wishes don’t come true

anyway.”

“What do you mean?”

I paused, considering how to explain. “I think… when I threw those coins, I wasn’t wholehearted about it. There was this part of me-small,

selfish-that didn’t actually want Nicholas to make you happy. I wished it could be me instead.”

I smiled ruefully. “Maybe the fountain knew. Maybe that’s why none of it came true the way I intended.”

“Daniel…” Emma’s eyes grew luminous again.

“Looking back now,” I continued quietly, “I’m grateful for that selfish part.. If I’d wished with complete sincerity for you and Nicholas-” I stopped, not wanting to finish the thought.

Emma’s grip on my hand became almost painful. “Then we need to fix this.”

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