The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Sophia’s POV:

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“You WHAT?” The words burst from my mouth before I could stop them, ehoing through the boutique.

Several shoppers turned to stare, but I couldn’t care less about causing a sene.

“When did this happen? How? WHY?”

Emma stood there, shoulders slightly hunched, looking like she wanted the polished marble floor to swallow her whole.

The saleswoman hovered awkwardly nearby, clearly unsure whether to offer assistance or retreat.

“It’s… complicated,” Emma finally said, her voice so soft I had to lean closer to hear. “Can we talk about this somewhere else?”

I nodded, linking my arm through hers and steering her toward the store exit.

Seeing that it was getting late, I suggested we find a place for dinner.

We ended up at a quiet Italian bistro in the corner of the mall, where we could talk privately over pasta and bread.

Once we were settled with our food, I turned to face her. “Now, can you tell me what’s going on?”

Emma sighed, brushing a strand of golden-brown hair behind her ear.

“Nicholas and I just weren’t right for each other. We decided it was better to end things now rather than later.”

I stared at her in disbelief. “You expect me to believe that? Emma, our families have been planning this match for years. Everyone’s been waiting for your engagement announcement. You wouldn’t just throw that way on a whim.”

“It’s not a whim, Emma protested weakly, her gaze fixed on her plate.

“I know you,” I insisted. “You’re not impulsive or irresponsible. ” I paused, emembering the blonde who had been clinging to my brother’s arm

earlier.

“It’s because of that Megan woman, isn’t it? Did Nicholas cheat on you?”

Emma’s eyes met mine briefly before dropping back to her pasta. Her silente told me everything I needed to know.

I felt anger bubble up inside me. I slammed my palm against the table.

“Unbelievable! My brother clearly needs glasses. Or a brain transplant. How could he look at someone like you and then choose… that?”

“It’s okay,” she said, though her eyes told a different story. “It’s probably for the best. We weren’t really right for each other.”

I studied her face carefully. Despite the hurt in her eyes, there was something else there-a quiet resolve, a kind of peace that hadn’t been

present before.

Before I could press further, Emma’s phone chimed.

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Chapter 15

She glanced at the screen and frowned. It’s my mother. She says there’s an emergency at home and I need to go back right away.

Oh, I said, disappointed. “I guess our shopping trip is cut short.”

I’m so sorry, Sophia, Emma replied, genuine regret in her voice. “Maybe we can reschedule?*

Absolutely, I assured her, giving her a quick hug. “And Emma? Don’t worry about Nicholas. If he can’t see how amazing you are, then he doesn’t deserve you.”

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She smiled gratefully, her blue-green eyes crinkling at the corners.

Thank you, Sophia. For everything.”

As I watched her hurry toward the mall exit, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen next.

Part of me had always hoped Emma would become my sister-in-law. She was kind, genuine. But if Nicholas had truly cheated on her with that Megan person…

That night, I lay in bed staring at my ceiling, sleep eluding me completely

The revelation about Emma and Nicholas kept spinning through my mind, along with the memory of Nicholas’s callous behavior in the boutique.

After turning over for what felt like the hundredth time, I finally gave up on sleep.

I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and dialed Daniel’s number before I could talk myself out of it.

He answered on the third ring, his voice alert despite the late hour.

“Sophia? Is everything alright?”

“Did you know Emma and Nicholas broke up?” I blurted out, skipping any greeting.

There was a brief pause. “Yes,” he finally said. “I found out a few hours before you did.”

“So you knew when you dropped us off at the mall?” I demanded, suddenly indignant that he hadn’t mentioned something so important.

“It wasn’t my place to tell you, Sophia, Daniel replied evenly. “That was bween Emma and Nicholas.”

I flopped back against my pillows, frustrated, “Nicholas was a complete jer today. You should have seen him at the mall. He bought a necklace Emma wanted just to give it to that horrible Megan woman.”

“You ran into him at the mall?” Daniel asked, sounding genuinely surprise

“Yeah, some blonde who was hanging all over him. Apparently, she’s the oe Nicholas cheated with.” The words left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Daniel was silent for so long I thought we might have been disconnected: Daniel? Are you still there?”

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Chapter 15

I’m here, he said finally, his voice carefully controlled. Perhaps Nicholas allowance is still too generous.”

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I just don’t understand how he could do that to her,” I said, feeling the sting of tears. “Emma is so sweet and smart and beautiful. And that Megan person is just… ugh. She’s awful. All plastic smiles and fake niceness.”

Matters of the heart can’t be forced, Sophia, Daniel replied softly.

I stared into the darkness of my bedroom, suddenly struck by a thought. Daniel, we have to do something. We can’t just let this happen.”

“What exactly would you have me do?” he asked.

‘I don’t know! Talk to Nicholas? Make him see sense? Emma is perfect for him, and he’s throwing it all away for someone like Megan.”

“If you were Emma, Daniel said slowly, “would you take Nicholas back after what he did?”

I opened my mouth to say yes, then closed it again. Would I? If someone had bought a necklace I loved right in front of me just to give it to

another woman, humiliated me, cheated on me… would I forgive them?

“No, I admitted reluctantly. “I wouldn’t. But-

“Then why should Emma?” Daniel’s voice was gentle but firm.

I felt tears welling up. “I just… I really liked her, Daniel. I wanted her to be part of our family.”

“I know, Sophia.”

“She would have made such a beautiful sister-in-law,” I said, unable to keep the wobble from my voice. “And now I’ll probably never see her

again because Nicholas couldn’t keep his stupid-”

“You’re getting ahead of yourself,” Daniel interrupted. “Emma isn’t going to disappear from your life just because she and Nicholas are no

longer together.”

“How do you know?”

“Because she values your friendship,” he said simply. “And because…”

“Because what?” I prompted when he didn’t continue.

“Nothing,” he said. “You should try to get some sleep, Sophia. It’s late.”

But-

“Goodnight, Sophia.” And before I could protest further, he ended the call.

I flopped back onto my pillow with a frustrated groan.

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Between Nicholas’s infuriating behavior and Daniel’s cryptic comments, my brothers were driving me insane.

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The Forbidden Throb