The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 156

Chapter 156

Emma’s POV:

1 leaned forward, genuinely curious.

This man, who always seemed so perfectly composed, so utterly in control-I wanted to see the cracks, the human parts he kept hidden beneath all that East Coast polish.

“Anywhere,” I said softly. “I want to know everything.”

His fingers traced the rim of his water glass, a gesture I’d come to recognize as him gathering his thoughts.

“Harvard,” he began, his voice taking on a different quality-younger somehow, tinged with nostalgia. ‘My first year of medical school. I joined the football team.”

I blinked. “You played football?”

“American football,” he clarified, and there was something almost sheepish in his expression. “Specifically, I was a linebacker for the Harvard

Crimson. Made the varsity team as a freshman.”

The image didn’t quite compute with the man sitting across from me-this brilliant surgeon who moved through operating rooms with balletic precision, whose hands were worth more than most people’s houses.

“What happened?” I asked, already sensing there was a story here.

Daniel’s smile widened fractionally. “First inter-collegiate game. Yale, naturally. Their running back was built like a freight train.” He paused, taking a sip of water. “Got hit hard enough that I bit through my lip. Had to get stitches inside my mouth.”

My hand flew to my mouth. “Oh my God.”

“I was in the emergency room at Mass General when my professor called.” His eyes met mine, and I saw the ghost of that younger Daniel- stubborn, driven, slightly reckless. “There was an emergency cardiac surgery. Complex valve repair. He needed me to assist.”

“But you were injured,” I protested.

“I went anyway.” His lips curved slightly, almost self-deprecating. “Changed into scrubs, scrubbed in for surgery. Kept spitting blood into the

sink the entire time.”

My eyes widened. “You what?”

“The surgical team was horrified,” he continued, and there was genuine amusement in his voice now. “Once they understood what had happened, they couldn’t stop laughing. By the end of the week, everyone in the medical school knew the story-how Daniel-”

He slowed noticeably on his own name, like it made him slightly uncomfortable.

-how Daniel had assisted in surgery while literally spitting blood, working for his slave-driver attending.

crl:

9:04 am P Ppp.

Chapter 156

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The image was so absurd, so completely at odds with the composed, controlled man sitting across from

This Daniel-the one who’d played football recklessly, who’d walked into an OR with fresh stitches and blood in his mouth-felt like a completely different person from the elegant Harvard professor I thought I knew.

“I can’t picture it,” I admitted, shaking my head. “You’re so… calm. So measured. And you’re telling me you used to be this wild?

His smile widened fractionally,

I studied his face in the soft café lighting, seeing him differently now.

A server passed by with a tray of pastries, the scent of butter and sugar filling the air.

Daniel’s gaze followed the tray briefly before returning to me.

“Would you like dessert?” he asked, his voice warm with amusement.

“No, no,” I waved my hand quickly, then glanced down and discreetly touched my stomach. Leaning closer to him, I lowered my voice to a whisper. “Honestly? This dress is already about to burst.”

His expression softened into something tender, almost indulgent. He stood and offered his hand, helping me down from the high stool with that careful attention he always showed. “Wait here,” he murmured. “I’ll settle the bill.”

I watched him walk to the counter, exchanging easy French with Maggie. While he was distracted, I noticed his wallet lying open on the table

where he’d set it down.

My heart stopped.

Tucked into the clear sleeve was a photograph. Of me.

I recognized it immediately. That was two years ago. I was wearing that pale blue dress, standing in the Prescott garden with sunlight filtering through the trees behind me.

Nicholas had been in this photo. I remembered because he’d insisted Daniel take it for hands while draping his arm around my shoulders possessively.

༥s,

s, practically shoving his phone into his brother’s

But Nicholas wasn’t in the photo anymore.

Daniel had cropped him out. Cut him away so cleanly it was like he’d never been there at all.

Just me. Smiling at the camera-smiling at Daniel, I realized now, my throat tightening.

My eyes burned. I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the sudden moisture.

Footsteps approached-Daniel returning from the counter. I quickly looked away from the wallet, arranging my expression into something neutral, casual.

2/3

am p p pр

ng his hand

only slightly unsteady

coat with these careful hands, adjusting my scarl, seemingly oblivious to my promise to myself

tos together. Real ones. Just the two of us.

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