The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Emma’s POV:

The line crackled with silence.

Rain continued its steady drumbeat against the window.

I pulled the quilt higher, suddenly hyperaware of every sound the distant crash of waves, the creak of the old house settling, my own shallow breathing.

“Yes,” Daniel said finally. His voice was careful, measured. “It does.”

My heart hammered so hard I was sure he could hear it through the phone.

“Then..” I swallowed. The words felt impossible, like trying to speak underwater. “Then let’s get married.”

A sharp scrape–like a chair being pushed back abruptly. Then I heard it: Daniel’s breathing, suddenly audible, faster than it should be.

A pause. Then a slow, measured exhale–deliberate, like he was forcing himself to steady.

When his voice came back, it carried the careful control of someone who’d just caught themselves.

*Emma. Have you been drinking?”

“What? No.” I sat up straighter, my voice firm and clear. “I haven’t touched a drop. I’m completely sober, Daniel.”

The line went silent again.

My heart kicked against my ribs. The silence stretched, each second feeling longer than the last.

Oh God. Has he changed his mind?

The thought hit like ice water. What had I been thinking, calling him in the night with this ridiculous proposal? He’d probably had time to reconsider, to

realize how absurd the whole thing was-

“Daniel.” My voice came out smaller than I intended. I cleared my throat, forced myself to push through. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

“All right. His answer came without hesitation this time, firm and clear. “We’ll get married.”

Relief flooded through me so suddenly, my eyes stung.

I pressed my free hand against my chest, feeling my heart hammer beneath my palm.

He’d said yes.

“Where are you right now?” Daniel’s voice cut through my thoughts, practical and composed.

I swallowed, trying to steady my voice. “Portland. At my grandmother’s house.”

“I see.” There was a pause, then his voice came again, measured and decisive. “I have the next two days off. I’ll drive up tomorrow.

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My mind went blank for a second.

‘Oh: Okay.” The words came out automatic, almost dazed.

‘Get some rest, Emma His tone softened slightly. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Right. Yes. Good night, Daniel.”

“Good night.”

The line went dead.

I sat there in the darkness, phone still pressed to my ear, staring at nothing.

Tomorrow. He’s coming tomorrow.

The reality of it was only just beginning to sink in. Everything had happened so fast–one phone call, a few exchanged sentences, and suddenly I was going to bring him home to meet Grandma.

I pressed my face into the quilt, equal parts terrified and incredulous.

Part of me wanted to rush downstairs and tell Grandma immediately, but she always went to bed early. The news would have to wait until morning.

I expected to lie awake for hours, anxiety churning through every possible scenario of tomorrow. Daniel will meet Grandma. What I’d say. How I’d explain.

But unexpectedly, my eyes grew heavy almost as soon as my head hit the pillow. And I slept.

Deeply. Dreamlessly. The kind of sleep I hadn’t had in weeks.

Sunlight streamed through the eyelet curtains when I finally stirred, warm and disorienting.

I blinked groggily, still half–submerged in sleep. The familiar sounds of home drifted up from downstairs–Grandma moving around in the kitchen, seagulls

crying outside, the distant crash of waves.

What day is it? Why does it feel like I’m forgetting something?

I reached blindly for my phone on the nightstand, squinting at the too–bright screen.

Three messages. All from Daniel.

I’ll drive up tomorrow morning. Should arrive around 10.

Let me know if you need anything before then.

Get some rest, Emma.

The timestamps progressed through the night, the last one sent just past midnight.

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Chapter 30

My brain processed the words slowly. Then all at once.

10 a.m.

I shot upright, the quilt tangling around my legs.

What time is it now?

“Oh my God

I practically fell out of bed, stumbling over the patchwork quilt as I scrambled for my clothes. My hands shook as I pulled on jeans and a sweater.

“Oh no. No, no, no

I bolted for the door, taking the stairs two at a time. Grandma looked up from her knitting in surprise as I careened into the living room.

“Emma? What on earth-”

“I have a friend coming over,” I blurted out, already scanning the room with panicked eyes. When was the last time I’d dusted in here? Were there dishes in the sink? “Today. Soon. Like, very soon.”

Grandma set down her knitting, eyebrows raised. “A friend?”

“Yes. A…” I swallowed. “A boyfriend. My boyfriend.”

The words felt strange on my tongue. Foreign.

Grandma’s expression shifted to something between surprise and amusement.

“Nicholas is coming?” She stood, brushing yarn from her lap. “Emma, dear, he’s been here before. Why are you so worked up?”

“It’s not-” I caught myself. “I mean, there’s been a change. Remember what I mentioned yesterday? ‘

Understanding dawned slowly across her face.“You’re telling me about this change today?”

I nodded, gripping my hand. “Yes. So maybe… brace yourself?”

A spark of determination flashed in her eyes–the same look she got when facing down difficult clients back in her design days.

“Well then.” She squared her shoulders. “After yesterday’s shock, I’m prepared now. Whatever you haua

Chapter 30

My brain processed the words slowly. Then all at once.

10.a.m.

I shot upright, the quilt tangling around my legs.

What time is it now?

9:47.

“Oh my God-“

I practically fell out of bed, stumbling over the patchwork quilt as I scrambled for my clothes. My hands shook as I pulled on jeans and a sweater.

“Oh no. No, no, no-

I bolted for the door, taking the stairs two at a time. Grandma looked up from her knitting in surprise as I careened into the living room.

“Emma? What on earth-

*I have a friend coming over,‘ I blurted out, already scanning the room with panicked eyes. When was the last time I’d dusted in here? Were there dishes in

the sink? “Today, Soon. Like, very soon.”

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