The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 57

Nicholas’s POV:

If I still had money, would you –

The words died in my throat.

A flash of light caught my eye–sunlight glinting off her left hand where it rested against her lap. I’d been so focused on her face in the rearview mir trying to read her expression, that I’d missed it until now.

A ring.

Not just any ring. Even from this angle, through the mirror, I could tell it was expensive. Platinum band, the kind of understated elegance that screamed old

money. A solitaire diamond that had to be at least two carats, maybe more.

My hands tightened on the steering wheel until my knuckles went white.

“Nicholas?” Her voice came from the backseat, confused. “Are you going to finish that sentence?”

I couldn’t. The question I’d been about to ask–whether she’d come back to me if I had money again–suddenly felt laughable. Pathetic.

She already had someone. Someone with enough money to put that on her finger.

Tom’s text flashed through my mind: Luxury sedan. Looked expensive.

And now this.

I forced myself to meet her eyes in the mirror, schooling my features into something resembling casual interest. “Guess you ve gotten better at it.

My voice came out wrong. Too tight. Too sharp.

‘Better at what?”

“Getting men to like you.” The words came out before I could stop them, bitter and ugly. Must be quite the upgrade from what you had with me

Her blue–green eyes widened. ‘Excuse me?”

‘I mean, with us, you got what? Some dinners? A few shopping trips? I let out a harsh laugh. Must have been frustrating Playing the devoted girlfriend. pretending you weren’t keeping score. And in the end, nothing to show for it.”

“Stop the car.”

Her voice was quiet. Dangerously quiet.

But I couldnt stop. All the emotions I’d been bottling up these past weeks finally broke free.

“Wasn’t it? The innocent act, the shy smiles, the whole I m not like other girls‘ routine. I met her eyes in the mirror, and something in my chest twisted at the hurt I saw there.

3:24 am

Chapter 57

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But I pushed on anyway. You thought you could trap a Prescott But you lost. And when that didn’t work out when the money dried up and the free ride ended you moved on Found someone else.

Nicholas, stop the car Now.

I ignored what she said, a bitter smile twisting my lips. Someone who could give you what you really wanted. So really, I should thank you You then your true colors before I made a bigger mistake.”

I paused, the words turning even more vicious. Make sure you take good care of your sugar daddy. I’m sure he expects a return on his investment

The silence that followed was deafening.

Then, in a voice I’d never heard her use before–cold, cutting, furious–Emma spoke.

“Pull over.”

It wasn’t a request.

I jerked the Porsche to the curb, tires squealing slightly. Behind us, someone honked. I ignored them.

“Get out,” I said, surprising myself.

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