The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Emma’s POV:

↑ turned to stare at Daniel, certain I’d misheard.

But Daniel’s expression was calm, thoughtful even, as he met Morrison’s gaze with apparent agreement.

“Successful partnerships do require equilibrium,” Daniel continued smoothly. “A careful balance of strengths and compatible goals,”

What?

The word screamed through my mind even as my face remained frozen in that practiced smile. My hand was still wrapped around Daniel’s arm, but suddenly it felt like I was gripping a stranger.

Morrison’s expression shifted into something that looked almost triumphant–vindication, perhaps, that his

protégé saw reason after all.

The smile on my face felt like it was cracking. My throat tightened. In another moment, I wouldn’t be able to maintain this facade, and Morrison would see exactly what he expected a girl in over her head, finally realizing

she didn’t belong.

“But, Daniel said, and something in his tone shifted–warmed, softened, “love doesn’t follow professional logic,

does it, Alexander?”

I blinked, my spiraling thoughts stuttering to a halt.

“The heart has its own criteria,” Daniel continued, his hand moving to cover mine where it rested on his arm. *Emma challenges me in ways I didn’t know I needed. She sees through the credentials and the reputation to something more fundamental. That kind of clarity is far more valuable than matching résumées.”

Morrison’s triumphant expression faltered slightly.

“And speaking of credentials,” Daniel said, his voice taking on a note of quiet pride that made something flutter unexpectedly in my chest, “Emma is hardly lacking in professional accomplishments. She is part of the international medical journalism delegation. Her interview has been featured across multiple platforms,”

“In fact,” Daniel continued, “a clip from one of her interviews went viral just a few weeks ago. It received tremendous support and admiration from viewers across the country. Many young journalists have cited her work as a benchmark—the kind of clarity and authenticity they aspire to achieve in their own reporting.” [:]

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Chaplin 87”

My cheeks warmed. That s….. u generous interpretation.

“The video had done well, yes, but “benchmark” seemed like a considerable stretch. Daniel was making it sound like

I’d won a Pulitzer.

But then-

The thought hit me like a sudden chill.

How does he know about the video?

My gaze snapped to Daniel’s profile, studying the calm certainty in his expression as he continued speaking to

Morrison.

I never told him about the video.

Which meant… what? That he’d looked me up? Searched for my work? Paying attention to me?

My heart was suddenly beating too fast.

“If anything,” Daniel said, his dark eyes meeting Morrison’s with quiet certainty, “Emma is more than I deserve. I

consider myself exceptionally fortunate.”

The silence that followed felt different from before–less hostile, more uncertain. Morrison was reassessing,

recalibrating his position in the face of Daniel’s unexpected defense.

Morrison’s pale blue eyes moved between us, taking in the picture we presented–my hand on Daniel’s arm, the easy way Daniel’s thumb still traced absent patterns on my skin.

“Well,” Morrison said finally, and there was a note of grudging acceptance in his tone, “it seems you two are quite… satisfied with each other.” His smile turned slightly rueful.

“I suppose that closes the door on any matchmaking opportunities I might have entertained. I’ll have to redirect my efforts toward finding Vanessa another suitable prospect,”

„“After all,” Morrison continued with a philosophical shrug, “you’re hardly the only accomplished young surgeon in

Boston.

“Indeed,” Daniel agreed smoothly, though I caught something flickering in his eyes that might have been “amusement. “Vanessa is remarkably talented. I’m certain she’ll have no shortage of worthy candidates.”

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Chapter B

“I appreciate your confidence,” Morrison said, his tone warming fractionally–the closest thing to genuine he’d sounded since this conversation began.

ave you to your busi He glanced at his watch, then back at Daniel, “Well, I should leave you to your business. I need to get busy, too.”

“Of course.” Daniel said. “Please, take some fruit with you-

“Actually,” Finterjected, surprising myself with how natural my voice sounded, “Daniel, you’re always so focused on everyone else. What about you?”

I reached into the basket before either man could respond, selecting another perfect grape,

This time, there was no hesitation, no second–guessing. I lifted it toward Daniel with the kind of easy domesticity that suggested we did this sort of thing all the time.

“Open up.”

Daniel’s dark eyes met mine, and for a moment, the rest of the corridor seemed to fade. There was something unreadable in his gaze before he leaned forward and accepted the grape from my fingers.

His lips brushed my fingertips again, warm and deliberate.

“Sweet?” I asked softly.

“Super sweet.

Daniel’s lips curved into a smile, his voice pitched low enough that I could hear the hint of something-

amusement?

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