Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 186: My Woman, I’ll Handle It Myself

Chapter 186: My Woman, I’ll Handle It Myself

Leaning against the door, Emma Hart closed her eyes, listening intently to the footsteps in the hallway as they approached her, step by step, and then gradually faded away until silence reigned. Only then did Emma allow her tense heart to relax.

Breathing heavily, Emma felt as if she had committed some unspeakable act. The mere thought terrified her—what if Damien Sterling found out she had been in a room with another man? She imagined he’d be furious enough to consider murder.

"Emma..."

Startled by Oliver Westmore’s call, Emma nearly jumped out of her skin. Panting, she asked, "Did you find it?"

"No, I must have gotten the room number wrong. My date is in another room; she’s not in this one."

"Ah?" Emma felt indifferent by now. "It’s fine, we..." Recalling how she had scampered like a frightened rabbit at the sight of Damien Sterling earlier, she decided it was best not to venture out recklessly, knowing Damien would not entertain any explanations from her.

"Forget it, I won’t change!"

"Not changing?" Oliver looked perplexed at Emma’s dress, catching a glimpse before turning away, embarrassed. "That might not be appropriate. Maybe I should go get it for you."

After a moment’s thought, Emma nodded in agreement. As Oliver prepared to leave, a small piece of paper fell from him, landing right in front of Emma. She bent down to pick it up, discovering it was a photograph.

Extending her hand to give the photo back to Oliver, Emma inadvertently glanced at it and was shocked to see the woman in the photo bore a resemblance to her.

Emma cast a puzzled look at Oliver, then back at the photo, wondering how she could look so similar to the woman pictured, certain she had never taken such a photo.

Oliver paused, turning to look at the photo in Emma’s hand, his affectionate gaze unmistakable.

The room fell into a heavy silence.

After a moment of quiet, Oliver spoke up, tears visible in his eyes, though he seemed to be holding them back. "This is a picture of my ex-girlfriend. She’s no longer with us..." His voice trailed off, unable to hold back his tears any longer. "We were engaged, but she died in a car accident..."

Emma Hart stood, momentarily lost, gazing at the photograph in her hands. The girl in the picture smiled radiantly, her features delicate and beautiful. It dawned on Emma that Oliver Westmore’s closeness to her was driven by her resemblance to his ex-girlfriend. Understanding this, Emma felt a pang of sympathy for Oliver.

Tears streamed down Oliver Westmore’s face, a display of vulnerability Emma Hart had never seen in a man. His uninhibited weeping spoke volumes of his lingering affection and the depth of his longing.

Emma’s hands moved uncertainly, hovering before retreating. She was at a loss on how to comfort the man beside her. "Are you... okay?" she ventured.

"I’m fine," Oliver Westmore replied, his voice thick with emotion, his eyes never leaving Emma. It was clear to her then; her likeness to his former love was the root of his fixation. Even Emma herself couldn’t help but feel the striking similarity was uncanny.

"May I hug you? Just once, please?" he asked.

Caught off guard, Emma found herself enveloped in Oliver’s arms before she could react, tightly held. Her instinct was to push him away, this embrace feeling even more unwelcome than if it had been Damien Sterling’s, despite never having resisted Damien’s arms like this.

However, thinking of Oliver’s lost love, Emma’s resolve softened. Perhaps Oliver was seeking solace, maybe there were words left unsaid, or possibly, he just needed this embrace.

It didn’t feel right to Emma to push Oliver away so harshly.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approached, followed by the click of the door unlocking. Emma turned to see Damien Sterling standing in the doorway, an imposing figure shrouded in darkness. His expression was foreboding, his eyes cold and empty, piercingly fixed on Emma.

Feeling uneasy, Emma hastily pushed Oliver away, wanting to offer some explanation. Yet, as her mouth barely opened, she hesitated. Was there anything she needed to justify? What could she possibly have to explain to him?

Avoiding Damien’s intense gaze, Emma looked away, her mind racing. She questioned herself briefly before standing firm, lifting her head to meet Damien’s stare. Despite the intimidating look in Damien’s eyes, Emma felt now was not the time to show weakness.

Their eyes locked, neither uttered a word.

The air seemed to freeze in the room.

The waiter who had opened the door for Damian Sterling barely dared to breathe, slipping out as quietly as possible.

Sophia Greenwood suddenly appeared behind Damian for no apparent reason. Taking a few steps forward, she reached Emma Hart and, without hesitation, delivered a slap across Emma’s face.

"Emma, how could you do something so disloyal to Damian, dear?" Sophia’s eyes were wide with fury as she glared at Emma Hart, her finger wagging in Emma’s face as if she were more outraged than Damian Sterling himself.

Emma’s cheek burned from the slap, her hand instinctively touching the sore spot. The slap, surprisingly coming from Sophia Greenwood, left her bewildered. Why should Sophia be the one to strike her?

Growing angrier by the moment, Emma stormed towards Sophia, hand raised to return the slap. Just as her hand was about to connect, it was suddenly caught in a firm grip, halting it mid-air.

Lifting her eyes, Emma was shocked to find Damian Sterling himself holding her back. "You..." Tears welled in her eyes. Was he protecting another woman?

With eyes full of resentment, Emma glared at Damian. Beside him, Sophia Greenwood looked on smugly, radiating triumph and arrogance.

It was clear to Sophia that Damian’s heart still had a place for her.Emma, your days of happiness are over!

Damian turned away from the stare-down with Emma, releasing her hand abruptly.

"My woman, I’ll handle it myself," he declared, turning his gaze to the men’s suit draped over Emma’s legs.

Anger surged within him once again as he roughly tore the suit from Emma’s grasp.

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