It Was Done.

Alex parked the car and turned to her. "We're here," he said, although his voice was calm, she could still sense the weight of everything that had happened lingering between them.

Emma nodded, feeling small as she stepped out of the car and onto the gravel driveway. The mansion loomed before her, a symbol of a world she didn't belong to. A world of wealth and privilege.

She followed Alex up the steps, her footsteps light against the polished stone. Inside, the grandeur only continued. High ceilings, marble floors, and luxurious decor greeted them at every turn.

The furniture was elegant and expensive, every detail meticulously designed.

"Feel at home," Alex said, his tone gentler now. "You're safe here. No one can bother you," he said and Emma nodded again, still feeling the weight of her displacement.

She didn't belong here, no matter how much Alex reassured her. Alex led her upstairs, down a long corridor until they reached a room at the far end.

He pushed open the door, revealing a spacious bedroom. The king-sized bed was draped in fine linens, soft rugs covered the floor, and the windows overlooked the gardens below. It was breathtaking, but it didn't feel like hers.

"This will be your room," Alex said, stepping aside so she could enter. "Take your time to settle in," he said as he watched her go in.

Emma stood in the center of the room, feeling both awed and overwhelmed. It was beautiful, but it only made her feel more out of place.

"Thank you," she murmured, unsure of what else to say. She glanced around, taking in the details of the room, but her mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of what had happened earlier and what would happen next.

Alex offered her a nod and turned to leave but before he could, she spoke up. "When... when will we be getting married?" she asked, her voice hesitant. "And... what exactly are the terms? We should have some sort of rule or something," she said and Alex paused, turning to look at her.

His expression was unreadable for a moment, as if he was considering his words carefully. "We'll go to the registry once you've settled in. I have a few things to take care of first, but after that, we'll handle everything," H e said, his tone measured, yet calm.

Emma nodded, though her mind buzzed with questions. She watched as Alex gave her one final glance before leaving the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

Once he was gone, Emma sank onto the edge of the bed, her head in her hands. The day had been overwhelming, and the future uncertain.

She had agreed to this arrangement out of necessity, out of desperation, but now she was unsure of what lay ahead.

Was she really safe here? Could Alex truly keep his promises, or had she just traded one trap for another?

Alex walked away from Emma's room, his footsteps echoing softly on the polished floors as he made his way downstairs. His mind was racing, though his expression remained as calm and collected as always.

As he reached the kitchen, he found his chef preparing for lunch. "Prepare something light for Emma," Alex instructed, his voice curt but polite. "She hasn't eaten, and make sure it's something easy to digest. She's been through a lot today," he said and the chef, who had been accustomed to Alex's direct manner, simply nodded.

"Of course, Mr. Sterling. I'll have it ready shortly," he said and Alex gave a nod of approval and left the kitchen, heading back to his room.

As soon as he shut the door behind him, he let out a long breath and leaned against the wall, rubbing a hand over his face. He had thought this situation would be straightforward.

Emma needed help, protection, and a way out from Jake's toxic grip. He was more than capable of providing all of that, and in return, they would both benefit. Simple. Or so he had believed.

But seeing Emma so shaken and fragile outside the hospital had unsettled him. The way she had clung to his arm, her face pale with fear had stirred something inside him, something unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

He had never been good with emotions, especially not in situations involving vulnerability.

His expertise was in the boardroom, not navigating someone else's personal turmoil. He was used to dealing with tough negotiators, fierce competitors, and cold, calculated moves that would make him more money.

But this? Helping a woman rebuild her life after it had been ripped apart by betrayal and public humiliation? That was a different game altogether.

Alex sank down onto the edge of his bed, staring blankly at the floor as his thoughts churned. Could he really help her? He had made a promise to protect Emma, but after seeing her today, he wasn't sure if he was equipped for this.

"At least," he thought bitterly, "we're not in a real relationship. That makes things a lot easier. It's just business."

He reminded himself of that, trying to strip away the complexities of what had happened. He was good at business. This was just another deal, one with clear terms. He had promised protection, and he was going to deliver it.

Emma was in a vulnerable position, but he could manage this. He had to. He told himself, deciding to handle the issue with the reporters first.

Sitting up straight, Alex picked up his phone and dialed a number. The phone rang a few times before someone answered.

"Boss," the person on the other end said the moment he received the call.

"I want you to ensure that no pictures of Emma or me from today get released. I don't care how you do it, but I don't want to see a single photo in the tabloids tomorrow or ever," he ordered, his voice sharp and authoritative.

There was a pause on the other end as the person on the line acknowledged the instruction.

"And another thing," Alex continued, his voice growing colder. "Send a message to every magazine and media outlet in Sweliss. If any of them even think about harassing Emma again, they'll regret it. Make it clear that if they want to stay in business, they'll leave her alone," he said and ended the call without waiting for a response, tossing the phone onto the bed with a sigh.

It was done. He had taken care of the immediate problem, but deep down, he knew this was just the beginning. The real challenge would be what came next. How to help Emma not just survive, but rebuild her life.