CHAPTER 4: UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER
1262words
That evening, while organizing experimental data, my phone rang. Alexander—surprising, as despite our improved relationship since the gala, he rarely initiated contact.
"Emma, are you busy?" His voice carried a hint of hesitation.
"Just finished an experiment. What's up?"
"I... I'd like to meet for coffee. To talk."
I paused, surprised. "Sure. When?"
"Now, perhaps? I'm near Cambridge for a meeting."
An hour later, we sat in a quiet café near campus. Alexander looked tired but in good spirits.
"University life suits you," he smiled.
"I love it here," I sipped my coffee. "What did you want to discuss?"
Alexander fell silent momentarily, gathering his thoughts. "After the gala, Father and I talked extensively. About you, the family, and... myself."
"Oh?"
"He's actually... proud of you," Alexander said quietly. "Though he struggles to express it, Hamilton's praise left a strong impression."
I smiled slightly but remained silent.
"I want you to know," he continued, "if you truly love biological research, pursue it. Don't alter your path because of family pressure."
"That doesn't sound like Father's perspective," I remarked softly.
"It isn't," Alexander gave a bitter smile. "It's mine. I... I never had choices. From childhood, I was groomed as the Sinclair Group heir—every aspect of my education designed for that purpose."
"You don't enjoy that path?"
"I have no passion for business," his eyes revealed a distant longing. "Given the choice, I'd have become a navigator, exploring uncharted oceans."
I stared at him, astonished. "I had no idea you loved sailing."
"No one does," he said quietly. "It's just an impractical dream."
We sat in silence, each lost in thought.
"Emma," Alexander suddenly said, "I'm sorry I didn't protect you before."
I froze. "What?"
"At the gala, with Olivia's dress... I only learned the truth afterward," regret filled his eyes. "I should have noticed sooner."
I hadn't expected this: "It's fine. That's in the past."
"No, it matters," Alexander insisted. "I'm your brother. I should protect you, not... stand by indifferently."
A warmth spread through me—a feeling my previous life had never known.
"Thank you, Alexander," I said sincerely, "but it's unnecessary. I've learned to protect myself."
We chatted a while longer before leaving. Alexander invited me home for dinner that weekend.
"Mother says she hasn't seen you in ages and wonders how you're doing."
I hesitated, ultimately declining. The wounds from my previous life left me wary of hoping for too much from "family."
---
What I didn't know was that I wasn't the only one who overheard Father and Alexander's garden conversation that night.
Olivia had been hiding on the other side, catching every word. She'd seen the pride in Father's eyes when discussing Hamilton's praise of me, heard Alexander defending me. These revelations intensified her growing unease.
Days later, she approached her mother, who was reading in her bedroom.
"Mom, have you seen Emma recently?" Olivia asked with feigned casualness.
"No, she rarely comes home," Mother sighed, setting down her book. "I worry about her. She looked thinner at the gala—I wonder if she's taking care of herself."
Olivia's heart sank. Even Mother was concerned about Emma? Was she truly being pushed aside?
"Since she chooses to live at school, we can't force her," Mother continued. "Perhaps we should invite her for dinner this weekend. What do you think, Olivia?"
"I'll... let her know," Olivia managed a smile while turmoil raged within.
Back in her room, Olivia sat clutching her bedsheets, consumed by fear and anger. How long had Emma been back? Yet already she was stealing everything—Father's pride, Alexander's protection, even Mother's concern.
She couldn't allow this. She had to act.
Olivia grabbed her phone and dialed: "Hey, baby, remember what I mentioned about Emma Sinclair? Yes, that's right... I need a favor."
---
Friday night, my research group decided to celebrate our semester's progress at a local bar.
"Emma, you must come!" my classmate Zoe insisted. "The whole team will be there—perfect for team building."
I nearly declined—in my previous life, I rarely attended such social events, dedicating all my time to studies and work. This time, however, I decided to give myself permission to relax.
"Alright, I'll be there."
The bar was dimly lit with pounding music. We claimed a large corner table, ordering beers and appetizers.
"To our project's success!" our team leader raised his glass.
"To success!" everyone echoed.
I sipped my beer, watching my classmates laugh and chat. The casual atmosphere felt refreshingly liberating.
"Emma, try this," Zoe handed me a brightly colored cocktail. "It's this bar's specialty—delicious."
I accepted with thanks. The cocktail was indeed excellent—sweet with a hint of tartness, the alcohol barely detectable.
Before I realized it, I'd had several drinks. My head began spinning, thoughts growing sluggish.
"I... need the restroom," I stood, feeling dizzy.
"I'll come with you," Zoe steadied me as we navigated through the crowd.
The restroom lay beyond a dim hallway at the back of the bar. My consciousness grew increasingly foggy, my steps unsteady.
"Zoe, I think I'm... too drunk," I struggled to stay alert.
"It's fine, we're almost there," Zoe's voice seemed distant.
Suddenly, I felt myself pushed into a room. Inside stood several unfamiliar men whose eyes gleamed with malicious intent.
"This is the Sinclair heiress you mentioned?" asked a bearded man.
"Yes, follow the plan," Zoe's voice turned cold and unfamiliar. "Remember, capture her face clearly."
My brain finally registered danger, but my body wouldn't respond. I wanted to flee but could barely stand.
"Don't worry, beautiful. We'll take good care of you," the bearded man approached, grabbing my arm.
At that moment, the door crashed open. A tall figure burst in.
"Let her go!" a deep, furious voice echoed through the room.
I struggled to focus, recognizing a face familiar from my past life—Nathan Blake.
The bearded man clearly hadn't expected interruption: "Get lost! This isn't your business!"
Nathan responded with a swift punch to the man's face, dropping him to the floor. The others rushed forward but severely underestimated Nathan's fighting skills. Within moments, all lay groaning on the ground.
"Are you alright?" Nathan knelt beside me, concern in his eyes.
I tried to answer but felt nauseated, managing only a weak nod.
"I'm getting you out of here," he lifted me effortlessly and strode from the room.
Zoe had vanished from the hallway, evidently fleeing during the chaos.
Nathan carried me through the bar, ignoring startled glances as he headed straight for the parking lot.
"Can you hold on? We're almost at my car," his voice was gentle yet firm.
I rested against his chest, feeling his strong heartbeat. This sense of protection reminded me of my previous life—that figure who had seen me off in the rain.
Nathan carefully placed me on his car's back seat, helping me lie down.
"Sorry... for the trouble," I managed to say.
"Don't speak. Just rest," he soothed, draping his jacket over me. "Where's your home? I'll take you there."
The car glided smoothly through the night. Lying in the back seat, my consciousness ebbed and flowed. During one lucid moment, I caught Nathan's gaze in the rearview mirror—an expression of profound tenderness, as though he were looking at the world's most precious treasure.
Before darkness claimed me again, I heard Nathan whisper: "Don't worry, Emma. This time, I won't let anyone hurt you..."
How did this man know my name?
