Whispers beneath Diamond
While all this was going on, Mrs. Stone traveled out of the country for business, secrets even her children couldn't fully uncover.
Back at the estate, Adrian sat in his study when his mother's call came in.
"The wedding is tomorrow, right? Why the delay, Adrian?" Her voice was sharp, laced with impatience. "Don't test my patience. I got you a wife so you wouldn't be alone, considering your… condition. You are her boss—do not be soft around her. Don't give her the chance. I raised no weakling."
Adrian clenched his jaw but remained silent.
"Your stepbrother is a better man than you are."
He exhaled sharply. "Mother, a lot has happened to her. She's been through hell these past few days. Not that I care, but—" He hesitated. "At this point, it's impossible not to."
"That's your business," she cut him off. "But the wedding must be held tomorrow."
The firefighters had already handled the blaze, but Emily's home was nothing but ashes now. Adrian had initially refused to help, but after relentless persuasion from Clinton, he finally relented—offering them one of his mother's estates.
"You should be grateful to Clinton for considering you worthy of living in my estate," Adrian told Emily, his voice tinged with bitterness. "You know you're just a swine from the slums."
Emily swallowed hard but said nothing.
"Everything you need is there…. For you and your brother. He can keep the house after our wedding tomorrow."
Her eyes widened. "We're getting married tomorrow?"
Adrian scoffed. "I know you can be silly, but not dumb."
Emily was speechless. Her father was still in the hospital, and she had no means to pay for his treatment. She was completely dependent on the Stones, her fate no longer her own. And the debt collectors? They weren't going anywhere.
Detective Harris arrived later that day, looking grim. "Emily, where's Damian?"
"He's not here. What's going on?"
He sighed. "We've got news. Daniel and Anna, they're organ harvesters. We finally uncovered how they've been changing identities and hypnotizing people to steal their organs."
Emily's stomach turned. "Wait… how do you know this?"
"We found their records. They've been wanted for years. And here's the shocking part, your father bears a striking resemblance to their father. He's currently in the hospital, fighting for his life. He needed a transplant, but they went about it the wrong way."
Emily gasped. "You mean…?"
The detective nodded. "Their father is dead. And Daniel and Anna? They'll be imprisoned for 20 years."
Emily exhaled, her chest tight. "I just want my father to survive."
Her phone rang. It was a staff member from the Stones' estate.
"You need to come down and pick your wedding gown. There are so many—some laced with diamonds, others with gold and precious stones."
The call ended. And just as she was processing that, Damian called.
"Emily, I'm on my way. We need to select your dress. This wedding has been postponed long enough."
She gripped the phone. "Dad is sick, and you're excited about me getting married to a man I don't love?"
"That's not it, Emily." His voice was firm but weary. "How do we pay his hospital bills? Have you thought about that?"
She clenched her fists. "I'm tired of this. Of all of it."
"So am I." He sighed. "You think I like this? That I enjoy watching you marry into a family that looks down on you? But tell me—remember how the debt collector reacted when he found out you were marrying into the Stones? That's security, Emily. That's defense. That's pride."
Emily swallowed back tears.
"Please," Damian said. "Pull yourself together."
She took a deep breath. "Fine. I'm coming."
Arriving at the bridal boutique, Emily felt like she had stepped into another realm—one where wealth dripped from every corner. The walls shimmered with silk drapery, chandeliers cast a golden glow on the marble floors, and velvet cushions displayed the most extravagant gowns she had ever seen.
Before her stood rows of dresses, each more breathtaking than the last. Some were woven with pure silk, their bodices encrusted with radiant diamonds. Others shimmered under the lights, adorned with opals, rubies, and sapphires so large they seemed unreal.
One gown was a masterpiece—embroidered with crushed pink diamonds that sparkled like a bed of stars. Another had pearls hand-stitched into the lace, cascading like dewdrops frozen in time. There was even a gown with delicate chains of white gold and platinum, giving it an ethereal glow.
Emily ran her fingers over a dress embedded with rare blue tanzanite stones, the deep oceanic color mesmerizing. The fabric was lighter than air, yet the weight of luxury pressed down on her like an invisible force.
This is a good life, she thought bitterly. But what is getting married without love?
Adrian was an enigma, intelligent, powerful, yet distant and bossy. How would she survive life as his wife?
"Emily? Emily!"
She jolted back to reality. "Yes?"
"Make your choice," Damian said. "These dresses are one of a kind. Do you even realize the family you're marrying into?"
Emily reached out to touch one of the gowns, but before she could, Damian's phone rang. He stepped outside to answer it.
His heart sank as he heard the news.
"Damian, your father has gone into a coma."
He inhaled sharply, gripping the phone tighter. "Don't tell Emily. Not now."
"Are you sure? She deserves to know—"
"Not today. Tomorrow is her wedding. She doesn't need another reason to break down."
He ended the call and took a moment to steady himself. His fingers trembled slightly, but he straightened his shoulders and turned back toward the boutique.
But as soon as he stepped inside, his breath caught in his throat.
Emily was standing near the dresses, clutching her phone, her body shaking. Silent tears streamed down her face.
Damian's chest tightened. He hadn't told her. But she was crying. Why?
Has someone else told her?
Had she
received another devastating call?
His heart pounded as he approached. "Emily… What happened? What's wrong?"