CHAPTER 1 — The Flight That Changed Everything
Nobody moved.
Not even the flight attendants.
Lucas still held Emma's hand with surprising strength for a nine-year-old.
"Dad... please."
His voice cracked.
"Don't let her leave."
Little Lily buried her face against Emma's side, her tiny stuffed rabbit dangling from one hand.
"I don't want another nanny."
Emma swallowed hard.
She hadn't seen these children in almost eight months.
She had left without saying goodbye.
Not because she wanted to.
Because she had been fired.
At least...
that was what everyone had told her.
Adrian Cole slowly stood.
The billionaire's expression revealed almost nothing.
Only those who knew him well recognized the tightness in his jaw.
"Emma," he said quietly.
"You weren't supposed to be on this aircraft."
She looked down at the boarding pass.
Then toward the identical jet parked beside theirs.
Her face drained of color.
"I... boarded the wrong plane."
Silence.
The captain stepped out of the cockpit.
"Mr. Cole, we're ready for departure."
Adrian never looked away from Emma.
"No."
The captain blinked.
"Sir?"
"We're waiting."
The entire cabin froze.
A delayed private departure could cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Nobody questioned him.
Emma gently loosened Lucas's fingers.
"I'm sorry."
"You have to let go."
Lucas shook his head.
"No."
"You promised."
Emma frowned.
"I promised what?"
His eyes filled with tears.
"You promised you'd never leave us."
Her heart nearly stopped.
"I never made that promise."
Lucas stared at her.
Then whispered the words that shattered the cabin.
"Yes, you did."
"The night Mom died."
Adrian slowly closed his eyes.
Emma's breathing stopped.
May you like
She had never known...
the children had heard that conversation.
