Emil's POV
I tilted my head to the side, eyes still pinned on her. She glared right back. She had the audacity; brought a pest into my house, claimed to be my wife, and still refused to go away.
I was fuming. My throat felt tight and dry. My skin felt like it was on fire again. The scars, they burned like they always did when I got mad enough. My jaws clenched, I swallowed, and looked away from her. But I could still feel her gaze on me. Not glaring anymore, softer now, curious, but I didn't care. I don't want to get married. I don't want any other women in my life… not after Sera.
I exhaled, trying to calm myself and stared at my mother. I leaned back in my wheelchair, face neutral. If I could move my legs I'd have crossed them.
"Whatever you've planned won't work. I won't marry her."
Mother smirked. Leaned toward me, her gaze sharp under those lashes, confidence radiating.
"Won't marry her? Oh, son… you already are."
I lifted my hand lazily on the arm rest and rested my chin on it like I had all the time in the world. I wasn't in the mood for her games. Not today. Not ever, really. This wasn't the first time she'd done this. It wouldn't be the last.
"Make her leave, Mother. Or I'll do it myself."
My eyes flicked to Rix's rifle on his gun holster. Barely out of reach. My mother followed my gaze, and just chuckled. If we weren't related… I'd have painted these walls with her blood.
She raised her phone to her ear. "Get the documents."
I ignored her. My throat ached. Breathing felt heavy. I reached for the mechanical controls on my wheelchair. I needed to get out of here.
Rix stepped forward to help me, but Mother's glare froze him.
"Don't you dare."
"He works for me－" I said sharply.
The elevator doors slid open. Helena stepped out, a neat folder in hand. She nodded at me as she passed me. I didn't return the gesture.
Mother took the folder from Helena. "Finally."
She opened it, rifled through the papers, and dumped them on me. My hands tightened on the armrest. Some slid onto my thighs, some hit the floor.
A paper on the floor caught my eye. "Marriage cer－"
I picked it up. My eye skimmed it. My name, my signature. A marriage certificate. But it wasn't just mine. There was a picture too－ me, smiling. Two years ago. With Sera. Except Sera was gone. Cut out. And in her place… that girl. The one holding a chicken. Smiling. My Sera replaced by her.
I glared. She noticed, looked away, and scratched the back of her head. My hands squeezed the paper so hard it creased.
Mother folded her arms, all pride, all smugness. I glared back.
"You," she said, pointing at me.
"And her," she said, pointing at that girl.
She joined her hands together. "Are now legally husband and wife."
My skin burned. My chest tightened. Never. I will never get married. Not after…
My throat constricted.
Mother turned toward that girl and gestured.
"Dear… come sit on his lap."