Chapter 52
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Emma quickly stepped forward and opened the door. “Ga-”
The name barely left her lips before she froze. Her body stiffened as she took in the man standing before her.
Her breath hitched, and her heart clenched for a brief second–but even though she was momentarily caught off guard, her expression remained calm.
After nearly three years apart, Frank had appeared before her again.
But looking at him now, Emma felt nothing.
Frank had changed. He wasn’t old, but the sharp, controlled man she once knew now looked… disheveled. Dark circles shadowed his eyes as if he hadn’t slept in a long time.
If not for his naturally sharp features and the expensive suit barely holding him together, Emma might have mistaken him for a very well–dressed vagabond.
“Who was that man?”
Emma’s brows furrowed slightly. Had Gabriel and Frank just run into each other? If they were truly family, Frank should have recognized him instantly. Which meant… her assumptions had been wrong all along.
Emma’s expression remained composed, but when she met Frank’s gaze, her eyes were cold–icy and indifferent.
“This is none of your concern, Mr. Castro. Leave.”
She lifted her hand, moving to shut the door. She instinctively wanted to avoid him to keep any unnecessary contact to a minimum.
But Frank wasn’t prepared. Emma’s indifference was something he hadn’t anticipated. Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed her wrist, tightening his grip inch by inch.
The veins on Frank’s hand bulged, his forearm taut with lean muscle as he gripped Emma’s wrist and held her in place.
“Emma, how long are you going to keep this up?” he demanded, his voice low and sharp.
For the past two years, he had been searching for her relentlessly. But every time he got close, the trail would go cold, blocked by something–or someone.
And now, standing before him, Emma’s gaze was void of warmth. She was no longer the girl who had followed him around like a loyal shadow–always obedient and always waiting for his attention.
Emma’s body tensed, but then she pulled her lips into a polite, distant smile.
“Mr. Castro, I’m not sure what you mean. Two years ago, I made a conscious decision to leave Castro Group and pursue my studies at Eastside University. I’m grateful for the years you looked after me, and I’ve always respected you. But beyond that, there’s nothing else.”
Her words sent a wave of unease through Frank’s chest. Watching as she tried to shut the door, Frank instinctively tightened his grip, his dark eyes narrowing.
Beneath his seemingly composed gaze was something more dangerous, something possessive.
“Emma, come back. Come back to me. Whatever happened in the past, I’ll let it go.”
Emma’s heart clenched at his words, but her eyes remained filled with nothing but confusion. He got engaged to Lea two years ago. So why was he here now, clinging to her?
She quickly steadied herself and forced her emotions back into place even as a flicker of disbelief briefly flashed through her gaze.
“Mr. Castro, please don’t joke about something so meaningless. I don’t appreciate it.”
Frank reached for her, trying to pull her into his arms. But this time, Emma was faster. Without hesitation, she kicked him.
Caught off guard, Frank staggered back.
Emma’s expression was ice–cold. “Mr. Castro, you’re crossing the line.”
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His patience thinned, frustration seeping into his voice. “Emma, I’m giving you an easy way out. Just take it. Stop being so stubborn.”
Taking a slow breath, he forced himself to lower his voice and said, “Emma, I know you’re angry. (didn’t come for you sooner because… Lea got sick, and I couldn’t leave her.”
