Rick's POV
"You will do no such thing," I said firmly, stepping forward with a raised brow, my irritation clear.
"Rick, this woman insulted and slapped your wife, and that's all you have to say?" she spat, her glare intense.
I shrugged, my eyes fixed on the scene before me.
"I'm not taking sides, but I saw what happened. Emilia slapped her first. Just because she's my wife doesn't mean she's always right."
"How dare you say that to me in front of everyone? Are you stupid or something? Oh, I see. You actually like this trash, don't you?" she snapped, rolling her eyes at Catherine in disgust.
For some reason, my heart pounded at her words.
I wanted to respond, but Catherine's sharp voice cut through the tension.
"I won't stand here and let you insult me. Just because you're spoiled doesn't mean you can't admit when you're wrong," she shot back.
I blinked. Such boldness?
There was something about her; something beyond her wealth and status. From the moment I first saw her, I felt a pull, an undeniable force.
For a fleeting second, I wanted to embrace her for standing up to Emilia. Instead, I bit my lip.
Everyone knew better than to challenge Emilia Jones, not because she was my wife, but because she was the ruthless heiress of the Jones family, a woman who never hesitated to humiliate others.
I never saw anything wrong with it. Not until today.
And now, because of Catherine, I found myself questioning everything.
"Don't talk to my wife like that," I said, more as a cover than a command, sensing Emilia's sharp gaze on me.
"I don't need your intervention. I'll take care of her my own way," she snapped and stormed out of the lab hastily.
For a moment, my heart skipped at her words.
I felt pinned to the spot because I knew what Emilia could do, and I feared for Catherine. She might be wealthier than Emilia, but I doubted she was a match for her when it came to dark dealings.
"What are you all standing around for? Get back to your duties before I start picking you off one by one," I yelled at the workers, who had formed clusters of onlookers, poking their noses in to grab gossip.
Turning to Catherine, I ordered, "Go to the store and test room and assist with the ongoing process."
"Alright, sir," she replied, pushing her hair back. That's when I saw the mark behind her ear. My eyes widened in disbelief as I watched her walk away.
"That mark," I muttered under my breath. I had seen that mark before, and the only person who had it was Emma, my ex-wife, who died six years ago.
My heart quickened.
The pains I had managed to suppress for six long years, came crawling in my heart over again.
Her floating body on that ocean flashing in my sight repeatedly.
I shut my eyes in agony.
She looked nothing like Emma Peters, and for the fact , she is the daughter and heiress of the Moores, made matters more complicated.
"There's definitely a resemblance in the mark. The saying that people bear same features spring forte in my heart.
But still…
"It's just a coincidence," I murmured, trying to shake off the growing unease. I turned and followed Emilia.
I knew she was nowhere but in my office. Why she chose to visit the hospital today was beyond me, but I doubted her intentions were good, given the earlier confrontation with Catherine.
"Look who decided to come after me," she narrowed her eyes at me disapprovingly once I opened the door to the office.
"What was that display back there? Answer me, Rick Andy!" she snapped angrily.
"Don't yell at me like that. I'm still your husband, the head here. By the way, why did you come to the hospital today if all you were going to do was cause trouble?" I asked, my jaw tightening.
"Look who's talking. Or do you think I didn't notice that look in your eyes when you looked at her?" She scoffed bitterly. "I know you like her, and don't forget what I can do to her. I'll stop at nothing to ruin her," she asserted.
"You will do no such thing," I barked. "I might have defended her because you slapped her first, but that doesn't mean I like her. She's just a new hire who deserves to settle in, not be harassed." I lied, trying hard to keep my expression neutral.
"This is a hospital, not a playground. Don't come here creating unnecessary scenes. Do I need to remind you of that?" I scoffed.
She remained silent for a moment, tapping on the desk with one hand while the other rested on her waist. Her foot slammed on the tiled floor.
"How dare you speak to me like that, after everything I've done for you? Don't forget, I've been by your side for the past six years. You don't get to accuse me of causing a scene," she yelled, her voice echoing through the room.
My brows raised in annoyance.
"Lower your voice, woman. What have you done for me? Tell me. Other than turning my life in misery?"
"What do you mean?"
"News flash. Did you think I wouldn't find out?"
"Find out what?" Her face masked in confusion.
Her expression faltered.
I stepped closer. "That you framed Emma. That you manipulated me into marrying you. Did you think I'd stay blind forever?"
Her face paled.
"You want credit for what you've done? You've given me nothing but misery. No child. No peace. And now you want to destroy the only thing that's giving me some sort of peace you denied me?"
The words were out before I could stop them.
She laughed bitterly. "I knew it. The way you looked at her, you don't even deny it anymore."
I clenched my fists. "Listen to me carefully, Emilia. If you try to hurt Catherine, consider yourself dead. Or locked away in prison. I don't care how powerful your father is."
"I was naive and stupid to trust you in the past, but trust me, I'm not the same Rick Andy you married. Try anything, and you won't like the consequences."i warned.
She moved closer, closing the distance between us, her dark eyes flashed.
My thoughts hovering in circles.
"You know me, Rick," she said, her voice filled with venom. "Just watch and see."
She turned to leave the office, but I grabbed her wrist, stopping her.
Her words hitting me hard.
"Never dare think of hurting a single hair from her head" I warned again.
She fixed her gaze at mine, and then at her arms, which I held firmly.
"Get you hands off me" she cursed, trying to pull away, but I held firm.
My rage intensifying.
"I mean ever single word I have spoken" I reminded before letting go of her arms.
She slowly brushed the area off, moving over to the door, then turned to meet my gaze yet again.
Without uttering a word, she slammed the door behind her.
"Ahhh" I groaned, slamming my hands on the office desk. Slowly pacing around the office.
My heart felt unease.
"Calm down, Rick" I adviced myself as my hands clutched to my chest.
What had she done to me?
Why was I suddenly unease?
Why did I have to yell at Emilia all because of a stranger I barely knew?
All those questioned remained unanswered.
I had never felt this way before ever since Emma died. Why am I feeling it all over again.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
"No. It's impossible. Emma is dead. Her body washed up on the shore. I saw it with my own eyes."
But deep inside, an unsettling thought gnawed at me.
Was Catherine really just a stranger?
Or was she something more?
"Damn it!" I yelled, slamming my hand against the wall in frustration…..