Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2995

Emily leaned in, taking his slender, well-defined fingers in her hands. She looked up with a smile. “Guess what I was just thinking about?”

Charlie raised an eyebrow. “That your husband is incredibly handsome?”

Emily pressed her face into his waist, laughing quietly. “Mr. James, will you ever stop being so full of yourself?”

Charlie replied calmly, “I can't help it—it's just the truth.”

Emily burst out laughing even harder.

Charlie pinched her cheek gently. “But you still haven't told me what you were really thinking.”

Emily turned her head, her laughter spilling tears onto her lashes, making her eyes shimmer. Her face glowed with a rosy, translucent brightness. “I was just thinking how lucky I am to have met you, Charlie.”

Charlie’s warm gaze grew deeper as he bent down and kissed the corner of her eye, then traced a line of soft kisses down her cheek. “Sweetheart, you could be even luckier, you know. This Charlie you’re talking about could easily take care of his wife—she wouldn’t have to work herself so hard, she could just enjoy life and be happy.”

Emily felt her mind go hazy under the trail of his kisses. After a moment, she managed to gather her wits. “Charlie.”

“Hm?” he murmured against her delicate chin, his voice low and husky.

Emily instinctively tilted her head back, pressing her forehead to his chest, her voice soft. “I’m already so happy. If you wanted me to just live in comfort and do nothing, I’d actually be unhappy.”

Even though her days were exhausting, she found them fulfilling.

She had spent so many years studying, she had her own dreams and ambitions. Now, just starting out in her career, she was prepared for all sorts of challenges—and she didn’t think of it as suffering.

Charlie paused and lowered himself to meet her eyes. “I know. That’s why I support all your decisions. If you ever get tired, I’ll always be your safety net.”

Emily’s eyes filled with emotion. She reached up to kiss him on the lips. “I’ve been neglecting you and Kya lately. Once I finish up this case, I’ll make more time for both of you.”

Charlie put on a thoughtful look. “Why does that sound so familiar?”

“Hm?” Emily’s eyes went wide.

Everyone in the office was smart enough to see where things stood: the new director clearly didn’t like her. The situation had reversed from when Padgett was up for promotion. No one needed to curry favor with Emily anymore—and some people were even wary of being seen as connected to Padgett, for fear that Adelaide would hold it against them.

When she walked into the office, the once warm and friendly smiles had turned perfunctory and distant. Only Edwina treated her the same as always, coming over for a chat and handing her a glass of iced coffee. “How did it go yesterday? It’s boiling hot these days—be careful not to get heatstroke!”

Emily nodded. “It was actually really worthwhile. Seeing things in person is totally different from what you imagine in your head. Adelaide was right—I had ideas, but they weren’t practical enough.”

Edwina’s gaze flickered and she lowered her eyes. “Don’t say that. I still think you’re the most talented and gifted designer in the office.”

Emily smiled, pressing her lips together. “Don’t worry, I’d never doubt myself. The disapproval of just one or two people won’t get me down.”

Edwina sighed in relief. “I’m glad. Yesterday, I wanted to comfort you but didn’t know what to say. Honestly, it made me feel really bad.”

“It’s okay!” Emily replied with a reassuring smile.

“Okay.”