Chapter 11 I Want You to Be My Wife

Emma's POV

Eleanor's call had surprised me. "Emma, darling, please come home for dinner tonight. The family misses you." Her voice was warm but held an unusual tension.

Despite my reluctance, I agreed. Perhaps it was time to face the Reynolds family, even if things with Gavin were beyond repair.

When I arrived at the Reynolds mansion later that night, I heard Jonathan's angry voice before I even reached the door.

"She's your fiancée, Gavin! You carried another woman out in front of everyone! And your brother's widow, of all people! Have you no shame?"

Something crashed. "If you don't go register your marriage with Emma tomorrow, don't step foot in this house again!"

Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door. The argument stopped instantly as all eyes turned to me.

"Emma dear, you're home!" Eleanor's voice rang out as she emerged from the dining room. She embraced me warmly. "We've been waiting for dinner."

Eleanor lightly tapped Gavin's shoulder, prompting him to rise from his seat. He approached with measured steps, taking my designer tote bag.

"You're late," he said, his tone softer than I'd expected. "Where were you?"

"I went to see Rick for tennis," I replied honestly, watching his face carefully.

Gavin's jaw tightened imperceptibly. "Next time you go to Rick's, let me know beforehand."

I glanced around the room, noting the perfectly set table for four. "Where's Sophia?" I asked, unable to keep a slight edge from my voice.

Gavin's eyes darted to his mother, then back to me. "Let's talk upstairs," he murmured.

I excused myself to freshen up before dinner, heading to the bathroom. As I was washing my hands, the door opened behind me. Gavin stepped in, closing it quietly. The spacious bathroom suddenly felt too small, too intimate for the conversation we needed to have.

"What's going on with you lately?" he asked, leaning against the door. "You've been distant."

I met his gaze directly. "Where's Sophia? I don't see her at dinner."

Gavin sighed, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. "My parents thought the scene at the company building—with me carrying her into the medical center—looked inappropriate. They insisted she move back to her and Lucas's house. We've arranged for a full-time nurse to take care of her."

I studied his expression carefully. "You don't seem happy with this arrangement."

"Can we stop this cold war?" Gavin asked, stepping closer. "It's getting ridiculous."

"I saw Sophia at the home furnishing store," I said bluntly. "She was using your black card to buy a lot of expensive items."

Surprise flashed across his face. "What was she doing there? Her doctor said she needs bed rest."

"That's your focus? Not the fact that she's using your personal card?" I pressed. "She has Lucas's inheritance. Why would she need yours specifically?"

Gavin shifted uncomfortably. "She said... she wanted to prepare a special room for the baby but didn't want my parents seeing the expenses and worrying she's spending too much."

I took a step forward. "What's really going on between you two, Gavin? Do you owe Lucas something? Were you involved with Sophia before Lucas died?"

"Emma!" His voice rose sharply. "Are you investigating me?"

"The security footage of you holding her in the elevator is circulating among employees," I said calmly. "Everyone is talking."

Gavin's face paled. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the edge of the counter. "There was absolutely nothing between us when Lucas was alive."

I jerked my head up, catching the subtle nuance in his words. "'When Lucas was alive'? That's an interesting choice of phrasing, Gavin."

The color drained from his face. "You're twisting my words."

"Lucas was your brother, and Sophia is your sister-in-law," I said, disgust evident in my voice. "Do you know what impression you're giving people?"

Gavin suddenly grabbed my shoulders, his voice low and intense. "Stop it! Don't say another word!"

I wrenched myself free. "This would destroy your family's reputation, destroy your parents' trust in you!"

Gavin closed his eyes in pain, his fist slamming against the wall. "Damn it! You're imagining things!"

"I'm stating facts," I replied, watching his unusually violent reaction with growing suspicion. "Why are you so agitated?"

Gavin took several deep breaths, visibly trying to regain control. "I just... don't want anyone to misunderstand, especially you."

"Then what is the relationship? Why do you give her special treatment? Why do you never—"

"There is nothing between Sophia and me except our family connection," he interrupted. "Don't let your jealousy distort reality!"

I stared into his shifting eyes, recognizing the look of someone hiding something significant. "What are you afraid of, Gavin?"

His expression tightened. "I just don't want to disappoint my parents... they've already lost Lucas."

"Is that the only reason? Nothing else?" I persisted.

Gavin avoided my gaze. "There really isn't what you're imagining between Sophia and me."

"I don't believe you," I stated calmly. "Your concern for her goes beyond normal boundaries."

His demeanor suddenly softened. "Fine. Maybe I've been overly attentive to her, but it's only because of guilt."

To my surprise, Gavin pulled out his phone and quickly deleted all of Sophia's contact information from his social media and contact list.

"Is this enough?" he asked, showing me the screen.

"You think this solves everything?" I asked skeptically.

"From now on, I'll maintain only the most basic, courteous contact with her. Everything will be handled through the family lawyer," he promised, taking both my hands in his. "In my heart, you've always been the... wife I've chosen for this lifetime."

The word "wife" resonated painfully within me, but I couldn't shake the feeling that significant truths remained hidden beneath his carefully chosen words.

"Are you afraid I'll tell your parents we've broken up and they'll be angry with you?" I asked with a bitter smile.

His grip on my hands tightened. "Emma, please..."

At dinner, Eleanor brought up the incident directly. "I've already severely reprimanded Gavin," she said, passing me the roasted potatoes. "It was completely inappropriate."

She sighed, "We've already had Sophia move out. She needs independence. It's better for her and for the family's reputation."

"It's fine, Eleanor," I replied calmly, though my mind was still racing. "It was just a misunderstanding."

Jonathan, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "Not every woman would handle this situation with such grace," he commented, his gaze lingering on me appreciatively.

Eleanor brightened, turning the conversation to more pleasant topics. "I've already started planning some details for the wedding. The Fairmont has that beautiful ballroom with ocean views, and I've spoken to their event coordinator about dates in June."

I glanced at Gavin, noting his tense expression. The moment of truth had arrived. In front of his family, I asked directly: ""Is this what you want?"

The table fell silent. Eleanor and Jonathan froze, forks suspended midair.

Gavin held my gaze, something desperate flickering in his eyes. "Emma, I want you to be my wife. Please don't refuse me."