EMILY'S POV
I stormed through the hospital hallway, my heels clicking against the floor like tiny hammers. The nurses at the station looked up, startled by my speed.
"Where is she?" I demanded, not caring who heard me. "Where is Claire Lawson?"
A nurse pointed down the hall. "Room 304, but visiting hours—"
I was already moving. Nobody was going to stop me from seeing my sister.
When I reached the door, I paused to catch my breath. Through the small window, I could see Claire lying in bed, her face pale against the white sheets. The sight made my blood boil. That jerk Ethan Carter had done this to her.
I pushed the door open and ran to her bed. "Oh my poor sister! What did he do to you?"
Claire's eyes fluttered open. Her voice came out soft and weak. "Emily? Is that you?"
I grabbed her hand, fighting back tears. "I've been so worried! I couldn't reach you all day. I had to contact that son of a bitch before I could get here."
"Who's that?" Claire asked, trying to sit up.
"Daniel Carter, I guess. Since I couldn't reach Ethan himself. I called your company line, and they told me to go find you myself." I threw my hands up in frustration.
"What happened, sister? It's barely two nights staying with him. What did he do to you?" I checked her arms and face for bruises or marks. "You know I don't really like him. You should back out from this marriage now."
Claire shook her head weakly. "Ethan is not like that. He won't even allow me to stay with him."
Before I could respond, the bathroom door jerked open. Ethan Carter stood there, his eyes burning with anger. He looked at us both, not saying a word. Then he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Claire closed her eyes. "Oh no."
"Good riddance," I muttered. "Now tell me what really happened."
The next morning, I sat in my tiny apartment, surrounded by papers and my laptop. On the screen was Ethan Carter's company profile.
"CEO at twenty-eight... inherited from daddy... expanded into Asia markets..." I scrolled through article after article. "Nothing suspicious here, but there has to be something."
I had to find dirt on him. Something to convince Claire this fake marriage was a terrible idea. My sister deserved better than being some rich jerk's stand-in bride.
My phone rang. Claire's picture lit up the screen.
"Are you okay? Did they let you out?" I asked.
"Yes, I'm home now. Emily, you shouldn't have spoken that way in front of Ethan."
I rolled my eyes. "I don't care what he thinks. You collapsed! He worked you to exhaustion and then threatened to fire you. That's abuse, Claire."
Claire sighed. "It's not like that. I chose to work all night on those reports. And yes, he was angry in the morning, but he's under a lot of pressure."
"Why are you defending him? This was supposed to be just business. Are you actually falling for him?"
The silence on the other end answered my question.
"Oh, Claire," I said softly. "He doesn't deserve you."
"I knew what I was getting into," Claire replied. "I agreed to this arrangement."
"An arrangement where you work yourself to death while he treats you like dirt? That's not a marriage, fake or otherwise."
"He stayed with me at the hospital, Em. He didn't have to do that."
I snorted. "The bare minimum isn't worth a medal. Look, I'm coming over tonight. We need to talk about this face to face."
Claire's apartment was spotless as always. She sat on the couch wrapped in a blanket, looking small and fragile. It broke my heart.
"You should move back in with me," I said, putting a container of soup on her coffee table. "Forget this whole fake marriage thing."
Claire shook her head. "I can't. The press would have a field day. It would ruin everything Ethan's trying to protect."
"So what? Let him deal with his own mess! You don't owe him anything."
"It's not that simple, Em."
I knelt in front of her. "Then explain it to me. Help me understand why you're willing to put yourself through this."
Claire looked down at her hands. "I've loved him for years."
"What?"
"Since I started working for him. I know it's stupid."
I sat back on my heels. "All this time? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because it's hopeless. He loved Sophia. He probably still does."
"Claire..." I took her hands in mine. "This is only going to hurt you more. He's using you."
"Maybe. But it's my choice."
A knock at the door interrupted us. Claire looked surprised. "I'm not expecting anyone."
I stood up. "I'll get it."
When I opened the door, I found myself staring at a tall man with dark brown hair and deep green eyes. He looked familiar.
"Hello," he said with a charming smile. "I'm Daniel Carter. I came to check on Claire."
I crossed my arms. "Ethan's brother, right? The one who gave me the hospital information? Well, she doesn't need checking on. She needs rest."
His smile didn't waver. "And you must be the fierce little sister who called our office seven times today."
"Someone had to care about her welfare."
Daniel's smile faded. "My brother cares. He was at the hospital all day."
"Until he stormed out like a child having a tantrum."
"Emily? Who is it?" Claire called from inside.
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to let me in, or should we continue this lovely chat in the hallway?"
I stepped aside reluctantly. "Don't stay long. She needs rest."
Daniel walked past me, carrying a basket of fruits and what looked like files. "These are from Ethan," he said to Claire. "He wanted you to know you can take as much time as you need to recover."
Claire's face brightened. "He did?"
I rolled my eyes. "How generous of him to let his sick wife rest."
Daniel turned to me, his eyes narrowing. "You know, for someone who claims to care about Claire, you're awfully quick to make her feel bad about her choices."
"Excuse me?" I stepped toward him. "I've been looking out for Claire our whole lives."
"And now you're making her feel guilty for something that isn't her fault."
"Stop it, both of you," Claire said weakly. "Please."
Daniel's face softened as he turned to Claire. "Sorry. That was out of line."
"No, what's out of line is this whole situation," I snapped. "Claire deserves better than being used as a publicity shield."
"You think I don't know that?" Daniel shot back. "But my brother isn't the monster you think he is."
"Really? Because from where I'm standing—"
"Emily," Claire interrupted, "I love you, but I need you to support me, not fight my battles. This is my decision."
I looked at my sister's face—tired but determined. Something inside me deflated.
"Fine," I said at last. "I'll support you. But I'm watching him. Both of them." I glared at Daniel.
He met my gaze steadily. "I'd expect nothing less from a protective sister."
Later that night, after Daniel left and Claire fell asleep, I sat on her balcony staring at the city lights. My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number.
If you really want to protect your sister, meet me tomorrow. I have information about Ethan Carter that she needs to know. Coffee shop on 5th and Main. 10 AM.
I stared at the message, my heart racing. Who could it be? Someone from Carter Enterprises? A jilted ex? Or maybe even the mysterious Sophia?
I looked back through the window at Claire sleeping peacefully. She thought she knew what she was getting into with this fake marriage. But what if there was something worse about Ethan Carter than his cold heart?
I typed a quick reply: I'll be there.
Whatever secret this stranger had, I would find it out. No one was going to hurt my sister. Not even the powerful Ethan Carter.