My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 497

Tristan Davis gripped the back of her head, forcing her chin upward until their eyes locked. His voice was low and almost threatening. “Emily Blair, I told you—I’m worried about you.”

A jolt shot through Emily’s chest.

They stared at each other for what felt like ages. Tristan’s breath was ragged, while Emily pressed her lips together, letting the heavy silence stretch between them.

He tightened his hold on her hair, just enough for her to feel it. “Emily, say something.”

Emily’s brows drew together. Tristan immediately released his grip, offering a gentle, almost apologetic stroke to soothe her.

Her emotions tangled—confusion, frustration, something else she couldn’t name. For someone who’d always considered herself oblivious, she was finally starting to see the questions that had been waiting beneath the surface, desperate to break free.

She parted her lips, her voice dry and hoarse. “If I want the licensing rights to the Black & White Rabbit game, I have to go back to the Lane estate.”

Tristan let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “So that’s it. Why were you covering for Andrew Lane just now? Still can’t let him go, can you?”

Emily’s frown deepened. “What are you talking about?”

Can’t let go of Andrew Lane? As if.

Suddenly, Tristan’s tone dropped, his words heavy. “Am I wrong? I asked you a question and you ignored me. Are you afraid I’ll say something bad about him? Afraid I’ll hit a nerve?”

Emily pressed her lips together even tighter. The instant he finished speaking, she shoved him back, hard.

“There’s nothing more to say. This was always my decision—I’ll deal with whatever comes of it.”

Tristan hung his head and let out a dark, humorless chuckle. “Nothing more to say, huh?”

When he looked up, his face was stormy, darker than she’d ever seen it.

In all the five years she’d known him, Emily had never seen Tristan like this.

“Emily, do you even have a heart?”

She had no idea why, but the second he said those words, her chest trembled and her throat felt as parched as her lips. There was a pang of guilt she couldn’t quite explain.

Tristan was still watching her, waiting.

Emily realized she couldn’t stay silent now.

“Tristan, I never meant to hide anything from you. Five years ago, things with the Lane family got ugly, and that’s why I ran to the city. It’s been five years. Some problems don’t just disappear because you run from them. There’s unfinished business between me and the Lanes, and a few other people too. One day—if not now, then in the future—I was always going to have to go back.”

“And I’m not lying to you. Even if Andrew Lane hadn’t asked, I would’ve ended up returning someday. This is my choice.”

She finished in one breath, watching the tension in Tristan’s face ease, just a little. “Do you understand?”

His expression lost some of its edge, shifting to something almost awkward.

Emily pressed on. “Tristan, I thought you’d get it.”

His eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of regret and desperation in his gaze. “I just… Emily, that’s not what I meant.”

Emily looked down. “I told you a long time ago—Andrew Lane is ancient history. You said it yourself: he’s been married to his wife for five years. Why would I care about him? Or do you really see me as someone who’d go after another woman’s husband?”

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