When Walls Start Crumbling

Chapter 6: When Walls Start Crumbling

\~620 words

Emma hadn’t expected to see the woman standing in the lobby. She was stunning—impeccably dressed, poised, and clearly used to being the center of every room she entered. Her presence didn’t just draw attention. It commanded it.

Emma felt something tighten in her chest as Alex stepped off the elevator and stopped short when he saw the visitor.

“Sophia,” he said. His voice didn’t betray much, but Emma noticed the way his jaw clenched—just for a second.

The woman’s red lips curled into a slow, confident smile. “Alex. It’s been a while.”

Emma pretended to focus on her screen, but she could still feel the tension radiating from both of them. Sophia. The name clicked. Sophia Sterling—the ex-fiancée. She’d once been a board member, the one rumored to have left Alex just weeks before their wedding. Emma had only ever heard whispers. Until now.

“I’m in town for a few days,” Sophia said. “Thought I’d drop by and see how the empire’s holding up without me.”

“Surviving,” Alex replied flatly.

Her smile deepened, like she enjoyed the discomfort. “Mind if we catch up? Privately?”

Alex hesitated for only a moment. “Sure. My office.”

Sophia’s heels clicked across the floor as she disappeared behind his glass door, tossing Emma a glance on her way in—a glance filled with curiosity and something else. Possessiveness.

Emma felt the twist in her gut, irrational but undeniable. She had no right to feel territorial. Not officially. Not publicly. But emotionally? Her heart didn’t care about protocol.

When Sophia finally left forty minutes later, Alex didn’t look pleased. He looked exhausted.

“She’s just here to stir things up,” he said quietly as he approached Emma’s desk. “Don’t read into it.”

“I didn’t,” Emma lied.

He paused, searching her face. “Good. Because the only person I’ve been thinking about all day… is you.”

Her breath caught, but before she could say anything, Rachel Kim from HR appeared behind him.

“Alex. Emma. I need a word. In private.”

Emma’s heart dropped.

Inside Rachel’s office, the tension was palpable.

“There’s been an anonymous complaint,” Rachel began. “Regarding the nature of your relationship. It’s not just office rumors now—it’s formal.”

Alex straightened, his tone cool and defensive. “There’s nothing unethical happening here.”

“That may be,” Rachel replied. “But even the perception of favoritism or a romantic entanglement between a CEO and his assistant can damage reputations. The board has been alerted.”

Emma’s throat was dry. “What happens now?”

“You’ll be interviewed separately,” Rachel said. “And in the meantime, it’s recommended you both create professional distance—physically and operationally.”

“Meaning?” Alex asked, though he already seemed to know.

“Emma should be reassigned. Or she can voluntarily resign.”

Silence followed, thick and sharp.

Emma met Alex’s eyes, and for the first time since this began, she saw something she hadn’t expected in them: fear.

Not fear of scandal. Fear of losing her.

And for the first time, Emma realized something too—if they were going to do this, it wouldn’t come easy.

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