CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE - WHEN THE MASKS COME OFF

Emma paced nervously in her apartment, waiting for James to arrive. Her mind raced with questions and doubts. A knock at the door made her jump. "Come in," she called, her voice shaky. James entered, his usually immaculate appearance slightly disheveled. "Emma, thank you for giving me this chance." Emma crossed her arms. "Just tell me the truth, James. All of it." James sighed, running a hand through his honey-brown hair. "The truth is... I've been working with Victoria. We planned everything." Emma's eyes widened. "What? Why?" "Because I love you, Emma," James blurted out. "I thought if I could show you how unreliable Marcus was, you'd see that I'm the better choice." Emma's shock turned to anger. "So you manipulated me? Lied to me? How is that love, James?" Before James could respond, there was another knock at the door. Emma opened it to find Derek standing there, looking uncharacteristically serious. "Derek? What are you doing here?" Emma asked. Derek's eyes darted to Jam