Chapter 49 Emma

Alicia Davenport I was furious. Nicholas had crossed a line at the Oasis Medical Center opening, and the worst part was, he acted as if nothing had happened. As if he had every right to interfere in my conversations, pull me away like I was his possession, and dictate who I could and couldn’t talk to. But I couldn't make a scene. Not here. Not in front of the cameras, the reporters, and the countless influential people watching. So instead, I smiled. I masked my anger beneath a carefully controlled expression, the same way I had done countless times before. Nicholas might have dragged me away, but I wouldn’t let him ruin the rest of the event for me. Forcing myself to remain composed, I turned away from him and refocused my attention on the people approaching me. "Alicia, it’s such a pleasure to see you again!" One of the hospital’s board members, a woman named Elise Carter, greeted me with a warm smile. I returned the gesture effortlessly. "Elise, it’s lovely to see you too.