Oliver invites Emily to dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant. As she steps out of her house, Fiona blocks her path.
“People say only a diamond can cut another diamond,” Fiona muses cryptically.
“Sorry? I dont understand.”
“Youre still young,” Fiona smiles. “Take it from mepeople dont just fall in love once in their lives.”
“Fiona, I swear, nothings going on between me and Oliver.”
“Maybe not yet. But that doesnt mean it wont. Dont close your heart, Emily. Life has a way of surprising yousometimes the greatest happiness comes when you least expect it.”
“Did you ever?”
“Well Henry wasnt my first love,” Fiona admits, a distant look in her eyes. “Once, I loved someone else. I thought Id never survive the heartbreak, that Id never breathe properly again. Then Henry came along. Everything changed. I was happy. Truly happy. Thats why Im telling youdont shut yourself off. Love might be closer than you think.”
“I always thought Uncle Henry was your first love”
“He wasnt mine, and I wasnt his. But one things certainyou never forget your first love.”
Emily sighs softly, thanks her, and walks to the car where Oliver waits.
As soon as she leaves, Beatrice steps onto the porch, watching Fiona with a cold smile.
“Decided to play mother to Emily now, have you? Giving her love advice, sharing stories you never told me.”
“I did it for Melissa,” Fiona replies without hesitation. “Because only one thing can truly separate Emily and Ethan.”
“What exactly do you mean?”
“Emily falling in love with someone else.”
***
Sophie, shattered after her argument with Kyle, stumbles aimlessly down the middle of the road. Her face is pale, her eyes emptyas if she doesnt even see the world around her.
She doesnt notice the speeding car.
Screeching tyres. A sickening thud.
Someone screams. A passerby calls an ambulance.
Sophie lies motionless on the tarmac. A crowd gathers. A woman kneels beside her, checking for a pulse.
“Love, can you hear me? Hello?!”
No response. Sophie doesnt move an inch.
***
Lucy approaches a clearing in the woods, where Adrian waits in the shadows. His figure blends into the darkness, his gaze sharp and unrelenting.
“Heres two hundred thousand,” she says coolly, handing him a leather bag stuffed with cash.
The camera shifts to Natalie. Shes been trailing Lucy since she left the house, determined to uncover the truth. Now, hidden in the thicket just metres away, she watches in disbelief.
“Adrian and that money Thats my money!” she whispers, barely containing her fury. As Adrian counts the notes, her grip tightens around her phone. “The audacity” She starts recording.
Meanwhile, Adrian finishes counting. His smile turns sinister.
“Thats everything. Now will you finally leave us alone?” Lucy asks, tension lacing her voice.
A twig snaps in the silence.
Adrian whips around.
“Did you hear that? Someones here. I told you to come alone!”
“I did come alone!” Lucy insists, nerves fraying.
Adrian doesnt believe her. He moves toward the sound, shoving branches asideand spots Natalie, phone in hand.
His eyes flash with rage. A knife glints in his grip.
“Looks like weve got a little spy,” he sneers. “You know, curiositys a dangerous thing.”
Natalie backs away, hands trembling.
“Adrian, stop!” Lucy snaps. “Dont be an idiot.”
“Show me whats in your bag,” Adrian growls at Natalie.
“Leave me alone!”
“Why are you here?!” Lucy demands.
“What the hell are you two plotting?!” Natalie bursts out. “Im calling the police!”
“Were not plotting anything!” Lucy shouts. “He blackmailed me! Threatened to hurt Kyle and Lily!”
Natalie reaches for her phone.
“Dont you dare!” Adrian roars, raising the knife.
“HELP! SOMEONE HELP!” Natalie screams, scrambling back.
“ADRIAN, STOP!” Lucy lungesbut he shoves her hard. She crashes to the ground.
Natalie braces herselfthen, in the struggle, the knife twists
And plunges into Adrians chest.
He staggers, shock then pain twisting his face. A gurgling sound escapes his lips before he collapses.
Lucy gasps, pressing shaking fingers to his neck.
“Hes gone,” she whispers, ghostly pale.
“Oh God OH GOD!” Natalie sobs. “It wasnt me! It was an accident!”
“Shut up!” Lucy hisses, gripping her shoulders. “Do you want the whole world to hear? Do you want to go to prison?”
“Prison?! But it wasnt on purpose! You sawI was defending myself!”
“Truth doesnt matter!” Lucys voice is steel. “No one will believe you. And if this gets out people will say Kyles mother is a murderer!”
“IM NOT A MURDERER!”
“Please, Natalie,” Lucy pleads, pulling her close. “No one has to know. Nothing happened. Understand? Nothing.”
Natalie trembles violently as Lucy leads her away, leaving Adrians body behind in the silent woods.
***
Kyle rushes home after Lilys frantic callonly to find her standing at the door, suitcase in hand. Her face is tear-streaked but resolved.
“Im leaving,” she whispers, pressing a faint kiss to his cheek. “I wont interfere in your lifeor your mumsanymore. Goodbye, Kyle. Be happy.”
“What are you talking about?” He stares, stunned. “What does this have to do with my mum?”
“She knows about that night. Everything that happened between us.”
Kyle runs a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.
“Damn it How?”
“She found the letter I left the day I took the pills.”
“Waityou said that wasnt a suicide attempt”
“I lied to spare you. But your mum doesnt want me here. Shes terrified youll marry me. She offered us money. Me and my mum. To walk away.”
Kyles jaw drops.
“She WHAT?”
“We refused. Id never take it. So now Im leaving. Its better this way.”
“Youre not going anywhere.” He yanks the suitcase away. “I wont let you disappear.”
“I dont have a choice, Kyle. My mum knows. She said I ruined my lifethat shed rather die than hear this. If we dont marry, shell never let you go. And your mum hates me. Aunt Natalie looks at me like Im dirt. No one wants me here.”
Kyle grips her hands.
“Well figure it out. Theyll come around.”
“Kyle” Her voice wavers with fragile hope. “Does that mean well get married?”
Silence stretches. Kyle hesitatesthen squeezes her hand.
“Of course not, Lily. That was never going to happen.”
Her face crumples. Wordlessly, she picks up her suitcase and walks out.
***
Ethan stands aside, deep in a phone call, while Melissa leans against the car, watching his every move.
“Mum, tell me the truth,” she whispers into her phone. “Ethans been on the phone forever. Is it Emily?”
“No, darling. Emily was with me the whole time,” her mother assures her. “She went to that new Italian place with Oliver.”
A sly smile tugs at Melissas lips.
“Actually, Im craving spaghetti!” she chirps as Ethan approaches. “Theres this new place nearbylets go!”
Ethan blinks.
“Since when do you eat carbs?”
“Sometimes you need a cheat day,” she laughs, rubbing her stomach. “Besides the baby kicked when I said spaghetti. She wants it too.”
Her smile holds a challengethis is just the beginning.
***
Oliver and Emily arrive at the restaurant. Before they even step inside, a waiter greets Oliver warmly.
“Good evening, Mr. Oliver. Your usual table is ready.”
Emily raises an eyebrow.
“Youve been here before?”
“My boss likes this place,” Oliver says smoothly, avoiding her gaze.
“Funnywith a welcome like that, Id think you were the boss.”
“Maybe because I tip well.” He smirks.
As they sit, Olivers eyes flick to Emilys necklace, glinting under the lights. His pocket holds an exact replicahe just needs the right moment to switch them.
“Emily, waityour necklace is slipping.”
He moves behind her, fingers brushing her shoulders as he reaches for the clasp
Then the door swings open. Ethan and
