Emma turned away.
For a moment, her smile disappeared.
Because she knew Elena Whitmore.
She knew exactly why Daniel had been hired.
And she knew that her family's influence had nothing to do with it.
Her father had made one phone call.
But Emma had specifically told him not to interfere.
Apparently, he hadn't listened.
That evening, Emma called her father.
"You promised."
"I didn't interfere."
"You did."
"I helped."
"I don't want your help."
"You love him."
"Yes."
"Then why shouldn't I help?"
"Because I need to know whether he can choose me without knowing who I am."
Her father was silent.
Finally, he said,
"Your mother would have understood."
Emma closed her eyes.
"Don't talk about Mom."
"I didn't mean to upset you."
"You did."
"I'll stay out of it."
"Thank you."
But neither of them knew that someone else had been listening.
Margaret.
She had come to Daniel's apartment unexpectedly.
She had heard enough to become suspicious.
She didn't know who Emma was talking to.
But she heard the words.
"I need to know whether he can choose me without knowing who I am."
Margaret left before Emma saw her.
Now she had proof.
Or what she believed was proof.
Emma was hiding something.
The next morning, Margaret confronted Daniel.
"Your girlfriend is lying to you."
Daniel looked up.
"About what?"
"I don't know."
"Then don't accuse her."
"I heard her."
"Heard what?"
"She was talking to someone."
"Who?"
"I don't know."
Daniel sighed.
"Mom."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
"She said she wanted to know whether you'd choose her without knowing who she really was."
Daniel became quiet.
"What exactly did she say?"
Margaret repeated the words.
Daniel stared at the floor.
He didn't know what to think.
When he went home that night, he asked Emma.
"Is there something you haven't told me?"
Emma stopped.
"Why?"
"Just answer."
She looked at him.
"Yes."
His heart sank.
"What?"
"I have secrets."
"What kind?"
"The kind that belong to my family."
"Are you rich?"
She almost laughed.
"Why would you ask that?"
"Because my mother heard you."
Emma looked away.
Daniel stepped closer.
"Emma."
She finally looked at him.
"I didn't lie about loving you."
"But you hid things."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I wanted to know if you loved me."
Daniel's expression changed.
"That's not fair."
"I know."
"You tested me?"
"I did."
He walked away.
She followed.
"Daniel."
"No."
"Please."
"I don't care how much money you have."
She froze.
He turned.
"If you think I would love you because of your money, then you don't know me."
Emma's eyes filled with tears.
"I know."
"No, you don't."
"I was afraid."
"Of what?"
"That the moment you knew who I was, everything would change."
Daniel looked at her.
"Maybe it already has."
He left.
For the first time since they met, Emma was alone.
And she realized the test she had designed for Daniel might destroy the very thing she had wanted to protect.
Three days passed.
Daniel didn't call.
Emma didn't chase him.