<h4>Chapter 296 - An Unquenchable Thirst</h4>


    Standing in front of the mirror, Emma wiped her face. Her night cream that Jeremy bought from an expensive brand is finished. That particr one really suited her skin. She wanted to buy a new bottle but she didn''t have money in her ount.


    How could that stupid lumberjack abandon me like this? Don''t I deserve a good night cream?


    As she wasmenting the loss of her money pouch, she felt the familiar hand wrapping around her waist. She wanted to clench her jaws but she forced herself to smile.


    She thought he''d have millions but it seems like his worth is tied in stocks and the stocks his family invested in are starting to fall.


    Out of a sudden; just in a couple of days, his value fell five hundred percentage – as if someone powerful is making sure that every investment he and his family made is facing loss.


    Not to mention her father has been acting weirdtely. She heard from somewhere that the IRS hasunched a criminal investigation on him.. She doesn''t know much but once someone fell on the radar of the IRS, they cannot escape.


    So she is keeping her distance from her family. Her brother too is in hiding. Her sister-inw has filed for divorce but they are saying that staying married would help them and give them spousal privilege or something like that.


    And with her losing Jerry''s support, she has to be depending on Gerard.


    She did try to contact Mikhail and the acquaintances she gained from her connections with Jerry. Mikhail didn''t even answer her call, which she predicted anyway. But those other guys… she''s done a "lot" for them to be on their good side. She lost her honor with them. Orgies, threesomes, and other things no decent woman would do.


    But even they ignored her.


    I will never forgive them!


    Why does this happen to me? What have I done!


    It''s all that b*tch Jerlina''s fault!


    "Gerry," she ced her hand on his cheek.


    "What are you doing?" he asked cing a kiss on her cheek. He then picked up that empty bottle.


    "Whoa! You women… The money you spend on cosmetic products would be doubled had you invested in gold or something," he chuckled.


    What do you know about investments? Why do you even talk if you can''t give me money?


    Emma gritted her teeth and bowed her head.


    "Did I make you sad?" Gerard lifted her chin and made her face him. "I wish I had the money to pamper you, darling," he smooched her lips.


    She wiped the wetness his lips left on her with the back of her hand.


    Disgusting! Why is he kissing me?


    "I wish I had ess to the fund left by my uncle in Swiss bank…" he mumbled and walked away holding his chest.


    His uncle left him money?


    Emma''s lips curved. Her heart filled with joy.


    I knew I didn''t hold on to him for no reason!


    "An ount? Is that an inheritance he left you?" Emma hugged him from behind.


    "I should not be talking about this…" Gerard rubbed his chin. "But…" he let out a sigh. "he didn''t leave it for me but my child; my firstborn to be precise," he turned and looked at Emma.


    "Firstborn?" Emma widened her eyes. "how much money are we-"


    "A billion," Gerard whispered in her ears.


    "A mill-"


    "No, a billion… The one starting with a B. One followed by nine zeros," Gerard fixed a lock of her hair behind her ear and ced a kiss on her ear.


    Emma''s palms went cold hearing that.


    A billion? For his firstborn? So Jerlina''s child was entitled to a billion even before it was born?


    Her lips then curved to a smirk.


    It is good that the baby died!? See, fate is on my side. And now I have that chance!


    "It''s too bad I''ve gone infertile now…" Gerard said in a low voice and walked away. He was massaging his temples.


    Ah, right! He''s be infertile!


    Emma''s breathing got heavy thinking of this major hup that is standing in between her and a billion.


    There should be a way for me to get the billions… How? How? How am I going to get a billion? How?


    Right! I just need a baby! A baby that belongs to an infertile man…. How?


    Think, Emma… It''s a billion!


    There must be away!


    "Don''t worry, Gerry," she decided to hold on to her new money pouch tighter.


    Her usually smart brain cannot think of a n for now. But she knew there should be a way.


    "Don''t think about your infertility. It could very well be temporary," she rubbed her cheek on his back.


    He smells nice!


    "Hmm…" Gerard hummed and Emma looked up. He seemed to be in deep contemtion.


    "What is it?" she asked.


    "I have an idea but-" he sighed and walked away. "Never mind… IVFs would be tough on you. You''re right. My illness should be temporary and we should wait," he turned and smiled at her.


    IVF? That''s a good idea! That would work! I''ll convince him. Who has the patience to wait?


    Emma nned in her heart. She is not very interested in getting pregnant or bing a mother but if a billion depends on it, she can endure it.


    "Aww… howe I never saw how understanding you are of me… And you are very patient too. I am so thankful you forced yourself into my life, Emma," he held her hand and ced a kiss.


    "That''s because I love you, Gerard!" Emma hugged him.


    And the billion I owe!


    -----


    Jerlina picked up the shirt Jeremy left on the floor with a smile. Back then he used to leave his clothes in theundry basket and often times he''d do his ownundry. But here, he just thinks throwing hisundry in the general direction of theundry basket is him being a great help.


    She held the id shirt in her hand. It still was warm and it had his overpowering pine scent lingering on it. She held it and ced it near her nose and she felt a jolt of pleaure through her lower abdomen.


    Aww…I''ve gotten so thirsty I am getting turned on by his dirty shirt!


    She could sense that she is being pathetic but that didn''t stop her from sniffing the shirt. She wrapped the sleeves of the shirt around her neck and took another good whiff. Closing her eyes, she felt being embraced by him.


    A fire burned in her lower abdomen and holding the shirt wasn''t enough for her. Without thinking twice, she wore the shirt. But before buttoning up, she could smell her perfume. She didn''t want his tantalizing scent ruined by her perfume''s fragrance.


    Making sure the door is locked, she undressed herself to her birthday suit and then wore his shirt.? There were some scented candles in the living room and she lighted them and turned on some romantic music.


    Hugging herself, she slow-danced imagining Joel with her.


    But it still wasn''t enough for her! It only increased her thirst.