"Have you known each other long enough?" Amelia asked as she walked Alex through the park. She was still carrying the stuffed penguin in her arms." Yes, he was Megan's friend. " Alex replied without much prompting. She realized that his expression was closed and irritated." Ah... " she let slip. " And you don't like each other very much it seems.... " Amelia commented, slowly investigating." Shall we change the subject? I'm hungry and would love a sausage with plenty of mustard. " He said, heading over to the sausage stand.Amelia agreed, but was not convinced and would get into that later. She followed Alexander and reached into her purse for her wallet afterwards."Two sausages and two soft drinks. " She asked the attendant, smiling at her." Aren't you going to let me pay? " Alex asked, crossing his arms." In theory, you're paying. I'm using your money. " Amelia commented as she winked at him." So if I'm paying, I want a beer. " He replied, looking at the attendant."You can'
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your early visit, Henry?" Amelia heard Alexander's voice as she stopped at the top of the stairs.Henry was standing in the doorway with a package in his hands while Alexander stared at him with his arms crossed."It's none of your business, Alderidge. I want to give it to Amelia. " Henry replied, Amelia could notice his look of disdain as he looked at Alex."Amelia is in no mood to receive your visit. " Alex replied, his tone of voice laced with anger."That is for her to say. " Henry retorted.Amelia hid between a pillar to listen to the two of them clash."What do you want? Tell her the truth. " Alex demanded. "To get close to Amelia to do the same thing you did to Megan? Forget it. You're not going to hurt Amelia the way you did Megan!Henry just smiled, stepping closer."The man who killed Megan and my son spoke. " Henry replied, all a grudge present in his voice." The baby wasn't yours. You fucking sadist!" Alex snarled. "You ran away at the fi
"Amelia?" The knocks on the door and Alexander's voice awakened Amelia from the instant of nausea as she lay in bed." It's open. " She informed him, not wanting to get up and continuing to lie upside down on the bed. She noticed the movement of the wheelchair as Alex opened the door and entered the room. The motor turned on making a soft noise as the wheels were dragged over to her. She smiled weakly, her green eyes locked onto his blue ones that looked down at her."You look kind of green..." Alex said, smiling at her."I feel green. " She replied, making no effort to get up and remain there."Are you still feeling nauseous?" He asked worriedly as he brought his hand to Amelia's pale face, stroking it gently." Yes, I think it's the tiredness. " she commented. "Looking after you is exhausting sometimes. " She replied as she picked on him." You should make an appointment. " He suggested." I will, at some point. " Amelia replied.She noticed him watching her room intently. Alex nev
Amelia forgot absolutely everything around her as she kissed Alexander. His tongue sought hers full of desire and eagerness. It happened slow and deep, between soft muffled moans as their tongues intertwined urgent and hot, as it should be.She had kissed other men before, but none of them had kissed her the way he had. With that feeling of belonging, the same feeling that Amelia wanted with all her might to deny and run away from. " Is everything alright?" Alexander's hoarse whisper sounded and Amelia opened her eyes.She met his blue gaze, feeling his fingers caress her cheek."Why do you ask?" she questioned."You're shaking, Amy. " He pondered and only at that moment did she realize it was true, she was trembling in his lap.She stared at him, sealing their lips once more. "It's okay, I swear. " She replied, brushing the tip of her nose against his. "I just didn't mean to, you know?" Intended what?" Alex asked, curious." To like you. " Amy confessed.Alexander couldn't hide hi
Amelia looked at her own vomit in the toilet, feeling even more nauseous. That week had been hellish, nothing would sit right in her stomach. And for a change, her period was late.All the emotions of the last few days were violently messing with her hormones. " Amelia, is everything all right? May I come in? " Mrs. Smith asked as she entered the room.Amelia came out of the bathroom, she was visibly nauseated."For God's sake, Amelia! You look pale! " Helena spoke as she supported her while Amelia walked to the bed. "I'm going to make an appointment with my doctor right now for you. " Helena said, reaching into her pocket for her cell phone and calling the doctor's office.Amelia watched from afar as Helena went to the window and spoke to the doctor's secretary on the phone.A few minutes later, Helena hung up and turned to her on the bed."Okay, they managed to fit you in this afternoon. Go and rest assured that I'll take care of Mr. Alderidge. " Helena reassured her, smiling at A
Amelia is startled by the knock on the car window, realizing it was Benjamin. He opens the car door and helps her out. As soon as he holds her hand, Amelia loses the strength of her legs and he supports her, holding her on his lap and putting her back on a bench in front of the beach. He hugs her and Amelia cries. She cries as she could not all those years. She cries as she remembers everything, all the times Barth hit her, broke her. How much he broke her soul and she was still trying to put all the pieces back together.Only now she was pregnant with his child. Pregnant with that monster's child.Some time passed before she stopped crying. Benjamin continued to hug her protectively."Amy, tell me everything. " He asked patiently, but she could see the hatred in his blue eyes.Amelia pondered for a few minutes before finally speaking. She was afraid of what Benjamin might do, and worse, what her family would do if they knew everything."You know the whole story. " She replied embarr
Benjamin looked incredulously at Amelia. He rested his hands on the table as he looked at his younger sister, who was biting her bottom lip in nervousness." You and Alexander? " he asked. " This can't be serious." It is very serious. " Amelia replied, sighing. " Alex is kind, funny, loving. " And terribly handsome and rich. " Benjamin replied, crossing his arms." And his money has never mattered to me, you know that. " Amelia replied in an annoyed tone." I know, but it doesn't take away from the fact that it's a lonely, rich man who can take care of you and the baby." He replied, being practical. " He replied, being practical." Benjamin Jones, he can't know about the baby! " She spoke visibly nervous. " I don't want him to know. He'll think I'm trying to take advantage of him. " What a mess you've gotten yourself into, Amy. Falling in love with your patient! " he said, holding back his laughter. "That's so cliché." You talk as if I chose that. Only I didn't choose it, Ben." Sh
When Amelia finished telling everything, a sepulchral silence took over the office for a few long minutes until someone finally spoke."Do you want to continue this pregnancy, Miss Jones?" The doctor finally asked."I really don't know." Amelia answered sincerely, she was still very confused by everything that was happening."Right. " The doctor agreed. " Here's what we'll do. We will start your prenatal care. You still have some time to think and in the meantime, we will take care of your health and the health of the fetus. Amelia immediately looked at Benjamin, who nodded in agreement. "I will ask you to go to the screen and change your clothes." The doctor said, indicating the place. "We are going to do a first ultrasound. " She informed, smiling softly. "Just to see the fetus and get an average number of weeks." I know how many weeks I am, doctor. " Amelia replied. " I remember the day it happened." I imagine you do. But it's a standard examination. " The doctor explained. "Bu
hey crossed the Plaza's great hall as everyone stared at them. Amelia felt her cheeks flush immediately and held Alexander's arm tightly. "Amelia, you're digging your nails in.... " he muttered in a pained tone.She loosened her grip, turning her eyes to Alex."Sorry. Everyone's watching. " she commented, feeling his hand rest on her back, just above her hip."It's all right. Don't worry. " He replied, kissing her hair."I'm sorry. I was supposed to be calming you down, not the other way around. " She said, then met Alex's gaze with sympathy."Don't worry," he whispered in her ear. "They're watching because I'm walking next to the most beautiful woman in this room.Amelia smiled, shaking her head negatively.She walked beside him, terribly annoyed by the people staring at them. She wished she could tell them to look somewhere else.In the distance, Ethan and Benjamin walked towards them, the former visibly shocked and moved as he hugged his older brother."Alex, for God's sake. " he
Amelia still couldn't believe that Alex was actually walking. Inside the car, she caught herself looking at him a few times. She trailed her fingers up his thigh until she reached his hand and held it, entwining her fingers in his lovingly."Is everything all right?" Alex asked, feeling a certain pressure from her grip on his fingers."Yeah, I just... I can't believe you're walking, Alex. " she replied, her green eyes fixed on his blue ones.Amelia brought her free hand to the man's cheek, caressing it."And I can't believe you've kept it from me for so long either. " she complained, looking at him slightly hurt."We all have secrets, don't we?" Alex replied, feeling Amelia loosen her grip on his fingers and then release his hand."Yes, we do. " She replied, turning her attention to the car window, watching the city lights.When the car pulled up in front of the Plaza, where the ball was to be held, Amelia felt particularly insecure at the sight of all those photographers at the gate,
Sabine left Amelia at the triplex, leaving Alexander's card on a table in the entrance hall. She then said goodbye and left the place.Amélia walked through the apartment, going to the mirror near the stairs that led to the second floor. The dress she was wearing was a very light shade of pink, all silk with a structured bodice and a subtle V-neckline, which gave volume to her small breasts. It followed a structure down to her waist and the skirt was completely loose, with a long slit. Her hair was shorter, just above her shoulders, as she had always wanted and Barth had always forbidden. Her make-up highlighted her big green eyes and her pink lips took on a soft red hue.She looked as stunning as she had ever looked.Distracted, Amelia rested her hand on her stomach, stroking it gently."Amelia? Oh my God! "Helena's voice snapped her out of her brief trance as she entered the room. "You look spectacular!Amelia smiled, walking elegantly in a pair of heeled sandals while showing off
As soon as dawn broke, Amelia got ready and went downstairs to the first floor. She took advantage of the cool morning to go to Central Park. It was the first time she had been to the park since moving to New York and then to the Hamptons. After stopping at a coffee shop and buying a chocolate Frappuccino, she went to the lawn and sat down, enjoying the sunny morning.Amelia took the opportunity to read a little, but was soon distracted when her attention was stolen by a mother and her baby. A beautiful little boy with blond hair and rosy cheeks was running awkwardly with his chubby legs across the lawn. He laughed as he ran towards his mother, being hugged as she kissed his cheeks.Without realizing it, Amelia rested her hand on her own belly as she touched it. She could feel it getting a little bigger, wondering if in a while it would be her there, playing with her baby. Amelia felt more and more certain about her pregnancy. But she didn't know if she could go on lying to Alexande
Ethan fetched a champagne from the cellar so they could toast, calling Mr. and Mrs. Smith to toast with them. Lunch was ordered from the nearby Plaza Hotel restaurant and everyone gathered in the living room. Mrs. Smith returned from the kitchen with the glasses and distributed them among everyone present while Ethan began serving them. When it was Amelia's turn to be served, she didn't even have time to answer when Helena, Alexander and Benjamin spoke in unison a no, leaving not only Amelia startled but also Mr. Smith."I don't drink, Mr. Alderidge. " She replied completely ungraciously, not understanding why Alexander had said no as well."You are officially my sister-in-law, so call me Ethan. " He said as he smiled, turning his attention back to Helena. "Lena, can you get some juice for Amelia to toast with us?" he said.Helena smiled, reaching for Amelia's glass and heading into the kitchen. Mrs. Smith returned a few minutes later with a glass filled with orange juice. They to
Amelia gazed at the decor of the entrance hall in delight. It was all white walls with wooden furniture. A central staircase led to the upper floors and the windows went from floor to ceiling, showing the entire Central Park. Amelia walked around the place completely amazed. It was the most beautiful house she had ever entered."What do you think?" Alexander asked, noticing his wife's sparkling eyes."It's wonderful, Alex. " She replied, walking over to him." Come, I want to show you another place. " He spoke, guiding the wheelchair down the first corridor and stopping in front of a mahogany double door. " Open it. " he asked.Amelia stared at him uncomprehendingly, but obeyed.Opening the door, Amelia's jaw dropped at the sight of the residence's library.With shelves and shelves of books that were lost, as well as a fireplace and comfortable armchairs with a view of Central Park. She entered in wonder, like a child in a toy store. "What do you think?" he asked, crossing his arms
Alexander was in his room when Amelia returned from "lunch" with her older brother. He had spent much of the afternoon thinking about all the information Helena had given him. How could someone as young as her go through so much terror over the years? More than ever, he wanted to protect her from the world. And more than ever, he loved her. She was an exceptional woman, so full of courage despite everything, and she still carried that burden. The baby of the man she hated. But if Amelia was willing to raise and love that child, he would do the same. He would protect not only her, but also their future child."May I come in? " Amelia asked as she knocked on the door, bringing Alex out of his thoughts."Yes, Amy. Come in. " He replied, turning his attention back to the door.He looked at Amelia, trying to notice some sign of her pregnancy, but to no avail. However, he couldn't deny that Amelia was looking brighter, prettier. More than usual."How was lunch?" he asked, resigning himse
Alexander looked at Helena completely in shock, feeling his face immediately heat up with frustration and fury."No... It's not possible. " He said as a thousand things went through his mind."She tricked me! She lied to me!" He shouted furiously, picking up the glass that was on the countertop and throwing it at the wall.Helena shielded herself in fear of him." Alexander!!! " She warned him, she never called him by his name." Helena, she got close to me, she made me fall in love with her to deceive me!!! " He shouted. " He shouted. " Just like Megan tried!" You are being unfair! " She retorted. " Amelia is not like Megan, she never was. " She claimed. " Amelia didn't know she was pregnant, for God's sake!" How can you say that? We know nothing about her! About her life, she always hid it!" He shouted completely upset."Because she had her reasons! You have no idea what this girl went through to get to this house, and I will not allow you to jump to conclusions. " She said, raisi
As the weeks went by, Amelia was assisted more by Helena, who helped her with everything possible during the pregnancy, but still kept it a secret from Alexander. Alexander, for his part, was getting more and more involved with the company's work that was coming in little by little. It was a long process that his therapist had proposed, but it was remarkable how he was gradually regaining part of his life.When he wasn't in the office working and Amelia was keeping him company, he was with Adam behind closed doors and always left dripping with sweat, but apparently satisfied.Amelia's belly was beginning to show the first signs. She was tall and thin, it wouldn't be hard to tell soon that she was pregnant and that worried him a lot.Soon she would no longer be able to hide her pregnancy from Alexander and she needed to prepare for the day when she would tell him everything. That morning, Amelia went to the office where Alex was already working. Unlike her nursing pajamas, this time