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
As soon as she entered the mansion, Amelia felt the full weight of the last two days fall on her shoulders. She barely had time to climb the stairs to the upper floor when she heard the sound of Alexander's chair wheels approaching."Amy, is everything all right?" he asked worriedly. "You're gone. Mrs. Smith told me you had a family problem..." Alex... " She quickly corrected herself. "Mr. Alderidge, can we talk later? I'm exhausted."Mr. Alderidge?" He was surprised by the formality. Alexander approached, holding Amelia's hand with affection and care."What's wrong?" He asked once more." I really need to rest now. " Amelia spoke as she let go of his hand and walked away.As she walked up the stairs, tears began to roll down her face, intruding.Amelia could only think about how bad she felt that at some point, she had to break his heart and automatically, her own.When she got to her room, she locked herself in and cried. She cried as if her life depended on it, as if there was n
Quiet inside the office, Alexander thought about everything Amelia had said to him. He could not come to terms with it. He couldn't really believe that Amelia didn't love him. Not after all they had been through in those weeks. There had to be some explanation. Something had happened in those two days she had been away.Looking out the window, the weather was beginning to change as Alex tried to process everything that had happened. He knew it was a lie, the way Amelia kissed him that night, it wasn't a fake kiss. She had feelings for him. But something happened to make Amelia give up on the two of them, he just didn't know what.He stood for a while looking at the shards of glass from the glass he had thrown against the wall.She said she had a family problem and knew that Amelia's only close relative there was her older brother, Benjamin. He also knew that Benjamin and Ethan had some sort of relationship beyond friendship. Immediately, Alex grabbed his cell phone from the table and
Three weeks had passed since Amelia broke up with Alexander in his office that afternoon. He was still trying to understand why, and even with Ethan's efforts to help him, he got absolutely nothing. Benjamin refused to tell him what had happened with Amelia, and that it was completely her decision and neither of them should interfere, which made Alexander furious.Amelia's nausea gradually eased over the weeks, but she tried as hard as she could to keep an emotional distance from Alexander, no matter how much he tried to get close.Amelia cried every night, martyring herself for her own choices while trying to move on for the baby that was growing little by little in her belly.She tried to take care of herself as much as she could. Eating properly and taking her vitamins. Benjamin accompanied her to her appointments with the first time doctor, who officially became her obstetrician. And whenever she went to the center of Southampton for her appointments with Alexander's therapist,
Amelia felt chilled. Her blood pressure dropped slightly as she leaned on the arch of the kitchen door and looked at Helena and the empty box of pregnancy vitamins on the counter."I... " Amelia paused and then Helena walked over to her, taking her hand and guiding her to one of the stools to sit down."Amelia, it's okay." Helena tried to reassure her. "You can tell me if you want. But I need to know if you're taking care of yourself." Helena, I... " Amelia simply couldn't speak."Amy, I've been noticing your changes for a few weeks now. " Helena said, handing her a cup of tea. "Constant nausea, you didn't want to talk about the appointment with my doctor, your hair is shiny and silky and you've been eating too much salt." She commented as she smiled. " I know when a woman is pregnant. I have two children, have you forgotten?Amelia felt increasingly tense, but as Helena smiled complacently, Amelia's eyes welled with tears as Helena approached, realizing immediately that something wa
"Why not? " Helena asked clearly confused." Helena, he would be disappointed in me if he knew. " Amelia tried to wiggle out of it, but Helena could already tell."I think that's very unlikely, Amelia. He has a real adoration for you. " Mrs. Smith replied. "What else are you hiding?That question took Amelia by surprise. Helena was a very perceptive woman and it wouldn't be that easy to fool her, it wouldn't be fair either."Helena, I love him. " She replied, breathing deeply as she looked out towards the sea. "I love him with all my heart.Mrs. Smith remained silent for a few seconds, then shrugged and rested her hand on Amelia's lap."And he loves you. Everyone in that house knows it. " Helena replied, understanding what Amelia meant."I know it too. And after what happened with Megan and Henry, I can't make Alexander suffer again. " Amelia explained with a frown. "I can't hurt him like that. " But don't you think you'll be hurting him even more by hiding this pregnancy? The truth?
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
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