Amelia's POVMy smile grew impossibly wider as a wave of warmth washed over me. It was simple, yet it sent a jolt of electricity through my body. Just the thought of Eddie calling me "beautiful" made my cheeks burn.Taking a deep breath, I focused on the orange juice. I desperately needed a caffeine kick to truly wake up. Downing the juice in a few gulps, I reached for the fruit platter. My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten anything since the hurried dinner the night before.As I nibbled on the fresh berries and juicy melon, I glanced around the luxurious room. Even though I had been in it before, it still looked even more impressive in the daylight. The city skyline shimmered outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting the room with a cool blue light. The furniture, a tasteful blend of modern and classic, looked impossibly expensive.My mind went to Chloe and I hurriedly finished up my breakfast and scrambled out of bed. I ensured that Eddie's bed was tidy and that
Amelia’s POVI fumed, but I had nothing to say. While I was most definitely not a maid, I was not certain who exactly I was in Eddie’s home. It was true that I was the help; I was not only Chloe’s nanny but I was also the cook. However, that did not change the fact that Eddie and I had admitted our feelings to each other last night and had also slept with each other. And so, while we had not discussed how to move forward with our relationship, I did not want to believe that Eddie would be receptive to Jenna, the ex-wife that he had told me he greatly disliked, moving in. My jaw clenched so tightly it felt like I might crack a tooth. Jenna's perfectly manicured hand hovered above the open suitcase, gesturing for me to grab it. The audacity of it all – waltzing into Eddie's apartment, announcing her marital status as if it were a badge of honor, and treating me like a glorified housekeeper."Actually," I said, my voice surprisingly calm despite the storm raging inside me, "there must b
Amelia’s POVI returned the look Jenna gave me and looked away as her eyes narrowed. I did not know where I had found the courage to speak to her and confront her the way that I had been doing since I opened the door only to see her. It was most likely the protectiveness I felt over Chloe and Eddie. After all that Eddie had told me the previous night about Jenna and even the scandal she had caused the night of the award ceremony, I was completely and utterly certain that Jenna was up to no good again and that her sudden presence in Eddie’s home that morning was in no means accidental or coincidental. I did not know what she wanted or what game she was playing, but I was determined to let her win. As long as Eddie felt the same I did, Jenna, I severely hoped, would be out of our home as soon as possible.Our home? Focus, Amelia.I watched with a lump in my throat as Chloe finally reached the bottom of the stairs and Jenna bent down at the foot of the stairs, spreading her arms wide. I
Eddie’s POVI hummed goodnaturedly as I went to work. The smile on my face felt wide and impossible to dim as I thought of Amelia who I had left sleeping soundly on my bed. I had most definitely not wanted to leave her alone in bed so early in the morning. My plan for the day had been to spend the entire day at home with Amelia. I had had it all planned out in my head. I would sleep in with her until it was time to take Chloe to school. Then after taking Chloe to school, I would call James that I would not be going to work and spend the rest of the day with Amelia, just loving her and showing her how much she meant to me.As my driver, Mr. John checked the rearview mirror before making a turn, he seemed to have caught a glimpse of me in the mirror, smiling to myself like the love-struck idiot that I was.“You seem to be in an exceptionally good mood this morning sir,” he remarked, grinning at me through the rearview mirror. I cleared my throat and sat up straighter, trying to wipe t
Eddie’s POV"Classic, something timeless," I offered, feeling a tad out of my depth amidst the sparkling diamonds and fancy terminology.The woman nodded enthusiastically. "Excellent choice. We have a beautiful selection of solitaires and three-stone rings. Perhaps you could tell me a little bit about your fiancée's taste?"I hesitated. Amelia didn't exactly wear a lot of jewelry, and when she did, it was always simple and elegant. "She doesn't wear a lot of flashy things," I finally admitted. "But she appreciates quality and craftsmanship.""Ah, I understand," the woman said, her eyes gleaming with understanding. "Then let's show you something truly special."She led us over to a display case and carefully lifted a velvet cushion, revealing a ring that took my breath away. It was a platinum band set with a single, flawless diamond. The cut was simple, elegant, and sparkled with an inner fire that seemed to dance in the light. It was perfect."This is a radiant cut diamond," the woma
Eddie’s POV"Not much," David admitted with a grimace. "The lawyer keeps spinning things, making mountains out of molehills. It's frustrating, to say the least."The next few hours were a blur of legal jargon, tense negotiations, and increasingly heated arguments. The lawyer, a slick-looking man with a face that seemed permanently set to 'smug,' wouldn't budge. Every concession we offered, he countered with a new demand. My patience wore thin as sandpaper, and I could see James's knuckles turning white as he gripped the armrests of his chair.Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the lawyer called for a break. He sauntered out of the room, leaving an oppressive silence in his wake."This is getting us nowhere," I muttered, slamming a fist on the table."Tell me about it," David grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose.James, ever the optimist, tried to inject some positivity. "Hey, at least we're still talking. That means there's a chance we can reach a settlement."I wasn't so
Eddie’s POVIgnoring his further attempts to downplay the situation, I took a deep breath. "Mark, the factory manager, just informed me that they've found security footage from the day of the accident. Footage that clearly shows Mr. Johnson, your client, completely ignoring the mandatory PPE station."The lawyer's face turned a shade paler than his already pale suit. His smugness had evaporated, replaced by a mixture of shock and anger. "That's—that's impossible!" he sputtered, his voice losing its usual confident edge."Not impossible," I countered, a satisfied smirk playing on my lips. "Just inconvenient for your case, wouldn't you say?"The next few minutes were a whirlwind of activity. David, with renewed vigor, spoke with the lawyer on speakerphone, laying out the evidence and the ramifications of Mr. Johnson's negligence. The lawyer blustered and argued, but his attempts were feeble. The evidence was clear-cut.Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the lawyer conceded. He
Amelia's POVI could feel Blair's shock and surprise as she automatically wrapped her arms around me. My tears slipped down my face as I held on to her tightly without saying a word. "Amelia," Blair started, her voice full of concern and worry, "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"I sniffed and pulled away from her, not knowing where to begin. She put my hair back and cupped my cheek. "Honey, what's wrong? You're scaring me. Is it Eddie? Did something happen between you two? Is that why you're here with your bags?"I nodded, sniffed again and launched into my story. I told her of how Eddie and I had slept together last night and how we had even confessed to been in love with each other. Then I told her of Jenna's visit earlier in the morning and how she had insinuated that she was moving in because she and Eddie we're getting back together. Blair's eyebrows furrowed as I narrated my tale. "And you beieleved her just like that? Amelia, we both know Jenna is a bitter, narcissistic an