Chloe’s face paled as she realized where this was heading. “What does this have to do with me?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly. Lucas turned to face Chloe, his gaze cold and unyielding. “The blogger revealed that you were behind the entire scheme. You paid them to post the photos and create the scandal.” The room fell silent. Chloe’s mouth opened and closed as she struggled to find words. “This is ridiculous!” Chloe finally burst out, her voice shrill with panic. “I would never do something like that! Alex, you can’t seriously believe this—this lie!” Alexander’s expression remained stone-cold, his eyes boring into Chloe’s with a fury that sent a shiver down her spine. He took a step closer, and Chloe instinctively backed away, her earlier bravado completely shattered. “Enough, Chloe,” Alexander said, his voice deadly quiet. “I’ve had enough of your lies and manipulations. Investigator Lucas has no reason to lie, and neither does the blogger. You orchestrated this enti
Alex took Amelia’s hand, his fingers tenderly caressing her skin as he brought it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles gently, his eyes never leaving hers. The warmth in his gaze was undeniable, and his voice was a deep whisper filled with emotion as he said, “I love you so much.” Amelia’s heart fluttered at his words, and she felt a surge of affection and gratitude for the man before her. She looked into his eyes, her voice soft but steady as she replied, “I love you too, babe.” Without breaking eye contact, Alex moved closer, his breath warm against her cheek as he leaned in. He pressed a soft kiss to her neck, his lips trailing a slow, deliberate path along her skin. Each kiss was a promise, a declaration of the love that had grown deeper with every passing day. Amelia closed her eyes, savoring the sensation, her breath hitching as his lips moved against the sensitive skin just below her ear. She felt the heat of his body as he pulled her closer, his hands firm but gentle on her
It had been a month since Chloe’s arrest, but the scandal surrounding her imprisonment had remained a well-guarded secret. Alexander had used his wealth and influence to ensure that the details of the case were kept out of the press. The media, always eager to exploit any hint of drama surrounding the wealthy and powerful, had been left in the dark. Chloe’s name had been conspicuously absent from the tabloids, and no one outside a select few knew that she was behind bars. This secrecy was part of Alexander’s meticulous plan to protect Amelia from the public eye. He didn’t want the details of Chloe’s vengeful actions or Amelia’s traumatic experience to become gossip fodder. Yet despite the quieting storm outside, Amelia’s world had been far from peaceful. Over the past month, she had been struggling with an unsettling feeling in her body, a constant fatigue that no amount of sleep could seem to alleviate. She felt bouts of dizziness, and the nausea that gripped her some mornings was h
The drive home from the hospital was quiet but filled with a shared sense of wonder. The city streets blurred past them as they both remained lost in thought, processing the reality of their situation. Alexander occasionally glanced over at Amelia, a small, contented smile tugging at his lips. He was already imagining what their future would look like—the nursery they’d prepare, the sleepless nights with their newborn, and the joy of watching their child grow. When they arrived home, Alexander helped Amelia out of the car and led her inside. They paused in the foyer, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the house didn’t seem so cold or empty. Instead, it was filled with possibilities—of laughter, warmth, and new memories yet to be made. Alexander turned to Amelia, pulling her into his arms. “We need to celebrate,” he said, his voice tinged with excitement. Amelia laughed softly. “Celebrate? It’s only been a few hours since we found out.” “I don’t care,” Alexander sai
As Jackson scampered off, Amelia’s smile faded. Her thoughts returned to the stranger Jackson had mentioned. She couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that settled in her gut. A man following Jackson from school? And now, Jackson was scared to the point of crying about it.Amelia knew she had to talk to Alexander immediately. This wasn’t something they could ignore. She rose from the couch, her mind racing with questions. Who was this man? What did he want? Could it have something to do with Chloe’s arrest? The possibilities made her anxious, but one thing was clear—Jackson’s safety came first.Amelia headed toward Alexander’s study, determined to find answers and protect her stepson at all costs.Amelia hurried to Alexander’s study, her heart racing as she replayed Jackson’s words in her mind. There was something unsettling about the way her stepson had described the man who approached him after school. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. The moment she entered th
Thank you so much.”Alexander chuckled softly, holding her close. “Anything for the woman carrying my unborn child,” he said playfully, resting his hand gently on her stomach. Amelia’s eyes sparkled as she pulled back to look at him, a soft smile on her lips. “You’re really making all of this possible for me, for us,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude. “I love you, baby,” Alexander said tenderly, his eyes filled with affection as he leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. “I love you more than anything, and I’ll always take care of you and our family.” Amelia sighed in contentment, feeling her worries begin to melt away, at least for now. “I love you too, Alex,” she whispered, resting her forehead against his. “I love you so much.” For a few moments, they stood there in each other’s arms, the world outside of their embrace forgotten. But as much as Amelia wanted to lose herself in this moment, the thought of the man at Jackson’s school still lingered at the back of her
Jackson sniffled, looking up at Miss Lily, who smiled softly at him. "I don’t want you to go," he whimpered. "What if you don’t come back?" Amelia’s heart ached at his words. She reached out and hugged him tightly. "I promise you, Jackson, we will come back. And when we do, we’ll have lots of fun stories to tell you. Maybe we can even bring you something special from France." She tried to sound cheerful, though she could feel her own emotions rising. Jackson pulled back slightly, his lip quivering. "Like what?" he asked, his voice small and tentative. "How about a little Eiffel Tower replica?" Amelia suggested, knowing how much Jackson loved building things. "We could get one for your room, and every time you look at it, you’ll remember that we’re always thinking about you." Jackson considered this for a moment, his tear-filled eyes showing a hint of interest. "Okay," he mumbled, wiping his nose on his sleeve. "But you promise you’ll come back?" Amelia kissed his forehead. "
The flight to France was long, but in first class, the time seemed to pass quickly. Amelia found herself marveling at the comfort of the seats, the delicious meals that were served, and the attentive staff who made sure they had everything they needed. She and Alexander spent most of the flight talking about the places they wanted to visit—the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the charming little cafes that lined the streets of Paris. Amelia had always dreamed of experiencing the beauty and romance of France, and now, it was finally happening. As the plane began its descent into Paris, Amelia looked out of the window once more, her breath catching in her throat as she caught her first glimpse of the city. The sprawling cityscape was dotted with historic buildings, lush green parks, and winding streets that seemed to invite exploration. And there, in the distance, standing tall and proud against the horizon, was the Eiffel Tower. Amelia’s heart skipped a beat at the sight. “We’re here,” sh