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
One of them was Chloe’s—angry, sharp. The other, male, unfamiliar.Alexander’s stomach tightened. Who was with her? He quickened his steps but hesitated before reaching the door, his instincts urging caution. Instead of barging in, he moved quietly, staying hidden just out of sight. Peeking through the gap, he saw them—Chloe and a man he didn’t recognize, standing uncomfortably close to each other.The man’s voice was low but intense, carrying a weight that sent a shiver down Alexander’s spine. “You know why I’m here, Chloe,” George said, his eyes dark and full of intent. “I want my son. I want Jackson back.”Chloe’s reaction was immediate. Her laughter was harsh, sharp, and laced with disbelief. It was the kind of laugh that came not from humor, but from pure anger.“Your son?” she spat, stepping toward him with a fierceness Alexander had never seen in her before. “You mean the son I raised all by myself? The son you left behind the moment I told you I was pregnant?” Her voice rose w
Chloe was just about to step out of her house when she heard a knock at the door. Confused, she called out, "Who is it?"Silence. No response.Frowning, she cautiously approached the door, her heart beginning to race. When she opened it, her eyes widened in shock."George?" she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.George stood there, a smirk playing on his lips. He looked the same but different—rougher around the edges, more intense. There was something dangerous in his gaze."Surprised to see me?" he asked with a cocky tilt to his head."What are you doing here?" Chloe’s voice was sharp, trying to mask the flutter of nerves building in her chest."Can't I come in?" he asked, his tone teasing.She hesitated, scanning his face for a sign of what he wanted. "Fine," she said stiffly, stepping aside. "Come in."George strolled into the living room, looking around as though he owned the place. Chloe closed the door and turned to face him, folding her arms defensively."What do you wan
Amelia barely heard her. All she could think about was the baby, the life growing inside her. She prayed silently that everything would be okay, that this wasn’t the end of her pregnancy, that her baby would be safe. As the hospital came into view, the driver honked the horn urgently, signaling the medical staff. By the time they pulled up to the emergency entrance, nurses and doctors were already rushing out with a stretcher. The maid quickly helped them lift Amelia out of the car and onto the stretcher. “Please… the baby…” Amelia murmured as the medical team hurried. “We’ve got you, one of the nurses said, her voice calm but firm. “We’re going to take care of you and your baby. The hospital doors swung shut behind them, leaving the maid and driver outside, watching with worried expressions as Amelia was whisked away. Alexander stormed into the hospital with a look of intense worry etched across his face. His usual calm, collected demeanor was replaced by a frantic urgency a
Amelia’s vision blurred with tears as she struggled to push herself up, but the pain in her stomach was too much. She shouted for help, her voice desperate as she lay on the floor, terrified for her unborn child. But Chloe didn’t care. She stood there, watching Amelia suffer with cold indifference. After a few moments, she turned on her heel and walked out of the house, her heels clicking against the floor as if nothing had happened. The front door slammed shut behind her, and the sound echoed in the now-empty hallway. Amelia’s cries for help echoed through the hallways. Her voice, weak but filled with desperation, finally reached the maid, who rushed into the living room. The sight of Amelia on the floor sent a chill down the maid’s spine. She dropped to her knees, her hands trembling as she gently shook Amelia. "Mrs. Amelia! Oh my God, what happened? Are you okay?" The maid’s voice was frantic as she tried to help Amelia sit up. Amelia winced as she held onto her belly, her brea
The house was quiet, a peaceful stillness that Amelia had grown to appreciate in the last few months. She sat in her bedroom, sorting through baby clothes, organizing the nursery for the little one growing inside her. Her hand rested on her round belly as she smiled softly, feeling the slight kicks of the baby. Things had been calm, and despite the tensions with Chloe still looming in the background, Amelia had felt a sense of peace in recent weeks. Suddenly, the sound of a car pulling up in the driveway snapped Amelia out of her reverie. She furrowed her brow, wondering who could be arriving at this time. Alexander was at work, and there were no deliveries scheduled for today. Curious, she pushed herself up from the bed, her movements slow and careful as her pregnancy had advanced significantly. Amelia made her way to the window and peered outside. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw an unfamiliar car parked in the driveway. The sleek, black vehicle gleamed in the sunlight, and
“Ms. Chloe,” Donovan said smoothly, his voice deep and authoritative as he gestured toward the chair in front of him. His dark eyes were locked onto hers, unwavering, assessing her from the moment she walked in. “Maya has told me about your situation. Please, have a seat.” Chloe sat down, her movements deliberate, her spine straight as if a rod was keeping her upright. “I’m glad Maya could make this happen on such short notice,” Chloe began, her voice steady. She wasn’t sure if Donovan was someone she could fully trust yet, but she knew Maya wouldn’t have connected her to anyone less than the best. Donovan waved a hand dismissively, leaning back slightly in his leather chair, exuding a calm confidence that seemed to fill the room. As if short notice and high-pressure situations were something he handled daily. “She’s a good friend,” he said, his tone even, “and she knows how to get things moving. Now, tell me exactly what you want.” Chloe took a deep breath, her mind laser-focus
Her friend had been equally shocked to learn that Amelia was pregnant. Chloe had tried to play it off like she already knew, but the truth was, she hadn’t. It stung, even if she didn’t want to admit it. The idea of Alexander starting a new family, having another child with Amelia, made her feel irrelevant, like a forgotten chapter in his life. But that was about to change. As Chloe continued to browse her phone, she wondered what Alexander would think when he found out about her plan. Would he fight back, or would he let her take Jackson without a struggle? No, she knew Alexander better than that. He would fight, but that didn’t scare her. She was ready for whatever was coming. Her hand hovered over a contact name—an old acquaintance who worked in law. She hesitated for a moment, then pressed the call button. The phone rang twice before a familiar voice answered. “Hello?” the voice said, sounding surprised to hear from her. “Hey, it’s Chloe,” she said, her voice calm and col
When they finally finished their meal, Sarah gave Chloe a quick hug before they parted ways. “Take care of yourself, Chloe,” she said before disappearing down the street. Chloe stood there for a moment, watching her friend walk away, before slowly heading back to her car. Her mind was buzzing with thoughts, plans, and questions. All this time, she had been thinking about how to get back into her son’s life, how to restore her place in Alexander’s world. And now she found out that Amelia was pregnant? It changed everything. Back at home, Chloe threw her shopping bags onto the couch and sank into a chair, her mind still reeling. She hadn’t expected this. The idea of Amelia carrying Alexander’s child gnawed at her, twisting something deep inside her chest. She could feel old feelings resurfacing—resentment, jealousy, anger. All the emotions she had tried to suppress were bubbling to the surface. She paced back and forth across the living room, trying to think of her next move. Alex
The next day, Chloe felt an unusual sense of freedom as she stepped out of her house and into the world that had continued without her for over four months. It was strange being out after so long, seeing the everyday bustle of people going about their lives, unaware of the turmoil that had been happening behind the scenes in hers. She took a deep breath, feeling the cool breeze brush against her skin, and smiled faintly. Today, she decided, she would reclaim a small piece of her old life. She went shopping first, driving through the city with a newfound purpose. Chloe had always had a taste for luxury, and although her current situation wasn’t ideal, she wasn’t about to give up on the things that had once made her feel powerful. Stopping by her favorite boutique, she spent hours perusing the racks of designer clothes, trying on outfit after outfit. It felt like a quiet rebellion against the world she had been trapped in for so long. As she walked down the busy streets with several s