AMELIA "What are you doing? Why the hell are you doing it?" I asked again, choking him with questions.My breath seized, heart pounding like mortar against pestle, forcing into the background, the gentle patter of rain around us. But he remained calm, his face, his look, everything about him commanded control. This couldn't be real. "What am I doing?" he said, his mouth advertising an elaborate smirk then he continued. "I'm trying to get back what belongs to me.. And why? Because I need to let you know that I still love you as much as I believe that you do as well."This whole thing was getting more unbelievable. I stared outside of the car, the rain was still coming in a furious downpour. And I couldn't believe that I wished I was in it again, hoping its cool, gentle brushing against my skin would wash off the boiling rage inside of me. "That's a lie, Alex. A big one, I'm not a fool to believe your woes of a lie," I cried out, letting my voice come in a painful, shallow scream.
AMELIA'S POVAs the night wore on, my mind was nothing but a battleground for several thoughts. I wriggled from one side of the bed to the other, but that didn't help me find answers to the numerous questions threatening to shatter my head into pieces.Why couldn't Nelson find the good in me? Why did he have to resolve to divorce when we were supposed to be married for 24 months?I had been a fool to have fallen for him and expecting him to do the same. And Alex… what did he know? Was he telling the truth? Why did he appear again just when I thought Nelson and I were getting along?Was Alex aware of Nelson's act?And then to the news of the $500 million, was it true or just someone behind the scene playing some pranks?I could barely wait for the night to be over and, finally, it was, after what felt like eternity.The first thing I did was grab my phone. I felt a sharp throbbing in my head as I tried to lift my body off the bed. I found my way to the bathroom and in no time, I was r
AMELIA'S POVThe sound of the door echoed in my ears for minutes. I was rooted to the spot, my legs felt as if they had been planted to the spot.Why did it have to be me again?For several moments, I couldn't leave the spot. My hands glued to my waist, trying to shake off the feeling of disappointment mixed with sorrow, attempting to knead my bitterness away.I reached for my phone, trying to reach out to Clara but it dropped. Unable to connect.'Where do I go from here?' I said in my head, hoping for answers. Answers that never came.A warm, salty liquid tripped down my cheeks, and my eyes were heavy with the weight of shattered dreams. My chest ached with a dull throbbing pain, as if someone squeezed my heart. It was difficult to catch my breath, the same way it was impossible to escape the suffocating sense of disappointment that wrapped around me like a wall.'You should just get used to disappointment' I told myself before I carried my suitcase and left. The world felt strange a
My eyes widened in shock, hands tracing the edge of my dress. I tried to speak but I couldn't, until I finally forced the words out. “But you almost gave me the check just now," I retorted slowly. "I'm sorry for the mix up, It was a mistake, Amelia. There's one more thing.” " And that is?” "A signatory is required.” What does that even mean? " A signatory?” I asked as if I didn't hear him the first time. " Yes, someone who signs to confirm your identity. It could be anyone, so far they have a certificate of citizenship.” With that I stood to leave. Fuck! I was just about claiming a life changing fortune. Why did it not work? Outside the building, I stood arms akimbo. Frustration washed over me fresh and undiluted. A salty liquid washed over my skin. I was sweating. Who could be my signatory? Clara, the only friend I had who could help out was out of reach. Minutes passed away, there was no one to call, no hope in sight. Then the name called in my head. 'Alex.’ “No," I s
AMELIA'S POVI stared at the check in my hand as the car drove slowly away. I clutched it tight as it might vanish any moment from now. The number on it was outrageous, too surreal to believe.I felt like bursting into a long dry laugh. I mean just some hours ago, I was sleeping in my ex lover's house, reminiscing on the shock that came with Nelson's sudden request for divorce.I was still filled with pain and bitterness towards Nelson. One minute I was his wife, the next I was a piece of trash. I had hoped he would change, see me for my worth, and acknowledge me beyond the contract but I was wrong. Funny thing? I didn't realize I was wrong until I was forced out, with nothing to go back to. Not even a home.And now… this? A fortune dropped into my lap like a twisted fairytale. Only that I wish this wasn’t one of those crazy dreams, because I might keep living my life in the dream world.No, dreams didn’t come wrapped in guilt and regret. So it wasn't a dream.I felt the earlier feel
AMELIA'S POVJust like everyone says, I had always thought grief would come in waves, or still, in little drops. But no, it was different standing here. And the scorching weather did not in any way offer fortitude.As the casket lowered beneath the earth, letting in what remained of a man I never thought I would cry for. A cold shiver pierced through my skin, and fresh tears streamed down my cheeks again.Beside me, Pastor Evans adjusted his posture against the wind, his kind eyes watching me before he opened his mouth. "You can say something if you’d like," he offered gently. His voice was steady, against the storm of emotions swirling inside me.My life had grown into an abode of unsteadiness, a whirlwind of emotions and occurrences. A minute, it would be a happy one, the next it would be a sad occurrence.I swallowed hard, words stuck in my throat like a piece of stone. What do you even say at a funeral where you’re the only mourner, wouldn't it just be as if I was addressing mys
NELSON'S POV"A man never makes a wrong decision," I cautioned myself as I stood in front of the mirror. I didn't know how long I had been standing there. Maybe minutes or hours?The only thing I knew was that the man inside the mirror wasn't the me that I used to know.Everything in my life had been going well until recently. My company had mysteriously lost the opportunity of partnering with one of the largest firms in the city due to a devilish clause that was beyond explanation. In order to secure enough financial back up to keep my company running, I had decided to divorce Amelia according to Linda's request, but still, she wouldn't let me have a grasp of my father's assets.And to worsen it all, Alex, my you get brother whom I thought was dead and gone for good, had just appeared. He wasn't dead.And just like everyone would do, he wanted revenge.My slender frame had become even more tiny, my eyes were empty, making it obvious that I lacked happiness. My shoulder, wide as the
AMELIA'S POVThe cold wind brushed against my skin as I stepped out of the burial ground, making my body tremble slightly despite the scorching weather. My fingers trembled from clutching the flowers I had just placed on the grave.His name rang in my head, perhaps for the last time. It was cold and final. I swallowed the lump that was still in my throat, fighting back tears that threatened to blind my vision."Rest well and forgive me," I whispered again, the rustling trees barely making my voice inaudible.As I turned to leave finally, a wave of dizziness washed over me. I stopped, gripping the iron fence to steady myself. Maybe it was just exhaustion. I hadn't eaten much lately and I had barely slept. Grief enveloped me, like a butterfly to a flower.'You'll be fine,' I murmured to myself. 'Just get home.'But with every step, my legs grew heavier and weaker, lagging helplessly against the dusty ground. It was as if a magnetic force was pulling my leg from beneath. My breath quic
AMELIA'S POVThe abrupt end of the call restored silence to the room. The silence was thick enough to be held and sliced with a knife.Daisy's eyes rested on mine. Searching. Waiting for answers that I couldn't provide. Or I could but I didn't want to. My imagination slipped to the other end of the phone. Nelson.Did he hear anything? “Mommy, why don't you want me to speak with daddy?” Her eyes were dark and cold with innocence and that caused my heart to ache. Her bare arms rubbed against mine and her head rested peacefully on my breasts.“It's not like that, darling. Your daddy is a busy man. He doesn't have much time to himself. That's why it's difficult for him to speak with him on the phone.”She nodded her head against my chest in a convincingly manner. I was glad I was able to control the situation. At least for a while before she asked again.“But I heard what he said,”she suddenly pressed, as if she had just woken up from a nightmare. Her head rested just a few inches benea
AMELIA'S POV My head pressed against the window as the car drove away. A mixed emotion swirled within me as the city light blurred in the distance against the windshield. But my mid was elsewhere, entangled between the pleasure of victory and the weight of my own plans. It had been a very long day with thousands of unexpected events. From the news about my daughter's health, to the meeting with Nelson and then Alex's appearance like a thief in the night.Nelson had been easy, too easy. He had walked right into my hands, swallowing the same medicine he had dished out for years. It had been satisfying, watching him in his helpless situation- knowing he was not in control when, in truth, and the strings were mine to pull.But Alex...I exhaled sharply, pushing my head tighter on the backrest as that was where it now rested. With Alex, it wasn’t pleasurable. It wasn’t the same game. He had forced me into something I never wanted to do. But I would play along. I was ready to play s
ALEX'S POVAccomplishment.Revenge.The words echoed in my mind as I walked away, my footsteps firm against the pavement. Behind me, Amelia moved toward her car, or maybe she just stood there, watching me go.I didn’t turn to check.The night air brushed against my skin, cool and sharp, as if trying to strip away the weight pressing on my chest. Guilt still lingered, stubborn and unshaken."This isn’t how you treat someone you claim to love, Alex."The thought came persistent and uncounted, slicing through the satisfaction I should have felt.But what choice did I have?Amelia wasn’t making this easy. Every attempt I made to fix things, to bring her back, had met a dead end. She resisted, fought me at every turn, as if she couldn't see the truth buried beneath my actions. As if we didn't have anything together in the past. I wanted her to understand. To believe that everything I did was for the best. It wasn't my fault. But she wouldn’t.She refused to see past the walls she had bu
AMELIA'S POVA feeling of restlessness rushed over me immediately he left. I paced to and fro the office, my mind reeling with uncertainty. What if it wasn't an empty threat?What if Alex meant everything he had said?Someone who was able to get informations about my whereabout even when we haven't seen in years could as well be upto something terrible.I clenched my fist, my thought spiraling. The weight of everything was unreal, yet overwhelming. My mind reeled with doubt and possibility. Fear crawled in slowly.What if Alex carried out his threat?What if I ended up losing everything?I needed to act fast, to do something. But what could I do?“Instruct the security unit to restrict Alex's exit," I put a call to my secretary immediately my senses picked the point.But my heart sank when she called back a few seconds later. “He left before they got the instruction, ma." Then my phone buzzed, a message from the same number Alex had used in calling me earlier: "Check your mailbox. Y
AMELIA'S POV“You need to take caution, Alex. We're business partners not romantic partners," I said while we were outside.“You could have convinced me of that if your reactionh signified that you didn't enjoy it,” he smiled mockingly.Of a truth, I noticed the spark of jealousy in Nelson's eyes when Alex's hand rested behind me on my seat, and I could swear I never wanted the look to disappear. But I still needed to put Alex in place, to let him respect boundaries.“What do you mean?" I asked, feigning confusion. “Everything was clear from the onset, we're doing this because I'm entitled to fulfill my obligations to you and not because of any real interest.""Well, just so you know, I saw the satisfaction on your face when you sensed the jealousy in your husband's reaction, but If that's not the case, convince me so, next time.”Jeez!This guy was some freaking psychopath. How did he read my expression so fast despite how much I had tried to conceal it?“Sure, I will. But correctio
NELSON'S POV My fingers drummed against the smooth surface of the table in front of me. My eyes darting towards the entrance every passing minute. I had arrived early not because I was eager to discuss business, but because I needed to rehearse and compose myself before facing Amelia again. Five years. That was how long it had been since we parted ways. Since I let her go, convinced that I was making the right decision. I had told myself then that I had moved on, that I made the right decision by choosing Rose over Amelia. Amelia was just another chapter in my past, reason why I told her to get rid of the baby when are told me she was pregnant. I never thought I would be seeing her again. But sitting down here, helpless and frustrated, as the clock ticked and anticipation built in my chest, I knew he was lying to myself.Then, she walked in, causing me to blink severally in order to process what I saw. Amelia was stunning. She had always been beautiful, but now, she carried hers
AMELIA'S POV Immediately he left, I turned to Sophie, my secretary, snapping my hand to necessitate the urgency in my voice. The picture of Nelson looking both stunned and surprised replayed over again. Satisfaction coursed through me and I scoffed. Then I said to Sophie:"Right away, we need to start planning on how to bring a significant change to the company financial situation in the next few weeks.""The company financial situation is excellent at the moment, ma'am. We should only focus on creating a unique brand strategy that could easily convince individuals to buy shares in our company."I smiled, patting her on the back. "You're always full of intelligence, Sophie. But I was referring to Rango group.""oh! I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. What do you want us to start with?" she asked."First we'll need to get the record of past and recent financial situation from them, then we'll look into how we can improve the situation especially through networking."Getting at Nels
AMELIA'S POV"Is she awake?" I asked again when the nurse wouldn't give an answer. She kept moving until we were only inches apart, then she stood right in front of me. Her face was masked in professionalism, then she said, "Congratulations, she's awake now?"A wave of relief washed over me. I had thought it was going to be a negative response especially with the nurse's expressionless face. "Can I see her now?" I asked, already moving towards the room. "She's sleeping at the moment, and it would be better if you let her rest for now. She has lost so much energy and she needs to regain it. But..." she shrugged. "...if you think you really need to see her, I advise that you don't do or say anything that would wake her up."With that, I didn't wait to hear anything she had left to say. I dashed towards the room, and Cynthia crawled after me, scrubbing her feet against the floor. When I got into the room, my daughter was sleeping peacefully. She looked so exhausted and I couldn't h
NELSON'S POV"What?" I screamed, eye flipped open in bewilderment. "Why the hell would they think I will allow someone else share my position all in the name of a freaking partnership?"Emily and Benita sat across from me, their gaze both resting on me, making the pressure from everything sink deeper into my body. I hated the fact that I was in this mess of a situation. I couldn't contain the rage that bubbled within me as my secretary and CFO came with the report stating the condition attached to the partnership proposal. Operating as a Co-CEO means we are going to have almost, if not equal rights in the company and we would both be involved in the decision making. "What other conditions are attached?" I asked. "They must have thought so high of themselves and their goddamned company to think of such condition."But what more could an helpless CEO do? "No other condition. That was the only condition given. But as it is, they appear strict and not ready to amend the requirements,