I stood there dejected. I stared blankly at the picture of me that hung on the wall and my headache in response to the agony I felt. I felt some strange movement across my feet to my waist, which made me feel so numb. Such that I felt the day the doctor told me about the surgery.“Promise you what!” I bellowed, hands clutching my chest as if to suppress the sudden pain that I just developed. “I would be a fool to trust you again. You've been lying to me, father. How could you?” I stated, tears streaming down my cheeks.My father dragged towards me, his movement frail and infirm. “Amelia, things are not the way you think. The document is not about you,” he rubbed his hands across his eyes as if fighting back some tears. I moved closer to him, my eyes red from tears yet burning with anger. “So who is it about? Tell me all you have been hiding.”The tension in the room sprouted dense, our gaze locked onto each other as I anticipated his next words with my heart beating in thousands.“Am
NELSON'S POVA burning sensation traveled through my veins as I stood there in anger and bitterness. The air thickened with tension as I tried to contain my fury. "You are not going to manipulate me into marrying anyone, I'm a man of my own life," my jaws clenched as I gave a befitting response to her statement. "The necessary documents should be ready by the time I'll be coming here again," I said and made to leave.I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles still ached from the hard pressing against the couch. Memories of my step mother smiling manipulatively stirred in my mind. I couldn't help but be amazed at her audacity, trying to control me like a puppet on strings. As I sped down the winding road, my speed increased, and my vision suddenly began to blur away. Darkness gradually crept in and everything began to fade. My emotions cut through me like a flowing river. Just then my phone buzzed. Checking the caller ID, it was Linda. With my frustration still fresh, I te
AMELIA'S POVI didn't wait a second longer, I hurried out of the room. But as I went farther from where he laid, I couldn't get over the feeling of fear and guilt that had clung onto me. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed him. "Don't go, Amelia. I promise to make everything up to you…" I could hear his faint voice but it wasn't going to change anything. Not even the pain that accompanied his words could stop me at the moment. Outside, my eyes were welcomed by the approaching darkness of the night. But the darkness was nothing compared to the weight of trouble that I carried within. My shoulder slumped uncontrollably and my head threatened to break from aching. I ran forward still, determined not to let my problem weigh me down, I approached where Bryan had parked the car earlier."The car was here," I said to myself as I rotated on the same axis, hoping I wasn't dreaming. I rubbed my palm against my eyes, to be sure it was real. Only then did I realize the balls of sweat that had gathere
NELSON'S POVFor moments longer, I couldn't overcome the feeling from what I just did. Or should I say what we just did. I stole a glance at Amelia, her face portrayed indifference but from the little moment, I could tell she enjoyed every ounce of what we did. Ever since Amelia got into my house, I haven't felt anything close to what I felt some moments ago. Not even when she was dressed in the most sexy way. I lean farther from her, thoughts ravaging between why I felt so much attracted to her. I felt the urge to say something to Amelia, at least to clear the air but I didn't know what to say. "You know," I started, trying to break the tension, "That moment back there. I let out a warm breath, shaking my head. "We were never supposed to be anything more than a contract..." Amelia cut me short, "What? It's fine," she snapped. Amelia nodded, her gaze still fixed ahead. "I know what you want to say. You never thought you'd see me that way, I didn’t think you’d ever see me that way
NELSON'S POVI sat at the breakfast table, the aroma of fresh coffee and toast filling the air, but I barely noticed the meal. My fork clinked severally against the plate, pushing the scrambled eggs around in frustration. My mind was elsewhere, consumed by the thought of the property that should have been mine but was not due to my father's weakness. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the frustration, but it wore on like a dark cloud. I glanced at Amelia, her faint smile a stark contrast to the turmoil inside of me. As I sat there at the table, Amelia's gaze seemed to pierce into my soul. I knew what she felt. It was only last night since we made out and she expected a little bit of calmness than before. "I want to talk to you, Nelson," she said but the words made my ears itch. I fumbled for my phone in my chest pocket and once I found it, I was gone. I had no choice. At least not anymore. The doors of desperation seemed to be closing around me. My father's survival,
AMELIA'S POVThe sound of approaching footsteps on the stairs jilted me back to the moments. Only then did I realize how much I had wandered into my thoughts. Almost immediately, I heard Nelson's voice. "Where are you going?" his voice thickened with uncertainty as it cuts through the silence of the house. Curiosity settled on me as I heard those words, but not only that, a response that was clouded in a female voice heightened my eagerness."To unpack..." the voice had responded. I was more than ready to dig deep, just enough to know who she was. I mean who could have spoken to Nelson with so much confidence when I could barely look him in the eyes. I pushed the door open, my bare feet clicking against the cold floor. But rather than see a quite younger girl; maybe her niece or cousin. But no! A matured lady was ascending the stairs. She looked fragile and pale, like a glass at the edge of breaking. Her left hand clenched tightly to the bag she was holding, and her shoulders t
AMELIA'S POVBut as I looked into his eyes, my heart fainted. His gaze moved from me to Rose, he seemed confused. But there was something hidden that he wasn't showing. I turned around quickly, trying to see the expression on Rose's face but I was caught off guard. Rose's eyes had suddenly turned red and her cheeks flooded with tears. Her once courageous expression had suddenly turned sober and pitiful. “What’s going on here?” he demanded again, this time more impatiently, with his voice low and guarded.Before I could say anything, Rose turned to him, her lips curling into a pitiful smile. "Oh Nelson," she began in a soft tone. "Amelia and I were just clearing the air. I mean I was only trying to familiarize myself, but she took it seriously," she said amidst her programmed tears. Clearing the air? My fists clenched at her lies. I opened my mouth to speak, but Nelson’s attention seemed to have drifted entirely to her. His eyes still glued to her empathetically. He stepped close
ROSE'S POVI hurried my steps up the stairs just as if I needed to be so fast before he changed his mind and sent me out of his house. My steps calculated and my mind reminisced on what had just happened now, I couldn't help but feel vulnerable and used. "But it's worth it," I assured myself, remembering the incident that led me into this act. "After all, everyone deserves a taste of betrayal and heartbreak," I muttered. Gradually, waves of memories came hitting against me like a train on the runway. Bit by bit, cold as ever, the traumatizing pieces came together again and I remembered how I had gotten into this trapping situation. ***FLASHBACK I had never imagined a day like this in my life. Or that my day could ever end like this. One minute, I was dragging myself to the comfort of my home after another exhausting day at work. The next, I couldn't hold back any piece of it as my life came crumbling right before my eyes. Like a bullet hitting its target, the sound hit me first a
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
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 said aloud. “S
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
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 "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 POV Nelson sat behind his massive oak desk, his face straight and posture narrowed. Looking from the entrance, his face was a cold mask of indifference. It was my first time ever in his office and I couldn't help but marvel at the captivating beauty which welcomed my sight. "Sign it," he yelled, his voice echoing through the walls of the expensive setting of the office. His voice was clipped, lacking any iota of warmth. The way he addressed me made me feel worthless, like I was nothing more than a business transaction.His office smelled faintly of cedarwood and leather, the scent was sharp in my nose as I stepped forward hesitantly. His gaze, penetrative and distant, didn’t shift toward me as he slid the document across the polished desk. "I have other things to attend to," he said again, dragging another file across from the table.My fingers shook as I reached for the papers. Why was this so urgent? Bryan had picked me up with no explanation. The only response I had g
ALEX'S POV"What do you mean?" I fired, my voice rising beyond my control. I couldn't help but feel my disappointment skyrocket as I plopped the phone to my ear. My fingers clenched into fists without my approval, rubbing against my warm thigh."I'm sorry, Alex. But they tried, my team gave it their best possible..." the voice trailed off as if waiting to hear my heartbeat, then it continued "...to convince them into agreeing to the clause."The words felt strange, like a blow to my face. The sudden realization that my plan was crashing, and the walls of my mission was crumbling, dug deep into my soul, rekindling my quest for vengeance. I hesitated, letting my hammering heart steady a bit, then said, "They didn't try enough then. I mean what's so difficult in convincing a company to sign a beneficial deal, all they freaking had to do was give them fake promises, lure them in with benefits.... even if they are not there."The line was quiet for a while, and the lingering silence seeme
NELSON'S POVThe squeaking sound of the door jolted me back to reality. I straightened my head, shaking off the overwhelming feeling of disappointment that washed over me. My company's biggest and most recent achievement - partnership with tranXglobal group was at the verge of crumbling. "You sent for me, sir," Benita articulated immediately as she stepped in. Her navy blue shirt neatly tucked into her skirt, her hair perfectly styled into a ponytail and her overall appearance commanded formality and efficiency. I pushed myself back a bit, leaning my back against my chair. "Yeah, I did. We should talk about the newly added clause , alright?"She nodded, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Her fingers twisted into each other, resting slightly above her knee. "Okay, sir.""You may sit." She pulled the visitor's chair, slumping her body into it. "I think we might have to face the bitter reality at this point," I uttered, observing her reaction.She adjusted her position, eyes searchin
AMELIA'S POV "Do you think wearing Nelson's ring makes you special?" Hazel's voice cut through the air like a razor, her arms crossed over her chest, a wicked smile playing at the corner of her lips. I stood stiffly by the dining table, the pain from her cruel words burned through my chest, just as much as the slap from earlier. My nails dug into my palms, but I managed to keep my face straight despite the turmoil. Rose plopped lazily on the couch, sipping her juice as if this was a show meant solely for her entertainment. Her lips curled into a mocking smile."She actually does," Rose muttered. "I mean it's cute, like a little girl playing games in a house."I felt like I had been punched in the gut, I swallowed hard, keeping my voice as steady as I could. "And I never said I was special, I only stated that I was Nelson’s wife."Although I wasn't sure if it was true, that was a subtle reminder that no matter how small, I still had a place there, although I didn't know how long.