Amelia POVThe room was dark, but not dark enough to hide the cracks in me.I curled on the far side of the bed, facing the wall, my chest rising and falling in uneven breaths. The pillow beneath my cheek was damp, my tears soaking into the fabric like the grief had to go somewhere. Silent sobs escaped me, raw and aching. The kind of pain that couldn’t be screamed out. The kind you buried deep because no one cared enough to hear it.Not in this house.The door creaked open, and instinctively, I wiped my face, hastily smearing the wetness away. My heart kicked up, thumping erratically as heavy footsteps crossed the threshold. I didn’t turn. I didn’t breathe. I pressed my eyes shut and stilled—pretending.He stood there for a moment.Watching.I could feel it—Maxwell’s presence was like a storm cloud in the doorway, the air shifting and growing heavier. He sighed. Quiet, but deep, like something in him was unraveling. I heard the rustle of fabric, the sound of him rubbing a hand across
Amelia POV“I want a divorce, Maxwell.”I didn’t scream it. I didn’t whisper it. I just said it. Firm. Final. Like I meant it. Because I did or maybe I lied to myself but it was better than accepting it. The words had sat on my tongue for days, bitter and burning. Now that they were out, floating in the silence between us, I expected something. A gasp. A denial. A laugh, maybe. Even a fight or maybe a yes. But nothing came.He didn’t say a word.I stood in the doorway of his home office, arms folded tightly across my chest to keep myself from shaking. He was at his desk, back facing me when I spoke. I waited for him to turn, to react, to do something—but the seconds dragged on into minutes, and all I got was silence.The kind that made your stomach twist. The kind that made doubt slither in.Was he ignoring me? Did he care at all? Of course, he didn’t. I shifted, heart pounding louder with every breath. “Did you hear me?” I asked, this time softer.Still nothing.I stepped forward
Maxwell POVThe room was silent again. Not the peaceful kind. The kind that screamed in your ears, filled every corner and made you aware of your breathing. And yet, all I could think about was her voice from the night before.“I want a divorce, Maxwell.”I hadn’t been asleep. Not really.I heard her walk in. I listened to the words fall from her lips like something she’d practiced a dozen times before saying it. There was no shaking in her voice. No tears. Just that firm, a final tone that cut deeper than any blade ever could.And I stayed still.Pretended to be asleep.Because if I moved—if I looked at her—I knew I would’ve shattered and I couldn’t afford to let her see that part of me. My mother’s voice had already poisoned enough of my thoughts. Her words days ago still lingered like the stench of smoke in a burned room.“You don’t need her anymore, Maxwell. You’ve gotten what you wanted. The press is quiet, the board is happy, and Victoria… she’s back. With your child.”I hadn’t
Amelia POVI never intended to take the bag.When Maxwell handed it to me, I thought it was some last-ditch bribe—another attempt to manipulate emotions he couldn’t voice aloud. But when I opened it and saw the gown, everything in me stilled.I should’ve walked away. I told myself I would. But then he said it.“Just tonight. Give me one night, Amelia.”And I don’t know what shattered me more—his voice when he said it, or the fact that he didn’t beg… he asked.So now, here I was, standing in front of the tall mirror in the guest bedroom, holding the emerald gown against my body like it was made of something fragile. Like it would vanish the second I doubted it.My fingers trembled as I slipped it on.It fits like a second skin. The neckline was soft but elegant, brushing just above the collarbone. The silk draped down my frame, hugging curves I’d spent months hiding behind sweatshirts and oversized coats. My hair, for once, was down—loose waves curling just beneath my shoulders.I caug
Amelia POVThe woman in the mirror looked nothing like the person I once dreamed of becoming. Dream? Did I just say dream? It was something I couldn’t afford.I hardly recognized the woman before me, her—eyes swollen and rimmed red, hair tangled from restless nights, and a face that held no joy. I had become a shadow of myself, and today was no different. Today, I would take one more step down a path I never chose.I stared at the simple, ivory wedding gown that hung on my slender frame. It wasn’t the gown of a bride anticipating her happiest day, but a cold symbol of my captivity. My hands trembled as I adjusted the veil. This wasn’t how I imagined my wedding day—no laughter, no love, no one to hold my hand and tell me it would be okay. Just the suffocating silence and the crushing weight of duty.“Amelia!” My mother’s sharp voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “Stop dawdling and get out here. You don’t want to embarrass yourself more than you already do.”I flinched at her words, as
Amelia POVThe knock on the door startled me awake. For a brief moment, I had forgotten where I was—forgotten the weight of the ring on my finger and the cold reality of my new life. But the moment was fleeting. The knock came again, louder this time, and I knew I couldn’t ignore it.Dragging myself out of bed, I opened the door to find a maid standing there, her expression unreadable.“Mrs. Cole,” she said, her voice soft but firm, “Mr. Cole has instructed me to have you pack your things and move into his room.”The blood drained from my face. His room? The thought of sharing a space with Maxwell sent shivers down my spine.My mind raced back to the nickname Lisa had so gleefully thrown around—the Beast of Cole Industries. The fear coiled in my stomach like a living thing. What if he lost his temper? What if he decided to harm me? What if he decided I was no longer useful to me and killed me? Would anyone care if he did?Then it hit me, “Why would anyone care if I’m alive or not! I’m
Amelia POVThe night stretched on endlessly. The clock on the wall ticked louder with every passing second, and its glowing numbers—12:15 a.m.—mocked me with their stillness. Maxwell wasn’t home. Again. It’s been two days since we got married and I haven’t seen him.I paced the room, the vastness of the mansion swallowing every sound except my restless footsteps. The staff moved about with mechanical efficiency, their faces betraying nothing. No one seemed worried about Maxwell’s absence, almost as if his late-night disappearances were a routine.But for me, this wasn’t normal.I hated how the unease coiled in my chest. I hated that I was waiting up for him, a man who had made it painfully clear that he wanted nothing to do with me. But most of all, I hated how my heart clenched at the thought of him out there, battling demons I didn’t yet understand.I didn’t know why I waited for him. I thought to myself, “Could it be out of duty, or maybe I just wanted to get to know the stranger I
Maxwell POVThe office was a sanctuary of silence, but it was the kind that threatened to explode. I sat behind my desk, reviewing the numbers flashing across my screen with a practiced efficiency. Each figure confirmed what I already knew: someone was attempting to undermine me.My office door creaked open, and Mark, my right-hand man, stepped inside, his face taut with unease. He placed a folder on the desk.“You were right,” Mark said, his voice low. “The report was filed anonymously, but it’s a strategic hit. If we don’t address this now, it could escalate into a full-blown PR nightmare.”I opened the folder, skimming through the contents. False accusations, doctored financial statements—someone was trying to paint me as a corrupt CEO siphoning funds.“Ethan Liam,” I muttered, venom lacing my words.Mark nodded. “He’s the only one with the resources and motive to pull this off. He’s been circling like a vulture ever since your last acquisition.”I leaned back in my chair, running
Amelia POVI never intended to take the bag.When Maxwell handed it to me, I thought it was some last-ditch bribe—another attempt to manipulate emotions he couldn’t voice aloud. But when I opened it and saw the gown, everything in me stilled.I should’ve walked away. I told myself I would. But then he said it.“Just tonight. Give me one night, Amelia.”And I don’t know what shattered me more—his voice when he said it, or the fact that he didn’t beg… he asked.So now, here I was, standing in front of the tall mirror in the guest bedroom, holding the emerald gown against my body like it was made of something fragile. Like it would vanish the second I doubted it.My fingers trembled as I slipped it on.It fits like a second skin. The neckline was soft but elegant, brushing just above the collarbone. The silk draped down my frame, hugging curves I’d spent months hiding behind sweatshirts and oversized coats. My hair, for once, was down—loose waves curling just beneath my shoulders.I caug
Maxwell POVThe room was silent again. Not the peaceful kind. The kind that screamed in your ears, filled every corner and made you aware of your breathing. And yet, all I could think about was her voice from the night before.“I want a divorce, Maxwell.”I hadn’t been asleep. Not really.I heard her walk in. I listened to the words fall from her lips like something she’d practiced a dozen times before saying it. There was no shaking in her voice. No tears. Just that firm, a final tone that cut deeper than any blade ever could.And I stayed still.Pretended to be asleep.Because if I moved—if I looked at her—I knew I would’ve shattered and I couldn’t afford to let her see that part of me. My mother’s voice had already poisoned enough of my thoughts. Her words days ago still lingered like the stench of smoke in a burned room.“You don’t need her anymore, Maxwell. You’ve gotten what you wanted. The press is quiet, the board is happy, and Victoria… she’s back. With your child.”I hadn’t
Amelia POV“I want a divorce, Maxwell.”I didn’t scream it. I didn’t whisper it. I just said it. Firm. Final. Like I meant it. Because I did or maybe I lied to myself but it was better than accepting it. The words had sat on my tongue for days, bitter and burning. Now that they were out, floating in the silence between us, I expected something. A gasp. A denial. A laugh, maybe. Even a fight or maybe a yes. But nothing came.He didn’t say a word.I stood in the doorway of his home office, arms folded tightly across my chest to keep myself from shaking. He was at his desk, back facing me when I spoke. I waited for him to turn, to react, to do something—but the seconds dragged on into minutes, and all I got was silence.The kind that made your stomach twist. The kind that made doubt slither in.Was he ignoring me? Did he care at all? Of course, he didn’t. I shifted, heart pounding louder with every breath. “Did you hear me?” I asked, this time softer.Still nothing.I stepped forward
Amelia POVThe room was dark, but not dark enough to hide the cracks in me.I curled on the far side of the bed, facing the wall, my chest rising and falling in uneven breaths. The pillow beneath my cheek was damp, my tears soaking into the fabric like the grief had to go somewhere. Silent sobs escaped me, raw and aching. The kind of pain that couldn’t be screamed out. The kind you buried deep because no one cared enough to hear it.Not in this house.The door creaked open, and instinctively, I wiped my face, hastily smearing the wetness away. My heart kicked up, thumping erratically as heavy footsteps crossed the threshold. I didn’t turn. I didn’t breathe. I pressed my eyes shut and stilled—pretending.He stood there for a moment.Watching.I could feel it—Maxwell’s presence was like a storm cloud in the doorway, the air shifting and growing heavier. He sighed. Quiet, but deep, like something in him was unraveling. I heard the rustle of fabric, the sound of him rubbing a hand across
Amelia POVShe pushed past me like I was a coat rack.Literally.Her shoulder hit mine, her suitcase scraped against my leg, and I stumbled back two steps, blinking in disbelief as Victoria waltzed into the house like it was hers—like I was the intruder.“What the hell are you doing?” I asked, my voice low, shaky.She didn’t even look at me. She just tossed her coat over the back of the couch and dropped her suitcase right in the middle of the hallway. “Didn’t Maxwell tell you?” she said with a venomous smile. “I’m moving in. Our daughter needs her mother and not some stranger.”I opened my mouth to protest, scream, and demand she get the hell out—but the rapid thump of small footsteps interrupted me.“Mommy!”Lila.She came running down the stairs, curls bouncing, arms outstretched. Her face lit up like the sun itself rose in her chest.Victoria knelt just in time to scoop her into her arms, spinning her once before holding her close. “Oh my baby,” she murmured, her voice coated in s
Amelia POVI couldn’t move. I stood frozen in the dining room, my hands clenched into trembling fists, heart thundering in my chest. The candles I lit earlier flickered behind me, casting shadows across the floor—shadows of a night that was supposed to be different. Romantic. Intimate. Something for us.Instead, he walked in with a child. A living, breathing proof of a past I thought he had buried.Lila.Victoria’s child.Maxwell’s daughter.The words echoed in my mind like a siren.Victoria was right. She wasn’t bluffing afterall.I should’ve said something. Should’ve reacted. But I just stood there, letting his cold words slice into me. “This is Lila. My daughter.”And just like that, everything I had built with Maxwell cracked beneath my feet.I didn’t hate Lila. God, no. She was beautiful—green eyes, soft curls, small fingers clutching a stuffed bear like it was her lifeline. She was innocent. But she was Victoria’s. And that made something inside me twist painfully.Because no ma
Maxwell’s POV The drive home was silent, except for the hum of the radio. My fingers gripped the steering wheel, but I wasn’t tense—I was thinking. Calculating. Lila sat in the passenger seat, her small legs swinging, clutching her stuffed teddy against her chest. She was quiet but observant—just like me. I glanced at her, my expression unreadable. Could she be mine? The DNA test was tomorrow, but I already knew. Those green eyes staring up at me were all the proof I needed. But Amelia? I sighed, barely sparing a thought for her. Whatever we had planned for tonight didn’t matter anymore. Things had changed. She’d either understand or she wouldn’t. Either way, it wasn’t my problem. As I pulled into the driveway, I exhaled slowly. Lila turned to me with those big, questioning eyes. “We’re going to meet someone very special to me today.” She blinked. “Is she nice?” I smirked. “I guess we’ll find out.” Inside, the house smelled like vanilla—Amelia’s favorite scent. The di
Maxwell POVThe early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. I stirred awake, feeling the warmth of Amelia nestled beside me. Her breathing was steady, her face serene in slumber. For a moment, I allowed myself the indulgence of simply watching her, memorizing the delicate curve of her lips and the way her lashes rested against her cheeks.She was so beautiful. A pang of guilt tugged at me. On numerous occasions, I had withdrawn from her, retreating behind walls I had painstakingly built over the years. But lying here now, with her so close, I couldn’t deny the pull she had on me.Before I could overthink, I closed my eyes again, letting the rhythmic cadence of her breathing lull me back into a light sleep.When I awoke the second time, the sun was higher, and Amelia’s eyes were open, watching me with an unreadable expression. Our gazes locked, and for a heartbeat, the world narrowed to just the two of us. But the vulnerability of the moment w
Amelia POVThe sharp beam of sunlight pierced through the curtains, dragging me from the depths of sleep. I groaned softly, instinctively trying to shield my eyes, but something warm and solid pinned my arm down.Blinking against the light, I slowly became aware of my surroundings—the familiar scent of Maxwell’s cologne, the soft rustle of sheets, and the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath my cheek.My heart skipped a beat. I was curled up against Maxwell, his strong arm wrapped possessively around my waist, holding me close.Memories from the previous night flooded back—the shared laughter, the lingering glances, the almost-kiss that had left me breathless.Heat crept up my neck as I realized just how intimately we were entangled. I needed to extricate myself before he woke up and found me clinging to him like some love-struck fool.Gently, I attempted to lift his arm, but his grip tightened instinctively, pulling me closer. My breath hitched, and I froze, not daring to move o