Amelia POV
The 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 married a little”. The creak of the front door cut through my thoughts like a knife. I froze, straining to listen. Footsteps. I stepped into the hallway, and there he was—Maxwell Cole. My enigmatic husband stood in the dim light, his suit rumpled, tie askew, and the faint scent of whiskey trailing him like a shadow. “You’re awake.” His voice was low, and rough, as his dark eyes flicked to mine for the briefest of moments. I hesitated, searching for something to say that wouldn’t provoke him. “Do you want something to eat? Or… a shower, perhaps?” His lips curled into a bitter smirk. “Don’t start playing the perfect wife now. We both know what this is.” The sharpness of his tone stung, but I kept my expression neutral. “I was just—” “Don’t,” he snapped, cutting me off. “Don’t think. Don’t assume. And don’t try to help. I don’t need anything from you.” Then he said in a mean tone, “It’s not like you have any to offer me though!” His words landed like slaps, but what struck me most was the weariness beneath them. His shoulders sagged under an invisible weight, his steps unsteady as he moved past me. My eyes instinctively dropped to his leg—his limp was more pronounced tonight. Before I could stop myself, I reached out. “You’re going to fall.” He whirled around, his glare icy. “I’d rather fall than let you touch me,” he spat, his voice laced with venom. The rejection pierced deeper than I cared to admit. He stood there for a moment as if daring me to speak again, before limping toward his room and slamming the door shut behind him. I returned to my room, tears burning in my eyes. My chest felt heavy, the weight of old memories pressing down—my mother’s cruel words about my inadequacies, Lisa’s mocking laughter ringing in my ears. Rebecca’s cruel taunts and now Maxwell’s scorn had simply added another layer to wounds I thought had long scarred over. But as much as I tried to push him from my mind, I couldn’t. His limp, the bitterness in his eyes, the scar I’d glimpsed on our wedding day—it all lingered, begging to be understood. The next morning, I woke early, determined to maintain some sense of dignity. Knock softly. Be polite, Amelia. Don’t intrude. That was my mantra as I rapped on Maxwell’s door before stepping inside. What I saw stopped me cold. Maxwell stood by the window, shirtless, the morning light casting a golden glow over his sculpted frame. But it wasn’t his physique that caught my attention—it was the long, jagged scar running down his back. Before I could stop myself, I gasped. He turned sharply, his dark eyes locking onto mine with a mix of anger and vulnerability. “What the hell are you doing?” “I—I’m sorry,” I stammered, averting my gaze and stepping back. He crossed the room in three strides, his presence overwhelming. His hand gripped my arm, firm but not painful. “I don’t need your pity. Do you hear me?” “I wasn’t—” “Don’t lie,” he growled, his face inches from mine. “Stay out of my way, Amelia. This is the last warning I’ll give you.” I nodded, swallowing hard, and he released me. I fled the room, my heart pounding. But the image of his scar stayed with me, an unspoken story etched into his skin. I couldn’t help but wonder about the history behind the scars on his back and left cheek. And also the limping. Later that afternoon, Maxwell returned from wherever he’d been, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he tossed a garment bag onto the bed. “Get dressed,” he said curtly. I unzipped the bag to reveal an elegant black dress, the fabric cool and smooth beneath my fingers. It was stunning, far too extravagant for someone like me. “I don’t think I’m the right—” “You’ll do what I say,” he interrupted, his tone sharp. “This is business, not pleasure. You’re my wife, at least on paper, so you’ll play the part.” His words were clipped, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of frustration, or perhaps regret? Two stylists arrived shortly after to do my hair and makeup. They worked silently, transforming me into someone I barely recognized. My reflection in the mirror was almost foreign—a woman with soft waves cascading down her shoulders, her face glowing with confidence I didn’t feel. When Maxwell came to check on me, he didn’t offer a compliment. Instead, his gaze swept over me briefly before he said, “Don’t embarrass me tonight. Be on your best behavior”. The event was lavish, the room buzzing with energy and the scent of wealth. I stayed close to Maxwell, acutely aware of every eye on us. His hand rested lightly on my lower back, guiding me through the crowd with practiced ease. “Smile,” he whispered through clenched teeth. I tried, but the effort felt hollow. Then I saw her—Lisa. She was draped on her boyfriend’s arm, her lips curling into a cruel smile as her eyes landed on me. “Well, well, if it isn’t Amelia,” Lisa drawled, her voice dripping with mockery. “Playing dress-up, are we?” I opened my mouth, ready to respond, but Maxwell beat me to it. “Lisa,” he said coolly, his tone sharper than I’d ever heard. “If you have something to say to my wife, I suggest you think carefully before speaking.” Lisa’s smirk faltered and I could sense fear radiating from her. “I was just joking—” “Don’t,” Maxwell interrupted. “Not here. Not ever.” His hand tightened on my waist, drawing me closer. Then, to my shock, he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was brief but deliberate, a message to everyone watching. As he pulled back, his voice softened just enough for me to hear. “Keep your head high, Amelia. You’re my wife, and no one gets to disrespect you.” The room spun around me as I tried to process his words and his actions. For the first time since our marriage, I wondered: was there more to Maxwell than the cold, unfeeling mask he wore? Or was this just another part of his game?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 POVThe massive chandelier in the dining room sparkled with cold light, its brilliance casting stark shadows across the long table where I sat, alone, poking at the untouched food on my plate. The grandeur of the Cole estate, with its towering walls and cold, gleaming floors, felt more like a gilded cage than a home. It had only been a week since I was thrust into this life as Mrs. Amelia Cole, and already I knew I’d traded one nightmare for another.The sharp clatter of heels against marble snapped me out of my thoughts. Rebecca Cole entered the room like a storm, her piercing green eyes narrowing as they landed on me. “Why is the table set like this?” she barked at one of the maids before turning her scornful gaze back to me. “Amelia, what are you doing just sitting there? Do you think you’re a queen now that you’ve married my son? What do you think you’re doing?”Her words were like knives, each one cutting a little deeper into my already fragile heart. “I… I thought the sta
Amelia POVThe faint rays of dawn seeped through the thin curtains of my small, drab room, but they brought no warmth, no comfort. The cold emptiness of the Cole estate mirrored the hollowness in my chest. Another day awaited, another cycle of humiliation and loneliness.I clutched the delicate teacup Rosa had brought me the night before, its warmth long gone, just like my hope for this marriage. The thought of facing Rebecca again made my stomach churn, but I had no choice. This was my reality now, as Maxwell’s wife in name only.The day began as it always did—with the cold, clipped orders of Rebecca ringing through the halls. The moment I stepped into the grand kitchen to fetch myself a glass of water, I was met with sneers from two maids gossiping in hushed tones near the counter. They didn’t bother to lower their voices when they saw me.“Can you believe it?” one of them whispered loudly, her tone dripping with disdain. “She walks around like she belongs here, but we all know she’
Amelia POVA sharp knock yanked me from my restless sleep. My body ached from the weight of exhaustion, the bruises of yesterday’s silent battles pressing against my skin like invisible shackles. I forced my eyes open, adjusting to the dim light filtering through the heavy curtains. The mansion remained eerily quiet, the way it always was—cold, hollow, like an abandoned palace where ghosts whispered through the corridors.Another knock. More urgent this time.“Mrs. Cole.” The voice was flat, indifferent—one of the housemaids Maxwell had instructed to ‘handle’ me. “Get ready. Mr. Cole wants to see you.”Maxwell? At this hour?My gaze flickered to the old clock on the wall—6:00 AM. My stomach twisted. Maxwell hadn’t spoken to me in weeks. Not really. He tolerated my existence the way one tolerated an uninvited guest. Now, suddenly, he wanted to see me this early.I swallowed the lump in my throat and got dressed. A simple navy blue dress. Modest, forgettable. My fingers trembled slightl
Amelia POVA soft beeping sound pulled me from the abyss. My body felt heavy, my limbs weak as if I had been submerged for too long. My eyelashes fluttered, and the blinding overhead light forced me to squint. The air smelled sterile—too clean. A faint chill wrapped around me, but it wasn’t the cold that made me shiver. It was the memory.The water. The weight of my dress pulled me under. The burning sensation in my lungs. The woman’s cruel smile.My fingers twitched against the crisp sheets, and I realized I wasn’t in the hotel room anymore. I was in a hospital. Or at least, a private suite that looked like one. My head pounded, and my throat felt raw as if I had swallowed fire.And then I saw him.Maxwell.He sat beside me, his elbows resting on his knees, his head lowered. His sharp suit was slightly disheveled, his tie loosened, and the first two buttons of his shirt undone. It was subtle, but the exhaustion was there, etched in the tight line of his jaw. His fingers were intertwi
Amelia POVThe woman’s smile deepened, her eyes glinting with something dark—something twisted.I took a step back, but the cold marble wall pressed against my spine, trapping me. My pulse hammered wildly, each frantic beat a warning.This isn’t real. It can’t be real.Yet, she stood there, flesh and bone, draped in the same elegant gown she had worn at the gala. Her presence was suffocating, her beauty laced with venom.“Who are you? What do you want?” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the rush of blood in my ears.She tilted her head, her blonde curls tumbling over her shoulder. “I just came to see how you were doing,” she mused, her tone dripping with false sweetness, ignoring the first question I asked. “After all, you took quite a fall.”A chill slithered down my spine.She’s toying with me.My nails dug into my palms as I forced myself to stay still, to meet her gaze without faltering. “You pushed me,” I said, my voice steadier now. “I know it was you.”She laughed. Not
Maxwell POVThe past had a cruel way of creeping in, slipping through the cracks no matter how tightly you tried to seal them.I leaned back in my chair, the weight of the day pressing down on me. The glass of whiskey in my hand was untouched, the ice melting into oblivion—like the memories I had spent years drowning, only for them to claw their way back to the surface.Victoria. My world or so I thought.Her name slithered through my mind like a whispered curse, a venomous reminder of the man I used to be. A man who had once believed in love. A man who had once been willing to give up everything for her.I had let her in. I had let myself love her.And she had destroyed me for it.The woman I had built my life around had sharpened my trust into a blade and driven it straight into my back.And now she was here—back in my world.I exhaled sharply, tilting the glass to my lips. The whiskey burned its way down my throat, but it did nothing to silence the storm brewing inside me.Across t
Amelia POVThe holiday was over.As I packed my suitcase, I murmured to myself, “It was good… and bad.”Good because, for three days, I was free from Rebecca’s cruel taunts, her icy stares, and the suffocating weight of living under her roof. Bad because Maxwell’s words from last night still echoed in my mind, leaving a lingering sense of dread.Victoria was back. A woman from his past.And if there was one thing I’d learned about her, it was that she didn’t just disappear. She was like a shadow—always lurking, waiting, watching and she was dangerous. The question wasn’t if she’d strike again. It was when.I sighed, shaking off the uneasy feeling as I zipped my suitcase shut. Dwelling on Victoria wouldn’t help me now. The real battle awaited me in Los Angeles—with Rebecca.A soft knock pulled me from my thoughts.“It’s time,” Maxwell said from the doorway, his voice unreadable.I turned to face him, studying the tension in his features. He hadn’t said much since last night. Since the
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