LachlanAs I sped through the asphalt road, heading nowhere in particular, more scenes of that cursed day flashed by. I could remember that day well; after all, it was the day I was doomed to live with that wretched Amelia.I argued with him, asking him why he didn't allow Christopher to marry Amelia instead.“You are the CEO and the eldest of my children; you need to have an heir as soon as possible.” He said.He claimed that if I waited for the one I loved, then it would take too long for me to have an heir and relieve him of his duties.That day, my love life was ruined.I sat there in the meeting as they, my father and Amelia's wretched father, finalized the deal. The man gave the condition that his daughter couldn't be divorced and could only divorce me, in which case she would receive a sum of a million dollars.I found it ridiculous, but my father agreed to the silly condition. His condition was that the man didn't receive his company back but instead came to work under the Mall
Chapter 16CassieMy eyes narrowed as I looked at the sky.Tch! I should have brought an umbrella. Luckily, I'm going to that person's house.I hurried out of the restaurant and rushed into my car. A red Ferrari. I love the colour red; it signifies beauty and danger, like a rose filled with thorns.I looked outside the window, and I could see pedestrians rushing to their destinations as the cloud began to pour. I couldn't help but smile as I took in their helplessness.Look at them—poor and disgusting. They can't even afford a car so as not to get beaten by the rain. Tch! If you are poor, marry someone rich!I hate poor people. What's the use of being poor? If you can't get something you want when you want it, then how do you even live with yourself?I ignored them, focusing on the asphalt road, when I saw a vehicle drive past. My heart thumped in my chest; it was a grey Bentley, the latest model.I sped up, giving chase, but soon I stopped as I realised it was not who I thought it wa
Christopher I watched as Cassie left the room. My eyes narrowed. She looked extremely seductive in her outfit, and her sultry voice turned me on a lot. But I knew that it was just a pretence, all of it.Cassie was an entitled bratty gold digger who was rude and spoiled and only cared about being rich. Which was why I was extra weary of her.For someone like her to behave in such a way towards me, she was up to something.What a witch.I chuckled at the thought of what she might be up to. I stared at the door coldly, my jaw clenched.If she dares to pull anything funny, I'll be sure to make quick work of her.I got up from the bed and entered the bathroom. I stood in front of the mirror, staring into my reflection. I hated myself.My face, my eyes, my body—everything reminded me of that damn elder brother of mine and, most of all, that careless father of mine.After sending me to boarding school and making decisions for my life to direct them the way he wants, now he doesn't want to g
EricI stood up and stepped out of the bathtub, grabbing a towel to wipe myself with. I walked out of the bathroom and into my room, opening my closet to pick out a dress.Today's the day Amelia gets discharged; I must look my best.After almost ten minutes of contemplation, I finally settled on an old money soft boy outfit. A white polo, a black sweater, and a pair of khakis.I got dressed and stood in front of the mirror to adjust my look. I ran my hand through my hair, trying to give it that look that says casual but is not too casual.I smirked after a while when I saw that I had it just the way I wanted it. I looked to the left and right, checking out all angles. I knew I was good-looking; I didn't need anyone to tell me that.I opened the drawer beneath the mirror, where my jewellery was. I scrolled through, settling on an Armani watch and two silver finger rings.I decided not to use any necklaces.When I was done, I nodded my head in approval at the man in the mirror. I looked
ChristopherI watched the detective take a seat in front of me. He didn't bother to remove his trench coat and hat, sitting down and minding his business like he didn't stick out like a sore thumb.I wonder how he is coping in this heat.It was almost two o'clock in the afternoon, and during this time of the year, the heat was something else. For a man to be dressed in not just a thick trench coat but a hat to join, that was just overkill.The detective chuckled as he looked up from the menu in his hand.“It's due to the nature of business. I can't take off my coat because it will reveal my holster, and the hat is to hide my face. I'm not only a detective after all.”I nodded my head in enlightenment, but my mind was on something else the entire time.The menu!Has that always been there? If that's the case, then I must have looked like a fool in front of the waitress, being indecisive and all. I could have at least pretended to know what I was talking about.As if in cue, I heard a d
LachlanI sat on a chair on the balcony, holding a glass of red wine.There was a maid standing beside me, holding a wine bottle and refilling my cup when necessary. If standing could drain her blood, no blood would remain in her system.I made her stand there to prevent me from doing something I might regret later and from generally getting too drunk.I took a healthy sip from the cup and gazed into the sky. The clouds had an orange tint to them as the evening sun dyed them in their hue. I picked up my phone for what seemed like the tenth time, but nothing happened. The phone just stared back at me.I had taken a risk; I messaged her after all this time. I haven't been able to stop thinking about her, even though I already married that wretched Amelia.Whenever I closed my eyes, all I saw was red copper hair and dazzling green eyes. A face like that of an angel, her smile, seemed to brighten up my day.I should have married her; I should have forsaken the company and chased after her
AmeliaThe drive back to Eric's house was silent and a bit awkward. After Eric entered the ward, the nurse referred to me as Mrs. Trumann.My face went beet red at the idea that Eric had told the nurses that we were a couple. Moreover, the fact that he was dressed so well and that I had been admiring his looks didn't help the situation at all.It's not like it's my fault; after all, what was I supposed to do when I saw someone so good-looking? Look away and forget what I saw.I sighed inwardly for what seemed like the tenth time. I was so ashamed because Eric had looked in my direction, and I was sure he noticed how red my face was. Hopefully, he'll think it was because I was just recovering.I placed my left hand on my stomach, gently caressing it while sniffing the bouquet that Eric got me. It was beautiful. It has three different colours of flowers: yellow, blue, and lilac. I wanted to ask what flowers they were, but I decided against it.If I were the one buying a bouquet for some
ChristopherOne week later,.I got out of my car, doing a quick once-over before heading into the restaurant. I was back at Palette Exclusive, and unlike the other day when I was here for official business, I made sure to dress as casually as possible while also looking good.Ding!!The doorway bell jingled, alerting the customers and waiters to the entry of a new person. I scanned the area quickly, but there was no sign of Thalia.I didn't mind, though. I walked towards a corner by the window; a seat was empty there.As I passed through the customers, a few of them gave me glances, something I wasn't unfamiliar with. I winked at a few of the ladies, and they blushed hard.I sat down, and a few minutes later, I saw the familiar waitress come over.She looked no different from the last time I saw her: amber eyes that looked almost golden under the 11 o'clock sun, brown hair that glistened like donuts glazed in honey, and a slender figure that had just the right amount of curves.She se
Lachlan’s POVI slammed the door behind me, the sound echoing through my soul. “How could she! How could she do this to me!” I fumed, dragging my hand through my already tousled hair. “What's going on?” Cassie raced into the room. I ignored her, still stewing in my rage. “Lachlan!” Cassie grabbed my shoulder and made me look at her. Her expression suddenly changed from one of concern to outright shock. “Lachlan,” she cupped my face. “What happened?”Seeing her sad and confused made my heart break, so I put my arms around her and held her tight. “Don't go anywhere.” I muttered, burying my face in her shoulder. “I won't.” She whispered.I don't know how it happened, but later, I found myself sitting by the kitchen island with a bottle in my left hand and a full glass in my right. “You have to calm down, Lach. Not everyone's who they say they are.” Cassie rubbed circles on my back.I took a swig from the bottle and nearly choked on the burning alcohol. “Shit! Amelia lied to me!
Amelia's POVI was crying, and it was all my fault. I hurt myself. I did this to myself.I sat quietly on the couch, flipping through the photo album.The smile on his face, the laughter in his eyes, his loving gaze on mine…. My husband, Lachlan, was happy. He really was.I traced the contours of the photographs, and my heart clenched. I hurt Lachlan. Bailey was right. I was running from my problems. I thought Eric could help with it, but I was wrong. It only made things worse. Everything about Lachlan and me—the picnic, the date at the park, our kiss, and nights together—was all becoming a distant memory because of me. The guilt was crushing me. I could've let Lachlan in when he was being more supportive. I should've loved him for it, told him what I was going through, and gone easy on him, but I didn't. I didn't care that he was more understanding; instead, I blamed him. Tears filled my eyes, and I succumbed to the torrents of tears in my eyes. “Amelia, please, stop crying.” Lili
Lachlan's POVA few hours earlier,Spending time in Cassie's made me realise how much I've missed doing my favourite things. Our long walks, baking together, watching our favourite movies; that was something I missed. Watching Cassie laugh at me while we played snooker in the game room made me realise how much I had missed this. Now, I begin to question if I was really happy with Amelia. After all, all I did was to make her happy. Everything I did was for her. I never did any of my hobbies but hers. Only hers. Do I even love Amelia?“Lach? You okay?” Cassie's face hovers over mine, and I’m startled.She placed her hand over my forehead. “You aren't running a fever. So what's wrong?”“Your eyes are blue.” She froze. “What?”I reached out my hand to cup her cheek. “Your eyes are blue.”Her cheeks pinked, and she put her hand over mine. “Yeah. Pretty, aren't they?”“Like the summer sky.” I flashed her a smile.She leaned her face closer. “Yeah.”“How could I not notice?” I tried to pul
Eric's povI was busy overthinking my ass off and didn't hear Aunt Bailey enter the room.“Eric?” Her hand was on my shoulder again. “Are you okay?”I blinked twice. “Oh yeah. Sorry, I zoned out for a bit.”“Don't worry about work. Your secretary is doing a fine job along with everyone else.” she smiled.I know that already. I don't hire incompetent people. “Yeah. They are.”“Good. Now, cheer up.” She smiled and passed me a bottle of water. “Thanks.” I uncapped the bottle and took a long sip. Damn, was I this thirsty?“Here.” She passed me the tray of food. Dinner was chicken and rice bowl with steamed vegetables. Lots of vegetables. I could get allergic just by looking at it. Yay.I dug in. The taste was top-notch. All thanks to Aunt Bailey. Sometimes, she’d refuse me to eat hospital food but other times, she'd let me eat it. I wonder what changed her mind today. Maybe, Amelia talked to her. Amelia hated the hospital and even cried when she saw me eating the food. I nearly laughed
Eric’s POVFuck!I messed up pretty badly, didn't I? Each time I close my eyes, my mind replays my conversations with Amelia. I had her. I had her in my grip, and I just blew it. I fucked up, and she knew it. She probably wants nothing to do with me anymore. My words fell flat, and she shut me down. Big time.I need a new approach desperately. I need something that will make her see me in a different light. Something that'll make her run back to me like she used to. Something... Aha! The Damascus Road method. It all goes down to manipulation. I'm sorry, Amelia, but I must do you his, or I'll never have you. I reached out for my iPad on the bedside table. I had a book that talked about this persuasion technique. If you want to make someone believe you have a sudden change of heart, then this book was the one for you. I saw it online, and now I'm glad I bought it. I will make Amelia believe I wasn't selfish or arrogant and that I have sent the light. I would make myself look so guilt
Matthew's POV. “So I'll ask you again, Mrs. Mallory, I leaned forward. “Do you and your husband have any enemies?” A shuddering breath escaped her lips, and she tumbled with the frills on her skirt. “We—we don't.” She was lying. “Think again.” “I don't have enemies, but I don't know about Lachlan…” She yelled. Not a clever way to respond to an arm twist. Then she looked at me, fear dilating in her brown eyes. “You said something about Chris trying to loop my husband in on something…” “Ah, yes,” I sat up. “My partner and I paid Chris Mallory a visit. We have reason to believe that he's a suspect.” Her eyes went round—a giveaway. She knows something. “Mrs. Mallory, how's your relationship with your brother-in-law?” “It’s just as you said. He’s my brother-in-law.” “Do you both get along?” I asked. “Yes.” She replied almost immediately. This interrogation is becoming a pain in my beautiful ass. “Mrs. Mallory, I am trying to help you here. You got attacked by some
Amelia's POV I turned on the faucet and scooped water to splash on my face. Honestly, I was a bit startled by Eric's confession, but a part of me had always known that one day it would happen. A part of me wanted to hear it, but the other half denied it. I palmed my forehead. “Oh, God. I need a break.” “Amelia?” I heard Bailey's voice behind me. “I'm here.” I reached for a napkin and wiped my face with it. Bailey entered the restroom. Something was odd with the way she looked at me, and I figured I already knew what she wanted to say. “You got a minute to spare?” She began. “Yeah.” I replied with a nod. We walked out of the restroom and navigated our way to the hospital cafeteria. Thankfully, it was lunchtime, and I was starving. Bailey was kind enough to order food online and had it delivered. I couldn't stand the hospital dietary plans. I snipped my pasta with scissors befo
Amelia's POV If someone had told me that in the next 20 minutes I would be ugly crying in a hospital cafeteria, I would have said, “Hell, no!” but that was what happened. Bailey sat me down. “Darling,” she began with a southern burr in her voice. “I'm so sorry to have to say this to you, but I have to be really honest. I appreciate you coming here to see my nephew, but it's wrong to do that.” I was a bit taken aback. “What?” Bailey nestled the cup of coffee in her hand. “I don't mean any harm, but seeing Eric while your marriage is in shambles is wrong. I know you just want to escape the pain, to find comfort in a difficult time like this, but that's not how it works, honey. You're broken.” “My marriage is not in shambles, and I'm not broken.” I shook my head, nearly tearing up. “I know a broken woman when I see one,” she took my hand. “And you, my dear, are broken.” A few hours ago,I joined Eric
Cassandra's POVI had never seen Lachlan in such a sorry state before. Crap, he literally looked terrible—droopy eyes, dishevelled hair, reeking of alcohol and misery. He was a mess, but he was all mine for the taking. Thank you for acting so dumb, Amelia.He slumped into the couch and leaned his head back.“Are you okay?” I sat on the edge of the couch.He pinched the skin between his eyes. “No... I don't know, Cassie.”Cassie. I missed hearing that name from his lips.“You need a shower, big boy, or my couch will reek,” I gestured to him. “Get up.”“I just need a second.” He heaved a sigh, frustrated.Okay. Seriously, how bad was this argument? I wondered what Amelia said to him.“Lach?&