Lachlan “I meant every single word. And you may not believe me, but Amelia, I’m in love with you. Trust me, I have tried shaking off. Like desperately trying to shake it off. But I just keep sinking deeper and deeper in the ocean of love I have for you. And sincerely, it hurts more because I know you have lost every feeling you have for me. And honestly, I’m not even going to ask you to love me again because, in all honesty, I don’t deserve an atom of your love. And even if you divorce me in the end, I will take up my cross because it was all my doing. But I swear with every living cell in me that I’m head over heels in love with you, Amelia. I only hope you'll see it someday and maybe love me just the way I have loved you. And together we’ll do a lifetime nurturing our own kids and loving each other.” I didn’t know how all these words came, but I knew I meant every single one of them. And sincerely, it just felt so good to finally pour it all out. It felt relieving to finally admi
Amelia He sounded really convincing. He was Lachlan Mallory after all. Always knew how to buy people into doing what he wanted with his words. I knew that too well to know I couldn’t be bought. So despite how true he sounded or how real his confessions were, all I could see behind was a façade. So I kept asking him different questions, finding a means to catch him red-handed. But as his usual manner was, he cleverly dodged them all, fabricating more lies. Whether they were true this time, I didn’t care. They were lies to me.He sighed after a few seconds of silence. He had looked into my eyes, and I had returned the gaze with equal intensity.“Amelia, sincerely even I don’t know. Cassie was right. This whole obsession began when you left. So maybe I had fallen in love with you before then but didn’t realise it. But it doesn’t matter, Amelia. I love you, and I know it’s painful that I’m just realising it. But I’m sorry. And I hope I can oneday make you believe that I, Lachlan Mallory
Nina“Lachlan! Come back here! Lachlan!!!” Mom screamed after them, but they didn’t even turn their necks, let alone give Mom the attention she was looking for as they left the house. I was stunned. Everyone was. I mean, I knew Lachlan was already catching feelings towards her. I knew he was beginning to care for her. But I didn’t think he would actually be bold enough to confess his love for her to the whole family in the face of Mother. It was bedazzling. I couldn’t even place how I felt about it. I was in literal shock.Mom banged the table in anger after they had walked out on her. She was boiling. She looked at us with fury in her eyes.“Eat your food!” She ordered, and we all, including Dad, turned our focus back to the food. A heavy silence hung in the atmosphere. The tension could be felt. I could barely eat my food. I just played with my cutlery around it. I noticed the same thing happened with Chris, who ate his food slowly, his brain trying to process what the hell just h
Cassie “What?!” What the bloody hell did this bitch wake me up for?“I’m sorry, babe. But your chances of being a Mallory are very slim. No, it doesn’t exist.” She said it slyly, and I could feel the sinisterness in her voice, and I just knew why she called. But that didn’t matter at the moment. The information she had just passed across was much more important than her childishness. But what the fuck?!“Well, that hasn’t been confirmed yet. Lachlan told me they were getting a divorce after Amelia delivers the baby.” I said in defence, but the idiot burst into a full-blown laughter.“Yeah, keep dreaming, Cassie. A man who literally declared his love for a woman in the presence of everyone tonight, I don’t see a divorce, Cassie. Your man is gone, miss. I just thought to let you know.” She said, giving a sinister laugh.“You bitch! What have I ever done to you?” I screamed at her, tears streaming down my face. I never liked her, but I haven’t done her wrong in any way. I didn’t know wh
Amelia I woke up in the cosy arms and hard chest of someone. I turned my eyes to see myself still cuddled in his arms as we lay on the bed. I jerked out of his body in shock, stirring him a bit. I then recalled all that transpired last night. How I screamed and how I had fallen into his arms to save my sanity when I couldn’t get help from Bailey.I sighed as I stared at him and got up from the bed. I took a glance at the wall clock. It was a few minutes past ten. Lachlan was very late, and he was still asleep. It was very unlike him.I tapped him gently until she stirred and opened his eyes.“It’s 20 minutes past ten Lach. Get up!” I said, and immediately he jerked from the bed. He was almost naked, having only his boxers on, and I had to take my eyes off him for a bit to avoid ogling at him while he grabbed his pyjamas.“Why didn’t you wake me earlier?” He asked as he hurriedly put on his clothes.“I just got up too. I’m sorry if I made you late.” I replied."Oh, it’s fine. You didn
Lachlan I came to a halt as the traffic light turned red. I sighed as I waited. Memories of Cassie’s visit ran through my memory. I sighed again. It was tough. I didn't like seeing Cassie cry. And watching her break down like that was hard for me. But I really wanted to get it right with my wife this time. And I was in love with Amelia. Maybe I did like Cassie. But I knew I was in love with Amelia. “What is it, Lachlan?” Cassie asked, with worry etched on her face. I knew she was aware. I trusted Nina on that. But she just wanted to get it directly from me. I sighed. “I don’t think we can continue this, Cassie.” I began, mentally getting prepared for what was about to go down. “Continue what?” She had asked, looking confused. “Continue with this...” I said, pointing to the distance between us. She chuckled. “I don’t understand. What happened? Why? What do you mean?” She asked, and I swallowed. "Look, Cassie, I think it’s high time I get things right with my wife Cassie. She’s
Amelia “You filthy bitch!” She screamed, already turning red, while I just looked at the lunatic whom my husband had chosen over me a few months ago. And I couldn’t help but wonder how Lachlan had coped with this madness of hers. Or how he had comfortably chosen her beauty over his peace of mind. “I swear, I will make you regret ever coming to our lives. Just leave my man in the fucking hell alone. Or else I will force you too. I will make you hate me more than your worst nightmares. You sincerely don’t want to mess with me. Don’t even think of it. Because you will live to regret it all the days of your miserable life on this earth. I swear. I will not let a relationship I have been building, long before you knew Lachlan, go all away. That I promise you. Bastard!” She threatened. Her eyes had gone red at this point. But none of it moved me. She was about to leave when I dragged her back. She looked at my hand in her arms and then at me in shock. Even I too was shocked.“Don’t you th
Chapter 67Amelia I stirred on my bed as the light reflection started sipping through the window blinds. Then I heard it again. It was a knock on the door. It was the second time it was coming to my door. I sat up gradually, and then I heard his voice.“Amelia, can I come in?” He asked and knocked again.“Come in,” I said, trying to wake up fully. The doorknob turned, and he came in. “Good morning.” He said, smiling, and I remembered what had happened the previous evening. I was surprised to see him smiling at me despite the hurtful things I said to him. Maybe he did love me this time. No, it wasn’t possible. It was too early to fall for all these. I knew one day I would get to the bottom of the reason behind this façade he put up.“Good morning.” I replied as I watched him walk up to my bed and sit. “How are you doing?” He said, still maintaining his smile. Damn, Lachlan had a good smile. It was painful; I was just getting to see it and properly admire it. It was painful that for
Lachlan's POVI clenched my fists as I gazed at the detective. Would you just spill it already?“Get to the point, you manipulative don of a ….” I bit back the rest of my insult when he responded with 8 words. “Chris is the main suspect in this case.” Detective Matthew's smug expression needed a punch to it, and I was ready to volunteer for it.“Chris is an idiot, but he wouldn't hurt a lot of flies!” I yelled in my brother's defence. “Oh really? He wouldn't hurt a fly, but he'd fuck your own side chick and make moves on your own wife. Matthew curled an eyebrow. I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. “Can I fall for the same trick twice? Your bullshit reverse psychology won't work this time!”“I'm not using reverse psychology on you. You know the truth. We both do.” The calm expression on his face told me he was super serious about this. Matthew placed his hand over mine and peeled it off him. “Supporting your brother will only fuel my rage, Mallory…. My job is to find the culp
Lachlan's POVI felt a soft hand on my grip on my shoulder, and I looked up. Detective Matthew was standing in front of me with a cup of coffee and a smile on his face. Suddenly, I didn't know what came over me. My body responded to the gesture with hatred, and I slammed my fist into his face.“Karam hits like a bitch, and so do you.” Matthew held out the pack of ice from his eye, and I winced for his sake. The area around his eye was swollen and purple. Did I hit that hard? I just took a swing.“I didn't mean to hit that hard.” I said unapologetically.“Yeah, right.” Matthew said with a scoff and leaned back in his swivel chair. He swerved right and left, watching me with those curious green eyes. “You know I could have you arrested for hitting an officer of the law.”“I'm pretty sure you're aware that people like me own the law.” I rolled my eyes.“And I have people like you to thank for all the corruption going on around here. If it weren't for folks like you, I wouldn't have a jo
Lachlan’s POV“Amelia Mallory…. Time of death - 10:45 pm.” “No, Amelia!” Bailey's screams resounded in the room. “No,” the room seemed to cave in. “My Amelia can't be—”I jolted awake. It was a nightmare. Warm liquid trickled down my cheeks, and I realised I had been crying. I sat up, wondering what the heck that was. “Lachlan…” Cassie said groggily as she turned on her right side to sleep. I stared down at myself. I was half-naked in another woman's bed—a woman other than my wife. My eyes scanned the floor of the room. Clothing items littered the floor—Cassie's lingerie, her gown, my shirt, and shorts. A bitter taste rose to the back of my throat, and I tasted like the alcohol I had last night and the grief I was going to face. God, what on earth did I do?I threw my leg over the left side of the king-size bed, my heart racing in my chest and my mind reeling with one question: Is Amelia okay?“Lach?” I heard the rustle of the bedsheet. “I'm okay. Go back to sleep.” I told Cass
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