AMELIAI woke up the next morning with both determination and dread settling in my stomach. The events of the previous night felt almost like a dream, but the weight of what Alexander had said was all too real. As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I made a decision. Today was the day I would get answers. No more hiding, no more half-truths.I already had a big chunk of my memory missing, I was just barely getting control over my life and now…I had to know, if there truly is something more to know about my mother… With a deep breath, I pushed myself out of bed and headed for the shower. The hot water helped clear my mind, washing away some of the lingering fog of sleep and confusion. As I stood under the spray, I tried to organize my thoughts, to prepare myself for the conversations I would have to initiate. Once I was dressed and feeling somewhat more human, I reached for my phone. My finger hovered over Jessica's name for a moment before I tapped to call. The familiar sound of
I felt my breath catch in my throat. "Are you saying our family is involved in organized crime?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Alexander's lips curved into a humorless smile. "That's putting it mildly," he said. "The Guerrero family is one of the most influential crime syndicates in Italy. Our grandfather, King Guerrero, was known as 'Il Re Ombra' - The Shadow King. He controlled everything from illegal gambling to international weapons trafficking,"My mind reeled at this information. It seemed impossible that my mother - the woman who had raised me, who had taught me to paint and to appreciate beauty in the world - could have come from such a background."But... my mom wasn't like that," I protested weakly. "She was an artist, a gentle soul," But even as I spoke the words I knew they weren't true. Trenton stepped forward then, his face etched with sympathy. "Your mother was indeed an artist, Miss Amelia. But she was also a product of her upbringing. The Guerrero family
After what felt like hours of intense conversation, I finally stood up from the chair, my legs slightly wobbly from sitting for so long. The weight of everything I had learned pressed down on me, making even the simple act of standing feel like a monumental effort."I need to head out," I announced, my voice sounding strangely hollow in the quiet room. "I have... plans."Right. I had to meet up with Jessica, get my hair done. Now that seemed to be the least of my worries, there was so much more on my mind now and perhaps part of me was regretting demanding to know the truth. Would it have been easier to just be ignorant? Alexander rose as well, his movements fluid and graceful in a way that I now recognized as the result of years of training. "I should be going too," he said, his green eyes - so similar to my own - studying my face carefully. "But Amelia, I want you to know that I'm here for you. If you need anything, anything at all, just let me know. We're family, after all,"Fam
AMELIA As I stood in front of the full-length mirror, my breath caught in my throat. The woman staring back at me was familiar yet strangely new. My once dark limp locks had been transformed into a stunning shade of warm blonde with faint curls, the color seeming to catch and reflect the light in a way that made my whole face glow. It framed my face perfectly, softening my features while simultaneously making them appear more defined. "Oh my god, Amelia!" Jessica gasped beside me, her eyes wide with awe. "You look absolutely incredible! I mean, you were always gorgeous, but this... this is next level!" Jessica complimented, her eyes taking me in like she hadn't seen me in years. I couldn't help but smile, running my fingers through my newly blonde hair. It felt softer somehow, and the way it moved seemed almost magical. "I love it," I admitted, a sense of satisfaction settling over me. "It's so different, but in the best way possible," I heard myself say as I admired my reflection.
"Greece?" I called out again, rising from my seat as the disheveled young woman stumbled towards our table. Her usually impeccable appearance was in disarray - her dark hair mussed, her clothes wrinkled, and her eyes wide with a mix of fear and relief. I watched as her legs and fingers trembled, she looked lost…the sight of her in that state made me worry, it also reminded me of myself. As she reached us, I opened my arms instinctively, and Greece practically fell into my embrace. Her body shook with silent sobs as she clung to me, her fingers digging into my back as if I were a lifeline in a stormy sea. I held her tightly, my worry growing with each passing second."Shh, it's okay," I murmured, running a soothing hand down her back. "You're safe now. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out together," I promised in a low voice, feeling a sharp pang in my chest the longer I felt her tears soak through my shirt. What exactly was going on with her? What could've caused her to end up in suc
As we pulled up to the imposing gates of the Roman’s mansion, I felt Greece's anxiety radiating from her in tangible waves. I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as we stepped out of our respective cars. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the manicured lawn as we made our way up the winding driveway.The sun was already setting, the day had gone by in a flash yet it was one of the hardest days I've had to power through since I woke up. In just one day I have learnt that my mother was a crime lord's heir and she made a lot of enemies. And now there was Greece…being treated like shit by her mother by reasons only best known to Victoria Wellington. Who would treat their child this way? Put them through such emotional torture…or are parents like that more common than I think? After all, my father has done worse to me…"Come on," I said softly, guiding Greece through the entrance. "Let's get you settled in,"The young woman reminded me so much of myself, maybe that was why
As Roman stepped into the kitchen, I felt a sudden tension coil in my stomach. His eyes swept over the scene, lingering on Greece before settling on me. I couldn't help but notice how his gaze lingered, perhaps taking in my new blonde hair.Or maybe it was something else. He looked at me like he was unable to look away and I heldy breath, waiting for whatever it was he wanted to do…or say. "I... I brought dinner," Roman finally said, lifting a bag I hadn't noticed before. The scent of something delicious wafted from it, and I felt a pang of surprise and warmth at the gesture. It was something he had never done before, at least not since I'd lost my memories.Dinner? Damn it, why was he being so…so… "Oh," I said, caught off guard. "That's very thoughtful of you, Roman. We've actually just finished cooking, but we can save what you brought for tomorrow. It won't go to waste," I replied in the most steady voice I could muster, unsure of why I was feeling slightly bad that I made dinn
The next morning, after Roman had left for the office, Greece and I found ourselves curled up on the plush sofa in the living room, a bowl of popcorn between us and a lighthearted romantic comedy playing on the massive TV screen just like the last time she'd been here. It was a welcome distraction from the heavy thoughts that had been plaguing both of us."I can't believe he actually said that!" Greece giggled, throwing a piece of popcorn at the screen as the male lead delivered a particularly cheesy line.I laughed along with her, feeling a warmth in my chest at seeing her so relaxed and carefree. It was a stark contrast to the frightened, trembling girl I'd encountered yesterday. "I know, right? Who writes this stuff?" I mused, watching as the female lead in the movie got emotional and fell for the cheesy line. “Ugh…” Greece groaned, laughing even as she grimaced, “Remind me again why we picked this movie?”I threw my head back with laughter, enjoying the expression she had on. “Y
BERTHAI stared at my reflection in the large vanity mirror, my fingers trembling with barely contained rage as I adjusted the diamond pendant around my neck. The weight of it felt suffocating, much like everything else in this oppressive fucking mansion. The warm golden light from the lamps above should have made me look radiant, but all I could see was the storm brewing in my dark eyes.Here in this mansion, I felt like a dolled up trinket, just kept here to look pretty, to bear a child that Yaakov can fully mold as he wants.The gala invitation lay mockingly on the corner of my vanity, its gold-embossed lettering catching the light. "Mr. and Mrs. Wellington," it read, as if I was supposed to feel honored to be attending as Yaakov Wellington's wife. I sneered at my reflection, watching as the expression twisted my carefully made-up features. The deep burgundy lipstick I'd chosen suddenly seemed too harsh against my pale skin, but it matched my mood perfectly.I had cut my hair short
AMELIAThe hours crawled by with excruciating slowness. Jessica and I sat in the living room, remnants of our lunch spread across the coffee table, neither of us having much appetite. The black car hadn't returned, but I kept glancing out the window anyway, expecting—or dreading—to see it again.I knew something was going on, deep down I knew that the little peace we'd managed to enjoy these past few weeks was already over. I knew it the second I woke up in that hospital. I knew it the second I was told I lost my baby. "You should try to eat something," Jessica said, pushing a container of pasta toward me, looking rather cautious. She's been that way for a while, like she's unsure of what to say, scared that a word might trigger me or something like that. I shook my head. "I can't. My stomach's in knots." I admitted with full honesty. My heart felt heavy and there was the sense of impending doom that I kept trying to push down. Roman and I were…not okay, that much I knew. Eating a
The argument replayed in my mind like a broken record, each harsh word cutting deeper with each repetition. ‘All you see is your own pain.’ The accusation stung particularly sharp because it was untrue. I'd spent weeks trying to understand Roman's pain, making excuses for his absence, convincing myself that his distance was just his way of coping. And now he had the audacity to throw that in my face? That son of a– My phone felt heavy in my pocket. I could call Jessica, or Alexander—they'd be here in minutes. But what would I say? That my husband, the man who'd been my rock through everything, had just revealed a side of himself I'd never seen before? That he was keeping secrets about who had poisoned me? Instead, I did something I hadn't dared since being discharged; I walked upstairs to the nursery door. My hand trembled as it touched the doorknob. We'd painted it white just two weeks ago, discussing whether we should add some kind of decorative element. Roman had wanted to pai
AMELIAHome was supposed to feel like a sanctuary. Instead, the walls seemed to close in around me, each room holding memories that felt more like wounds. The nursery door remained firmly shut—neither of us had the courage to face what lay behind it.I for one knew that I would break down into tiny pieces if I saw what was behind that door. I had already given instructions for the room to be emptied, without my knowledge, of course. I didn't want to see them. The crib. The stuffed animals, the onesies. Fiona had left or rather…fired. I had a feeling she had something to do with the poisoning seeing as Roman was being kind of secretive about why she left or why he fired her. He never really gave me a straight answer, not even when he hired an older woman to fill in as both housekeeper and maid for the meantime. Roman had been adamant about me staying home. "You need to rest," he'd say, his tone leaving no room for argument. But rest felt impossible when my mind wouldn't stop spinnin
The night air was cool against my skin as I stepped out of the hospital, fishing my phone out of my purse to order another Uber. The parking lot was mostly empty, illuminated by scattered streetlights that created pools of yellow light in the darkness. The sound of rapid footsteps behind me made my heart jump, but before I could turn around, I heard his voice."Greece!"Just one word. My name. But the way Colson said it made something inside me twist. I turned to find him slightly out of breath, as if he'd run to catch up with me. The sight of him – powerful, composed Colson – actually running after someone was so unexpected that for a moment, I could only stare."What are you doing here?" I asked, hating how my voice betrayed my awareness of him. Even in the dim light, he was devastating – the shadows playing across his features only emphasized the sharp angles of his face, the intensity of his gaze."It's too dark for you to be out alone," he said, his tone still carrying that profe
GREECE“Why…” I inhaled deeply, “...are you here?” I asked softly. I didn't know he was back from Mexico. But then again, we haven't kept any contact since I left. He couldn't be here for me, right? "Wellington Corp has a meeting with the university board today," Colson said, his voice carrying that familiar professional tone that I'd almost forgotten existed. "With Roman at the hospital with Amelia, I'm handling the meeting with the dean."The words hit me like a splash of cold water, washing away whatever foolish notions I'd been entertaining. Of course. He wasn't here for me. He was here for business, just like always. The realization stung more than it should have, but I refused to let it show on my face."It's nice to see you again," I managed to say, proud of how steady my voice sounded despite the chaos in my chest. But even as I spoke, my traitorous eyes kept drifting to his lips, remembering how they'd felt against mine that night in Mexico. The warmth, the intensity, the
GREECEThe lecture hall felt suffocating despite its size. Professor Williams droned on about corporate law, but my mind was elsewhere, wandering back to memories of Mexico City – memories I couldn't seem to shake no matter how hard I tried. It had been a month since I'd returned, since Colson had practically forced me onto that plane, and yet everything still felt fresh. Raw.The scent of his cologne. The intensity of his gaze. The way his hands felt when they caught me from falling. The almost-kiss on the balcony that still haunted my dreams."Miss Stavros?" Professor Williams's voice cut through my reverie. "Care to share your thoughts on the Jensen case?"I straightened in my seat, forcing myself to focus on the present. "The Jensen case highlighted the importance of fiduciary duty in corporate governance," I began, drawing on whatever information I could remember from last night's reading. "The board's decision to..."As I continued my response, I couldn't help but notice how dif
The days that followed blurred together like watercolors in the rain. I felt disconnected from my body, as if I were floating somewhere above myself, tethered only by the thinnest of threads to the physical world below. The hospital room became my entire universe—a bubble where time moved differently, where every breath felt like an effort against the crushing weight of loss.I used to think I was a strong person, I used to think if I could have survived this far, after everything…then I could handle anything. But this? This pain? It was something I wouldn't wish even my worst enemy. Jessica was my constant companion, her presence both comforting and guilt-inducing. She'd pull up a chair beside my bed, her white coat wrinkled from long hours, dark circles under her eyes betraying her exhaustion."You need to get back to work," I told her one afternoon, my voice still carrying that hollow quality I couldn't seem to shake. "Your patients need you more than I do."She looked up from h
AMELIADarkness. Unrelenting. Suffocating.The memory crashed over me like a violent wave, fragmentary and disjointed. Marcus. The name itself was a razor blade against my consciousness, cutting through the soft, sedated edges of my hospital room's tranquility.I could see him—not his face, never his complete face—but his presence. Overwhelming. Menacing. A shadow that had stalked me longer than I could comprehend. His voice was a low, calculated whisper that seemed to echo through the chambers of my most terrifying memories. "Finally," he had said. "Finally, I have you."I remember being so afraid that I couldn't speak, every time he walked into a room, every time he told me about his love for me…how many times he's watched me, how many times he's just been in the shadows…looking, seeing everything and anything that has happened to me, even times I had forgotten. Flashes of my previous attempts to escape flickered like a damaged film reel. The sharp object I'd used against him—som