AMELIA A week had passed since my grandfather's unexpected visit, and I found myself settling into a strange sort of normalcy. The kind that felt both comforting and dangerous– like walking on a bridge made of glass. Beautiful, but with the constant awareness that it could shatter at any moment. That was my fear, that was why no matter how at peace I felt, I could never truly relax. I was in my office, finally on a call with Jessica after what felt like forever. Her cheerful voice filled my ear as she explained her absence. "God, Amelia, you wouldn't believe how crazy it's been at the hospital. I've barely had time to breathe, let alone check my phone." "I get it," I replied, smiling despite myself. "Things have been pretty hectic here too. Client meetings back to back. Trying to catch up on everything I left behind," "Look at us – actual functioning adults with demanding careers," she laughed. "We should catch up properly soon though. When things calm down?" "Definitely. I miss
JESSICA The steady beeping of monitors faded into background noise as I stripped off my surgical gloves, satisfaction warming my chest even as my bones ached from the exhaustion from being up for countless hours. Another successful surgery, another life saved. That's what I lived for now – not the family "business" that seems to have blurred into the background for now. I felt slightly guilty, I'd taken up countless shifts, burying myself deep in work just to prove to myself that I made the right decision by pushing my family away and sticking to this dream of mine. So much so that I've neglected everything else, including my best friend. I made a mental note to call Amelia once I was less busy. As I disposed of my surgical gown and made my way to the staff lounge, I couldn't help but marvel at how peaceful these past few weeks had been. No threatening phone calls, no unexpected visits from Father's men, no thinly veiled ultimatums about my "responsibilities" to the Timoth
I forced my face into what I hoped was a professionally neutral smile, pretending I didn't recognize the name that had haunted my childhood nightmares. "Good afternoon, Mr. Guerrero. I'm Dr. Jessica Timothy, and I'll be overseeing your cardiac care." I gave him a slight nod as I spoke in the softest, calmest tone I could muster. All of a sudden I was beginning to wish my father was here with me. So he would tell me how to react in this situation I was in. How exactly I could get out of it without losing a limb or two. His weathered face creased with amusement, green eyes twinkling with mischief that seemed at odds with his fearsome reputation. "My my, if I'd known my new doctor would be such a beauty, I would have worn my better suit." His thick Italian accent wrapped around the words like aged wine, smooth yet potent. The corners of his lips tilted up as he regarded me with a look I couldn't read, I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or threatening. Dr. Morrison shifted uncom
The drive home was quiet, almost too quiet considering how much I wanted to escape my thoughts in that moment.Marcus, my driver, kept his eyes trained on the road ahead as the city blurred past us, the late afternoon sun casted long shadows through the tinted windows. I was both annoyed and grateful for his professional silence as it gave me space to process the storm of thoughts in my head. Victoria's words echoed in my mind like a broken record. The memory of her perfectly manicured finger pointing at me, her face contorted with barely contained rage, made me shiver despite the car's warm interior. The sheer hatred in her gaze and her words. It was a threat. Or maybe a warning. A simple bark that would be without a bite. What exactly did she mean by that? The possibilities seemed endless and equally terrifying. I'd seen firsthand what Victoria Wellington was capable of – the way she'd manipulated situations, controlled narratives, destroyed careers – all with experienced pr
The day of the Henderson event arrived too quickly, bringing with it a flutter of nerves I couldn't quite shake. I was in our walk-in closet, mentally preparing myself to start getting ready while trying to ignore the slight tremor in my hands, when Roman appeared in the doorway with a famous brand bag I hadn't seen before. His presence immediately filled the space with a warmth that helped calm my racing thoughts. He smiled and walked in, closing the distance between us. His spicy perfume covered me in its addictive scent and I was left staring into those blue heated eyes, somehow wishing he would do something more than just kiss me. “Roman the romantic…” I cocked up a brow and said breathlessly, “What do you have there?” I pointed at the bag between us. "Before you start tearing apart your closet and declaring you have nothing to wear," he said with that knowing smile that always made him look years younger, "I might have something that could interest you." His eyes held that mixt
As Monica came closer, it was like watching an incoming storm. I had no idea what to expect, but I knew I wouldn't back down easily…not today. If I can take on Victoria Wellington If I can survive one conversation with my mother's father despite all I knew him to be…Monica would definitely be a piece of cake. A fucking big piece, a voice at the back of my mind pointed out annoyingly. I'd seen that expression on her face before, jaw set, eyes blazing with self-righteous fury. She wasn't just angry; she was out for blood. "Well, well," she drawled, coming to a stop barely an arm's length away. Her perfume, something expensive and overwhelmingly floral, invaded my space and made my eyes water slightly. "You've got quite the nerve showing your face in public after everything you've done to your own flesh and blood," Monica sneered, eyeing me with her usual disdain as her eyes took in my appearance. Many years ago that look was the source of my nightmares and low self-esteem. Sure,
Henderson's hand settled on my waist as we began to move to the music, and I couldn't help but notice the difference. Where Roman's touch always felt natural, like coming home, Henderson's felt calculated, each placement of his fingers seemingly designed to test boundaries."You seem distracted tonight, Amelia," Henderson observed, his voice carrying that particular tone of feigned concern that I'd learned to recognize from years in corporate circles. Getting my memories back was really coming in handy because heavens know I would've made a mistake since the first step. "Though I must say, distraction becomes you. Everything becomes you in that dress." He voiced, his voice low, tinged with something I recognized but chose to ignore the second I identified it. I maintained a polite smile, carefully adjusting our distance to be just a fraction more professional. "The dress was a gift from Roman. He has impeccable taste.""Ah yes, Roman," Henderson's eyes flickered briefly to where Ro
Bertha's approach felt like watching an impending collision in slow motion. Each click of her heels against the marble floor echoed in my ears, matching the quickening rhythm of my heart. She moved with the confidence of someone who had never doubted their place in the world, someone who had always belonged in rooms like this.The last time we saw each other, she'd warned me off Roman with a secret she thought would destroy us. I had thought she would leave for good as she kept on promising but I guess you can't have everything you wish for when you're as unlucky as I am. "Roman," she purred as she reached us, her voice honey-sweet but her eyes sharp as glass. "I've missed you."I felt Roman's hand tighten almost imperceptibly on my waist. "Bertha," he acknowledged coolly. "This is unexpected.""Is it?" She tilted her head, a practiced gesture that made her hair catch the light. "Daddy always says family should stick together during important business events." Her eyes slid to me, di