I pulled on a black dress hurriedly as I prepared for a small gathering Roman put pm the schedule. We were attending the wedding anniversary of a major shareholder called Mr. Martinez and truth be told, I had no intention of leaving the house. Yet, the glare Roman sent my way said otherwise. I can't say no to him. I have to be careful as well, one wrong move and my mother's company might also be affected. So I begrudgingly put on some light make up and wore red heels along with a red clutch to match before meeting Roman down stairs. He didn't spare me more than a glance, which I wish didn't sting as it did. Making the image of him back at the mall seem like a false memory. We had a driver this time so I had to sit in the backseat with him. Something he looked visiblly upset by. I stayed on my side while fiddling wigh my fingers already feeling nervous for what was to come. My father never took me to such gatherings nor did he ever bother you teach me the way
Brilliant golden lights welcomed us as we walked into what I assumeed to be the man's house yet it seemed more like a castle with a rather extravagant design instead of a house. Roman's expression remained rigid as we stepped in, he was in a bad mood and he wasn't hiding it. It made me stiffen up and feel unsettled walking by his side. I had no idea who this Mr. Martinez was, though I tried my best to research a bit on him and his wife, I barely got enough info online. They stayed off social media and didn't like meeting up with the press from what I read. Though the people considered them a perfect couple, they've done countless charity works, have two teenagers who also engage in charity work…too clean. “You shouldn't look so glum,” I whispered into Roman's ears as we fell into the hustle of the golden crowd. There was not a tie or necklace out of place. Everyone held themselves with a certain elegance and grace that made it clear they were the top of the crop. They
Why is he so opposed to the idea of giving his mother a grandchild?Roman looked downright pissed off after we’d walked away from Tatyana, his expression darkening even further when we spotted his parents with the Martinez couple, the very people we were looking for.I could tell he didn't want to go, so I waited silently for him to make the first move.I didn't want to seem like I was meddling so I stayed silent despite the growing curiosity in my chest to understand the relationship between Roman and his parents.That includes his sister, they don't seem too close either.The entire family seemed rather tight-knit on the outside but in the few days, I've gotten to know them, I've come to realize they're almost as dysfunctional as my family.“We should just say hi, isn't that why we’re here?” I breathed while squeezing his arm lightly. Everything in me did want to be nice to the man yet, I sort of understood what he was going through, having parents who were only affectionate in the e
I wish I could say the night went on without a hutch, but quite frankly I had underestimated Victoria's severe dislike for me. After speaking with the golden couple, Roman and I became separated and I was surprised to find that I preferred staying by his side all night than with anyone else. He and Mr. Martinez had a few more things to close off on and seeing him go into business mode like that showed we would be staying longer than I wished. Victoria told me to come with her, that she had a few people she wanted me to meet. Politely declining was out of the question, Roman had walked away and so did Yaakov…I couldn't say no to ‘my beloved’ mother-in-law in front of Mrs. Martinez's scrutiny. So I agreed with a smile and we began to walk. There was a group of posh looking middle aged women that stood at the far corner, seemingly in their own worlds. They were four in number and unfortunately, Monica was one of them. When she noticed we were coming their way, she imm
My back was covered in cold sweat as I tried to remember how to breathe, my heart was pounding hard against my ribs and I'd almost choked from the lack of oxygen. The man didn't move, I couldn't speak. Somewhere at the back of my mind, I knew I was insanely terrified by what was happening, I knew I was being robbed and any small movement would get me killed. I also knew that this wasn't the first time I'd experienced something like this. It was like a knife at the back of my skull, reminding me, making my head throb so much that I'd almost bent over and heaved. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't speak. My whole body trembled as my mind became bombarded with images of me being tied to a chair, my wrists bound so tightly that my skin had begun to bleed and seep into the thick tops, my throat was raw from screaming and my ankles hurt like hell. And in that moment, I remember thinking…no one will find me, no one will come to save me, this is where I'll die. “Please…”
“You fucking bastard!” Roman's hands left my shoulder and he fell to the floor with a heavy sound. The drunk robber tackling him and immediately pointing the gleaming blade at Roman's neck. “You wanna die? Huh?” I shook my head, my tongue heavy. Fear consumed me when I saw Roman in that position, he came here to help and now he was going to die. Just as I made the decision to stand and distract the robber, Roman's eyes darkened with anger and a dangerous glint that I've ever seen in them. His eyes remained fixated on the drunk man, looking like he didn't give a shit if there was a blade pointed at his neck. Instead, he grabbed the blade, with his bare hand, gripping it tightly and making me gasp in both fear and astonishment. “Roman!” I gasped out, reaching out for him but stopping the second he brought up his knee and buried it in the robber's stomach. Roman stood to his full height, not giving the man time to recover as he grabbed a fistful of the man's hair and
“What the fuck do you think you're doing?” Bertha seethed the second the door closed behind her and everyone else left the room. I rolled my eyes and silently wished Roman hadn't left with everyone else, he was a much better companion than Bertha. Everyone had rushed over, no doubt Bertha had informed everyone because when she came in, her eyes were teary and her face swollen. Just how much did she need to cry? I observed the woman's face, her nose was still red but she still looked like an incomparable beauty. It annoyed me how she looked cute eben while crying while I looked like I'd been run over a few times after just one robbery. Victoria didn't last three minutes in the hospital room before leaving without a word and for some reason, she brought Tatyana with her. Which was what upset Roman so he left, again almost ignoring Bertha's crying…he looked uncomfortable. My guess was the man felt uncomfortable around people who cried, I understood immediately because I
“I don't know much of the details, but all I know is that you got hospitalized and when you woke up, well…” Jessica gestures at my body like I was supposed to understand what she meant. My brows furrowed deeply, I was still reeling from what she'd said. I risked my life to save Bertha? Again? For the nth time since I woke up with amnesia. That doesn't sound like something I would do. Ever. “You became you,” Jessica explained, still making weird gestures with her hands. I still have her a confused look and she looked rather exasperated. “Not current you,” She pointed out, “The you before this you,” She said, her hands finally falling to her sides as she sighed. “Do you understand?” She asked, looking like my confused expression was getting her frustrated. I cleared my throat, “I think I get the idea,” I nodded, “The meek person everyone expects me to be, I became like that after this mysterious attack?” Jessica nods. “And how long have we been friends?”
SIX MONTHS LATERThe annual Wellington Anniversary gala was in full swing, and we'd decided to host it in our home rather than the hotel it was in late year. The ballroom of our estate glittering with lights that illuminated the beauty of the hall’s interior, reflecting against the marble floors, making it seem like the guests were walking on air. From my position near the large staircase, I could see the entire room, business associates, family members, friends all mingling in their finest attire.Jessica looked radiant in a deep green gown and she stood with Alexander near the champagne fountain, their six-month-old son making a fuss in her arms. My godson is a fast bloomer, that boy would walk the ends of the earth if his parents let him out of their sights. Probably why Jess was holding on to him like he was a lifeline. I couldn't help the light laugh that left me as I watched her and Alexander try to force the baby on Trenton. Greece, looking stunning in silver, was deep
I woke to unfamiliar shadows dancing across an unfamiliar ceiling. For a moment, panic seized me as I forgot where I was. Until it came rushing back and I found myself sinking deeper into the mattressRoman's bed was sinfully comfortable, the sheets soft against my skin. I stretched, my muscles protesting after yesterday's tension. Weak morning light seeped in through the slightly cracked curtains, suggesting it was still early. The storm had passed and all that was left was the scent of rain and forest, wet soil. A scent I never imagined would bring me such comfort, but it did. I slipped out of bed, my bare feet silent on the wooden floor. I still had Roman’s T-shirt on, adequate enough for modesty but still making me feel strangely vulnerable. I ran my fingers through my hair, attempting to tame it into something presentable, then padded quietly down the hallway.The living room was empty, no sign of Roman or the wolves. A folded blanket and pillow on the couch were the only evid
Roman chuckled, the rich sound sending heated shivers down my abdomen. His eyes crinkled at the corners, making him look more like the man I remembered. "So did you," he replied, nodding toward my pixie cut.I reached up self-consciously to touch the ends of my damp hair. "Maybe it should be called the divorce look," I said, attempting humor to break the tension."I prefer the term 'cut-off look,'" he countered, and we both laughed, the sound surprisingly easy between us.His expression softened, the rigid control slipping just a fraction. "I missed that," he said quietly. "Your humor. I'm still having a hard time believing you're actually here.""That makes two of us," I admitted, wrapping my hands around the warm mug of hot chocolate he'd made. It was sweet but not too sweet, exactly how I liked it. He'd remembered.One of the wolves approached cautiously, its golden eyes fixed on me. I tensed immediately, my body instinctively preparing for a threat."It's okay," Roman said, notici
AMELIAMy mouth opened, but no sound came out. Words, which had never failed me before, suddenly evaporated from my mind like morning dew under a harsh sun. I stood there, gun still stupidly hanging from my fingers, staring at the stranger-not-stranger before me.Roman Wellington. But not my Roman Wellington. This man was harder, sharper around the edges. The softness I remembered in his face was gone, replaced by angular planes and a jaw that could cut glass. The blonde hair threw me completely, so different from the midnight black I used to run my fingers through.I knew he was a blonde, heck, I tried to convince him a few times to stop dyeing his hair. I watched as the initial shock in his eyes faded, replaced by something cold and distant. The walls went up so fast I could almost hear them slamming into place."Amelia," he said again, this time not a question but a statement. Flat. Emotionless. "What are you doing here?"My throat felt like sandpaper. I swallowed hard, trying to
"I can make some inquiries," Nikolai replied, his voice careful, measured. "Roman Wellington is not an easy man to find if he doesn't want to be found."I gripped the phone tighter, my knuckles turning white. "But you can do it, right? You have connections I don't."There was a pause on the other end of the line, then a soft sigh. "For you, Amelia, I will try. Give me a few hours to contact my people in North America and Europe. If he's left any trace, we'll find it.""Thank you," I whispered, relief washing over me like a wave. "I owe you for this.""Let's not keep score between friends," Nikolai said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I'll call you when I have something."The call ended, and I sat motionless on my bed, staring at the wall. The enormity of what I was doing, searching for the man I'd walked away from two years ago, hit me. My hands trembled as I set the phone down, and I pressed them against my thighs to steady them.A soft knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts
The drive back to the manor was silent. Oppressively silent. The kind of silence that rings in your ears and makes your skin feel too tight. Jessica kept shooting worried glances my way, her hands gripping the steering wheel so hard her knuckles were white. I couldn't bring myself to care. My mind was spinning with Greece's words, playing them over and over like a broken record."I haven't seen Roman in almost two years. No one has. He's gone."Greece had explained everything in that café, how Roman had methodically dismantled his life after I left. How he'd slowly withdrawn from social circles, buried himself in work, and then one day just... vanished. Left Wellington Corp in Colson's hands with an iron-clad contract and detailed instructions. Left his manor empty, his cars collecting dust in the garage. He'd even left his personal phone behind, with just a short note telling Greece not to worry, that he needed to "find himself" whatever the fuck that meant.I stared out the window,
Hi, hope you're doing good and the year has been going well for you? You must've noticed the lack of updates and I sincerely apologize for it. After my grandma's passing, things haven't been the same and I'm sad to admit that I went down a spiral and I had to take a step back for my mental health and to give you a proper ending. And I'm hoping my new book will also be ready by the time The Forgotten Marriage is done. There are five chapters left to go and maybe one bonus chapter. I can't say I'm totally fine but I'm getting there and I'm grateful to everyone who reached out and left comments as well. I really appreciate it, and I'll see you at the end. Love, Dchenemi.
AMELIAI felt like I'd been punched in the gut, all the air leaving my lungs in one desperate rush. Greece Wellington's presence was like a ghost from my past life, one I'd tried desperately to forget. My fingers tightened around the shopping bags, knuckles turning white as I struggled to maintain my composure."Jessica," I managed again, my voice lower and more upset when I didn't get an answer the first time. Jessica's eyes pleaded with me, her hand coming to rest on my forearm. "Please don't be mad," she whispered urgently, bringing her full hands up to her chest in a pleading motion."She's been trying to reach you for days. I couldn't just ignore her,” Jessica explained, her voice just as low as mine as her eyes darted between Greece and me pleadingly. “ Just hear her out, Amy…this might be good for you too, you know?”I let out a shaky breath and held back my growing anger, last thing I wanted was to project my frustrations on the pregnant woman. I knew she was trying to help
AMELIA Morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of my bedroom, casting warm patches across my chilly sheets. I should have felt lighter, triumphant even. The family was finally under control, the threats neutralized, and the Guerrero name secure. Yet as I lay there, staring up at the ceiling with its intricate paintings my mother had made , I felt anything but victorious. The heaviness in my chest from yesterday hadn't dissipated. If anything, it had grown worse, Alexander's words echoing in my mind like a haunting melody. "Even after two years, he's never once tried to reach out..." I didn't want to think about Roman. In fact, I had gaslighted myself into thinking it was taboo to think about him and rightfully so. How the fuck am I supposed to get him out of my head now? How the fuck am I supposed to stop thinking whether he never really cared to begin with, or what he was up to, or if he was okay. I knew he was. If anything had happened to Roman Wellington, the r