Chapter 94
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094
THE sleek black Toyota Glanza gently and slowly drove into the driveway, then parked at the parking space. Ryan was behind the wheels as he navigated turns. Amelia sitting beside him was agitated, her eyes widened as she looked around.
“Ryan. Hold on, are you sure we are in the right place?” She asked, still looking out the car window. She could see the tall building right in front of her, the green shrubs and beautiful flowers planted around and some other notable stuffs, and it was no doubting, she knew this place, one place she didn’t want to be.
“Yes, ma’am. This is where the meeting is to be held,” Ryan replied.
“Oh my!” She gasped.
“Is anything the matter p>
“Why didn’t you tell me, Ryan? Why didn’t you?” She was looking at him.
He was quite shocked and befuddled.
“What… do you mean, ma’am p>
She opened her mouth to speak but immediately, the sharp shrill cry of one of the babies behind her rudely cut her short, and she weakened instantly, turning back.
“I will take care of it, ma’am,” Beth said, already attending to the child.
Amelia splayed her right hand on her forehead.
“Ahh! Ryan! Ryan!” She exclaimed. Ryan sat still, looking at her.
The conference room at Cole Holdings was buzzing with anticipation. Dignitaries, partners, and board members had all arrived, taking their seats with polite murmurs and clinks of glasses. The grand hall, sleek and professional, was designed to impress, but for Adrian, it served as a stage for a drama he hadn’t anticipated.
He stood near the podium, shuffling his notes nervously, adjusting his cufflinks, trying to maintain his usual composure. But something felt… off. Peter, had reminded him of the board meeting, and Adrian had prepared thoroughly, but no amount of preparation could have readied him for the moment that was about to arrive.
As the door swung open, Adrian’s eyes fell on the last attendee entering. His heartbeat skipped, then faltered entirely. There she was- Amelia Cole. His Amelia. Impeccable. Sophisticated. Glowing with the quiet confidence of a woman who had embraced life, motherhood, and business all at once. She wasn’t just present; she was commanding attention. And beside her, as if to rub salt in the wound, was Ryan, calm, composed, efficient, handling everything with such ease that Adrian’s jaw clenched without his awareness.
He watched her walk, Ryan beside her and then took a seat. No, Ryan first pulled out a seat for her, she smiled at him- and Adrian’s heart bled.
“Thank you,” she said and sat.
Ryan nodded, and sat right beside her.
Adrian could barely breathe. His carefully rehearsed speech dissolved into a fog in his mind, his tongue tangling as he tried to address the gathering.
“W-welcome… everyone… thank you… for… attending,” he stammered, voice unsteady. Murmurs of polite
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encouragement rippled around the room, but he barely noticed. All he could see was Amelia. Her posture was perfect, her gaze steady, and her composure unwavering.
Amelia, on the other hand, had noticed Adrian the second she settled into her seat. But unlike him, she remained composed, her expression neutral. Right there in the car, after confronting Ryan, she had quickly prepared herself for the possibility of seeing him again in public, but the tension in the room made her steel herself. She could sense his presence- he was flustered, unnerved, and while a part of her wanted to observe silently, another part of her reminded her to maintain control. She was no longer the woman he could easily unbalance; she was a mother, a businesswoman, and she had built a life he hadn’t been part of.
Ryan, sensing the subtle shift in the room, leaned slightly toward Amelia, whispering updates about the board members and the agenda. Adrian’s eyes, however, couldn’t leave them. Every gesture Ryan made, every confident nod, ignited a pang of jealousy he hadn’t anticipated. He watched as Ryan handed Amelia documents, discussed figures in a low voice, and subtly positioned himself as indispensable. Adrian’s fists tightened at his sides. Smart as she is, he had expected her to move on in her career; expand her businesses- but seeing it personified like this, seeing her thrive while he had been absent… it was almost unbearable.
The meeting officially began, but Adrian found himself stammering repeatedly, struggling to focus on the agenda. He tried to present figures, outline projections, and address concerns- but each time he glanced toward Amelia, his mind faltered. Even Peter, sitting discreetly nearby, noticed the unusual tension. He leaned in slightly and whispered, “Sir, are you okay p>
Adrian waved him off quickly, forcing a laugh that didn’t reach his eyes.
“I’m fine. Just… let’s continue p>
But the truth was undeniable- he was shaken. Amelia had grown into someone even more formidable than he remembered. She carried herself with authority, intelligence, and grace. And the subtle way Ryan interacted with hér only made Adrian realize just how much he had lost by his absence.
Throughout the meeting, Amelia spoke confidently, presenting her ideas, fielding questions with precision, and subtly asserting her vision for potential collaborations with Cole’s Holdings. The room responded positively, impressed by her expertise and professionalism. Adrian, meanwhile, was a mixture of pride and envy. Pride because she was his wife- his Amelia, and envy because she had flourished without him, carving her path with Ryan by her side.
Ryan, acutely aware of Adrian’s occasional glances, leaned toward Amelia at one point and quietly whispered, They are discussing the collaboration proposal you asked me to prepare.” Amelia nodded, acknowledging him silently, and turned back to the board, delivering her points with precision. Each time she did, Adrian felt a pang – part admiration, part frustration.
By the time the meeting drew to a close, Adrian’s mind was racing. He had watched her handle the boardroom, watched the ease with which Ryan supported her, and felt the weight of his absence for the first time in months. As the attendees began to leave, he found himself lingering, hesitating to approach. But he knew he had to. He had to find a way to bridge the chasm that had grown between them.
Amelia collected her documents and prepared to leave, Ryan close by her side, efficient as ever. Adrian finally approached, clearing his throat as he attempted to regain composure.
“Amelia…” he started, his voice betraying a hint of vulnerability he hadn’t intended to show.
Amelia paused, looking at him calmly. Her expression was neutral and guarded.
“Adrian,” she said simply, acknowledging him but giving nothing more away.
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Ryan subtly adjusted his stance, subtly asserting his presence as Amelia’s support, and Adrian felt a sharp pang of jealousy once again. But he knew this was only the beginning. Seeing her like this- strong, composed, and radiant, ignited something in him. He realized that if he wanted Amelia back, he would have to try harder than ever before. No half-measures. No excuses.
As Amelia left the boardroom with Ryan beside her, Adrian watched silently, the weight of a year and a few months apart pressing down on him. This encounter, brief as it was, had awoken something he couldn’t ignore. And for the first time in a long while, he felt the urgency to act- not just to chase after Amelia, but to prove that he had changed.
The game had begun, and Adrian knew he was running against time, circumstance, and the consequences of his past mistakes.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.