Chapter 99
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THE room was quiet, too quiet, except for the steady tick of the clock on the nightstand. Amelia lay sprawled on her side, her eyes fixed on the ceiling though the lamp had long been switched off. The sheets tangled around her legs felt heavy, suffocating.
Every time she closed her eyes, his face appeared. Adrian’s expression at the board meeting, the shock, the silence, the way his gaze clung to her like a shadow. It replayed over and over, as if her mind refused to let her rest.
She shifted, punching the pillow beneath her head. It was no use. Her chest tightened with unspoken emotions, emotions of anger, hurt, but also something far more dangerous: the faint ache of old memories, the ones she thought she had buried.
Rolling onto her back, Amelia pressed the heel of her palm against her forehead, whispering to the darkness,’ Why now? Why did he have to come back now p>
But the silence gave no answer, and still her heart raced as if it, too, was wide awake.
Adrian hadn’t slept well that night too. Sleep eluded him as thoughts of Amelia circled endlessly in his mind, her presence at the board meeting, her confidence, her transformation, and most of all, the sight of the twins. His twins. Then the sight he had beheld that morning at Satin & Sage, of she and Ryan. It was haunting, and still haunting.
By morning, he was already at his desk, sleeves rolled up, his laptop open with a determination that had been missing in him for months. He wasn’t going to sit back and let Ryan, or anyone, take the place that should have
been his.
“Peter,” Adrian called out as his assistant entered with a fresh file. “I want everything you can dig up on my wife. Current businesses, partnerships, investors… everything. If she has built an empire while I was… absent, I need to know how, and with whom p>
Peter’s brows arched slightly.
“Everything p>
“Yes,” Adrian replied sharply, but then his tone softened. “I want every detail, no matter how small. Discreetly. Don’t make her suspicious p>
Peter hesitated for a beat.
“Understood, Sir p>
Adrian leaned back, fingers steepled under his chin as he stared out the window. He had left Amelia thinking she would crumble without him, and then crawl back, begging. Instead, she had risen higher, stronger, untouchable. He wasn’t sure if the thought filled him with pride, or dread. But one thing was clear, he couldn’t stay on the sidelines anymore.
Across town, the glass doors of Ames Roses swung open as Amelia strode into her office, heels clicking against the polished marble floor. She wore confidence like armor, her sharp blazer and silk blouse radiating both grace and authority. Beatrice greeted her with a warm smile, already holding a stack of folders.
“Morning, ma’am. You have calls waiting and ma’am Clara has been trying to reach you since last night p>
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“Patch her through,” Amelia said, setting her handbag aside and sinking into her chair.
Moments later, Clara’s cheerful voice filled the line.
“Finally! I have been dying to hear how that board meeting went. You just mentioned a few words and left me hanging since then p>
Amelia exhaled slowly, her hand brushing over the edge of her desk.
“It was… intense, Clara. You won’t believe it, Adrian was there p>
The other end of the line went silent for a second.
“Wait, the Adrian? Your Adrian p>
“Yes.” Amelia’s tone carried both steel and tremor. “And it wasn’t just that. He saw the twins, Clara. He knows now p>
“Oh my God,” Clara breathed, stunned. “What did he do? What did he say p>
“Nothing. Not a word. But I could see it in his eyes, the shock, the guilt, the… realization. He couldn’t even get through his speech without stuttering.” Amelia almost laughed bitterly. “It was pathetic, really p>
“Hmm. I expected that. And Ryan?” Clara pressed. “Was he by your side p>
“Of course. He was the anchor I needed. Honestly, Clara, without him there, I might have lost my composure. Adrian couldn’t take his eyes off us. Especially off Ryan p>
Clara chuckled softly.
“Well, let him stew in jealousy. Serves him right p>
Amelia leaned back in her chair, gazing out the window at the skyline.
“It is strange, Clara. I thought seeing him again would break me, but it didn’t. If anything, it reminded me how much stronger I have become. And now… now he will have to live with the regret of leaving me p>
“You deserve this strength,” Clara said warmly. “And don’t forget, you are not alone, you have got Hazel, Ryan, the twins, your business. You have rebuilt yourself p>
Amelia’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“Yes, I have. And Adrian is just going to have to watch from the outside p>
The two friends lingered in conversation, Clara’s encouragement reminding Amelia of just how far she had come. But even as she spoke, Amelia knew this wasn’t the end. Adrian wouldn’t stay quiet for long.
“So tell me more please, my ears are itching,” Clara pressed on laughing, her laughter lingering soft in the air.
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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.