Chapter 104
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HER eyes still lingered on the bouquet in Ella’s hands, the orchids and roses, carefully selected, perfectly arranged, exactly the kind of thing Adrian would send. But instead of softening, her gaze hardened, her chin tilting ever so slightly as though she were putting on armor.
Ella waited, nervously shifting the bouquet.
“Should I… should I put it on your desk, ma’am p>
Amelia’s lips pressed into a thin line. For a moment, it looked as if she might say nothing at all. Then, her voice came cool and clipped, like the snap of a blade.
“No,” she said firmly. “Take it home, Ella. Add it to your vase. Consider it a gift from me p>
Ella’s eyes widened. “Ma’am p>
“You heard me,” Amelia repeated, her tone unyielding. “I don’t want it anywhere near this office. If he thinks a bouquet will change anything, he has gravely mistaken p>
The stunned young woman clutched the bouquet to her chest, her mouth parting as though to protest, but Amelia had already turned away. Her heels clicked softly against the polished floor as she walked straight to the corner where Beth stood with the twins.
The moment Amelia leaned over the stroller, her entire expression transformed. The coldness melted, replaced by warmth and tenderness as her sons cooed up at her. She brushed her fingers gently over their tiny hands, her voice lowering to a whisper meant only for them.
“You two beautiful things and Hazel are all I need,” she murmured, her throat tightening. “Not him. Never again p>
And just like that, surrounded by her children, Amelia felt her strength return. Adrian’s flowers might have shaken her for a moment, but her resolve remained ironclad.
She straightened, kissed one of her twins on the forehead, and said calmly, “Let’s get you home, my loves p>
Behind her, Ella still stood frozen with the bouquet pressed to her chest, her mind reeling from what had just happened.
Adrian sat in his office, his fingers drumming lightly against the polished surface of his desk. His gaze was distant, unfocused, as if he were staring at something only he could see. The bouquet from earlier still lingered in his mind, the thought of Amelia holding it, even if briefly, was enough to ignite the faintest spark of hope in him.
A knock suddenly sounded at the door. He didn’t look up.
“Come in p>
Peter stepped inside, a file in hand, his expression caught between hesitation and duty.
“Sir,” he said cautiously.
Adrian’s brows lifted slightly.
“Well? What is the matter p>
Peter moved closer, setting the file down but not opening it. He shifted his weight, clearly uncomfortable.
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“It is about… Mrs. Cole p>
At the mention of her name, Adrian leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. His tone carried a trace of impatience.
“Go on p>
Peter inhaled deeply.
“The gifts you have sent… the clothes from the boutique and the bouquet from the flower shop.” He paused, searching for the right words. “They weren’t exactly received by her p>
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
“What do you mean by ‘not received’? I gave them directly to her. She packaged the clothes herself. And the bouquet, Ella, was instructed to pass it along p>
“Yes, sir,” Peter admitted, shifting uncomfortably. “But word reached me… Mrs. Cole never accepted either. The clothes were given to one of her sales representatives. And the bouquet, she told Ella to take it home for herself p>
Silence. The weight of it pressed heavily in the room.
Adrian’s jaw tightened, though his face remained unreadable. Inside, however, something twisted painfully, the sharp sting of rejection cutting deeper than he had anticipated. She hadn’t even touched them. Not once.
His fingers curled into
deceptively calm.
“Isee p>
a loose fist on the armrest of his chair, but when he finally spoke, his voice was calm,
Peter glanced at him, uncertain.
“Sir, I thought you should know. I- I figured you wouldn’t want to keep trying the same way if she is not open to it p>
Adrian gave a faint, almost humorless smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Not open to it…” he murmured, more to himself than to Peter. Then he leaned forward, steepling his fingers beneath his chin. “She wants to shut me out completely. That much is clear p>
Peter hesitated, then asked carefully, “What will you do now p>
Adrian looked past him, his gaze settling on the wide windows overlooking the city skyline. His reflection stared back at him, sharp, resolute, wounded but unwilling to yield.
“What I have always done,” he said quietly, his voice edged with steel. “Fight. Only this time, I’m not fighting for business. I’m fighting for her… and I don’t care how many walls she builds. I will tear them down one by one p>
Peter lowered his gaze, sensing the depth of his boss’s determination. He said nothing further, but the look in Adrian’s eyes told him enough, this was only the beginning.
Adrian leaned back in his chair again, exhaling slowly. The pain was there, unspoken, buried deep where no one could touch it. But so was resolve.
“She can reject every gift, every gesture,” he whispered to himself, his tone a dangerous mix of hurt and longing. “But Amelia Cole will not reject me forever p>
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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.