Chapter 107
107
ADRIAN Cole stood in the quiet of the office, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, waiting. The walls of the late Mr. Harlow’s company carried a weight of history, a reminder of the legacy Amelia’s father had left behind. It was already two days since he last visited, there had been no reply from his mother-in-law, hence he had visited again.
The door clicked open and Mrs. Harlow entered, dressed in a dark navy suit that carried both elegance and authority. She paused at the sight of him, her eyes narrowing with quiet restraint.
“Adrian,” she said slowly, her voice clipped. “You have been bold to show your face here again.
He inclined his head.
“I had to, Mother. I have not come here to stir trouble. I have only come to see how much things have gone p>
Mrs. Harlow crossed the room, setting a folder down on her desk before looking at him. Her face was calm, but her eyes betrayed caution.
“It has just been two days, Adrian. Were you really expecting me to say anything to her yet? This is forgiveness we talking about here. Forgiveness for sins of years p>
Adrian’s throat tightened.
“I know what I did, what I failed to do hurt Amelia deeply. I didn’t protect her when she needed me. I was consumed by pride, by work, by everything else that didn’t matter. I let her slip away, and for that, I will regret it for the rest of my life p>
Mrs. Harlow folded her arms.
“And now you think showing up at her shops, at her business… forcing your way into her life again, will make things right p>
Adrian shook his head.
“No. I don’t expect things to magically heal. But I need her to hear me. I need her to know I have changed. That I won’t abandon her again, not her, not our children p>
Mrs. Harlow’s face softened at the mention of the children. Adrian caught it, and he seized it immediately.
“The twins are mine too. I have a right to know them, to love them. Amelia won’t even let me close p>
Mrs. Harlow walked around the desk and lowered herself into her chair. For a long moment, she studied him, the silence stretching. Then she said in a measured tone, “Patience, Adrian. If you want Amelia to even consider hearing you out, you cannot rush her. She is hurt, deeply. Your persistence, if it turns to desperation, will only drive her further away. You know that p>
Adrian swallowed hard.
“But I don’t want to waste more time p>
“You already wasted years,” she cut him off sharply, her voice rising. Then she steadied herself, smoothing the edge out of her tone. “If you mean what you say, then you will wait. You will endure the discomfort, the rejection, the walls she is building around herself. Only then will she see that you are not the same Adrian she walked away from p>
Adrian clenched his fists, his chest tight.
“I will wait,” he said finally, his voice low but steady. “I will wait as long as it takes p>
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Mrs. Harlow leaned back, her gaze piercing.
“Then prove it. Not to me. To her,” and their conversation ended.
+25 Bonos
That same evening, Amelia was seated in her study at home, scrolling through some design drafts for the boutique’s winter collection when her phone buzzed. It was Ryan.
She answered, pressing the phone to her ear.
“Yes, Ryan p>
“Good evening, ma’am,” came his smooth, professional voice. “I hope I’m not disturbing p>
She sighed lightly.
“Not really. What’s up p>
“There is a small gala coming up this weekend,” Ryan explained. “It is hosted by the State Business Council. Several partners and investors will be present. Ames Roses has been invited, and it would be wise for us to attend. It is an opportunity for networking, for visibility p>
Amelia pinched the bridge of her nose.
“Ryan, you know I hate these things. The endless small talk, the fake smiles, the reporters p>
“I know,” he replied gently, “but this one is different. They will expect us there. You are building an empire, Amelia, whether you like it or not. And showing up at such events makes a statement, that you are not just surviving, but thriving p>
She leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling.
“And who is ‘us’? You and me p>
“Yes,” Ryan said, without hesitation. “I will be by your side the whole evening. You won’t have to lift a finger unless you choose to p>
His reassurance made her lips curve slightly despite herself. Ryan had a way of balancing firmness with care, unlike Adrian who always stormed in like a thundercloud.
“Fine,” she conceded after a pause. “We will attend. But I’m not staying long p>
“That is all I ask,” Ryan said warmly. “I will send the details to your email. And Amelia p>
“Yes p>
“You are going to look stunning, as always p>
She chuckled faintly.
“Goodnight, Ryan p>
Immediately after hanging up, Amelia closed her laptop and let her mind drift. Her life had become a whirlwind, expanding businesses, motherhood, endless responsibilities and now Adrian, reappearing at every corner like an uninvited ghost. The gala loomed ahead, and she could already imagine the cameras flashing, the whispers about her, the speculation.
But she would endure it. She had to. Not just for herself, but for the children.
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+25 Bonos
Somewhere in the quiet of the night, Adrian sat in his office too, staring out of the window, his mother-in-law’s words echoing in his mind. Patience. Endure. Prove it.
His jaw tightened. He would.
Even if it meant watching Amelia walk into a gala on Ryan’s arm while he stood at a distance, burning with the fire of what once was and what he prayed could be again.
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.