Chapter 98
098
+25 Bonus
098
SOON, night came. The twins were finally asleep, their soft rhythmic breaths filling the nursery. Amelia lingered by their cribs for a moment longer, her hand brushing over their tiny blankets before she quietly slipped back into her room. The house was silent except for the faint hum of the night insects outside. But inside her mind, it was anything but quiet.
She sat by her dresser, the warm lamplight casting a soft glow on her features. Removing her earrings one by one, Amelia caught her reflection in the mirror and froze. The image staring back wasn’t the Amelia of months ago, that fragile, broken, unsure Amelia. No. This was a woman transformed. Impeccable. Grounded. A mother twice over, a businesswoman with empires thriving under her hand.
Yet the events of the day replayed like a broken record.
Adrian’s eyes widening the moment she walked into the boardroom. The way his voice trembled when he attempted to speak, as though his words were betraying his heart. And then, the shock that crossed his face when he realized she had borne twins in his absence. Amelia let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head as she leaned forward against the dresser.
“Now you know what you walked away from, Adrian,” she whispered, her voice trembling between pain and defiance. “You thought I would crumble, you and that mistress of yours, but I rose. You thought I would fade, but I built. You will regret leaving me… and I will make sure of it p>
Her hand tightened into a fist on the polished wood. For months, she had kept her distance, raising Hazel and the twins, building her businesses, finding strength in every scar. But now, with Adrian standing there today, looking like he had seen a ghost, Amelia knew the tables had turned.
She switched off the lamp and slid beneath the sheets, her thoughts restless but her resolve firm. The war between them was far from over, and she wasn’t going to lose herself in it again.
Morning light spilled across the Satin & Sage office as Amelia adjusted her silk blouse and settled into her chair. The place buzzed with activity- employees moving quickly, voices weaving in and out of phone calls and order discussions. Ryan stood beside her, tablet in hand, sharp as ever in his grey suit.
“Here is the presentation draft for the expansion pitch,” Ryan said, scrolling through slides with precision. “I added the figures for the last quarter, but I highlighted them in gold so you can decide whether to keep them or not p>
Amelia leaned closer, her hand brushing lightly against the screen as she skimmed.
“Smart move. The gold makes it stand out without screaming for attention. Keep it p>
Ryan glanced at her, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Noted. And for the closing statement, I drafted two versions, one formal, one a little more personal. Depends on the tone you would like to strike p>
Amelia chuckled softly, shaking her head.
“Sometimes I wonder if you read my mind. You always seem to know exactly what I need p>
“Not mind-reading,” Ryan replied smoothly. “Just… paying attention p>
Their eyes lingered for a second longer than usual before Amelia quickly shifted back to the tablet. The atmosphere between them was professional, yet there was an undeniable ease that made the room feel warmer.
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Unbeknownst to them, Adrian had walked into the building, unannounced. He stood at the glass partition just beyond the office door, his jaw tight, his hands buried deep in his pockets. He hadn’t intended to stop by Satin & Sage, but the urge to see Amella had overridden every rational thought.
And now here she was. Confident as ever. Sophisticated. Sitting side by side with Ryan as though the two had run the world together. Adrian’s chest tightened at the sight.
He watched Ryan lean slightly closer to point out something on the screen, watched Amelia nod approvingly, a small smile flickering on her lips. The sight sent a flare of jealousy surging through him. That closeness, it should have been his. That smile, it should have been for him.
Peter’s words echoed in his head: ‘She is not the same woman you left behind. She has built herself up p>
Adrian clenched his jaw and turned abruptly, his polished shoes striking the tiled floor like thunder. He had seen enough. He would not watch another man step into the role he had abandoned. Not without a fight. And with that, he sharply turned and walked away.
Inside the office, Amelia barely noticed the faint silhouette retreating from the glass. She was too focused on her work, too focused on proving to herself, and perhaps even to Adrian, that she was stronger than the pain he had caused.
Adrian sat alone in his office immediately he got back, the echo of Amelia’s presence lingering in his mind like a haunting melody. He could still see her, poised, elegant, her voice firm yet graceful. The Amelia he had seen today was not the woman he had walked away from; this Amelia was stronger, sharper, untouchable.
And then there were the twins. His twins. That revelation burned inside him like fire, twisting with guilt and a longing he could no longer ignore.
He leaned back in his chair, loosening his tie, his jaw tightening as images of Ryan sitting and standing beside her flickered in his mind. Ryan’s closeness, the way he supported her, the ease with which Amelia leaned on him, it all fueled an ache he could barely contain.
Adrian pressed his palms against the desk, his reflection in the glass surface staring back with a steel-hard glint.
“I was a fool to let her go,” he muttered, voice low and resolute. “But not anymore p>
His lips curved into a determined line as he rose from the chair, a new fire igniting in his chest.
“I will win her back p>
It was no longer a wish. It was a vow.
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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.