Chapter 5

Amelia

Sunday passed in a quiet, nerve-wracking blur.

Mrs NaNa spent the afternoon bringing arms full of expensive clothes to my room—tailored silk shirts, designer suits, and dresses, all fitted perfectly to my size as if Lucian’s team had measured every inch of my body.

She was kind, offering quiet smiles and tea, but I couldn't relax. Every step I took in the penthouse felt like I was being watched. Every time my phone buzzed in my pocket, my heart jumped, terrified it was a text from Maya about Theo.

By 7:30 AM on Monday, I was standing in front of the mirror, smoothing down an ivory dress. On my left hand, the diamond ring sat cold against my skin.

I took a deep breath, trying to settle the nervous knot in my stomach. Today was the press conference—the day Lucian Rhodes would officially introduce me to the city as his wife.

The door to Lucian’s wing opened.

He walked into the room wearing a suit, his tie knotted tight, his dark eyes locking onto mine.

His gaze swept slowly over my hair, the dress, and the ring on my finger.

"You look the part," he said, his deep voice smooth and measured.

"Thank you, Mr Rhodes," I said softly, clutching my small purse to my side.

"In front of the cameras today, Amelia," Lucian said, taking two slow steps toward me until he was standing right in front of me, "you will call me Lucian. We stand close, and you look at me like this marriage was born out of passion, not a deal. My uncle’s lawyers will be watching every frame."

"I know how to act," I replied, forcing my eyes to meet his without flinching. "I've run events for corporate executives for five years."

"Running an event isn't the same as being the centre of one," he said softly.

He reached out, his fingers lightly touching my elbow. The heat of his touch seeped through my sleeve, sending a sudden, sharp jolt straight up my arm. He pulled me slightly closer, his dark eyes searching my face.

"Don't let them see you shake, Amelia."

"Why will I shake? I’m not a kid." I whispered, even though my heart was hammering against my ribs.

"Good." He let go, stepping back. "The car is downstairs."

—

Lucian

The lobby of Rhodes Global Tower was a wall of blinding camera flashes and shouting reporters.

Security guards formed a tight barrier, holding back the crowd as the glass doors opened.

I stepped out first, holding my hand back toward the car. Amelia’s hand slid into mine—small, warm, and shaking just enough for me to feel it against my palm.

I wrapped my fingers around hers, pulling her close to my side. The moment her shoulder brushed my chest, the press went wild.

"Mr Rhodes! Is it true you got secretly married over the weekend?"

"Miss Thorne! How long have you been seeing the Chairman?"

"Is this marriage tied to the upcoming board vote?"

Amelia kept her head up, her posture straight despite the flashing lights. She didn't flinch from the noise. Instead, she leaned into my side, her fingers tightening around mine as we walked through the sea of cameras toward the private elevator.

For a woman who looked terrified in private, she held up surprisingly well under pressure.

The moment the elevator doors shut out the noise, the quiet hit. Amelia let out a heavy breath, her shoulders dropping slightly as she pulled her hand back.

The loss of her touch left an unexpected chill on my palm.

"You handled that well," I said, watching her in the glass reflection.

"I told you I knew how to act," she said, smoothing her dress.

The elevator chimed, opening onto the top floor. Marcus was waiting by the desk with a folder under his arm. His face was grim.

"Mr Rhodes," Marcus said, giving a small bow before glancing at Amelia. "The press release went out smoothly. The board has already pushed the vote back by two weeks."

"Good," I said, stepping past him into my office. "And the second matter?"

Marcus hesitated, looking back at Amelia as she walked over to the window overlooking the city.

"I ran the background check you asked for on Mrs Rhodes," Marcus whispered, opening the folder. "Most of her paper trail is clean. But... there's an anomaly."

My jaw tightened. "What anomaly?"

"Four years ago, her name showed up briefly on a private clinic's intake sheet," Marcus said quietly. "All follow-up records were paid in cash under a different name. But three months ago, a pharmacy delivery was made to her old apartment."

Marcus pulled out a printed receipt and dropped it onto the desk.

"An order for kids' vitamins and allergy medication, sir."

The air in the office went completely cold.

I looked down at the paper, my eyes narrowing as the memory of the scuffed red toy car flashed behind my eyes.

A good luck charm from my nephew.

The lie. The panic in her eyes. The way she had held that cheap plastic car like it was her entire life.

I turned my head slowly, looking across the office at Amelia. She was standing by the window, looking out at the skyline, her hand resting over the silver charm at her neck—completely clueless that her secret was about to explode.

"Marcus," I said, my voice dropping into a cold rumble. "Get the car."

"Where are we going, Mr Rhodes?" I grabbed the receipt from the desk, crushing the paper in my fist.

"We are going to her old apartment," I said and Amelia turned..