CHAPTER THREE: THE REPLACEMENT BRIDE

One week later.

Amelia had learned something about humiliation.

It didn’t arrive all at once.

It came in layers.

In strangers staring a second too long.

Co workers suddenly lowered their voices when she walked past.

In headlines she refused to read but somehow still managed to hear.

And in the awful realization that no matter how much she wanted the world to move on, it wasn’t ready to let her.

Monday mornings at Blackthorn Consulting were usually chaotic enough that nobody paid much attention to anyone else.

Today, Amelia could feel every eye.

She stepped out of the elevator clutching her coffee like it was the only thing keeping her upright.

The chatter near the reception desk dipped.

Then resumed.

Quieter.

She kept walking.

Beside her, Tessa muttered, “If one more person stares, I’m going to start charging assault charges.”

Despite herself, Amelia almost smiled.

Almost.

“You can’t assault half the office.”

“Watch me.”

Tessa pushed open the glass doors leading toward their department, then shot a pointed glare toward two women whispering by the printers. They immediately looked away.

Amelia exhaled slowly.

Tessa had barely left her side all week.

Coffee.

Calls.

Silence when Amelia needed silence.

Distractions when silence became dangerous.

The kind of friendship that didn’t ask for explanations before showing up.

“You don’t have to babysit me,” Amelia said.

“I know.”

“Then why are you?”

Tessa glanced sideways at her. “Because last Wednesday, you kissed a billionaire at your own wedding, and by Thursday morning, your face was on every gossip site in Manhattan.”

Amelia winced.

“Subtle.”

“I’m not known for it.”

They reached Amelia’s desk.

For a few blessed minutes, things almost felt normal.

Emails.

Calendar reminders.

The familiar glow of spreadsheets.

Work she didn’t have to emotionally survive.

Just mentally.

That was easier.

Or it should have been.

Then the laughter started.

Sharp.

Too loud.

From across the open office floor.

Amelia ignored it.

Then someone turned up the volume.

A bright female anchor’s voice sliced through the room.

“—the city still can’t stop talking about last week’s shocking Vale-Carter wedding disaster—”

Amelia froze.

Tessa cursed under her breath.

“No.”

The voice continued.

“—but if you thought that story was over, think again, because billionaire heir Adrian Vale has officially moved on with none other than Sofia Carter, yes, the bride’s younger sister—”

Amelia was already standing before she realized it.

Across the office, one of the junior associates sat hunched over her phone, utterly absorbed in the gossip segment blasting from the device.

On screen, Adrian smiled.

Beside him, Sofia leaned into his shoulder wearing white.

White.

Something inside Amelia snapped.

She crossed the floor before Tessa could stop her and snatched the phone straight out of the woman’s hand.

The office went silent.

The junior associate gasped. “What the hell..”

Amelia barely heard her.

All she saw was the screen.

Adrian.

Sofia.

A smiling anchor.

A bright red headline across the bottom.

ADRIAN VALE TO MARRY SOFIA CARTER AFTER VIRAL WEDDING SCANDAL

The anchor laughed lightly.

“Well, apparently one sister just wasn’t enough.”

A few people in the office chuckled awkwardly.

Amelia’s grip tightened so hard around the phone her knuckles turned white.

Sofia smiled into the cameras.

Adrian looked calm.

Relaxed.

Like none of it mattered.

Like Amelia had never existed.

“Amelia.”

Tessa’s voice came from behind her.

Soft.

Careful.

Too late.

Amelia shoved the phone back into the associate’s hands and walked.

Fast.

Past the desks.

Past reception.

Toward the elevators.

“Amelia!”

Tessa followed immediately.

The elevator took too long.

Of course it did.

Amelia hit the stairs instead.

Her heels echoed sharply as she descended.

Her breathing turned uneven somewhere between the seventh floor and the lobby.

By the time she pushed through the building doors, her chest felt too tight.

Cold morning air hit her face.

It didn’t help.

“Amelia.”

Tessa caught up seconds later.

“Hey. Look at me.”

Amelia shook her head.

“I’m fine.”

“That was the least convincing lie I’ve heard in my life.”

“Please.”

The word came out thinner than she intended.

Tessa softened instantly.

“Come on,” she said gently. “Let’s get out of here.”

Amelia nodded once.

Then stopped.

Inside the lobby, mounted above the reception desk, one of the large television screens switched channels.

A familiar male voice cut through the air.

“Breaking developments this morning as Adrian Vale speaks publicly for the first time since last week’s viral wedding scandal.”

Amelia went still.

Tessa looked up.

“No,” she muttered.

Too late.

Adrian appeared on screen.

Perfect suit.

Perfect hair.

Perfectly composed.

The same man who had been halfway inside her sister a week ago now looked like grief in human form.

Amelia felt sick.

The reporter’s voice continued.

“Saint claims he stayed silent out of respect for his former fiancée, Amelia Carter, but says recent public events have forced his hand.”

Tessa stepped forward. “We’re leaving.”

Amelia didn’t move.

On screen, Adrian sighed.

The performance was flawless.

“I didn’t want to say anything,” he began.

Even through the speakers, his voice sounded low. Controlled. Sad.

The kind of sadness people trusted.

“I truly didn’t.”

Amelia’s stomach twisted.

“I tried to protect Amelia’s dignity.”

A few people in the lobby turned toward the television.

Toward her.

Recognition spread.

No.

No no no.

“Amelia,” Tessa said sharply. “Come on.”

Still Amelia couldn’t move.

Adrian lowered his eyes briefly, then looked back up.

“But after what happened publicly, I can’t stay silent anymore.”

The lobby had gone eerily quiet.

Even the receptionist had stopped pretending not to listen.

Tessa reached for Amelia’s arm.

“She needs help,” Adrian said.

Amelia’s breathing stopped.

The words didn’t fully register.

Not immediately.

Then they did.

And somehow it got worse.

“For a long time, I ignored the warning signs because I loved her.”

A murmur spread behind them.

Amelia’s face went cold.

“No,” she whispered.

On screen, Adrian shook his head sadly.

“The mood swings. The erratic behavior. The disappearing for hours.”

Lie.

Lie.

Lie.

But he sounded so convincing.

So heartbreakingly sincere.

Tessa swore softly under her breath.

“She’s been struggling with substance abuse for a long time.”

Amelia stopped breathing.