Chapter 4: Mrs. Blackwood

The pen felt unusually heavy in Amelia’s hand.

One signature.

That’s all it would take.

One signature and her life would change forever.

She looked at Ethan.

The billionaire remained calm, as though he already knew what she would do.

That confidence irritated her.

“You seem very sure of yourself.”

Ethan folded his arms.

“I usually am.”

Of course he was.

Men like Ethan Blackwood weren’t used to hearing the word no.

Amelia glanced down at the contract again.

A year.

Just one year.

She could survive a year.

Especially if it meant protecting her company and making Ryan regret everything.

Taking a deep breath, she signed her name.

Amelia Carter.

The moment the ink touched the paper, something shifted inside her.

The woman who had walked out of her wedding hall no longer existed.

Ethan took the document and studied it briefly.

Then he signed beneath her name.

His handwriting was neat and powerful.

Just like him.

When he finished, he extended his hand.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Blackwood.”

The title hit her harder than expected.

Mrs. Blackwood.

She wasn’t sure whether she wanted to laugh or panic.

Instead, she shook his hand.

His fingers wrapped around hers.

Warm.

Strong.

For a brief second, neither of them pulled away.

Then Ethan released her.

“Now what?” she asked.

“Now we get married.”

Amelia blinked.

“What?”

“Tomorrow.”

Her jaw nearly hit the floor.

“Tomorrow?”

“Is there a problem?”

“A problem?” she repeated.

“Normal people don’t decide to get married in less than twenty-four hours.”

Ethan looked genuinely confused.

“I do.”

Amelia stared at him.

Then she realized he wasn’t joking.

This man was completely serious.

“You are insane.”

His lips twitched.

“I’ve been called worse.”

Before she could argue further, his phone rang.

The amusement immediately disappeared from his face.

He glanced at the screen before answering.

“Yes.”

His voice became colder.

Sharper.

More dangerous.

Amelia watched quietly.

Whatever was being discussed clearly wasn’t good news.

A few moments later, Ethan ended the call.

His expression was unreadable.

“What happened?”

He looked at her.

“Ryan.”

Her stomach tightened.

“What about him?”

“He knows you’re with me.”

Amelia’s eyes widened.

“How?”

“I have enemies everywhere.”

That wasn’t exactly comforting.

“What did he do?”

Ethan’s gaze darkened.

“He just arrived at Blackwood Grand.”

Amelia froze.

“What?”

“He wants to see you.”

Her pulse quickened.

“No.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

“No?”

“I don’t want to see him.”

The last thing she needed was another conversation with the man who had destroyed her life.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans.

The private lounge doors suddenly burst open.

A furious Ryan stormed inside.

Several security guards followed behind him.

Apparently, they had failed to stop him.

His eyes immediately found Amelia.

Relief flashed across his face.

Then anger.

Then disbelief.

“What are you doing here?”

Amelia stood.

“None of your business.”

Ryan ignored her answer.

His attention shifted to Ethan.

The tension in the room became suffocating.

For the first time, Amelia understood something.

Ryan was afraid of his uncle.

Very afraid.

“Ethan,” Ryan said stiffly.

“You need to stay out of this.”

Ethan remained seated.

Calm.

Unbothered.

Almost bored.

“Out of what?”

Ryan clenched his fists.

“Amelia and I are handling a private matter.”

Ethan glanced at Amelia.

“Are you?”

“No.”

Ryan’s face darkened.

“Amelia—”

“Stop saying my name.”

The sharpness in her voice shocked even her.

Ryan looked stunned.

Good.

Let him feel something for once.

“You embarrassed me.”

“You betrayed me.”

“You lied to me.”

Every word landed like a slap.

The room fell silent.

Ryan’s expression softened.

“Listen to me.”

“No.”

His patience snapped.

“You’re making a mistake.”

Amelia laughed bitterly.

“The mistake was loving you.”

Ryan flinched.

For a second, guilt appeared in his eyes.

But it vanished almost immediately.

Replaced by frustration.

Then his gaze landed on the signed contract sitting on the table.

His face turned pale.

“What is that?”

Nobody answered.

Ryan grabbed the document.

The moment he saw the signatures, his expression shattered.

“No.”

Amelia folded her arms.

A strange sense of satisfaction spread through her chest.

“No?” she repeated.

Ryan looked at Ethan.

Then back at her.

Then at the contract again.

His breathing became uneven.

“You can’t be serious.”

Ethan finally stood.

The atmosphere in the room changed instantly.

Power radiated from him.

The kind that couldn’t be bought.

The kind people were born with.

“I’m completely serious.”

Ryan looked as though someone had punched him.

“She’s my fiancée.”

“Ex-fiancée,” Amelia corrected.

The color drained from Ryan’s face.

Then Ethan stepped beside her.

Close enough for everyone to see.

Close enough for Ryan to understand exactly what was happening.

And then Ethan delivered the final blow.

“Actually,” he said smoothly, “she’s my future wife.”

The silence that followed was absolutely priceless.

And for the first time since her world fell apart…

Amelia smiled.