Chapter 2

Amelia didn't even glance at the check, a flash of mockery in her eyes.

"Think it's too little? This is your income for ten years. Take the money and stay out of our lives. Maynard and I are a perfect match. After all, you're just the daughter of a small businessman. You don't belong in our world."

Amelia felt another stab of pain. She hurried upstairs to the master bedroom, planning to leave whether Misty was there or not.

With the breakup, she had no reason to stay.

As she packed, she realized how little she had—her things barely filled a suitcase.

The past three years felt like a dream.

She saw the DNA test result on the bedside table and thought to herself, It's time to end this.

Just then, Misty walked in uninvited, holding the breakup agreement. "Are you packed?" she asked.

Seeing the paper on the nightstand, she looked puzzled.

Amelia quickly grabbed the DNA test and crumpled it. She didn't want Misty to know her secret.

Misty still thought she was part of the Milton family and already looked down on her.

If she knew Amelia's real parents were nowhere to be found, who knows what cruel things she'd say.

But Misty noticed Amelia's move and asked, surprised, "Are you pregnant?"

Amelia clutched the DNA test tightly. "If I were pregnant, we wouldn't be breaking up."

"True. A gold-digger like you would never let go of an opportunity. But even if you were pregnant, Maynard wouldn't want the kid," Misty said.

Amelia turned and walked into the closet, but Misty followed. "Wait, let me see that paper you took from the table," she demanded.

She couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to see it. If Amelia was pregnant, it had to be dealt with.

Amelia held the crumpled DNA test close. "It's my privacy."

"What privacy? I think you're trying to steal valuables. Give it to me!"

Misty reached for it and tried to slap her. Amelia reacted instinctively and threw her over her shoulder. Misty landed on the floor, wailing, "My foot! It hurts so much!"

"Amelia, what are you doing?"

Maynard's cold voice cut through the room. Amelia turned to see him walk in, her heart sinking. "Maynard, it's not what it looks like..."

But he walked past her, picked up Misty, and saw the breakup agreement on the floor—Amelia's signature on the last page.

He paused, surprised she'd signed so quickly.

"Maynard?" he heard Misty say.

He snapped back to reality and asked, "Are you okay?"

"My hand hurts so much. Is it broken? Will I ever play the piano again?" Misty whined.

Maynard laid her on the bed. "No, it's not broken. I'll get a doctor to check it out."

He turned to Amelia. "Apologize to Misty."

Misty was the eldest daughter of the Erikson family, with three overprotective brothers. If the Eriksons found out she'd been hit, Amelia would be in deep trouble.

Hearing Maynard call Misty's name made Amelia's heart ache again.

She'd always been a stand-in for Misty.

Her heart felt numb with pain. She croaked, "Apologize?"

"You were the one who struck first. Even a kid knows that. Besides, do you have any idea how important those hands are to a pianist?"

Misty mattered more than anything. Amelia was less than a weed on the roadside.

She'd endured it for three years, but she couldn't take it anymore.

Stubbornly, she said, "Whether you believe it or not, she was the one who started it!"

Adrian, the butler, chimed in at the door, "Mr. Simmons, I saw Amelia push Miss Erikson with my own eyes."

Maynard's brow furrowed. "Apologize!" he barked.

"What if I don't?" Amelia challenged.

Surprise flickered in his eyes. "You've got some nerve. Think about what happened to your uncle in the hospital's VIP ward!" he threatened.

Amelia held back her tears. She couldn't believe he'd used her uncle to scare her.

She finally bowed to reality and croaked, "I'm sorry."

Misty was overjoyed inside but put on a show. "For Maynard's sake, I'll forgive you."

Amelia straightened her back and looked at Maynard. "Can I go now?"

He glanced at the breakup agreement, his brow furrowing slightly. He hadn't expected her to sign so easily.

"Do you have a place to stay?" he asked.

"No," she replied instinctively, surprised he seemed to care.

He quickly averted his gaze. "Bring some ice for Misty. Her foot is twisted because of you. Do you really think you can just walk away?"

Of course, it was all for Misty.

Amelia's steps were stiff as she left the room. The other woman had barged in and taken over the bed, and yet Amelia had to bring her ice.

She felt like a complete failure.

She took a shaky breath and brought the ice upstairs.

Pushing the door open, she didn't see Maynard. Where was he?

Misty was leaning against the headboard, her lips curled. "Just leave the ice and go. Do you really think I need you to serve me? Or do you want to watch Maynard and me get cosy? It has been three years, after all."

Misty's words hinted at something.

That's when Amelia heard the sound of water from the bathroom—Maynard was taking a shower!

The blood drained from her face.

They had just broken up, and he was already in bed with another woman.