Chapter 2

ETHAN'S POV 

I opened my eyes and pulled out a drawer. 

Inside, I retrieved a photograph. In it was a beautiful teenage girl, her transparent brown eyes shining with love for the man in the photo, her arms wrapped around his neck. 

That man was me, laughing happily, a joy I hadn’t felt since that moment. It was one of the pictures we’d taken on our short trip to Chicago, snapped in the room of my private jet. 

I was shirtless, carefree, alive in a way I hadn’t been since.My gaze lingered on her face Amelia, my flower. I missed her. Every night, I wished things had turned out differently, hoped she’d walk back into my life. I’d searched for her, waited, but there was no trace. 

I’d even gone to her hometown in Ohio, but she wasn’t there. I had no idea where else to look. “Where are you, flower? Come back to me, my pet,” I whispered, my thumb brushing over her smiling lips in the photo. “Come back, please.”A week later, I hurried to the conference room of Caldwell Enterprises, pushing open the double doors. “Sorry I’m late,” I said, striding to my seat. I scanned the faces around the table.

 “Where’s our guest?”

“She’s not here,” my mother,replied.

“Wow, and I thought I was the one holding up the meeting,” I said, settling into my chair.

“This is highly unprofessional. She set the time; why isn’t she here?” Mr. Brooks, one of the shareholders, said with a scowl.

“It’s outrageous,” Mr. Davis added, his tone sharp.

“Gentlemen, please, let’s stay calm. I’m sure something’s holding her up,” Victoria said, her voice soothing.

“Edward was never like this. He was a man of punctuality,” another shareholder grumbled.

“Indeed, even if he kept to himself, he never made anyone wait,” another added.“Let’s give her a few more minutes. 

I’m sure she’ll arrive,” mom said with a tight smile.

 I sighed, leaning back in my seat.

Ten minutes later, the door swung open. A tall man dressed in all black, wearing glasses, stepped in, followed by a man in a sharp business suit, his hair slicked back.

 He flashed a smile at the room. “Apologies for the delay. My boss is here,” he said. The older men muttered under their breath.

I was intrigued by the two men. Mrs. Harper clearly didn’t skimp on security, I thought. My attention shifted as a woman entered. She wore a black gown that clung to her body like a second skin, stopping at her knees and accentuating every curve. 

Her deep brown hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail, and the V-shaped neckline of her dress hinted at her cleavage, alluring yet refined. She removed her black sunglasses and smiled at the room. 

“I’m sorry for being late. I was held up,” she said, her eyes sweeping across the faces until they landed on me. My breath caught. Those transparent brown eyes I’d know them anywhere. The eyes I’d dreamed of, gazed into countless times as I poured out my heart. 

The eyes that once held love and joy, now meeting mine for a fleeting moment before she looked away. She took a seat across from me, and our eyes locked again, but she quickly averted her gaze.

“Amelia?” My mother’s voice cut through, her tone laced with disbelief as she said the name that had been pounding in my chest.“It’s Mrs. Harper to you, Mrs. Caldwell. But if you prefer first names, I’m happy to oblige, Victoria,” Amelia replied, her voice sharp, almost cutting. 

Mom blinked, as if recalibrating her memory to confirm it was really her.“Alright, gentlemen and lady, I believe I was called here for a reason?” Amelia said, her tone all business.

“Yes, indeed. We’ll get to the point, Mrs. Harper,” Mr. Davis began. 

“There’s a rumor you’re planning to sell your husband’s shares to the Pierces. We’d like to know if we’ve done something to offend you. Why sell, and why to our rivals?”A soft smile curved Amelia’s rose-like lips.

 “Actually, I believe I have every right to sell my shares whenever and to whomever I choose.”

“No one’s disputing that,” Mr. Brooks said carefully.

“Then why am I here, summoned to a meeting over my decision to sell?” she countered.

“Mrs. Harper, we simply think you might reconsider selling, or at least sell to someone who’d work with us, not against us. Your late husband was with us for forty years and never once considered selling,” Mr. Davis pressed.

“Well, the shares are mine now, and for reasons of my own, I don’t wish to remain tied to this company. No offense,” she said, offering my mom a faint smile.

“None taken,” mom replied, her voice stiff.

“Then, would you consider selling the shares to us?” Mr. Wilson asked, raising an eyebrow.

Amelia’s smile didn’t waver. “Actually, no.”

“What nonsense! What are you playing at, Amelia?” Victoria snapped, sitting up straighter, barely restraining herself from slamming the table.

“What does it look like, Victoria?” Amelia replied, her eyebrow arching, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

“I see. You’ve grown bold,” Mom said, her face tight with anger. Amelia let out a low, rich laugh.

 “No, no, you’re mistaken. I’ve grown rich.”

Mom laughed, her eyes flicking to me. I was still staring at Amelia, stunned by the woman in black before me. 

My mom seemed ready to say something sharp but held back, mindful of the shareholders. 

“Fine. We don’t want you to sell the shares, especially not to the Pierces.”

“And what’s going to stop me from doing exactly that?” Amelia challenged.

“Think about it this way,” Mom said, her voice softening but pointed. “Think about the one person who believed in you when you had nothing. The person who did everything to make you happy. Think about how hard it will be for them if you sell those shares. Just think about it.”