CHAPTER 5: WHAT’S NEXT?

Amelia's POV

The contract was forty-two pages long. The most dangerous word in it was wife.

I sat across from Damon in his lawyer’s office, reading the final clause. Everything we had negotiated was there: separate bedrooms, financial independence, no interference in my decisions, and no intimacy without mutual consent. When the year ended, I could leave.

Damon hadn’t removed a single condition. “Satisfied?” he asked. “Suspicious, mostly.”

His lawyer looked alarmed. Damon uncapped his pen. “Of what?” “You make obedience look very attractive on paper.”

“It isn’t obedience, Amelia. You can still refuse.”

That was the trouble. He kept handing me exits, making it harder to accuse him of building a cage. I signed.

Damon added his signature beside mine and closed the folder. “Excellent. We have dinner at seven.”

“What dinner?”

“The Blackwood family dinner. We’re announcing our engagement tonight.”

“You agreed to give me advance notice.” “I’m giving you six hours.”

“You’re enjoying this.”

“Immensely.”

“I just signed. Don’t I get a day to adjust?”

“By tomorrow, everyone will have an opinion. Gavi will call it revenge, my father will call it a mistake, and Raven will have questions. Tonight, we tell them who you are before they decide for themselves.”

“And who am I?”

Wife. Everything else is yours to explain or keep private.”

“I can refuse dinner.”

“You can.” “But you didn’t sign to hide.”

I hated him for knowing exactly which argument would work.

“Fine. But if your father insults me, I’m finishing dessert before I defend myself.”

“Dessert first. War after. Sensible household policy.”

At six forty-five, Damon arrived at my apartment carrying a velvet box. “If this contains a collar, I’m using page nine,” I said. “Disappointing. I had the matching leash insured.” Inside lay a simple diamond ring. “It’s beautiful,” I admitted.

“If you hate it, we’ll choose another.” “I said it was beautiful.”

“You also called the contract suspicious. I'm learning to wait for the second sentence.

“Is this a gift or another business expense?” “An engagement ring, Amelia.” He held it out. “May I?” I gave him my hand. He slid the ring onto my finger, his touch gentle.

“Careful,” I said. “That almost looked romantic.” “An unfortunate accident. I’ll report myself to Legal.” I laughed all the way to the car.

The Blackwood house glowed against the evening sky. Damon offered his arm. “Ready?”

“No.”

“Good. I’d hate to be the only one.”

We entered together.

Near the staircase, Raven stood beside Gavi. He was saying something that made her smile until he noticed us.

His gaze moved from Damon's hand at my back to the ring on my finger. His smile vanished.

Raven caught the glass he nearly dropped. “Amelia?” she asked. “What are you doing here?” “Having dinner. Unless that's against the house rules.”

Her surprised expression softened into a smile. “Apparently, I missed something.” “You and everyone else,” Damon replied. “Come along. Father hates waiting.” Gavi didn't move as we passed him. I felt his stare but refused to turn around.

For once, I wouldn't spend the evening worrying about what he thought.

Dinner began with expensive soup and uncomfortable silence. Adrian Blackwood sat at the head of the table, studying me over his wineglass. Raven sat opposite us, while Gavi barely touched his food.

Damon behaved as if bringing his fiancée to dinner were perfectly ordinary. He passed me the bread and quietly warned me that his father considered career questions acceptable conversation.

“I can hear you, Damon,” Adrian said. “I know, Father. That was the point.” Raven laughed. Adrian set down his spoon. “Perhaps someone will explain why my son has suddenly decided to marry.”

Damon reached for my hand beneath the table. “Amelia and I are engaged.” Raven's fork struck her plate. “You're serious?”

“Entirely.”

She looked at me. “How long has this been going on?” “Not long enough for me to understand his sense of humour,” I replied.

“You laughed in the car,” Damon reminded me. “I was being polite.” Raven laughed, easing the tension.

Then Adrian spoke. “You barely know each other.” “Marriage isn't a decision to make on a whim,” he continued.

“Neither is choosing who runs your company,” Damon replied. “Yet you've decided my cousin is more suitable than I am.”

The room fell quiet.

Adrian's expression became so strong. “This discussion isn't about the company.” “Then let's keep it about my engagement.” Gavi laughed sharply.

“Amelia, tell them what this really is.” An engagement. You heard the announcement.

“Don't be childish.”

“You don't get to call me childish because you dislike my decision.” “You can't expect me to believe this is real.” “Your belief isn't required.”

Raven looked at him. “Gavi, enough.” He ignored her. “Amelia, we need to talk privately.” “No, we don't.”

Damon's voice remained calm. “She came here with me. She's my fiancée. Respect that.” I touched his wrist.

“It's all right,” I said, turning to Gavi. “I'm finished discussing my life with you.”

I excused myself, needing air and a moment to remember that signing the contract hadn't magically made me fearless.

I still remembered loving Gavi. I simply no longer wanted the life that came with him.

I was near the terrace doors when Gavi followed me. “What are you doing, Amelia?” “You think you can play games with me?”

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

“You show up with Damon, wear his ring, and announce an engagement. What are you trying to prove?”

“Nothing.”

“Then why him?”

“Because I chose to.”

He grabbed my arm. “This is insane, Amelia. You think you can play games with me?”

I looked at his hand, then met his eyes. “Let go of me, Gavi. Or my fiancé will have you thrown out.” His fingers opened. “You're really going to marry him?” he asked.

“You're engaged to Raven. Why does my engagement bother you?” “You know that's different.”

“Explain how.”

He had no answer.

“You made your choice in that ballroom, Gavi. I made mine today.”

“You'll regret this.” “Maybe. At least it'll be my mistake.” I walked away.

“Amelia, wait.”

For three years, I would have stopped, desperate to hear another explanation. This time, I kept walking.

Damon waited near the entrance and offered his hand. “Ready to go? Yes. He walked beside me without demanding an explanation.

Behind us, Gavi remained in the hallway. Then his voice followed us. “If she thinks I'm going to let this marriage happen, she doesn't know me at all.”

I stopped walking but Damon held me tight. I kept on moving. That whole night, i wasn't afraid of anything. Gavi could hate my choice. He could try to ruin it. But he could never make me choose him again.