Chapter one

CHAPTER ONE

The Man She Never Expected to See Again

“Amelia, you’re staring at the door.”

“I know.”

“You’ve been staring at it for five minutes.”

“I know, Chloe.”

“So are you expecting someone?”

“No.”

“Then why do you look like you’re waiting for someone?”

Amelia finally turned away from the entrance.

“I’m not waiting for anyone.”

Chloe raised an eyebrow.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Because you look terrified.”

“I’m not terrified.”

“You're holding your glass so tightly that I’m surprised it hasn’t broken.”

Amelia looked down.

Her fingers immediately loosened around the glass.

“I’m fine.”

Chloe sighed.

“You’ve said that three times tonight.”

“Because I am fine.”

“Okay.”

Chloe paused.

“But if he walks through that door, what are you going to do?”

Amelia’s heart skipped.

“Who?”

Chloe gave her a look.

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Pretend you don’t know who I’m talking about.”

Amelia looked toward the door again.

“Adrian isn’t coming.”

“How do you know?”

“Because he doesn’t attend things like this.”

“He’s the biggest donor tonight.”

Amelia frowned.

“What?”

Chloe nodded.

“I checked the guest list.”

“You checked the guest list?”

“I was curious.”

“Chloe…”

“And his name was right there.”

Amelia felt her stomach tighten.

“What name?”

“Adrian Blackwood.”

She stopped breathing for a second.

Eight years.

Eight years since she had heard his voice.

Eight years since she had looked into those dark eyes.

Eight years since she had walked away from the only man she had ever loved.

She swallowed.

“He won’t come.”

Chloe reached for her hand.

“You keep saying that like you’re trying to convince yourself.”

“I don’t want to see him.”

“Why?”

“Because some doors should stay closed.”

Before Chloe could respond, the sound of the microphone filled the ballroom.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?”

Amelia turned toward the stage.

The host smiled.

“We are honored tonight to welcome a very special guest and one of the most influential businessmen in the country.”

Amelia’s heart began pounding.

“No.”

Chloe whispered, “Amelia…”

“Don’t.”

The host continued.

“Please welcome the CEO of Blackwood International…”

Amelia’s fingers went cold.

“…Mr. Adrian Blackwood.”

The ballroom erupted in applause.

Amelia couldn’t move.

Then he appeared.

Tall.

Confident.

Dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit.

He looked nothing like the twenty-four-year-old man she remembered.

This Adrian looked powerful.

Untouchable.

Dangerous.

But the moment his eyes swept across the room, they stopped.

On her.

Everything else seemed to disappear.

His expression changed.

Just slightly.

But Amelia saw it.

He remembered her.

Adrian stepped away from the stage.

“Where are you going?” the host asked.

“I’ll be back.”

He walked straight toward her.

Chloe whispered, “Oh my God.”

“Please don’t leave me.”

“I’m not leaving.”

“Then stop smiling.”

“I’m not smiling.”

“You are.”

“I’m nervous.”

“Chloe!”

“Fine. I’ll shut up.”

Adrian stopped in front of Amelia.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

Neither did she.

Then he spoke.

“Hello, Amelia.”

Her heart broke at the sound of her name in his voice.

“Hello, Adrian.”

“You look exactly the same.”

She forced a smile.

“You don’t.”

His eyes remained on hers.

“I know.”

“You look…”

“Older?”

“Different.”

“I had eight years to change.”

Amelia looked away.

“I suppose you did.”

“Why did you leave?”

Her head snapped back toward him.

“Adrian, not here.”

“I’ve been waiting eight years to ask you that.”

“And I’ve spent eight years trying not to answer.”

“Why?”

“Because there’s nothing to say.”

He laughed bitterly.

“That’s a lie.”

She stared at him.

“You always knew when I was lying.”

“I still do.”

“Then you should know when to stop asking questions.”

“I don’t want to stop.”

“Adrian…”

“You left without saying goodbye.”

“I had to.”

“You disappeared.”

“I had no choice.”

“You blocked my number.”

“I had to.”

“You changed your address.”

“Yes.”

“You refused to see me.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Amelia’s eyes filled with tears.

“Because I loved you.”

Adrian went silent.

She quickly looked away.

“I shouldn't have said that.”

“No.”

His voice was softer now.

“Say it again.”

“I can’t.”

“Amelia.”

“Please.”

“Do you still love me?”

She closed her eyes.

“Don’t ask me that.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to lie to you.”

His breathing changed.

“Then don’t.”

She looked at him.

Before either of them could say another word, a little girl came running toward Amelia.

“Mummy!”

Amelia immediately crouched.

“Emma, what are you doing here?”

“You said I could come.”

“I know, sweetheart, but you were supposed to stay with Auntie Chloe.”

Emma pointed at Adrian.

“Who is he?”

Amelia froze.

Adrian looked at the child.

Then back at Amelia.

“Your daughter?”

Amelia nodded slowly.

“Yes.”

“How old is she?”

“Seven.”

Adrian’s eyes narrowed.

“Seven?”

“Yes.”

“When was she born?”

Amelia stood.

“Adrian, this isn't the place.”

“Answer me.”

She shook her head.

“I have to take her home.”

“Amelia.”

“Goodnight.”

She took Emma’s hand and turned away.

“Wait.”

She stopped.

Adrian’s voice trembled.

“Is she mine?”

Amelia didn’t turn around.

“Adrian…”

“Look at me and tell me she isn’t mine.”

She squeezed Emma’s hand.

The little girl looked up at her.

“Mummy?”

Amelia’s eyes filled with tears.

Adrian stepped closer.

“Please.”

She finally turned.

Their eyes met.

“I wanted to tell you.”

“When?”

“I don’t know.”

“You had seven years.”

“I was scared.”

“Of me?”

“No.”

“Then what?”

Amelia opened her mouth.

Nothing came out.

Adrian stared at her.

“Who made you leave?”

Her face went pale.

“Adrian, forget this.”

“Who?”

She shook her head.

“I can't tell you.”

“Why?”

“Because if you find out, everything will change.”

“Everything already changed when you left.”

A voice suddenly came from behind them.

“Amelia.”

She turned.

The color drained from her face.

A man stood at the ballroom entrance.

He was watching her.

Then his eyes moved to Adrian.

And his expression hardened.

Adrian noticed.

“Who is that?”

Amelia whispered one word.

“Run.”

Adrian frowned.

“What?”

Amelia grabbed Emma’s hand.

“Please, Adrian. Don’t ask questions. Just stay away from us.”

The man began walking toward them.

Adrian stepped in front of Amelia.

“No.”

She looked at him desperately.

“Adrian, you don't understand.”

“Then explain.”

“I can't.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s the reason I left you.”

Adrian turned toward the approaching man.

His jaw tightened.

“Who the hell is he?”

Amelia’s voice broke.

“My husband.”

Adrian stared at her.

Then at the man.

Then at the little girl holding Amelia’s hand.

And for the first time in eight years, the billionaire who had never moved on realized there was an entire part of Amelia’s life he knew absolutely nothing about.