Chapter two

CHAPTER TWO

The Man She Married

“Your husband?”

Adrian’s voice was dangerously calm.

Amelia couldn’t look at him.

“Yes.”

The man approaching them stopped a few feet away.

“Amelia.”

She flinched.

Adrian noticed.

He looked at the man from head to toe.

Then back at Amelia.

“You’re married to him?”

Amelia swallowed.

“Yes.”

The man glanced at Adrian.

“And you are?”

Adrian didn’t answer.

Amelia stepped between them.

“Adrian, please leave.”

“I asked you a question.”

“I answered you.”

“No.”

His eyes hardened.

“You gave me a word. I want the truth.”

Her husband stepped forward.

“Amelia, who is this?”

She looked at him.

“Someone from my past.”

Adrian let out a bitter laugh.

“Someone from your past?”

He looked directly at Amelia.

“That’s what I am now?”

She whispered, “Please.”

Her husband frowned.

“Do I know you?”

Adrian smiled without humor.

“No.”

“Then I suggest you stay away from my wife.”

Something changed in Adrian’s face.

“Your wife?”

“Yes.”

Adrian nodded slowly.

“Interesting.”

Amelia grabbed his arm.

“Adrian, don't.”

He looked down at her hand.

For one second, neither moved.

Then he looked into her eyes.

“You’re afraid of him.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“I said I’m not.”

“Then why are you shaking?”

She immediately pulled her hand away.

Her husband noticed.

“Amelia, we’re leaving.”

“I’ll come.”

“No.”

He grabbed her wrist.

Adrian’s expression changed instantly.

“Let her go.”

The man looked at him.

“This is a family matter.”

Adrian stepped forward.

“And she said no.”

“I don't remember asking for your opinion.”

“You have it anyway.”

“Adrian.”

Amelia’s voice was desperate.

“Please.”

He looked at her.

She was begging him.

Not because she wanted him gone.

Because she was scared of what would happen if he stayed.

Adrian finally stepped back.

“Fine.”

Her husband pulled Amelia toward the exit.

Emma followed.

But before Amelia left, Adrian called her name.

She stopped.

“Eight years.”

She slowly turned.

Adrian stared at her.

“I waited eight years for you.”

Her lips trembled.

“I know.”

“No.”

He shook his head.

“You don't.”

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small photograph.

He held it up.

“I kept this.”

Amelia’s eyes widened.

It was a photograph of them.

Young.

Happy.

In love.

She stared at it.

“You still have that?”

“I have everything.”

Her husband looked between them.

“What is this?”

Amelia quickly turned.

“Nothing.”

Adrian smiled.

“It was never nothing.”

Her husband’s face darkened.

“Amelia.”

She took Emma’s hand.

“Let's go.”

This time, she didn't look back.

But Adrian watched her until the doors closed behind her.

Daniel approached him.

“Sir.”

Adrian didn’t respond.

“Sir?”

“Find out who he is.”

Daniel hesitated.

“Mr. Blackwood…”

“Everything.”

“Everything?”

“His name. His business. His family. Where they live. Where they go. Everything.”

Daniel stared at him.

“You want a background check?”

“I want the truth.”

“About Amelia?”

Adrian’s eyes remained on the doors.

“About the man who took eight years of my life.”

---

The car ride home was silent.

Emma sat quietly in the back seat.

Amelia stared out the window.

Her husband drove with both hands gripping the steering wheel.

Finally, he spoke.

“Who was he?”

“No one.”

“Don't lie to me.”

She closed her eyes.

“He was someone I knew before you.”

“You knew him very well.”

“Yes.”

“How well?”

Amelia said nothing.

He laughed coldly.

“You still love him.”

Her eyes opened.

“That's not true.”

“Then why couldn't you look at him?”

“I was surprised.”

“Why was he asking if your daughter was his?”

Amelia’s heart stopped.

“He was confused.”

“Confused?”

“Yes.”

He slammed his hand against the steering wheel.

“Seven years, Amelia!”

Emma jumped.

“Mummy?”

Amelia immediately turned around.

“It's okay, sweetheart.”

Her husband looked at the road again.

“I’m sorry.”

Emma became quiet.

Amelia lowered her voice.

“Please don't do this in front of her.”

He laughed.

“Do what?”

“Get angry.”

“I have every right to be angry.”

“You knew about my past.”

“I knew there was a man.”

“You knew I loved someone.”

“I didn't know he was still alive in your heart.”

Amelia looked away.

“He isn't.”

“Then prove it.”

She looked at him.

“How?”

“Cut him out.”

“He’s already been out of my life for eight years.”

“Then keep it that way.”

She said nothing.

He glanced at her.

“Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

But Amelia knew she was lying.

Because deep inside, she knew one thing.

Adrian would never let her disappear again.

---

The next morning, Amelia walked into her office and immediately noticed the envelope on her desk.

No name.

No address.

Just her name written across the front.

AMELIA.

Her heart began beating faster.

She opened it.

Inside was a single photograph.

Her face went pale.

It was a picture of Emma.

Taken that morning.

Emma was standing outside school.

Amelia’s hand began to shake.

There was a note behind the photograph.

She read it.

You should have told me the truth eight years ago.

Her breathing stopped.

She turned the photograph over.

Another sentence was written underneath.

Now I'm going to find out everything myself.

Amelia dropped the photograph.

Her phone rang.

She stared at the screen.

Unknown number.

She almost ignored it.

Then she answered.

“Hello?”

Silence.

“Who is this?”

A familiar voice finally spoke.

“It's me.”

Her heart stopped.

“Adrian?”

“Yes.”

“How did you get my number?”

“You forgot something eight years ago.”

“What?”

“The truth.”

She closed her eyes.

“Adrian, please…”

“I saw the photograph.”

Her eyes widened.

“What photograph?”

“The one of your daughter.”

Amelia stood abruptly.

“How did you get that?”

“I have my ways.”

“Stay away from Emma.”

“I would.”

His voice became quiet.

“If she wasn't my daughter.”

Amelia couldn’t breathe.

“Adrian…”

“I've already done the math.”

She gripped the edge of her desk.

“You're wrong.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.”

“Then tell me when she was born.”

Silence.

“Amelia?”

She couldn't answer.

“I thought so.”

“Please don't do this.”

“I’m coming to see you.”

“No.”

“I’ll be there in an hour.”

“Adrian, you can't.”

“Why?”

“Because my husband—”

“I don't care about your husband.”

Her heart pounded.

“You should.”

“I don't.”

“Adrian…”

“I spent eight years believing you stopped loving me.”

His voice cracked.

“Now I find out you had a child while we were together.”

Amelia covered her mouth.

“I didn't betray you.”

“Then tell me what happened.”

“I can't.”

“You can.”

“No.”

“Why?”

Her eyes filled with tears.

“Because if I tell you the truth, Adrian…”

She paused.

“…you might get yourself killed.”

The line went silent.

Then Adrian spoke.

“Who is he, Amelia?”

She looked toward the office door.

Her husband was standing there.

He had heard everything.

And he was holding Emma’s photograph.

His eyes were cold.

“Amelia,” he said quietly.

She froze.

“Who were you talking to?”