LOGINAmelia's POVI didn't tell Lily right away. I know how that sounds, given she's the one who called it before I even took the test. But there's a difference between "I think I'm pregnant" and "I might be pregnant with my ex-husband's baby three weeks before I marry someone else." One of those is exciting news. The other one felt like something I needed to sit with alone first, just so I didn't fall apart in front of anyone.I lasted two days.She showed up at my apartment Thursday night with takeout and a bottle of sparkling cider, clearly assuming we'd be celebrating."Okay," she said, setting the bags down on my counter, "so are we doing gender guesses already or is that too soon?""Lily."Something in my voice must've given it away, because she stopped unpacking the food and just looked at me."What."I told her everything. The ultrasound. The measurements. The math I'd run about six different times hoping it would come out differently. By the time I finished, she sat down at my kit
Amelia's POVI'd been throwing up for four mornings straight before I actually let myself think about what it meant.I told myself it was stress causing it. The wedding planning alone was enough to wreck anyone's stomach,caterers calling twice a day, Adrian's mother wanting input on flowers I didn't care about, Hart Global's board still adjusting to the idea that their president was about to become someone's wife again. Add the leftover exhaustion from Sophia's trial prep, and throwing up before breakfast felt almost reasonable.Lily didn't buy it for a second."You've been weird for two weeks." She said, dropping onto my office couch without asking. "Weird, tired. Weird pale. You didn't even finish your coffee yesterday, and you love that coffee more than most people.""I've had a lot going on.""Sure." She said, studying me. "When's the last time you had your period?"I opened my mouth to answer automatically, then stopped.I actually had to think about it."Oh, shit." I said quietl
Amelia's POVAdrian remained kneeling before me, the ring catching the ballroom's golden light, hundreds of guests watching in complete, breathless silence as he waited for whatever answer I intended to offer."Amelia." He said again, his voice steady. "Will you spend the rest of your life with me?"I stood there for a long moment, reflecting building throughout me, the pressure of hundreds of watching guests, allowing myself proper space to examine exactly what this question meant, exactly what answer felt right rather than expected or convenient.I thought about everything I'd overcome throughout this year. The devastating divorce that once felt like complete destruction of everything I understood about my own worth. The gradual, difficult process of discovering strength I never previously recognized within myself. Sophia's calculated cruelty, proving less powerful than my own resilience and determination.I thought about Damian's apology, his gradual attempt toward meaningful chang
Amelia's POVI stood backstage, reviewing my prepared remarks one final time while the evening's earlier festivities continued beyond the curtain, guests mingling throughout the ballroom in anticipation of the celebration's central address."You look remarkably composed." Lily said, appearing beside me with her usual warm confidence. "Considering this represents closing out one of the most transformative years of your entire life.""I've had practice managing composure under pressure these past several months." I said, offering a small smile despite the nervous energy building beneath my exterior."You've earned every ounce of tonight's celebration." She said firmly. "Don't you dare downplay that."I nodded, gratitude forming throughout my chest at her consistent, unwavering support throughout this remarkable journey.The event coordinator signaled my introduction was beginning, and I made my way toward the stage, the grand ballroom's audience settling into attentive silence as I step
Damian's POVThe letter arrived through formal legal channels, more official than I expected given everything else that had transpired between Amelia and myself these several months. Marcus placed it on my desk that Tuesday morning, he showed careful neutrality despite obviously understanding its likely contents."This came through Hart Global's legal counsel." He said. "Addressed specifically to you."I opened it slowly, scanning through the formal language until I reached the section that mattered.‘This correspondence serves to formally confirm that Miss Amelia Hart has no interest in pursuing personal reconciliation with Mr. Damian Blackwood. Any future communications regarding personal matters should be directed through appropriate professional channels only, given the finalized nature of their previous marriage and divorce.’I sat back, reading through the formal notice a second time, but the underlying meaning remained unchanged regardless of how many times I processed the leg
Amelia's POVThe ballroom looked different on a Saturday afternoon, sunlight streaming through the tall windows rather than the golden evening light I remembered from the charity gala months earlier, the space entirely empty except for staff setting up for what smaller private event Adrian had mentioned.He met me near the entrance, dressed casually for once, none of his usual formal business attire, something more relaxed evident throughout his entire demeanor."You made it." He said, "Of course." I said, glancing around the empty space. "This feels different without hundreds of guests filling every corner.""Doesn't it?" He said, guiding me further into the ballroom. "I thought it might be nice to see it properly, without all the noise and spectacle from that first evening."We walked slowly through the space, memories surfacing naturally as we passed familiar landmarks from that particular night. The stage where I delivered my opening remarks, more nervous than I allowed myself to







