5

Amelia’s POV 

I was utterly confused. How could that man look so much like my husband?

I held my breath for a moment when our eyes almost met, but I quickly turned my face away. Impossible—of course it wasn’t him. That man was Xavier Aprilio, the first grandson of the highly respected Aprilio family. Everyone knew him—at least through stories and rumors that spread around. From the way he looked at people, the way he spoke, even the way he walked—it was all completely different from my Xavier.

My husband’s name was Xavier Lewis. He was a nobody, just a simple man with gentle eyes and a soft expression. His golden-blond hair fell to his shoulders, warm like sunlight. But the man standing in that room… was nothing like him.

His jet-black hair was neatly cut, every strand arranged as if to emphasize his authority. He looked so handsome, so charismatic—like a star shining too brightly to gaze at for long. I swallowed hard, trying to convince myself. Just a coincidence. Just a face that looked too similar.

I averted my gaze, unwilling to stare for too long. But then my ears caught my father’s voice—or more precisely, Mr. Tomi Rinov’s—asking politely,

 “Mr. Xavier, where is your wife? Didn’t she come with you?”

My body stiffened instantly. I could feel the man’s eyes turning toward me again. I didn’t dare look, but my ears strained, my heartbeat pounding as I waited for his answer.

“She couldn’t make it. There was an important family matter.”

Relief washed over me so strongly I almost staggered. Slowly, my breath steadied. See? It really wasn’t him. I was foolish to have let my heart race so wildly for nothing.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Kevin walk in behind them. He was dressed in a suit now, looking far more mature than I remembered. But his eyes were fixed only on Raisa, whispering softly to her, the two of them close, almost intimate. A pang struck my chest, but I quickly brushed it away. That wasn’t my concern anymore.

One by one, the guests began to take their seats. The Aprilio patriarch—whom everyone called the Old Master—sat at the head of the table. The atmosphere grew serious as the discussion turned to their grand plan: the marriage that would bind these two families.

I quietly stepped back, retreating toward the door. From the staircase landing, I stood and watched. The room below was lively, filled with conversation and importance. There was no place for me there. I knew it.

Suddenly, a harsh grip yanked my arm. I turned to see Lidya glaring at me, her eyes sharp.

 “Amelia, what are you doing here? Haven’t you gotten over Kevin? Let me remind you—he’s your brother-in-law now, Raisa’s fiancé. Don’t even think of anything improper!”

I pulled my arm free from her grasp. I smiled, though bitterness coated it.

 “Don’t worry. I’m not interested in being anyone’s mistress. Mr. Tomi Rinov only asked me to stay a little longer to celebrate Raisa’s engagement.”

Since childhood, I had always called him that: Mr. Tomi. Never father. It kept me in my place, where I belonged—never more.

Lidya clenched her teeth, her face flushing red.

 “Don’t play innocent! He was only being polite. You’re the one who always tries to win his favor. Do you not know your place? This is an honorable gathering! I won’t have the Rinov family humiliated because of you. You’re nothing but an illegitimate daughter. Did you think there’s a seat worthy of you in that room? Leave before you disgrace us all.”

Her words cut deep, but I swallowed them in silence. I wanted to fight back, but I knew if I did, it would only create a scene and make me the center of unwanted attention. So I chose to lower my head and walk away.

I slipped through the kitchen, heading toward the back door, keeping my gaze down, hoping not to draw the servants’ notice. But fate seemed determined to mock me.

Thud! My shoulder bumped into someone.

A glass of juice tipped in her hand, spilling to the floor and staining the gown she wore.

“Amelia! You did that on purpose!” Raisa’s shrill voice pierced the air.

I looked up, startled. “Raisa? What are you doing in the kitchen?”

Wasn’t she supposed to be out front, basking in attention?

“I came to get my fiancé’s favorite juice myself. And you ruined my gown! Look at it! This dress is expensive! Can you even afford to replace it?” Her voice trembled with rage.

I shook my head quickly. “I’m sorry, Raisa. I didn’t mean to. I didn’t see you there. Besides, with so many servants around, why come here yourself?” I truly didn’t understand.

Raisa clenched her fists. I could almost read her thoughts—she wanted to impress Kevin by preparing the juice herself. And I had become her scapegoat.

Her eyes burned with hatred. “Why does it matter if I came here? Oh, I know! You’re jealous, aren’t you? Because I can serve Kevin now, while you’ve been thrown away like garbage. And now you’ve married another piece of trash!”

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “I don’t think of him anymore. You don’t have to worry.”

I turned to leave, but Raisa grabbed my arm and shoved me roughly.

 “Where do you think you’re going, bastard child? You won’t just walk away after ruining my gown!”

I gasped at her force. “I already apologized. It was an accident. And it’s only wet, that’s all.”

Raisa looked down at the spreading stain. The pristine white fabric was now smeared with a yellowish blotch. Her face reddened—not with shame, but with fury.

“Only wet? Look at this! It’s ruined! This is my big day, and you’re trying to humiliate me!”

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, Lidya appeared. She took in the sight—Raisa’s stained gown, me standing stiff—and in an instant, she had made her judgment.

“Amelia! What is it you want?” Her voice was sharp, slicing through me.

I kept my expression calm. “Mother, thank goodness you’re here. Please take Raisa upstairs to change her gown. I swear, it was an accident.”

My words only fueled Raisa’s fury. This wasn’t just any gown—it was her dream dress, her symbol of pride. And I, the illegitimate daughter she despised, had ruined it.

She raised her hand, about to slap me. I shut my eyes, bracing myself.

But suddenly, another hand caught hers mid-air and pushed it aside.

I opened my eyes, stunned. Everyone else in the kitchen froze as well.

Xavier Aprilio stood beside me.

The man radiated authority, his face so close, his presence suffocating in its intensity. Even without touching me, I could feel the weight of his power.

Raisa’s breath hitched. Her face flushed—not with anger this time, but… admiration.

“M-Mr. Xavier…” Her voice softened, so unlike the harsh tone she had used on me. “Why are you here in the kitchen? Do you need something?”

I could only stand still, stunned, still feeling the unexpected warmth of the protector who had suddenly appeared at my side.