Share

Chapter 23

Author: Ij Gabriel
last update Last Updated: 2025-04-30 04:21:35

Amelia's Pov

I rose to the sweet, earthy scent of coffee wafting down the corridor, a warm embrace enfolding me. I let myself linger in bed for an instant, enjoying the stillness as the aroma crept onto my lips in the form of a soft smile.

It was calming, comforting—one of life's small pleasures I used to take for granted in my old life, but now presented to me, it felt so indulgent.

I fell out of bed and stumbled into the kitchen, still wiping the slumber from my eyes. The sun streamed through the windows, lighting the room in warm, glowing light, and there at the counter sat Ethan. His wheelchair was positioned in front of him with perfect precision, a tray on his lap, and a mischievous crinkle at the corner of his mouth.

“Good morning,” he whispered, his voice soft and low. “I made breakfast.”

I stared in disbelief. "You didn't."

He gestured proudly at the tray. "Scrambled eggs, toast, and a bit of bacon that may be a bit overcooked. Don't examine it too closely, please; I had to
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Latest chapter

  • While Marrying Mr. Steele    Chapter 82 — The Game

    POV: Sienna (her pov)“You’re playing a dangerous game, Sienna.”Marco’s voice was, almost bored, as he leaned back in the leather chair by the window. He swirled the whiskey in his glass, the amber catching the dim light, and watched me as I closed the suite door behind me.I kicked off my heels, smiling faintly. “I’ve always been good at games,” I said, my tone light, teasing. “And don’t pretend you don’t like it.”“Like it?” His brow arched as he brought the glass to his lips, pausing just long enough to smirk faintly at me. “No. But I do enjoy watching you ruin yourself.”“Oh, Marco,” I sighed dramatically, stepping out of my jacket and draping it carelessly over the sofa. “You’ve been saying that for years. And yet here I am. Still here. Still… worth keeping.”He chuckled under his breath, shaking his head, though his dark eyes narrowed just slightly. “You’re broke, Sienna.”“Temporarily,” I corrected smoothly, crossing to the little bar cart without looking at him.“You’re broke

  • While Marrying Mr. Steele    Chapter 81: The Rumor

    Ethan's pov The general kitchen went quiet the second I stepped in.Two guests — a man and a woman I vaguely recognized from the reunion dinner — stood near the espresso machine, their heads bent close. The woman’s hand froze halfway to her coffee cup as soon as she saw me, and the man quickly looked away, pretending to stir his sugar.I kept my stride steady, though every muscle in me tightened.“Morning,” I said evenly as I passed.“Morning,” they murmured back, but neither of them looked me in the eye.My jaw flexed as I poured myself a coffee. Behind me, their hushed voices resumed almost immediately.And every so often, I could feel their eyes on my back.Marco found me in the hallway outside the kitchen a few minutes later. He didn’t even bother with his usual greeting — just grabbed my arm and steered me toward his room, which was empty.Marco was a proud bachelor.“What the hell is this about?” I demanded, pulling free as the door shut behind us.Marco leaned against his desk

  • While Marrying Mr. Steele   Chapter 80 — Absolutely f***ING nothing

    POV: AmeliaThe storm was finally breaking.From the terrace I watched as the black sky cracked into streaks of lighter gray, the sea still thrashing far below the cliffs. Rain clung to the balustrade, dripping in slow beads. The air was heavy, metallic with the scent of wet stone.I sat curled in the chair, knees tucked up under me, Ethan’s sweater draped over my shoulders. I hadn’t slept since Sienna left. My mind kept replaying the sound of my hand meeting her cheek, the startled look on her face, the way she’d smiled anyway, like she’d won. Like she’d always win.I hated how much that smile stayed with me.The villa was quiet now, too quiet. Everyone else had retreated to their rooms. The last of the staff had finished checking the windows, boarding up the more fragile panes.But Ethan still hadn’t come back.I told myself not to care. Not to count the minutes. But my eyes kept sliding to the dark hallway anyway, to the empty stretch of tile that led toward the stairs.And then at

  • While Marrying Mr. Steele    Chapter 79 — The Storm

    POV: EthanThe storm came in faster than any of us expected.Marco and I were standing near the back veranda, going over the last of the plans for our early departure, when the first roll of thunder cracked overhead. By the time we stepped into the courtyard, the wind had already whipped itself into a frenzy.Marco cursed under his breath, gesturing toward the staff who were rushing to pull in cushions and board up the outdoor shutters."You mind giving a hand?" he called over the howl of the wind. "We’ll have this sorted in twenty minutes.""Of course," I said, tugging my jacket tighter and limping across the slick stones to help one of the younger staff wrestle down a patio umbrella.It wasn’t until the first sheet of rain came down that I noticed her.Sienna, standing at the far side of the courtyard beneath the overhang, her arms folded tight over her chest. Her dress—black, sleeveless, clinging—seemed wholly impractical for the weather, though knowing her, that was the point.She

  • While Marrying Mr. Steele   Chapter 78 — The Uninvited

    POV: AmeliaI woke up late.The faint clink of plates and laughter that usually drifted up from the kitchen in the mornings was absent, replaced by an eerie hush that settled over the villa like a heavy sheet.For a few seconds I lay there staring at the ceiling, still half-asleep, still caught in that strange fog that hadn’t lifted since the miscarriage. I could feel it in my limbs, that dragging weight, making everything I did feel slower, clumsier, like I wasn’t quite here at all.When I finally pushed myself up and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my chest ached. From what, I couldn’t even say anymore.The villa was quiet when I padded downstairs. The faint scent of coffee had already gone cold.On the counter was a folded note in Ethan’s neat handwriting.‘Had to step out with Marco. Handling some arrangements so we can head home soon. Rest. I’ll be back shortly.’I read it twice, my eyes catching on the word home before I set it back down.I wasn’t sure I even knew where

  • While Marrying Mr. Steele   Chapter 77 — The Request

    Amelia's pov I woke in my own bed the next morning, startled for a moment to find myself here.The sheets smelled faintly of lavender and sea air, sun-warmed from yesterday, though the room was still cool. I stretched my legs under the covers, testing them. They didn’t feel like they belonged to me yet, but they moved. That was something.I’d expected to lie awake most of the night, but somehow sleep had claimed me anyway — deeper and longer than I’d thought possible.And now, in the strange quiet of the villa, it felt almost obscene to have slept so well.The silence was the worst part. The house was too big, too still. Every faint creak of wood or sigh of wind through the balcony doors sounded louder here.By the time sunlight crept across the floor, I couldn’t lie there anymore.I got up.Showered.Dressed in the simplest things I owned — soft black pants, a pale sweater, flats. My hair went into a low knot at the base of my neck. No makeup. I couldn’t bear to see my own reflectio

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status