Chapter 3: The Stranger She Married
1182 Words
The Caldwell estate was very quiet the next morning. Amelia woke to rustling curtains as a maid adjusted them to let in the sunlight.
“Good morning, Mrs. Caldwell,” the maid said with a polite smile. “Prepare to come down, breakfast will be served in thirty minutes.”
Amelia blinked, confused for a moment by the title. Mrs. Caldwell. The reminder of her strange marriage sent an emotional shock through her, but she nodded at the maid, who walked out of the room without another word.
Amelia went down the grand staircase after dressing in a simple blouse and jeans. She half-expected Liam to appear with another hidden remark or for Eleanor to deliver another unnerving smile. But the dining room was empty except for the perfectly arranged cutleries on the table.
Despite the sweet aroma of freshly baked croissants and scrambled eggs, she sat down and had no appetite.
“Good morning.”
The deep voice startled her, and she turned to see Eleanor walking in.
“Good morning,” Amelia replied, forcing a smile.
Eleanor poured herself a cup of tea and settled across from Amelia. “I trust you slept well?”
“I did,” Amelia lied, her mind still swirling with questions.
Eleanor sipped her tea, her piercing gaze fixed on Amelia. “I know this situation is unusual, but I assure you, marrying Derek was the right decision.”
“Unusual?” Amelia let out a scoff. “I married a man I’ve never even seen, and he’s in a coma. I think saying unusual is putting it lightly.”
Eleanor’s expression didn’t change. “Derek is my son, Amelia. I will do whatever it takes to protect his legacy and ensure our family’s future.”
“And what about me?” Amelia asked, her voice rising. “What happens to me in all of this? What is my role exactly?”
“You are part of this family now,” Eleanor said. “You will have all the privileges that come with being a Caldwell. But you also have responsibilities.”
“Responsibilities?”
Eleanor leaned forward, her tone firm. “To uphold this family’s name. To do what’s necessary for its survival. You agreed to this when you signed those papers. You're an adult so I suppose you know what it means to continue the family line. You're Derek's wife, it's only right that you carry his child.”
Amelia stared at her, speechless. She wanted to argue, to demand answers, but the pure force of Eleanor’s presence left her feeling small and powerless.
---
Later that day, curiosity got the better of Amelia. She wandered through the big mansion until she found Derek's room. The door was slightly ajar, and she hesitated before pushing it open.
The room was dimly lit; the curtains were drawn to shield the bed from the hot afternoon sun. Amelia’s breath caught as she stepped inside.
Derek lay motionless on the bed, his face pale but strikingly handsome. His dark hair was neatly combed, and his strong jawline gave him an air of royalty even in his unconscious state.
Amelia moved closer, her heart pounding. The man she had married, the man she was now bound to. The man who didn't know her. She reached out hesitantly, her fingers brushing against his hand. It was warm; she had expected him to be very cold.
“You’re really him,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Derek Caldwell.”
She’d seen his face before, on the covers of business magazines and in news articles about his empire. He was one of the wealthiest men in the country, a billionaire with an intimidating reputation. But seeing him like this, vulnerable and still, made him seem almost human. Amelia wondered how he got into a coma and why he wasn't at a hospital where he could be taken care of properly.
“Do you visit him often?”
Amelia spun around, startled by the voice. Liam stood in the doorway, his arms crossed and a smirk playing on his lips.
“I—” She struggled to find her words. “I just wanted to see him.”
Liam stepped into the room, his gaze shifting to Derek. “Handsome, isn’t he? Always was the golden boy of the family.”
Amelia frowned at the bitterness in his tone. “Why are you here? What happened to Derek and how did he go into a coma?”
“Came here to look for you,” Liam said, leaning against the wall. “You’re my sister-in-law now, after all. I guess you're already becoming a part of this family, you're curious about your husband. Don't worry, I have a feeling that he'll wake up soon to see his wife.”
Before Amelia could respond, footsteps echoed down the hallway. They both left the room to see who was coming. Amelia saw Eleanor approaching, followed closely by a familiar face.
Her heart dropped.
“Darius?” she breathed, unable to hide her shock.
Darius froze in the doorway, his eyes wide as they met hers. “Amelia? What are you doing here?”
“I should ask you the same thing,” she shot back, her voice laced with disbelief.
Eleanor glanced between them, her sharp gaze narrowing. “You two know each other?”
“We… went to college together,” Derek said quickly, recovering his composure. “Amelia was a… friend.”
Amelia’s stomach churned at the word. Friend? Was that all she’d been to him after everything?
“Why are you here?” she asked, crossing her arms.
Darius hesitated, then turned to Eleanor. “I came to discuss the estate, Aunt Eleanor. I didn’t expect to see Amelia, my friend here. Why is she here?”
Aunt? Amelia’s mind reeled. Darius was related to the Caldwells?
“She’s my daughter-in-law,” Eleanor said smoothly, a hint of pride in her voice.
Darius’ eyes widened. “You’re married to Derek?”
Amelia squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze head-on. “Yes, I am.”
The tension in the room was too obvious. Darius looked stunned, his jaw working as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.
“Come, Darius,” Eleanor said, breaking the silence. “We have much to discuss.”
She led him out of the room, leaving Amelia and Liam alone again.
“Well,” Liam said, his smirk returning. “This just got interesting. From the tension between you two, you weren't just friends, right?”
Amelia glared at him, her hands clenched into fists. “How is that man related to the Caldwells?”
Liam covered his mouth in surprise, though he wasn't. “Don't tell me, Darius was the husband that dumped you?”
Amelia looked away without replying to him. So he figured it out.
“Darius is our cousin. His mother and mine are sisters.”
Liam shrugged. “You're a perfect fit for the Caldwell Family, Amelia. Everyone has their secrets, don't worry.”
- Writer
