Chapter 7: The Unwelcome Guests
1276 Words
The drive back to the mansion was quiet.
Amelia sat by the window, staring at the passing buildings.
Her stepfather's words kept replaying in her mind.
You should have tolerated it.
A bitter smile appeared on her face.
How could anyone expect her to marry a man who had betrayed her?
She took a deep breath.
Beside her, Ethan glanced at her several times.
He knew she was upset.
He wanted to comfort her, but he wasn't sure how.
After all, they had only known each other for two days.
Yet, for some reason, seeing her sad bothered him.
A lot.
Finally, he spoke.
"Are you hungry?"
Amelia blinked.
"What?"
"You didn't eat much at the mall."
She looked at him.
Then she laughed softly.
"Is that your way of cheering me up?"
He looked innocent.
"Maybe."
Her smile widened.
"Thank you."
"Did it work?"
"A little."
He smiled.
A few minutes later, they arrived at the mansion.
As soon as the car stopped, Amelia frowned.
There was another car parked outside.
A very expensive black car.
"Are we expecting visitors?" she asked.
Ethan looked outside and sighed.
"No."
"What is it?"
Before he could answer, the front door opened.
An elegant woman in her fifties walked out.
Behind her was a young woman wearing a designer dress.
The older woman's face lit up.
"Ethan!"
Amelia looked at him.
"You know them?"
He sighed again.
"Unfortunately."
She blinked.
The woman quickly walked toward them.
"My dear nephew!"
Before Ethan could react, she hugged him.
He awkwardly patted her back.
"Aunt Rebecca."
The woman smiled.
"I haven't seen you in weeks."
"It's only been four days."
"That's weeks to me."
Amelia almost laughed.
Then the younger woman stepped forward.
She was beautiful, with long black hair and sharp features.
She smiled at Ethan.
"Hello, Ethan."
"Olivia."
Amelia suddenly noticed the way the woman looked at him.
As if she already belonged to him.
A strange feeling settled in her chest.
Then Rebecca noticed her.
Her smile disappeared.
"Who is this?"
The question sounded cold.
Ethan's expression remained calm.
"This is my wife."
Silence.
Rebecca's eyes widened.
"Wife?"
Olivia nearly dropped her handbag.
"Wife?" she repeated.
Ethan nodded.
"Yes."
Rebecca stared at him.
Then she laughed.
"What a joke."
"It's not a joke."
She stopped laughing.
"You got married?"
"Yesterday."
This time, Rebecca looked like she might faint.
"Yesterday?"
Olivia's face turned pale.
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
Amelia stood there awkwardly.
She wasn't sure what to do.
Rebecca slowly looked at her.
Then at Ethan.
Then back at her.
"Who is this girl?"
"My wife," Ethan repeated.
Olivia stepped forward.
"No."
Everyone looked at her.
She looked shocked.
"That's impossible."
Ethan frowned.
"Why?"
"Because…" She stopped.
Rebecca quickly took over.
"What Olivia means is that this is too sudden."
"It was."
Rebecca blinked.
"You admit it?"
"Of course."
The older woman looked horrified.
"Ethan, marriage isn't a game."
"I know."
"Then why did you marry a stranger?"
Amelia lowered her eyes.
A stranger.
Technically, that was true.
Rebecca looked at her again.
"And who exactly are you?"
Before Amelia could answer, Ethan spoke.
"Her name is Amelia Kingsley."
The words made her heart skip.
Olivia looked as though she had been slapped.
"Kingsley?" she whispered.
Ethan nodded.
Rebecca forced a smile.
"Young lady, what do your parents do?"
Amelia suddenly felt uncomfortable.
"My father passed away."
"Oh."
"And my mother passed away too."
Rebecca's smile faded.
"I see."
Then she asked,
"So what do you do for a living?"
"I'm an interior designer."
Rebecca looked unimpressed.
An awkward silence filled the air.
Then Ethan's grandmother suddenly appeared at the door.
"Why is everyone standing outside?"
Her eyes fell on Rebecca and Olivia.
"Oh."
Rebecca smiled.
"Aunt."
The older woman didn't smile back.
"What are you doing here?"
Rebecca coughed.
"We came to visit Ethan."
The grandmother looked unconvinced.
Then she noticed Amelia.
"Dear, why are you standing outside? Come in."
Amelia smiled.
"Okay."
The grandmother walked toward her and linked their arms.
"You're still recovering from yesterday. Don't stand in the sun."
Rebecca's eyes widened.
She had never seen her aunt act so affectionately toward anyone.
The grandmother looked at Ethan.
"Bring your wife inside."
Wife.
Again.
Amelia's cheeks turned pink.
Olivia noticed.
And her face darkened.
Everyone entered the living room.
A maid served tea.
The atmosphere was awkward.
Rebecca couldn't stop staring at Amelia.
Finally, she spoke.
"So, how did you and Ethan meet?"
Amelia hesitated.
She wasn't sure how to answer.
"We met at a hotel," Ethan said calmly.
Rebecca smiled.
"And then?"
"We got married."
Silence.
The grandmother almost laughed.
Rebecca looked ready to scream.
Olivia suddenly stood up.
"I need some air."
Without waiting for a reply, she walked outside.
Amelia watched her leave.
Then she looked at Ethan.
He looked completely calm.
As if he hadn't noticed anything.
The grandmother sighed.
Poor girl.
Everyone knew Olivia had liked Ethan for years.
She had probably dreamed of marrying him one day.
Unfortunately for her, Ethan had never shown any interest.
Rebecca smiled stiffly.
"So… congratulations."
"Thank you," Ethan replied.
She looked at Amelia.
"Take good care of my nephew."
Amelia smiled politely.
"I'll do my best."
The grandmother looked pleased.
A few minutes later, Amelia excused herself and went to the kitchen for water.
As she filled a glass, she heard footsteps.
She turned around.
It was Olivia.
The other woman looked upset.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then Olivia smiled.
A cold smile.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
Olivia crossed her arms.
"You're very lucky."
Amelia didn't know what to say.
Olivia stepped closer.
"Do you know how many women want to marry Ethan?"
"No."
"A lot."
She smiled bitterly.
"And somehow, you did it in one day."
Amelia lowered her eyes.
"It wasn't planned."
"I'm sure."
The sarcasm in her voice was obvious.
A heavy silence followed.
Then Olivia asked quietly,
"Do you love him?"
Amelia froze.
Love?
She had known Ethan for only two days.
How could she love him?
"I…"
Olivia laughed softly.
"You don't."
Amelia didn't answer.
The other woman looked sad.
"I've loved him for five years."
Her eyes widened.
Five years?
"But he never looked at me."
Olivia smiled sadly.
"And then you appeared."
For the first time, Amelia felt guilty.
"I didn't mean to hurt anyone."
Olivia shook her head.
"I know."
She took a deep breath.
"But please… don't hurt him."
Amelia looked surprised.
"He may seem cold, but he has a kind heart."
She smiled sadly.
"He deserves someone who truly loves him."
With that, Olivia turned and left.
Amelia remained standing there.
Her heart felt strange.
She thought about Ethan.
His smile.
His kindness.
The way he always noticed when she was sad.
The way he made her laugh.
Without realizing it, a small smile appeared on her face.
"Thinking about me?"
She nearly dropped her glass.
She turned around.
Ethan was standing by the door.
"Don't scare me like that!"
He smiled.
"Sorry."
She looked away.
"What were you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
"You're a terrible liar."
She laughed softly.
He stepped closer.
"Did Olivia say something to upset you?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded.
For a moment, he simply looked at her.
Then he smiled.
"Good."
She looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because I don't like seeing you upset."
Her heart skipped a beat.
The kitchen suddenly felt very warm.
She quickly looked away.
Ethan smiled.
For some reason, teasing her was becoming his favorite thing.
Neither of them noticed.
But little by little, their hearts were getting closer.
And somewhere deep inside, a new feeling was beginning to bloom.
- Writer
