Chapter 5: A New Home
1443 Words
"What?!"
Lucas's scream was so loud that Amelia could hear it from the passenger seat.
Ethan pulled the phone away from his ear.
"Why are you shouting?" he asked calmly.
"Boss, did you just say you got married?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"Today."
Silence.
A few seconds later, Lucas spoke again.
"Did someone hit you on the head?"
Ethan sighed.
"No."
"Then why would you suddenly get married?"
"Because I wanted to."
Lucas sounded as if he was about to faint.
"You've been single for years, and now you're suddenly married? To whom?"
Ethan glanced at Amelia.
She was trying very hard not to laugh.
"I'll explain later."
"No, explain now!"
"I'm busy."
"More important than the company?"
"Yes."
There was another long silence.
Then Lucas said carefully,
"Boss… are you being kidn*pped?"
Ethan nearly laughed.
"No."
"Then at least tell me your wife's name."
Ethan smiled.
"Amelia."
"Amelia who?"
"Amelia Kingsley."
Another silence.
Then—
"Oh my God! You even changed her surname already!"
Ethan ended the call.
A moment later, he heard soft laughter.
He looked at Amelia.
She was trying to hold it in.
"What?" he asked.
She burst into laughter.
"Your assistant sounds funny."
"He can be dramatic."
"I think he almost had a heart attack."
"He'll survive."
She laughed again.
For some reason, hearing her laugh made Ethan smile.
A few hours ago, she had been crying.
Now she was laughing.
He preferred this version of her.
A lot.
He started the car.
"So," Amelia said, "where do you live?"
"Not far."
She nodded.
A few minutes later, the car entered one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the city.
Amelia looked out the window.
The houses were enormous.
Beautiful gardens surrounded them.
Luxury cars were parked in the driveways.
Her eyes widened.
"This neighborhood is expensive."
"It is."
She turned to him.
"You said you own a small company."
"I do."
"Then how can you afford to live here?"
Ethan nearly choked.
"I got lucky."
She looked suspicious.
"Very lucky."
He smiled innocently.
She narrowed her eyes.
For some reason, she felt like he was hiding something.
But she decided not to ask.
Everyone had secrets.
A few minutes later, the car slowed down.
Then it stopped.
Amelia looked out of the window.
Her jaw dropped.
In front of her stood a huge mansion.
No.
A palace.
The house was three stories high, surrounded by a beautiful garden.
A fountain stood in the middle of the driveway.
The place looked like something from a movie.
She slowly turned toward Ethan.
"This… this is your house?"
"Yes."
Her mouth opened and closed.
"You own this?"
"Technically."
She blinked.
"Technically?"
"My grandmother insists it belongs to both of us."
She stared at him.
Then at the mansion.
Then back at him.
"A small company?" she asked.
He looked away.
"It does well."
She couldn't even speak.
Finally, she said,
"I think your definition of small and my definition of small are completely different."
He laughed.
She looked at the mansion again.
"Are you sure I can stay here?"
"Of course."
"You won't mind?"
"We're married, remember?"
Her cheeks warmed again.
He seemed to enjoy reminding her of that.
Ethan got out of the car and opened the door for her.
She stepped out.
The mansion looked even bigger up close.
"This place is beautiful."
"I'm glad you like it."
They walked toward the front door.
Before Ethan could unlock it, the door suddenly flew open.
An elderly woman stood there.
She had gray hair and sharp eyes.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then the old woman looked at Ethan.
Then at Amelia.
Then back at Ethan.
"Ethan."
"Grandmother."
The old woman narrowed her eyes.
"Who is this young lady?"
Ethan looked at Amelia.
Then he smiled.
"Grandmother, meet my wife."
Silence.
Complete silence.
The old woman's eyes widened.
"Wife?"
"Yes."
She looked as if she had turned into a statue.
A few seconds later, she grabbed her chest.
"Oh my heavens!"
"Grandmother!"
The old woman ignored him.
She walked straight toward Amelia.
Amelia became nervous.
Then suddenly—
The old woman grabbed her hands.
"Child, are you real?"
Amelia blinked.
"What?"
"You married my grandson?"
She nodded slowly.
The old woman's eyes became bright.
"You actually exist!"
Ethan sighed.
"Grandmother."
She ignored him again.
Instead, she looked at Amelia.
"You are beautiful."
Amelia smiled nervously.
"Thank you."
The old woman looked delighted.
Then she glared at Ethan.
"You've been hiding her from me!"
"I met her today."
"What nonsense."
"It's true."
The old woman looked horrified.
"You got married after knowing each other for one day?"
Ethan nodded.
She looked at Amelia.
"Did he threaten you?"
Amelia quickly shook her head.
"No."
"Did he bribe you?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Very sure."
The old woman sighed with relief.
Then she smiled warmly.
"Welcome to the family."
Amelia blinked.
"Just like that?"
"Of course."
The old woman squeezed her hands.
"I've been waiting for this stubborn grandson to get married for years."
"Grandmother."
"I was beginning to think you would stay single forever."
Amelia laughed softly.
The old woman smiled.
"Oh, I like you already."
Amelia smiled back.
For some reason, she felt comfortable around her.
The old woman looked at the wedding dress.
Then her expression softened.
"You've had a difficult day, haven't you?"
Amelia froze.
The woman gently touched her cheek.
"You look tired."
For some reason, those words made Amelia want to cry.
Nobody had asked if she was tired.
Nobody had asked if she was okay.
She nodded slightly.
The old woman's eyes softened.
"Come inside."
She led Amelia into the mansion.
Ethan watched the two women.
A small smile appeared on his face.
This was unexpected.
His grandmother usually disliked everyone.
But she seemed to adore Amelia already.
A few minutes later, they were sitting in the living room.
A maid brought tea.
The old woman looked at Amelia.
"So, tell me everything."
Amelia blinked.
"Everything?"
"How did you meet my grandson?"
She glanced at Ethan.
He looked amused.
"I… bumped into him today."
The old woman's smile disappeared.
"Today?"
Amelia nodded.
"And you got married today?"
Another nod.
The old woman stared at them.
Then she started laughing.
Loudly.
Amelia looked confused.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, dear."
The old woman wiped her tears.
"This family is insane."
"Grandmother."
"I'm serious."
She looked at Amelia.
"But if my grandson chose you, then I trust his judgment."
Amelia looked surprised.
"You do?"
"Of course."
The old woman smiled.
"I can tell you're a good person."
Those words warmed Amelia's heart.
"Thank you."
The old woman suddenly stood.
"You must stay for dinner."
"Oh, I don't want to disturb anyone."
"Nonsense."
She smiled.
"This is your home now."
Amelia froze.
Your home now.
The words felt strange.
She hadn't had a real home in years.
Her stepfather's house never felt like home.
Even the apartment she rented felt temporary.
But somehow…
Hearing those words made her eyes sting.
The old woman noticed.
"Child?"
Amelia quickly looked away.
"I'm fine."
The old woman gently patted her hand.
"You don't have to be strong all the time."
Those simple words nearly broke her.
She smiled shakily.
"Thank you."
Across the room, Ethan watched quietly.
There was sadness in Amelia's eyes.
He didn't know everything she had been through.
But he knew one thing.
He never wanted to see her cry again.
Dinner was surprisingly pleasant.
The old woman kept asking questions.
Amelia answered them as best she could.
By the end of the meal, she was laughing.
When dinner ended, a maid showed her to her room.
The room was huge.
The bed alone looked bigger than her old apartment.
She walked to the window.
The garden outside was beautiful.
Then her smile slowly faded.
Everything had happened so quickly.
This morning she had been engaged to Daniel.
Tonight…
She was married to Ethan.
She touched the wedding ring on her finger.
A soft knock came from the door.
"Come in."
Ethan entered.
"I wanted to make sure you're comfortable."
She smiled.
"I am."
He nodded.
An awkward silence followed.
Then he said softly,
"Today must have been hard for you."
Her smile faded.
"It was."
"You don't have to pretend around me."
She looked at him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then she whispered,
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being kind to me."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"You're welcome."
She looked at him carefully.
Then she smiled.
Maybe marrying a stranger wasn't such a terrible mistake after all.
Neither of them realized it.
But this unexpected marriage was only the beginning of a much bigger story.
- Writer
