The Inheritors

CHAPTERTHREE

A high-profile gala at a seven-star hotel filled with politicians, business moguls, and socialites.

Amanda hated the dress and her face betrayed her.

It was an expensive hand-stitched dress dripping with elegance. The deep sapphire color matched her eyes—but it wasn’t for her. It felt like another customer for her role in the grand performance of her life as “MRS. MARTIN”

She adjusted the diamond bracelet on her wrist her hands trembling slightly.

“Smile” Shawn muttered by her side, his tone was flat.

Amanda glared at him. He stood tall in a tailored dark blue tuxedo, exuding power. The perfect billionaire heir. A perfect lie.

“I don’t see you smiling” she clapped back.

He did not turn to her but the side of his mouth quirked up “ I don’t have to smile. I just need to look as intimidating as possible. But you on the other hand…” Shawn’s eyes flickered down to her lips “You are supposed to be the perfect picture of a loving wife”

Loving wife.

A stomach rumbled.

Amanda rolled her eyes and lifted her chin “Then I hope you won’t mind if I win an Oscar today.”

Shawn let out a chuckle. The sound felt alien to her.

Before she could process it, a group of beaming investors approached them, their gaze gleaming with excitement.

“Mr. Shawn!! And this must be your lovely wife,” one of them beamed, extending one of the glasses of champagne he picked from the passing waiter.

Amanda slipped into her role effortlessly, offering seamless smiles, warm hugs, handshakes, and a sprinkle of slight genuflections here and there.

She had spent her life watching her father charm his way out of debt. This wasn’t any different except that now, the stakes were higher.

“Mrs. Martins, we have heard so much about you” another investor chimed in. “Your husband is a lucky man”

Shawn slid his hands around Amanda’s waist. A possessive gesture meant for their audience. His touch was gentle, yet she felt her feet go cold.

“I know I’m the lucky one” Amanda replied with a blush, her voice enabling the idea. She was good at this than she thought.

Shawn tightened his grip on her waist more slightly.

The conversation continued, gentle laughter here and there, and business talks and plans filled the space. Amanda played her part flawlessly—the figures boggling her mind— beneath her exterior grandiose, something felt…off.

Then she saw him.

Julius.

Standing across the hall, with a slow, knowing smile.

The air around Amanda got stuffed.

The way he looked at her was not just a stare of familiarity. It was possessive. A reminder of what had conspired between them.

She felt sick in her gut.

Then, Julius raised his glass with a smirk and winked.

Her nails dug into Shawn’s arms to support her falling to heart.

Shawn murmured in her ears “Be careful, darling. You’re holding too tight” his tone sounding unfamiliar to her ears.

Amanda quickly lessened her grip, gathering herself together.

But the damage was done.

Shawn had noticed.

And for the first, she wasn’t sure what that meant.

****

Silence sat like a king on his throne.

Shawn drove with one hand, his other hand on Amanda’s lap. As always, He had an unreadable expression. The city lights and moving vehicles flickered against the windscreen, casting moving shadows across his face.

Amanda stared out the window, running away from the tension radiating from him.

She knew questions were brewing in his heart.

She wasn’t sure if she had the answers.

Then, he spoke.

“Are you alright? You looked uneasy tonight.”

Amanda kept looking out the window “I was fine.”

Shawn scoffed. A deep sound of cynicism.” Are you sure? Because for a moment there, you looked like you saw your grandfather from the grave.”

Amanda's hand curled on her chin.

He knows.

Of course, he knows.

“So, Shawn, what are you trying to say?” She questioned, her voice clear.

Shawn kept his focus on the road and turned the turn wheels towards the estate “Nothing, I just don’t like surprises and you looked somewhat…distracted.”

Amanda exhaled quietly.

She needs to trade with caution.

She had spent days; weeks preparing herself for his cruelty. But this? This is something entirely different. It was subtle. It was calculated.

Deep down she had the knowledge that Shawn never says anything without a reason.

“I was just shy” she lied, offering a shy smile “It was a big event with a lot of people who I don’t know; it was overwhelming”

She rolled her eyes and let out a sigh to add some truism to her lies.

He pulled into the estate’s driveway and parked the car.

Then, he turned to her with his dark eyes sharply looking towards her.

“You’re a good liar”

Amanda’s heart spiked. But she held her gaze towards him too

“I learned from the best”

He studied her for a moment before smirking. Without saying another word he stepped out of the car.

Amanda exhaled sharply letting off her grip on the seatbelt.

The real game is about to begin; she knows. As for tonight, She played her role well.

****

The weight of the clung unto Amanda like a second skin. She could not sleep again and she had not found the strength to take her clothes off completely.

She looked at the girl in the mirror and she could not recognize her anymore. The feeling was suffocating and yet unshakable.

She put her hands to unzip her dress when there was a knock on the door.

Amanda was startled.

She was not expecting anyone. And a servant won’t knock with such boldness.

“Who was it?” She asked herself looking at the wall clock.

Slowly, she opened the door.

Julius.

His silk shirt was unbuttoned. He looked like the man who prospers in the shadows.

“What are you doing here by this time, Julius?”

He gave a lazy smile and then stepped forward. “You were looking at me tonight”

Amanda’s throat became dry “You were looking at me first.”

“You sound like you did not like it.”

Amanda exhaled, taking a step back. “Leave.”

Julius did not move. “I’m not leaving so soon, I came to offer you something.”

Amand scrawled. Then crossed her arms. “I don’t want anything from you.”

Julius laughed quietly, “Are you sure? Because we both know that Shawn will never love you and if he does, he won’t let himself do.”

Amanda's stomach twisted.

Julius came closer and leaned in, reducing his voice to a whisper. “When are you going to stop pretending, Amanda?”

Amanda could hear her heart beat like an antelope chased by a pride.

Julius was danger.

Not because of what conspired between them.

But because for a second there

She was not sure if he was wrong.