The Rejected Wife Returns As The Billionaire's Queen

Amelia Hart stood before the high mirror, her heart pounding so hard she could barely hear the strings playing downstairs. Today was the day. After three years of loving Lucas King, she was finally ready to become his wife. Her fingers traced the engagement ring resting on her palm. The diamond shone under the soft light inside the bridal room. You look worried, her best friend, Lily, teased while adjusting the veil on Amelias head. Amelia managed a grin. Scared, Im terrified. Lily chuckled. All brides feel that way. But Amelia doubted if that were true. Since rising that morning, a strange feeling had been twisting inside her stomach. It was a sensation she struggled to name. Three years. Three years lost waiting for Lucas to choose her over work. Defending him for three years from critics labeling him cold. For three years she clung to the idea behind his distant exterior hid true care. And now would show she was correct. At least, that was what she wished. A sharp knock broke her thinking. The wedding planner hurried in. Miss Hart, all guests sit. Her smile seemed proper, though part felt tight. Too nervous. Amelia furrowed brow. Is trouble near She paused short then forced self to give other smile. Yes, things go well. The odd feeling inside Amelia grew worse. Five minutes past, Amelia stepped onto path. The church glowed with white blooms and light globes. Many eyes turned toward her as she moved forward. Relatives. Pals. Work associates. Also journalists. All stared as she went to front. All except male meant to stand by side. Since no man waited. The front stood bare. Amelia's grin stuck still. Her steps slowed till she halted end. The priest shifted around nervously, people glanced round confusedly. Lucas absent. A murmur spread across group. Where did he go Amelia heart beat faster. Maybe traffic blocked way. Maybe phone rang urgent moment just prior. Lucas worked constantly. Always. She breathed air slow and tried smiling again. He will arrive soon. That statement sounded weak, even when heard by her own ears. Ten minutes went by. After that, twenty. Then thirty. The murmurs became louder. Lily pressed Amelia's palm. It is fine. Yet it was not. Lucas failed to pick up his phone. Neither did his assistant. Someone sitting near the rear quietly lifted a camera, while another person began recording video. Shame slid under Amelia's skin. She felt exposed, much like an animal trapped within a pen while everyone watched. Then abruptly, the church doors swung open. Hope burst inside her. Lucas. He had finally arrived. But that hope lasted merely one second. Since Lucas was not by himself. A beautiful brunette approached his side, gripping his hand firmly. Moving alongside them was a small child. The whole church went quiet. Amelia stopped breathing. Yes. Yes. Yes. This could not be real. Lucas walked toward the front but did not glance at Amelia; his attention remained fixed on the woman beside him. The lady smiled gently at the kid. The boy appeared roughly five years old. Amelia sensed her legs growing soft. When Lucas paused right before her, his expression stayed calm. Ice-like. Without feeling. As if she were a stranger. Lucas… she murmured. What does this mean The quiet stretched between them. Then he replied. The ceremony is off. Those words struck worse than a blow. Sighs rang out across the church. Amelia stared at him, certain she had misunderstood what he said. What Lucas glanced at the female beside him, and his face grew softer instantly. It was a tenderness he rarely showed towards Amelia. This is Sophia. The woman dropped her gaze shyly. Lucas placed his hand on the little childs shoulder. And here stands my boy. Time halted. Amelia could not inhale. Could not reason. Could not act. His offspring The tiny kid embraced Lucas's thigh using both arms. Father. A single syllable. That one word ruined all things. The guests burst into surprised whispers. Phones moved forward, and cameras clicked. Amelia sensed the life leave her cheeks. You possess a kid she queried unsteadily. Lucas affirmed. Indeed. For how long His quietness provided the reply. Many years. He had concealed this from her for many years. Moisture scorched her vision. You deceived me. Lucass chin stiffened. Truly I did not foresee your finding via such paths. Amelia released a fractured chuckle. The kind which comes just as a soul splits open. You never meant for me to learn. Amelia... Not so. Her tone shook. Not so, speak not my title. Others stared at her. Some persons viewed her with pity, while other ones watched her with curiosity, looking like viewers observing a broadcast drama playing out before them. Amelia wished the ground to eat her entirely. Three years. Three years of affection. Three years of giving up. Lost. Cut down to public amusement. Then arrived the last strike. Lucas fixed his gaze straight onto her pupils. I never ceased to love Sophia. The cathedral grew quiet once more. Sophia lowered her head a bit, appearing quite sorry for whatever trouble she caused. Amelia loathed her immediately. Not merely because Sophia pulled Lucas away from her side, but because she looked victorious. Because she had triumphed. And all present understood this. Lucas reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a sheet of paper. It was a check. Amelia studied it closely, suspicion slowly turning into fury. What exactly is that Payment. The whole crowd inside the building gasped loudly. Lucas extended the check forward. Accept it. For many moments, Amelia just watched him. Did that mean what three years of caring meant to him A payment he could use to fix her problem, as though her pain had a price tag Something deep within her broke. She picked up the money and ripped it into halves. Then again. And yet again. The small bits floated downward onto the stone floor looking like dead insects. I cared for you! Her sound bounced off the walls. A single drop rolled down her face. Yet clearly, that was my greatest error. Lucass expression turned stiff. Amelia caught the lower edge of her wedding clothes, turned around quickly, then began to run fast. She paid no mind to the journalists following behind. Paid no mind to the lenses. Paid no mind to the murmurs. Paid no mind to anything. Right when she stepped outside into the rain, the wet soaked through her outfit. Yet she continued moving. One street. Two streets. Three. Until tiredness made her halt eventually. She stood alone beneath the rainfall, trembling violently, filled with deep shame. Just briefly before, she believed she reached the edge of beginning lifes happiest stage. Currently, she became the woman everyone discussed—the bride abandoned right at the altar. She adored Lucas with everything she owned, then learned the man planned to share life with someone else. Her whole world appeared broken in just one second. At least, that was what she assumed. Abruptly, two headlights cut across the dropping water. A dark expensive vehicle stopped near her side. The gleaming paint reflected the weather while the rear window slid down quite slowly. Amelia scowled. Next, she stopped moving. She knew the male seated inside. Ethan Blackwood. Lucas Kings fiercest rival. Among the richest and most powerful people in the country. Yet, that was not the most surprising element. It involved how he watched her closely. Not showing sadness. Not showing fun. But displaying clear curiosity. His shadowy eyes fixed firmly on hers. Afterward, he talked. Enter now. Amelia's pulse jumped. Why Rain dripped from her hair as she stared at him, wondering why a guy like Ethan Blackwood paused his journey for her benefit. Ethan's look did not shift. His following sentences brought coldness into her blood. have waited three years for Lucas to loose you.