Chapter 02
1050 Words
Amelia’s POV
I had imagined this moment so many times, what I would say, how I'd demand answers and how I'd slap him.
Honestly it was what I thought about most of the time before bed.
But now, with Xavier standing in front of me and Jefferson in the hospital somewhere, all I could do was tighten my grip on the doorknob.
“You look like you've seen a ghost, Amelia.” He said smoothly.
"You might as well be one," I shot back, forcing my voice to steady. "Personally I thought you were dead to me."
Xavier let out a low chuckle. "I should be, that would be better than being stuck in this situation. But fate has a twisted sense of humor, don’t you think?" His eyes darkened. "I didn’t expect to see you here, of all places. My cousin’s wife.”
The way he said it made my stomach twist. Was he disgusted? Amused? Or did he already know?
I swallowed hard. "Move."
His smirk remained, but he stepped aside with a mock bow. "After you."
Every nerve in my body screamed for me to ignore him, to pretend this was a bad dream. But as I stormed past him, he walked beside me.
“Don't you have somewhere you have to be,” I said, not once looking back at him.
“Of course I do,” he replied, refusing to back off. “And it happens to be the same destination you're heading to.”
I ignored his remark. I got to where the car was waiting for me, the driver pulled open the door for me.
“You're not going to let me come with you.” Xavier added, with a smirk planted on his face.
“Xavier, you drove here,” I replied, stepping into the car. “You can drive yourself out.”
Xavier opened his mouth to say something but I ordered the driver to take me away.
I couldn't stand to hear that bastard talk, not after what he did to me that night.
When I got to the hospital, one of the men in Jefferson’s security team greeted me. Then he guided me to Jeffersons room.
I walked into the room and was surprised to see Jefferson looking peaceful. He just laid there motionles with an IV line connected to his arms.
“What is his condition?” I asked, not really expecting an answer.
Deep down, a part of me wished he actually died.
“Stable.” A voice answered from behind me. I turned to see Xavier walking into the room.
"Why are you here, Xavier? What do you want?"
His gaze went to Jefferson before settling back on me. "I came for my cousin, of course. But I think I might have found something far more interesting."
A lump formed in my throat. "Stay away from me," I warned.
Xavier tilted his head, stepping closer. "Funny. That’s what you said three days ago about Jefferson. Right before you waited at that bus station for a man who was never coming.”
THWACK!
I couldn't contain myself. I slapped him hard enough that it echoed in the room.
“You don't get to talk about that.”
Suddenly, Xavier gripped my hand, forcefully drawing me closer to him. "No, Amelia. I think I do. Because if you knew the real reason I never showed up that night…" He trailed off, his lips curving into a slow, knowing smile.
I felt shivers crawl into my skin.
"What are you saying?" I whispered.
Xavier leaned in just enough that I could feel the warmth of his breath. “Maybe you should ask your husband when he wakes up.”
His words settled in. I knew what this was, a dangerous game and he was trying to pull me into it.
Before I could say another word, he released my wrist. He took a step and brushed off imaginary dust from his sleeve as though our conversation was nothing more than a casual confrontation.
“I’ll see you around, Amelia,” he murmured. “I have a feeling we’ll be crossing paths more often than you think.”
Then, without another glance at Jefferson, he turned on his heel and strolled out of the hospital room as if he owned it.
The moment he was gone, I let out a slow, deep breath.
My hands clenched into fists at my sides, but my heart hammered against my ribs, confusion and fury tangling inside me. What did he mean? What was he implying about Jefferson?
I turned back to my husband’s still form. Unconscious, he looked peaceful. He was ruthless, controlling, and always five steps ahead.
What was he hiding? Xavier's words made me feel uneasy.
What exactly was Jefferson planning?
Before I could even begin to process, a knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.
A man in a crisp black suit stepped inside. His graying hair was slicked back, and he held a leather briefcase on one hand. He had the aura of someone who carried important news…. news I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear.
"Mrs. Reynolds," he greeted, his voice calm. "I’m Charles Whitmore, Jefferson’s attorney."
Attorney? Oh s**t.
My spine stiffened. "What are you doing here?”
He adjusted his cuffs, then stepped further into the room. "There’s something you need to know. Per Mr. Reynolds' legal documents, in the event of his incapacitation or any life-threatening event, full control of his business empire is transferred to you… effective immediately."
The words hit me like a freight train.
I blinked. "What?"
He continued, unfazed. "Until he recovers, you are now the acting head of Reynolds Enterprises, with sole authority over all financial, business, and legal matters."
My breath caught in my throat.
He looked up at me. “You are to come next Tuesday to sign the papers.”
And just like that he left.
Talk about insensitive and rude.
I sighed, placing a hand on my forehead.
Jefferson’s empire. His world of power and control.
Once signed… it belonged to me?
The room suddenly felt too small, the walls pressing in. My fingers curled at my sides as realization settled in like ice in my veins.
What the hell was I supposed to do now?
- Writer
