Chapter 2 — Sophia’s Message
1858 Words
Amelia’s hands trembled violently as she stared at the pregnancy test on the marble bathroom floor.
Two pink lines.
Positive.
Her mind refused to process it.
Pregnant.
She pressed a shaky hand against her stomach instinctively, her breathing uneven as thousands of emotions crashed into her at once.
Fear.
Shock.
Confusion.
And strangely…
Happiness.
A tiny life was growing inside her.
Ethan’s child.
Tears filled her eyes again, but this time they weren’t entirely from pain.
For a brief second, Amelia imagined something impossible.
Maybe this baby could change things.
Maybe Ethan would soften.
Maybe he would finally see her as more than just a burden forced into his life.
But reality returned quickly.
Just an hour ago, her husband had left their wedding night to see another woman.
Sophia.
The woman he truly loved.
Amelia laughed bitterly at herself.
How foolish.
The sound of her phone vibrating interrupted her thoughts.
She wiped her tears quickly and picked it up.
Unknown Number.
Her brows furrowed.
Then another message appeared.
You really thought marrying Ethan meant you won?
Amelia’s stomach tightened painfully.
A second message followed immediately.
Come downstairs if you want to know who he truly belongs to.
Attached was a photo.
Amelia’s face lost all color instantly.
The image showed Ethan standing in front of Sophia’s luxury apartment building only minutes ago.
And Sophia was hugging him.
Intimately.
Possessively.
As if he belonged to her.
Amelia felt her chest tighten so painfully she could barely breathe.
Sophia sent another message.
Poor little wife.
Did he leave you alone already?
Amelia clenched her phone tightly.
Her first instinct was to ignore it.
But another part of her hurt, emotional, humiliated needed to know the truth.
She quickly changed out of her wedding dress into a simple cream-colored sweater and jeans. The elegant bride from earlier disappeared instantly.
Now she just looked like a tired girl with a broken heart.
Thirty minutes later, Amelia arrived outside Sophia Laurent’s penthouse apartment.
The building itself screamed luxury.
Glass walls.
Golden lights.
Luxury cars lined outside.
Everything about Sophia’s world looked glamorous and untouchable.
Amelia hesitated near the entrance.
What was she even doing here?
Did she really want to see this?
Before she could change her mind, the elevator doors opened.
And Ethan stepped out.
His tall figure immediately commanded attention even in the crowded lobby.
The moment his eyes landed on Amelia, his expression darkened.
“What are you doing here?”
His voice was cold.
Sharp.
Amelia swallowed hard.
“I…”
But before she could answer, Sophia appeared behind him wearing one of Ethan’s black jackets over a silk nightdress.
The sight shattered something inside Amelia.
Sophia smiled slowly when she saw her.
“Oh,” she said softly. “The bride came.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened instantly.
“Sophia.”
But the woman ignored his warning completely.
Instead, she walked closer to Amelia confidently.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Sophia said gently, though her eyes were cruel. “Ethan hates scenes.”
Amelia forced herself not to cry.
Her gaze shifted toward Ethan desperately.
Explain.
Please explain.
But Ethan only looked irritated.
Not guilty.
Not ashamed.
Just annoyed she showed up.
“You should go home,” he said coldly.
Home.
As if she actually had one now.
Amelia stared at him in disbelief.
“You left your wedding night to be here with her.”
Sophia smirked slightly.
Ethan’s face hardened.
“This isn’t your business.”
The words hit Amelia harder than a slap.
Not her business?
He was her husband.
And yet…
Another woman stood beside him wearing his clothes.
Humiliating her openly.
Sophia folded her arms casually.
“Ethan came because I wasn’t feeling well,” she explained sweetly. “You know how protective he gets.”
Amelia’s nails dug painfully into her palms.
Ethan didn’t deny it.
That hurt the most.
The silence itself was confirmation.
Sophia stepped closer.
“You really shouldn’t force yourself into places you don’t belong, Amelia.”
That did it.
Something inside Amelia finally cracked.
“You’re right,” she whispered.
Both Ethan and Sophia looked surprised by her calm tone.
Amelia lifted her chin despite the tears burning in her eyes.
“I don’t belong here.”
Then she looked directly at Ethan.
“But neither do you.”
And before either of them could respond, she turned and walked away.
Fast.
Before she completely broke apart.
Rain poured heavily outside the building.
Within seconds Amelia was drenched completely.
But she kept walking blindly through the empty streets.
Her chest hurt so badly it felt impossible to breathe.
Every memory replayed painfully in her head.
Ethan ignoring her during the wedding.
Ethan leaving her alone.
Sophia wearing his jacket.
“This isn’t your business.”
A sob escaped her lips finally.
She covered her mouth immediately.
No.
She refused to cry over him again.
Yet tears mixed endlessly with the rain anyway.
Her phone rang suddenly.
Dad.
Amelia inhaled shakily before answering.
“Dad.”
“Amelia!” Her father sounded relieved. “How’s married life? Did Ethan treat you well?”
The question nearly destroyed her.
But she forced a smile into her voice.
“Yes.”
Lie.
“He’s… busy with work.”
Another lie.
Her father sighed emotionally.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
Amelia froze.
“What?”
“I know we forced this marriage on you,” he admitted quietly. “But our company was collapsing. I had no choice.”
Her chest tightened painfully again.
She never blamed her father.
He looked exhausted these days.
Older.
Broken by debt and pressure.
“I understand,” Amelia whispered softly.
“Ethan saved us,” her father continued. “The company is safe now because of him.”
Safe.
So this marriage truly was a business transaction.
Nothing more.
Amelia closed her eyes briefly.
And suddenly remembered the baby.
Her baby.
No matter what happened between her and Ethan…
This child was innocent.
She placed a hand protectively over her stomach.
“I have to go, Dad.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Rest well.”
The call ended.
Amelia stood motionless beneath the rain for several seconds before finally whispering to herself:
“I’ll protect you.”
Even if she had to do it alone.
Meanwhile, back inside Sophia’s penthouse, tension filled the luxurious living room.
Sophia poured herself wine casually while Ethan stood near the massive windows overlooking the city.
“You didn’t have to humiliate her,” he said coldly.
Sophia rolled her eyes.
“Oh please. Don’t act guilty now.”
Ethan remained silent.
Sophia walked closer slowly.
“You still care about me,” she whispered confidently. “That’s why you came tonight.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
He hated emotional games.
But Sophia always knew exactly how to manipulate him.
She touched his chest gently.
“You married her for business,” Sophia continued softly. “Not love.”
Ethan grabbed her wrist immediately.
“Don’t push me.”
Sophia only smiled.
Because she noticed something dangerous tonight.
For the first time…
Ethan looked disturbed over another woman.
Amelia.
And Sophia hated it instantly.
Hours later, Amelia finally returned to the Blackwood Mansion.
The enormous mansion looked cold and lifeless despite its luxury.
A maid opened the door quickly.
“Mrs. Black,” she greeted respectfully.
Amelia nodded weakly.
As she walked upstairs, another voice suddenly stopped her.
“Well,” an older woman said sharply. “The new bride finally returns.”
Amelia froze instantly.
Evelyn Black.
Ethan’s mother.
Elegant.
Powerful.
And terrifying.
The woman sat in the living room wearing a silk robe while sipping tea gracefully.
But her eyes were icy.
Amelia lowered her gaze politely.
“Good evening.”
Evelyn observed her soaked appearance critically.
“You look embarrassing.”
Amelia’s fingers tightened slightly.
“I apologize.”
Evelyn scoffed lightly.
“I still don’t understand why Ethan’s grandfather forced this marriage.”
The words hurt.
But Amelia stayed silent.
Evelyn continued mercilessly.
“You’re not suitable for my son.”
Amelia’s throat tightened.
Every insecurity she already felt was now being spoken aloud.
“You come from a weak family,” Evelyn said coldly. “No status. No class. No usefulness beyond your father’s business connections.”
Amelia felt humiliation burn through her entire body.
Yet she endured it quietly.
Because arguing would change nothing.
Evelyn stood gracefully and walked closer.
“If you’re smart,” she whispered sharply, “you’ll know your place in this family.”
Then she walked away.
Leaving Amelia standing there completely shattered.
Late that night, Amelia lay awake alone inside the massive bedroom she now shared with Ethan.
Or rather…
The room she occupied alone.
The other side of the bed remained untouched.
Cold.
Empty.
Just like this marriage.
Her hand slowly rested against her stomach again.
Pregnant.
She still couldn’t believe it.
Part of her wanted to tell Ethan immediately.
But another part feared his reaction deeply.
Would he even want this child?
Or would he think she got pregnant intentionally to trap him?
Tears filled her eyes again.
She hated feeling this weak.
Suddenly
The bedroom door opened quietly.
Amelia’s heart stopped.
Ethan walked inside.
His dark eyes immediately found her lying awake on the bed.
Neither spoke for several seconds.
Then finally, Ethan removed his suit jacket slowly.
“You’re still awake.”
Amelia sat up slightly.
“Yes.”
Silence again.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Then Ethan noticed her red eyes.
“You cried.”
Not a question.
A statement.
Amelia looked away quickly.
“No.”
Ethan stared at her for a long moment.
Then unexpectedly:
“You shouldn’t have gone there tonight.”
Amelia laughed bitterly.
“You mean I shouldn’t have seen the truth?”
His expression darkened immediately.
“You’re overthinking things.”
Overthinking?
Amelia felt anger rise for the first time.
“She was wearing your jacket, Ethan.”
“So?”
The casual answer stunned her.
“So?” Amelia repeated softly in disbelief.
Ethan looked exhausted now.
“I’m not discussing Sophia with you.”
“But you’ll leave your wife for her?”
His eyes flashed dangerously.
“Careful, Amelia.”
The warning in his voice sent chills through her.
But tonight she was too hurt to stay silent.
“Do you even want this marriage?”
The question hung heavily between them.
Ethan loosened his tie slowly before answering.
“No.”
The honesty destroyed her completely.
Amelia looked away quickly so he wouldn’t see the tears forming again.
But then Ethan added quietly:
“Wanting something and accepting responsibility are different.”
Amelia frowned slightly.
What did that even mean?
Before she could ask
A sudden wave of dizziness hit her again.
She grabbed the edge of the bed immediately.
Ethan noticed instantly.
His expression changed.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m fine.”
But the room spun violently.
And suddenly Amelia collapsed forward.
Right into Ethan’s arms.
His grip tightened around her instantly.
“Amelia!”
Her vision blurred.
The last thing she saw before darkness consumed her completely…
Was panic in Ethan Black’s eyes.
- Writer
