His Greatest Regret

Chapter Three:The Perfect Woman

Amelia repeated what Victoria had said on her way home. "It's unfortunate that you didn't meet Adrian sooner." While the statement was aimed at Vanessa, the message was meant for Amelia.

She was not blind. Although she couldn't understand why Vanessa was so eager to participate, she was fully aware of what Victoria was doing.

Vanessa had stayed despite appearing uneasy, almost ashamed. She had just sat there grinning without correcting Victoria or leaving.

Amelia opened the front door and entered her home. The house was silent and Adrian wasn't home yet. That was all she could seem to rely on lately.

At about nine o'clock, she heard the front door open.

Adrian entered the living room after a little while and undid his necktie. "You haven't had any food?" he asked.

Amelia raised her head from the sofa. “I wasn’t hungry.”

Adrian frowned slightly. “You should eat.”

The irony almost made her laugh.

“You noticed?” she asked.

“What does that mean?” Adrian asked.

She sat up. “It means you’ve been too preoccupied to pay attention lately.” she said.

Adrian sighed. “We’re doing this again?”

Again. As if she were the problem. As if she enjoyed these conversations.

“No,” Amelia said quietly. “We’re not.”

For a moment, Adrian seemed surprised by her calmness. She usually pushed. Normally she tried. But tonight she was tired, very tired.

“How was your day?” she asked.

Adrian looked relieved by the change of topic. “Busy.”

Of course.

“Anything interesting happen?” Amelia asked.

“Not really.” he replied.

Amelia nodded, then looked directly at him. “I had lunch with your mother today.”

The relief vanished from his face. “How did that go?” he asked.

She laughed, though the sound wasn’t pleasant. “Take a guess.”

Adrian sat across from her and asked happened.

“Vanessa happened.” Amelia responded.

She was more troubled than she should have been by the fact that his look remained unchanged..

“Did mum invite her?” Adrian asked.

Amelia stared and asked “You knew?”

“I heard she was attending.” Adrian replied.

She waited, but nothing else came. “Is that all you have to say?” Amelia asked.

“What should I say in your opinion?” he said.

There it was again, that question, the one he always asked whenever she needed something from him.

Amelia stood. “I don’t know, Adrian.” She shook her head. “Maybe tell your mother to stop treating another woman like your future wife.”

His jaw tightened. “That’s not what she’s doing.”

“Really?” Amelia replied.

“You’re overthinking it.” he said.

Amelia laughed, a bitter sound. “Interesting.”

“What?” he asked .

Every time your family hurts me, “I’m overthinking.”

“That’s not what I said.” Adrian replied.

“It’s always what you mean.”she said.

There was a tight stillness in the room. Finally, Adrian stood. “Mother likes Vanessa.”

Amelia blinked. “That’s your defense?”

“It’s not a defense.” he said

“Then what is it?” she asked.

Adrian rubbed his forehead. “Vanessa comes from a family we’ve known for years.”

Amelia felt her stomach sink. Because all of a sudden Vanessa had nothing to do with this. This was about something bigger, something she had known for years but never wanted to acknowledge: status, family name, and social standing, everything the Knights valued and everything Amelia lacked.

“Your mother never liked me” Amelia muttered.

Adrian remained silent.

She laughed softly. “See?”

“Amelia.” he said.

“No, tell me.” She crossed her arms. “What exactly is wrong with me?” she asked.

“Nothing.” he said.

“Then why am I never enough for them?” Amelia asked.

Adrian looked away. Again. Always away. Never at her. Never when it mattered.

“They just had different expectations” he said.

The words hit harder than he realized. Different expectations. Not because Amelia was cruel, unfaithful, or a bad wife, but simply because she wasn’t who they wanted and now she couldn’t even give them an heir.

Amelia felt worn out all of a sudden. "Adrian, good night."

She went upstairs after turning. He didn't stop her this time.

The following evening, Adrian arrived home later than usual. He entered the dining room and stopped. The table was set, dinner was ready, and candles were lit.

He appeared confused for a time. Then he recalled the anniversary of his marriage. Four years. Exactly four years. A knot began to form in his stomach as he looked at the time, which was 10:47 PM. The chair across from Amelia was empty, and the cold food was still unopened.

Victoria texted him on his phone, saying, "You were unable to join Vanessa and her parents for supper this evening." Adrian frowned. He had completely forgotten. Another message followed: We’ll reschedule. He tossed the phone onto the table.

Amelia came in a little later with a glass of water. She froze when she saw him standing there. Neither talked for a few seconds.

Adrian cleared his throat after that. "I didn't remember." he said.

Amelia looked at the table, then at him. “Clearly.”

“Amelia ” he said.

“It’s fine.” Amelia replied.

The words sounded rehearsed, like she’d said them too many times.

“It’s not fine.” Adrian responded.

She smiled, a sad smile. “You’re right.” she said.

Adrian took a step forward. “I’ve had a lot going on.”

He saw something odd for the first time when Amelia turned to face him. She wasn't upset. She was not in tears. She wasn't attempting to explain anything to him.

She appeared to be... defeated. “You know what’s funny?” she asked quietly.

“What?” Adrian asked.

“I spent all day convincing myself you’d remember.”

Adrian’s chest tightened. “Amelia.”

“I even defended you.” Her smile widened slightly. “Sarah asked if you were coming home early and I told her you wouldn’t forget.” She laughed, a small, broken sound. “Guess I was wrong.”

The guilt hit harder than he expected. “I’m sorry.” he

said

She nodded. “I know.”

No accusation. No argument. No tears. Just acceptance. For some reason, that felt worse. Much worse.

The next morning, Victoria walked into Adrian’s office without knocking. He barely looked up from his laptop.

“Mother, we need to talk.” he said.

“About?” Victoria sat down. “Vanessa?.” She asked.

Adrian immediately sighed. “No.”

Victoria ignored him. “She’s perfect for you.”

“Stop.” he said

“She’s intelligent.” she continued

“Mother.”

“She’s respected.” she said

“Enough.” he said

Victoria’s expression hardened. “She can give you children.” The room fell silent.

Adrian slowly looked up. For the first time all morning, for the first time all week, there was actual emotion in his eyes. “That’s enough.” he said

Victoria leaned back. “Is it?”

Neither spoke. Then Victoria delivered the blow. “The board is talking.”

Adrian’s jaw tightened. “What?” he said.

“They know about Amelia.” His stomach dropped. “They know she can’t produce an heir.” The silence stretched. “People are beginning to ask questions.” Victoria said.

Adrian looked away. Victoria noticed and smiled, because for the first time, her son wasn’t arguing. For the first time, he was thinking exactly what she wanted.

“Think about your future, Adrian.” She stood. “The future of this family.” Then she left.

Adrian was by himself in his office, gazing out the window. He despised himself for even thinking about it, but for the first time, the thought crossed his mind: What if his mother was correct?

And miles away, Amelia was waiting for a follow-up visit at a doctor's office, totally oblivious to the fact that the first c***k in her marriage had just turned into a fracture.