Cold warnings
494 Words
Chapter 2 — Whispers, Warnings, and a Cold Promise
Amelia sat in the backseat of the Blackwell limousine, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her dress. The ride from the company building to the Hart family home was silent—so silent she could hear the faint hum of the engine.
Chris sat beside her, staring out the window, his expression unreadable as ever. But Amelia had learned something from their meeting earlier: his coldness wasn’t anger.
It was fear.
Fear of vulnerability. Fear of being seen. Fear of giving anyone power over him.
She stole a glance at him, wondering what secrets he carried.
“Stop staring,” he said softly, not looking at her.
Amelia jerked her eyes away, cheeks warm. “I wasn’t—”
“You were,” he replied, voice flat. But there was no annoyance.
Almost like he didn’t mind.
When They Arrived…
The car pulled up in front of the Hart mansion. Amelia’s mother, Victoria Hart, stood waiting outside—arms crossed, lips tight, eyes judging everything.
“Christopher,” Victoria said with a stiff smile. “You’re late.”
Chris didn’t even blink. “Traffic.”
“There was no traffic,” Amelia whispered.
“I know,” he replied.
She fought a smile.
Inside, the atmosphere grew heavier. Victoria began lecturing about wedding arrangements, guest lists, and the importance of public image.
Amelia felt smaller and smaller.
Chris noticed.
With one sharp look, he cut Victoria off. “Mrs. Hart, Amelia and I will handle our marriage details ourselves.”
Victoria’s eyes flashed. “That’s not how things are done—”
“It is now,” Chris said calmly.
Amelia couldn’t hide her surprise. No one ever challenged her mother.
But Chris did.
For her.
Later That Night
Before leaving, Chris pulled Amelia aside.
His voice was low—so low it sent a strange shiver through her. “I need you to be careful.”
“Careful? Of what?” she asked.
He hesitated.
“People will try to ruin you because you're with me.”
Amelia blinked. “Like your cousin?”
Chris’s jaw tightened. “Bianca is… complicated.”
“She hates me,” Amelia whispered.
“She hates everyone she can’t control,” Chris corrected.
Then something unexpected happened.
Chris reached out and gently tucked a strand of Amelia’s hair behind her ear.
Her heart nearly stopped.
He quickly withdrew his hand, face returning to its usual coldness. “Just stay cautious.”
“Chris… do you think this marriage will work?” she asked quietly.
He met her gaze—finally, truly looked at her.
And for the first time, she saw raw sincerity in his eyes.
“I don’t know,” he said. “But I will not let anyone hurt you.”
Amelia’s breath caught.
It wasn’t love. Not yet.
But it was a promise. A promise that scared her… and comforted her all at once.
- Writer
