Breaking the Silence
843 Words
Amelia read the article again.
Then again.
She was looking for something she missed.
A misunderstanding.
A mistake.
Anything.
But the words remained the same.
Alexander Blackwood and Victoria Ashford to announce wedding plans soon.
Her fingers tightened around the newspaper.
She hated that she felt hurt.
She shouldn't.
She was his secretary.
Nothing more.
But the problem was that somewhere between arguments, late evenings, and small moments where he showed the person behind his cold personality...
She had started seeing him differently.
She had started believing there was something real between them.
"Miss Carter?"
She quickly folded the newspaper.
Daniel stood beside her desk.
"Are you okay?"
She forced a smile.
"I'm fine."
Daniel looked at the newspaper in her hand.
His expression changed.
"You saw it."
Amelia looked at him.
"You knew?"
Daniel sighed.
"Everyone knows."
Everyone.
The word stayed in her mind.
Everyone knew except her.
"How long has this been going on?"
"Years."
Amelia looked down.
"Years?"
Daniel nodded.
"It's a family arrangement."
She laughed quietly.
Not because it was funny.
Because she didn't know what else to do.
"A family arrangement."
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
"Miss Carter—"
"No."
She shook her head.
"It's okay."
But it wasn't.
Because the man who always demanded honesty had not been honest with her.
---
The door to Alexander's office opened.
"Miss Carter."
His voice pulled her attention.
She looked up.
"Yes, Mr. Blackwood?"
Something in her tone made him pause.
Usually, she said his name with confidence.
Now she sounded distant.
"Come into my office."
She followed him.
He closed the door.
"Is something wrong?"
Amelia almost laughed.
"Is something wrong?"
Alexander frowned.
"Yes."
She placed the newspaper on his desk.
His expression changed the moment he saw it.
Silence.
"You should have told me."
His eyes moved to hers.
"Amelia—"
It was the first time he called her by her name.
But right now, she didn't care.
"You should have told me."
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
Alexander looked away.
"It is complicated."
"Complicated?"
"Yes."
"Then explain it."
He said nothing.
And that silence hurt more than the article.
Amelia nodded slowly.
"I understand."
"No, you don't."
"You're right."
She looked at him.
"I don't."
Alexander walked around his desk.
"My engagement isn't what you think."
"Then what is it?"
He stopped.
Because that was the question he had avoided answering for years.
"It was arranged."
"By your family?"
"Yes."
"And you agreed?"
His silence was enough.
Amelia looked down.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Alexander's expression hardened.
"I was going to."
"When?"
Another silence.
"After what?"
He didn't answer.
Amelia swallowed.
"I thought you were different."
Those words affected him more than he expected.
"I am."
"Are you?"
She looked at him.
"Because from where I'm standing, you are just another person who decided I didn't deserve the truth."
Something flashed in his eyes.
Pain.
But it disappeared quickly.
"I never wanted to hurt you."
"That doesn't change the fact that you did."
The room became quiet.
For once, Alexander had no argument.
No explanation.
No solution.
Because Amelia was right.
---
That evening, Alexander sat alone in his penthouse.
The city lights reflected through the glass windows.
Usually, he enjoyed the silence.
Tonight, it felt unbearable.
His phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
Victoria.
He ignored it.
It rang again.
He answered.
"What?"
"That's a warm greeting."
"I am not in the mood."
Victoria laughed.
"You never are."
Alexander closed his eyes.
"What do you want?"
"Your secretary."
His expression changed.
"What about her?"
"I saw the way she looked at you during the charity meeting last week."
Alexander became silent.
"Stay away from her."
Victoria smiled.
"So she matters."
"That isn't your concern."
"Everything involving you is my concern."
Alexander stood up.
"Don't threaten her."
The line went quiet.
Then Victoria spoke.
"You know what your problem is, Alexander?"
He didn't answer.
"You spent years convincing yourself you couldn't love anyone. Now that someone finally got close, you don't know what to do."
His grip tightened around the phone.
"Goodnight, Victoria."
He ended the call.
But her words remained.
---
The next morning, Amelia submitted her resignation letter.
Alexander stared at the paper.
No.
The word came immediately.
But he didn't say it.
"You're resigning?"
She nodded.
"I think it's best."
"Because of the engagement?"
"Because of the dishonesty."
His jaw tightened.
"Amelia."
She looked at him.
"I respected you, Mr. Blackwood."
The use of his surname hurt more than he expected.
"I thought underneath everything, you were someone who valued honesty."
"I do."
"Then why didn't you give me that?"
He had no answer.
She picked up her bag.
"I hope you find happiness."
She reached the door.
"Amelia."
She stopped.
Alexander wanted to say something.
Anything.
Don't leave.
Stay.
Give me a chance.
But the words refused to come.
The same fear that had controlled him for years held him back.
And Amelia walked out.
The woman who had stayed when everyone else left...
Was finally the one leaving him.
- Writer
