Chapter4
752 Words
A few days later, Amelia received another message from the same unknown number. This time, it wasn’t a photograph. It was a single line of text: *“Meet me if you want to know the truth about Alexander.”*
Her mind went blank with fear and curiosity. Could Alexander be hiding more from her? Was there more to his past than he had revealed? Amelia knew she needed answers, and she couldn’t rely on Alexander to provide them.
She texted back, asking for a location. The reply came swiftly, directing her to a quiet cafe in a less-frequented part of the city.
That evening, she found herself sitting at a small table in the back corner of the cafe anxiously tapping her fingers on the surface. The bell above the door jingled as a figure walked in. A tall man, wearing a black suit and a fedora, approached her table.
“Amelia Hart?” he asked, his voice low and gruff.
“Yes,” she replied, trying to hide her unease. “Who are you?”
“Let’s just say I’m someone who knows Alexander better than you do,” the man said, sliding into the seat across from her. “I’m here to give you the truth. Alexander isn’t who he says he is. He has connections to some very dangerous people, and Celeste is only the beginning.”
Amelia’s heart pounded in her chest. “What do you mean?”
The man leaned closer. “Alexander has been involved in illegal dealings for years. Money laundering, insider trading, you name it. He’s kept it hidden well, but people like me know the truth. And Celeste? She’s involved, too. She’s using him to clean her own mess.”
Amelia felt a cold chill run down her spine. Could this be true? Could Alexander, the man she loved, be hiding such dark secrets?
“You’re lying,” she said, her voice trembling.
The man smirked. “Believe what you want. But if you care about your future, you’ll keep your distance from Alexander. Or you might end up caught in his web of lies.”
He stood up and left without another word, leaving Amelia alone with her thoughts.
Back at the penthouse, Alexander found Amelia sitting in the living room, her face pale and drawn. He immediately sensed something was wrong.
“Amelia, what happened?” he asked, concern lacing his voice.
She looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. “I need you to tell me the truth, Alexander. All of it.”
He frowned, sitting down beside her. “I don’t understand—”
“Are you involved in illegal activities?” she interrupted, her voice shaking. “Are you hiding things from me that could ruin us both?”
Alexander’s expression darkened, and he leaned back, crossing his arms. “Where is this coming from?”
“I met someone today,” Amelia said. “Someone who claims to know about your past. He said you’re involved in money laundering and other illegal activities. He said Celeste is using you.”
A flash of anger crossed Alexander’s face. “Who did you meet?”
“Does it matter?” Amelia shot back. “What matters is if it’s true. Alexander, please. I need to know that I can trust you.”
Alexander’s jaw clenched. For a moment, Amelia thought he wouldn’t answer. But then he spoke, his voice low and hard.
“I’ve made mistakes, Amelia. I’ve done things I’m not proud of. But I am not involved in anything illegal now, nor have I been for years. Celeste’s situation is her own doing, and I agreed to meet her because I thought I could help her, not because I’m involved.”
He reached for her hand, his eyes pleading. “I love you, Amelia. I would never put you in danger. Whoever you spoke to is trying to manipulate you, to drive a wedge between us. You have to believe me.”
Amelia looked into his eyes, searching for the truth. She wanted to believe him. Her heart ached to believe him. But doubt lingered.
“I want to believe you,” she whispered. “But if you’re lying to me, if I find out that there’s more, I don’t think I can stay.”
Alexander nodded, his grip tightening on her hand. “You have my word, Amelia. I’ll do whatever it
take to prove that I’m telling the truth. Just don’t
- Writer
