Entangled Hearts: Ex-husband's Blatant Regret

Her Desire

Sebastian wasn’t expecting to feel so aggravated as he kept on staring at Amelia, who was shamelessly kissing another guy before him. Could he be her boyfriend or…? He stopped himself from thinking much about it. Forcing a cool smile, he simply turned and left, roughly loosening his tie as he suddenly felt suffocated.

Discreetly watching him disappear in the midst of the other guests, Amelia broke the kiss with the stranger and stepped back, her gaze following Sebastian with a curt smile. She glanced at the stranger, who was touching his lips with his thumb as if trying to process what had just happened. Lifting her chin, she attempted to walk away, but he stopped her.

"Wait," he said, his voice steady but curious.

Amelia tried not to seem nervous or cheap despite the severity of her action. Kissing a stranger to make her ex-husband a bit jealous wasn't what she had planned for the night.

"I'm sorry," she said, hoping to defuse any awkwardness. "I mistook you for someone else."

To her surprise, a smile parted his now glossy lips. "Hello," he said, stretching out his hand. "I'm Cadell. Cadell Walker."

She managed to smile but simply glanced at his hand and waved in an apologetic manner. "Amelia. And again, I'm really sorry about that."

Cadell chuckled, a warm, genuine sound. "No need to apologize. That was... quite a kiss." He leaned in slightly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You know, I think you might have a talent for improvisation."

Amelia couldn't help but laugh softly, her tension easing a bit. "Improvisation, huh? Well, I guess I had my reasons."

"Would those reasons have anything to do with the guy who just stormed off?" Cadell asked, raising an eyebrow.

She sighed, her eyes briefly following where Sebastian had gone. "Yeah, you could say that. He's my ex. I didn’t expect to see him here tonight."

Cadell nodded, his expression turning more understanding. "Ah, I see. Well, for what it's worth, you certainly got his attention."

Amelia smiled, a mixture of relief and embarrassment. "Thank you for being so understanding."

"No problem," Cadell said, his smile widening. "If you ever need a partner in crime again, you know where to find me."

She laughed, feeling a surprising lightness in her chest. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Cadell."

He nodded, giving her a small salute. "Anytime, Amelia."

“Alright then."

Sounding curious, he seemed to scan her as he asked, "Whom did you mistake me for?"

Amelia sharply replied, "My boyfriend." She smiled, hoping he would believe that.

He nodded thoughtfully. "Well then, maybe you can use me as your boyfriend another time."

She felt the seriousness in his tone, but his playful expression suggested otherwise. Deciding to play along, she asked, "So, my partner in crime, where can I find you?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "Anywhere."

There was something about him that she couldn’t quite pinpoint—it neither set her off nor amazed her. Exhaling in dismissal, she just nodded and walked away.

Sebastian found his way to the ladies restroom and saw Marie trying to reapply her makeup after washing off the drink Amelia had poured on her. Seeing him, she felt her blood boiling and spun around, demanding, "Why did you stop me from retaliating?"

He cut in, his voice tight with frustration. "I'm not in the mood to bicker, Marie. Let's just leave."

She chuckled, but her eyes narrowed as she turned back to pack her makeup into her bag. "Amelia humiliated me out there, Sebastian. I'm not leaving until I settle the scores."

Marie attempted to leave but infuriated, he grabbed her arm and pulled her back, forcing her to shriek. "Don't upset me more, Marie. Follow me instead of ruining the party."

She jerked her arm away, her voice rising. "I don't give a damn about the party! You made me feel even more inferior by standing up for Amelia, your EX-WIFE."

"Marie, I didn't—"

"Then why did you stop me from retaliating?" she pushed him back, her eyes blazing.

"Because it wouldn't have ended well," he huffed, struggling to keep his composure.

Hot-headed, she snapped, "I'm not leaving until I humiliate Amelia back."

He became hostile, his patience finally snapping. "Marie, this isn't the time or place for revenge. You're only making things worse for yourself.”

Marie’s eyes blazed with determination. "I’m only going to give Amelia a taste of her own medicine."

Not wanting to talk further, Sebastian grabbed her hand, pulling her along. They exited the ballroom, and Sebastian dragged her to his car. She finally wrenched herself free, angrily asking, "Are you just trying to save your ex-wife from my wrath?"

He glared at her, thinking of a befitting response. Before he could speak, someone walked up and said, "That's not a good way to treat a woman, man."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed as he spun around to see the figure approaching. Marie glanced at the guy and recognized him as the same one Sebastian had bumped into earlier.

Taking a good look at him, Sebastian recognized him to be the guy Amelia had kissed. Her supposed boyfriend. He didn't know what got into him, but seeing a bit of Amelia's lipstick still on the guy's lips made him want to punch him in the face. Controlling himself, he growled, "Get away."

The guy just smirked. "Chill, man. I’m just saying."

Sebastian ignored him and entered the car, turning to Marie. "Get in or I'm leaving without you."

Casting one last glance at Cadell, Marie gulped and got into the car. Cadell smirked, watching Sebastian zoom off. He muttered to himself, "A predictable ex. Interesting.”

The Gala ended, and after Amelia arrived home with her family, she was heading to her room when her father stopped her. As his eyes lingered on her, she wondered if he was going to scold her for keeping her company a secret from the family. But Dutch gave her a smile, to her very own surprise, and patted her arm, saying she had done well. With that, he headed to the staircase.

A smile appeared on her lips as she slightly turned, watching her father mount the staircase.

Gianna, seething with jealousy, quietly walked up to Amelia as she watched Dutch disappear into a hallway upstairs.

"Don't be flattered because of a little compliment, sister," Gianna spat out.

Amelia lifted her gaze, staring at her sister in a demanding manner.

Gianna smirked, muttering, "We all know it couldn't just be that you created such a big company by yourself," then she walked away.

Amelia knew exactly what Gianna had implied, but she simply chuckled, waving it off, and headed to her room.

The following morning, the Kristeen Family gathered around the dining table, having breakfast.

Clearing her throat softly, Louisa spoke up. "Since Amelia is going to be involved in the family's business, she should learn everything from the ground up."

She suggested that after a while, Amelia's abilities could be tested to see if she could fully carry Kristeen Group on her shoulders.

But Sir Tower interjected, dismissing her suggestion. "I believe my granddaughter is more than capable. There's no need for such things."

Gianna, visibly annoyed, tried to speak up, pointing out that Amelia didn't know much about the family business. However, Sir Tower silenced her and turned to Louisa, stating firmly that she would be the one to teach Amelia the ropes as she takes control over the company.

Louisa, staring at her father-in-law, clenched her hands under the table but maintained her calm smile.

Amelia thanked her grandfather for having faith in her and promised not to let him down.

After breakfast, only Sir Tower and Louisa remained in the dining room. Turning to leave, Louisa stopped and softly asked him, "Why don't you seem to like me, father-in-law?"

He chuckled softly, his eyes holding a mysterious gleam. "Let's not pretend, Louisa. You shouldn't act saintly. I know who you are."

Her lips parted in surprise as she watched him leave the room, his words stirring something deep within her.

Inside her room, Amelia spoke to someone on the phone with a delightful smile. "Yes, my boy. You'll be returning with Nanny Laura." She paused briefly before ending the call.

Walking to the study table by the bed, she picked up a photo of her son, her smile widening as she hugged it, feeling emotional. She was happy that one of her unborn twins had survived. It was only one thing that had kept her through all these years - her son. And there was one main reason she was back.

Turning slightly, she started walking to the mirror, muttering strongly, "Now I'm back. I'm going to ruin you, Sebastian. You'll pay for every bit of pain you caused me five years ago."

The determination in her voice echoed in the room, fueled by years of resentment and anger. Amelia's gaze in the mirror reflected a woman ready to take on whatever lay ahead, fueled by a burning desire for revenge.