The Impossible Offer

Episode 4: The First Threat

The Impossible Offer

Episode 4: The First Threat

Amelia read the message again.

You should have left Amelia Hart alone. Now both of you will pay for it.

A chill traveled down her spine.

She looked at Adrian.

"Who sent it?"

"I don't know."

"Then how can you be sure it's connected to me?"

Adrian's expression remained hard.

"I'm not."

Daniel stepped closer.

"Sir, there's more."

He held out another phone.

"A second message was sent to one of our security staff."

Adrian took it.

Amelia watched his eyes move across the screen.

His face became darker.

"What does it say?" she asked.

Adrian didn't answer.

"Adrian."

He finally looked at her.

"It says someone knows where you are."

Amelia's heart dropped.

"What?"

"We're increasing security."

"I don't need security."

"You do now."

She shook her head.

"This is becoming ridiculous."

"No," Adrian said firmly. "It's becoming dangerous."

The certainty in his voice silenced her.

He turned to Daniel.

"Double the security around the house. Nobody enters without being cleared."

"Understood."

"And find out who leaked the marriage information."

Daniel nodded.

"I'll handle it."

He left.

Amelia remained near the bed, staring at Adrian.

"Was this what you meant yesterday?"

"Partly."

"You knew something like this could happen."

"I knew there were people who wouldn't be happy about my marriage."

"You didn't tell me."

"If I had told you everything before you signed, you might have walked away."

Amelia folded her arms.

"Maybe I should have."

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"It's too late."

"Because of the contract?"

"Because you're already involved."

She looked at him.

"What exactly did I marry into?"

Adrian remained silent.

"Adrian."

He walked toward the balcony doors.

"You married into a family where loyalty is complicated."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one I can give you right now."

Amelia followed him.

"Then at least tell me if I'm in danger."

He turned.

"Yes."

The single word made her stomach tighten.

Adrian stepped closer.

"But I won't let anyone hurt you."

She searched his face.

"Why?"

His expression changed slightly.

"Because you're my wife."

The answer should have been simple.

It wasn't.

---

That afternoon, Amelia tried to call her mother.

No answer.

She called again.

Still nothing.

A growing sense of uneasiness settled in her chest.

She called the hospital.

A nurse answered.

"Hello, I'm calling about Evelyn Hart."

There was a pause.

"She's resting."

"Can I speak to her?"

"She isn't awake at the moment."

Amelia closed her eyes.

"Please tell her I called."

"Of course."

The call ended.

She sat on the edge of the bed.

Yesterday, she had believed money was her biggest problem.

Now she had money.

A mansion.

A husband.

Security guards.

And threats.

Somehow, she felt less safe than before.

A knock came at the door.

Amelia looked up.

Claire stood outside.

"May I come in?"

"Of course."

Claire entered and closed the door.

She sat beside Amelia.

"You look worried."

"I am."

"Because of the message?"

Amelia nodded.

Claire sighed.

"Adrian has always attracted trouble."

"Why?"

"Because he refuses to surrender."

"Surrender to whom?"

Claire hesitated.

"You'll learn."

Amelia gave her a frustrated look.

"Everyone keeps saying that."

Claire smiled faintly.

"Perhaps because there are things Adrian needs to tell you himself."

"Does your grandmother know?"

"She knows more than she says."

Amelia lowered her voice.

"She doesn't believe this marriage is real."

Claire's smile disappeared.

"My grandmother believes Adrian is hiding something."

"Is he?"

Claire looked toward the door.

"I wouldn't ask him that unless you're prepared for an answer you may not like."

Before Amelia could respond, Claire stood.

"There's something else."

"What?"

"Adrian's former fiancée is coming tonight."

Amelia froze.

"His former fiancée?"

Claire nodded.

"Victoria."

Amelia tried to remain calm.

"I thought there were no questions about women from his past."

"There aren't."

Claire walked toward the door.

"But that doesn't mean they won't become part of your present."

Then she left.

Amelia stared after her.

She didn't understand why those words bothered her so much.

This was supposed to be a business arrangement.

Adrian's past wasn't her concern.

At least, that's what she kept telling herself.

---

Dinner was served at eight.

Amelia entered the dining room and found Adrian already seated at the head of the table.

He looked up.

"You didn't come downstairs earlier."

"I was talking to Claire."

Adrian's expression changed.

"What did she tell you?"

"That your former fiancée is coming."

He placed his glass down.

"Victoria."

"So you remember her."

"I remember everyone from my past."

Amelia took her seat.

"Good for you."

Adrian studied her.

"Are you jealous?"

She nearly choked.

"Excuse me?"

"You've been quiet since you heard her name."

"I'm not jealous."

"Then why are you angry?"

"I'm not angry either."

"You are."

Amelia stared at him.

"Maybe I don't like surprises."

"Neither do I."

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think it mattered."

She looked away.

"It doesn't."

Adrian watched her for another moment.

Before he could say anything, the doors opened.

A woman walked into the room.

She was tall, elegant, and strikingly beautiful.

Her long blonde hair fell over her shoulders, and the confidence in her steps suggested she was accustomed to being welcomed wherever she went.

Her eyes immediately found Adrian.

"Adrian."

He stood.

"Victoria."

She smiled.

Then she noticed Amelia.

Her expression changed.

"Who's this?"

Adrian didn't hesitate.

"My wife."

Victoria's smile vanished.

"Your wife?"

"Yes."

She looked at Amelia from head to toe.

"So this is the woman."

Amelia stood.

"Amelia Hart."

Victoria's eyes narrowed.

"Victoria Sinclair."

The two women stared at each other.

Adrian remained between them.

Victoria finally turned to him.

"When did this happen?"

"Recently."

"You married her without telling me?"

"I wasn't required to."

Victoria's jaw tightened.

"I thought we were going to talk."

"We did."

"That was before I knew you had replaced me."

Amelia's heart skipped.

Adrian's expression hardened.

"No one replaced anyone."

Victoria laughed bitterly.

"Of course."

She looked at Amelia again.

"How much did he offer you?"

Silence.

Amelia felt her face grow warm.

"That's none of your business."

Victoria smiled.

"Then you really don't know."

"Know what?"

Adrian's voice became warningly low.

"Victoria."

She ignored him.

"You should ask your husband why he chose you."

Amelia looked at Adrian.

He didn't speak.

Victoria stepped closer.

"Because I guarantee you, Amelia, it wasn't love."

Adrian's hand tightened around the back of his chair.

"Leave."

Victoria stared at him.

"You're still protecting her."

"Leave."

For a moment, neither moved.

Then Victoria smiled.

"Fine."

She turned toward the door.

But before leaving, she looked back at Amelia.

"Enjoy being Mrs. Black."

Her voice softened.

"While it lasts."

The doors closed behind her.

Amelia stood silently.

Adrian turned toward her.

"Don't listen to her."

"Why?"

"Because she wants to hurt you."

"Maybe she does."

Amelia looked directly at him.

"But she asked the same question I've been asking since yesterday."

Adrian said nothing.

"Why did you choose me?"

His expression became unreadable.

"Because I needed you."

"That's not enough."

"It has to be."

Amelia shook her head.

"No. If I'm going to live in your house, pretend to be your wife, and face threats meant for you, I deserve the truth."

Adrian stepped closer.

"You signed the contract."

"And you promised this would be a partnership."

His eyes held hers.

"It is."

"Then start treating me like a partner."

Silence filled the room.

Adrian looked away.

For the first time since Amelia had met him, he seemed uncertain.

Then his phone rang.

He answered.

"Yes?"

His expression changed.

"What?"

Amelia watched him carefully.

He ended the call.

"What happened?"

Adrian looked at her.

"The hospital."

Her heart stopped.

"My mother?"

"Someone tried to enter her room."

Amelia went pale.

"Is she safe?"

"Yes."

She released a shaky breath.

"Thank God."

Adrian moved toward her.

"You're coming with me."

"To the hospital?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

His eyes hardened.

"Because whoever is behind this has just made one mistake."

"What mistake?"

"They threatened my wife."

He reached for her hand.

"And now they're going to find out what happens when they threaten something I intend to protect."

Amelia stared at their joined hands.

She should have pulled away.

Instead, she held on.

For the first time, she wondered whether the impossible offer had been more than a business arrangement from the beginning.

And somewhere across the city, a man stared at a photograph of Amelia.

He placed his phone on the table and smiled.

"Let's see how long your marriage survives, Adrian."

Then he picked up another photograph.

This one showed Amelia's mother.

To be continued...