Chapter 10
Edmund’s POV
I couldn’t sleep. No matter how I tossed or pulled the duvet higher, it felt like the night was stretching on for way too long The ticking of the clock on the nightstand was the only sound in the room, sounding louder than it should be became of the quietness of the night, each second dragging me deeper into my frustrating insomnia.
“Are you okay, honey?”
Her soft voice pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to find Vikki beside me, her eyes half–open, sleep still clinging to her.
“Yeah,” I said quickly, forcing a small smile. “Everything’s fine. Go back to sleep”
“You’re restless,” she murmured, scooting closer until her body pressed against mine.
“Just having a little trouble sleeping, that’s all. It’ll pass.”
“Hmm.” She gave a small yawn, her lashes falling shut again. Her head fell against my chest as she curled up beside me, and within moments her breathing evened out again.
I held her automatically, my arm wrapping around her because it was the natural thing to do. But my mind? My mind was somewhere else. With someone else. Caught up with another woman.
Amelia.
She was the reason I couldn’t sleep.
From the second I laid eyes on her again, she hadn’t left my thoughts, and she didn’t even know it. She was everywhere. Her calm voice, the way her presence filled a room, even the steel edge of her words when she was angry with me. And the more I thought of her, the heavier my chest felt, like I was carrying years of mistakes that no amount of time could erase.
Our last encounter in her office kept replaying in my head. The sharpness in her tone, the way she shoved my phone into my hand like she couldn’t wait to be rid of me. But beneath it all, I’d caught a flicker of something in her eyes. Something she was trying too hard to bury.
She wasn’t the same Amelia I knew years ago. Back then she was soft, a little shy, always free–spirited. Now, she carried herself like a woman who’d seen the world, fought it, and won. She was confident, almost untouchable. And instead of pushing me away, that change pulled me in even deeper.
I sighed, brushing my fingers absently over Vikki’s shoulder as she slept. God, how much of a fool had I been to let Amelia go back then?
I still remembered that day we parted ways like it had happened yesterday. The silence between us, the weight of things unsaid, the ache I buried instead of speaking the truth. I’d loved her then, but I couldn’t admit it. Maybe I was too proud, maybe too afraid. Whatever my reasons, they were worthless now. All they’d done was cost me the one woman I should have fought for.
And yet… here she was again.
One thing I knew for sure, I wasn’t about to let her slip away again. Not now. Not when fate had given me another chance to fix my mistakes.
But yet my mind was filled with doubts. What if she had someone else now? What if she’d never loved me, and all these years I’d been the only fool holding on to the love that only existed on my end?
1/3
2154 pm P PM
M M
Chapter 10
When she looked after me at the hospital, she was all professional No cracks, no hints, no openings for me to guess how the truly felt,
And after her scolding at her office, I’d decided to give her spare. Which meant I had no number, no way to reach her.
I turned my head to the ceiling, trying to shake off the thought, but it clung to me stubbornly. No, I needed answers, i needed to know where I stood in her world now. And if need be, I needed to remind her of how much she meant to me,
Sleep was finally creeping up on me, but before I let it take me, I made myself a promise. Tomorrow, I’d instruct my assistant to find out everything. Her number, her email, even her address if it came to that, Whatever it took.
Because I wasn’t letting Amelia slip through my fingers again. Not this time.
I stood in front of the mirror, fighting with the damn tie like it had a personal grudge against me. My fingers were clumsy. slower than usual, and I hated it. The reflection looking back at me wasn’t the sharp, commanding man I was used to seeing. My skin still looked too pale, and the faint shadows under my eyes stood as proof that I hadn’t fully bounced back.
Behind me, I heard the sheets rustle.
“Good morning, sunshine,” I said, catching her movement through the mirror. My voice carried a forced lightness, anything to hide the irritation bubbling in my chest.
“Good morning my love.” She sat up and stretched before smiling at me. But the second her gaze locked on me, it vanished. Her face hardened. “What are you doing?”
I glanced at her through the mirror.
“What does it look like I’m doing?” I muttered, sliding the knot tighter than it should be. “I’m getting dressed for work.”
She threw the covers aside and got off the bed. “Dressed for work? Edmund, are you kidding me? The doctor said you needed to rest for at least a week or two before you even thought about going back.”
I picked up my watch from the nightstand and strapped it on quickly.. “Well, my doctor isn’t here right now, is she? Which means I can do whatever the hell I want.”
Her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes narrowing. “And what if I tell her?”
I gave a short laugh. “Come on, Vikki. You don’t even like Amelia.”
She gasped. “That’s not true! Why on earth would you think that?”
“It’s obvious, don’t even bother denying it,” I muttered, grabbing my briefcase and phone. I leaned down and brushed a kiss across her cheek. “Anyway, I’m off to work. I’ll be back later.”
But before I could get to the door, she darted across the room and stood in front of me, blocking my path with both arms spread wide.
“What the hell is this?” I frowned. “Look I really don’t have time for this Victoria.”
“You’re not going anywhere,” she said firmly. “Your wound isn’t even healed properly.”
“The bandage is off,” I reminded her, my patience wearing thin.
“That doesn’t mean you’re healed. You need more time.”
2/3
3:54 pm P PM M
Chapter 10
1 let out a long sigh, running a hand down my face. “You know better than anyone I don’t play when it comes to business vikki. I’ve got a meeting in less than an hour. So please move before 1 lose my patience?
1 checked the time on my watch and groaned. “I’m running late Victoria.”
Her jaw tightened, but, slowly, she stepped aside.
“Good girl,” I said, placing a kiss on her forehead. “See you when I get back”
At the office, the stares followed me the moment I walked in. I was used to eyes on me, being in my position meant people always watched. But today was different.
They weren’t stares of admiration, they were stares of shock.
“Why the hell is everyone staring at me?” I muttered to my assistant as we headed towards the boardroom.
He glanced at me, awkward, lowering his voice. “Well… no one expected you back so soon, considering, uh.. the accident. And also-” he hesitated, leaning closer, “there’s blood on your forehead.”
I stopped dead, just a step from the boardroom doors. “Damn it.”
I pulled out a handkerchief and wiped at my forehead. He wasn’t lying, I was bleeding.
“When this meeting’s done, get me the nurse from the clinic so the wound can be dressed,” I said, my voice low. Then I paused once more. “And one more thing.”
His eyes flicked to mine. “Yes, sir?”
“I want everything there is to know about Amelia. Her private life over the last two years. Most especially her number and address.”
He blinked at me, clearly surprised by the request, but recovered quickly. “Got it.”
I straightened my tie, wiped the last of the blood, and pushed the door open like nothing had happened.
3/3
田
AD
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
