Chapter 29
Amelia’s POV
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My phone buzzed violently on the nightstand. I froze, pulse quickening, because somehow I knew who it was before I even looked.
Leyla sat cross–legged on my bed beside me, scrolling on her phone, and tilted her head. “Aren’t you going to pick that?”
I reached for it reluctantly, and sure enough, Edmund’s name flashed across the screen. My stomach dropped so hard.
“Amelia?” Leyla whispered, sensing my nerves.
I blew out a shaky breath. “It’s him.”
Her brows arched. “Well, answer. Unless you want him to show up here in person.”
I hated how true that sounded. With a resigned sigh, I swiped to answer, pressing the phone to my ear.
“Hello?” My voice was low, guarded.
There was silence for a moment, then his voice came through, deep, but tight probably with anger. “Why are you avoiding me, Amelia?”
My heart twisted. He sounded… hurt. And that was dangerous for me.
“I’m not avoiding you,” I lied quickly. “I’ve just been busy.”
“Busy?” he echoed, a humorless laugh escaping him. “I waited for you today. I called. I sent messages. You didn’t even show up at the office when we had a meeting scheduled. Don’t tell me it’s because you’re busy.”
I clenched my eyes shut, my grip tightening around the phone. “Edmund, I told you I can’t do this with you. I thought you understood.”
His exhale crackled against the line. “I thought we made progress that night, Amelia. At dinner. Do you remember? You smiled. You laughed with me. For a moment, it felt like you let me in again. And then… you shut me out like nothing happened.”
My throat tightened. The memory of that night flickered,his smile across the table, the warmth in his eyes when he leaned in closer. A moment I hated myself for treasuring.
“I did what I had to do,” I whispered. “I can’t let myself get caught up in something that has no future.”
He was silent for a beat. Then, softly but firmly, he said, “You’re wrong. There is a future. You keep pretending like there isn’t because it makes it easier for you to run. But I’m not letting you run from me forever.”
I sat up straighter, anger rising to shield the ache in my chest. “You are married, Edmund! Married. Do you understand what that means? Whatever you think is happening- or you want to happen between us, it can’t.
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Chapter 29
It’s wrong.”
Leyla’s gaze snapped to me at that word, her lips parting, but she stayed quiet, watching.
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On the other end of the line, Edmund’s voice grew rougher. “I’ve told you before, Amelia. My marriage hasn’t been a marriage for years. I fell out of love with Vikki long before you came back into my life. What we have
“Stop,” I cut him off sharply, my voice cracking. “Don’t say that. Don’t you dare make me the reason your marriage is failing, because I’m not.”
“You’re not,” he said quickly. “You’re the reason I even remember what love feels like.”
That made my chest burn, but I forced myself not to think with my heart but with my head. “Edmund, I can’t work with you. I can’t be near you. You need to respect that.”
There was a heavy pause, then his tone shifted. Softer still, but edged with steel. “If you refuse to come tomorrow… if you don’t walk into my office for that meeting, then you leave me no choice. I’ll fire you, Amelia. And not just that, I’ll make sure you don’t get a job anywhere else in London.”
My eyes widened, my mouth falling open. For a second, I didn’t even breathe. “You wouldn’t,” I whispered.
“Don’t test me,” he said quietly.
The air left my lungs all at once, replaced by a rush of fury. “Fuck you, Edmund.” And before he could say another word, I jabbed the screen and ended the call.
The room was dead quiet except for the pounding of my heartbeat.
Leyla blinked and leaned forward. “What did he say?”
I let the phone fall onto the bed and covered my face with both hands. My voice trembled. “He threatened me. If I don’t go tomorrow, he’ll fire me. He’ll blacklist me from every hospital in this city.”
Leyla’s jaw dropped. “He wouldn’t-” She stopped herself, then groaned. “Actually… he would. You know how he is with business. When it comes to work, Edmund doesn’t bend for anyone.”
I dragged my hands down my face, whispering, “He’s supposed to love me. How could he-”
“He does love you,” Leyla cut in gently. “That’s the problem. But love doesn’t stop him from being ruthless where work is concerned. You should just go. Have the meeting. Keep it professional. Survive it. At least that way, you won’t lose everything.”
I looked at her miserably. “I don’t want to. I don’t want to see him. I don’t trust myself when I’m around him.”
Her expression softened, her voice lowering. “Amelia, you can’t hide forever. If you keep pushing, he’s only going to push back harder. Maybe it’s safer to just… face him.”
I fell back against the pillows, utterly drained. “I hate this. I hate him for putting me in this position.”
Leyla touched my arm gently. “Then tomorrow, you face him on your terms. Not as a woman he wants, but as
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Chapter 29
the doctor he needs. That’s all you have to be.”
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. Because deep down, I knew it was already too late.
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The next morning was chaotic. I was already running late, hastily gulping down my coffee when Leyla came into the kitchen, her arms full of flower bouquets and glossy gift bags.
I stared at her in disbelief. “Well, well. Someone’s keeping secrets. Who’s the lucky man, Leyla?”
She snorted and dropped the bags on the counter. “please. These aren’t mine.”
I blinked. “Wait… what?”
“They’re yours.” She smirked, turning on the stove like it was no big deal.
I nearly choked on my coffee. “Are you serious?”
“Dead serious.”
I set the mug down, heart racing. “I wonder who they’re from…” I muttered, already rummaging through the bags for a card.
Behind me, Leyla chuckled knowingly. “Who do you think?”
Rolling my eyes, I shot her a look. “It doesn’t have to be from him. What if I have a secret admirer?”
“Yeah, right,” she scoffed.
Finally, I found the card tucked into one of the bouquets. I flipped it open, reading the words in neat, familiar handwriting:
A little gift to brighten your day. Our meeting is still by 12 p.m. Don’t be late. I love you. – Edmund
I groaned loudly and shoved the card back into the bag.
“Secret admirer, huh?” Leyla teased, grinning as she walked past me.
“Shut up,” I snapped, though my cheeks burned. Snatching my bag and phone from the table, I muttered, “I’m off to work.”
By the time I got to the hospital, I was barely settled in when a nurse burst into my office, breathless. “Dr. Prescott! There’s a VIP patient, he’s convulsing. Please come quickly!”
Adrenaline shot through me. I scrambled up, scrubbing in as fast as possible before following her down the hall. My mind raced with procedures, worst–case scenarios, treatment plans, until I walked into the room.
And froze.
There, lying in perfect health on the bed in his suit, was Edmund Montgomery.
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Chapter 29
He turned his head slowly, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Hello, Dr. Prescott.”
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I groaned, my stomach dropping to the floor. Spinning on my heel, I made for the door, only to hear a distinct click.
I whipped around. The nurse who’d brought me here was gone.
No. No, no, no.
I rattled the door handle. Nothing. “Let me out!” I banged the door furiously. “Somebody get me out of here!”
“Amelia.” His voice was calm, almost amused. “I own this hospital. Nobody’s opening that door unless I say so. So you might as well just talk to me.”
I slammed my palm against the door in frustration, spinning to glare at him. “You!”
He tilted his head, feigning innocence. “Me?”
“Yes, you! Tell them to open this door!”
He chuckled softly. “I’m your boss, Amelia. What happened to professionalism?”
I scoffed, looking away, my chest heaving.
“That’s what I thought,” he murmured. Then, more seriously, “This was the only way I could get you to stop running from me. I thought we made progress after that dinner. Tell me I didn’t imagine that.”
My voice was tight. “You didn’t imagine it. But that doesn’t mean anything can happen between us.”
He sat up slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. “Why not?”
“Because I can’t,” I whispered. “Because you’re married.”
He shook his head, a pained look crossing his face. “I can’t remember you being this stubborn. You’re the best person for this job, Amelia. I can’t choose anyone else.”
“Well, I’m sorry,” I said bitterly. “But you’ll have to. It’s better for both of us.”
He sighed, then leaned back casually. “Did I mention that whoever takes this project home gets five hundred thousand dollars when it’s done?”
My head snapped toward him. “Five hundred thousand?”
He nodded. “And I know how much your mother’s medication costs. That money would go a long way.”
My heart squeezed. He was right. It would.
“I don’t know if this is a good idea,” I whispered.
“It’ll be like two friends working together,” he said smoothly. “No stress.”
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Chapter 29
I eyed him warily. “No funny business?”
He lifted his hand, pressing it to his chest. “Scout’s honor.”
Something in me caved. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
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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.
