Edmund’s POV
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“Alright, give me an update,” I said, pinching the bridge of my nose as I leaned back, in my chair. “How’s everything going with the outreach team?”
On the other end, Amelia’s voice came through, steady and professional as always.
“The supplies have already been sent,” she said. “I confirmed the delivery this morning. The accommodation for the nurses is also secured, double rooms at Crestview Lodge. The rest of the staff will stay at the facility quarters.”
“Good,” I murmured, scrolling through a few files. “And the doctors?”
“They’re ready. Dr. Cruz will handle the triage, Dr. Halley’s covering pediatrics, and Dr. Steven is in charge of the on–site emergencies. I’ve also briefed the interns.”
“Perfect,” I said, though my mind wasn’t on the logistics. It was in the warmth of her tone calm, focused, and competent. The same tone she used to have when she used to call me husband.
I cleared my throat. “And the supplies list, any shortage?”
“No. Everything’s intact. I made sure of it myself.”
Of course she did.
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“Alright,” I said, tapping my pen on the desk, pretending to focus on the numbers in front of me. “Now, about the outreach…”
She hesitated. “What about it?”
“You’re going.”
Silence.
“I’m… what?”
I let a faint smile tug at my lips. “You heard me. You’re joining the team tomorrow morning.”
“Edmund,” she said slowly, like she was trying to process if I was serious, “you didn’t even mention that earlier. The schedule is fixed, and the team leaves at six a.m. How do you expect me to-”
“Figure it out,” I interrupted, keeping my tone even. “You’re a doctor. You’ll manage.”
Her breath hitched with frustration. “You can’t just decide that at the last minute.”
“Actually,” I said smoothly, “I can. And I just did.”
There was a pause. Then, a sharp sigh. “You’re such an asshole. You know that right?.”
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Chapter 49
“Thank you,” I said lightly. “Get some rest, Dr. Garcia. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Edmund-”
But I ended the call before she could finish, grinning to myself as I set the phone down.
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I could almost picture her reaction, pacing across her apartment, mumbling under her breath, muttering a few choice words about how insufferable I was. She’d hate me for it. Maybe even send a passive–aggressive text later.
But I didn’t care.
I wanted her there. Close enough that I could see her, work beside her… breathe the same air again. Maybe I just needed every possible way to have her in my life again.
Still smiling faintly, I picked up the phone again and dialed my PA.
“Change of plans,” I said. “Move the departure time from six to nine a.m.”
“Sir?”
“Inform everyone except Dr. Garcia.”
A brief pause. “Of course, Mr. Montgomery.”
I hung up and leaned back in my chair, chuckling quietly. She was going to kill me.
But it would be worth it.
By the time I got home, it was nearly midnight. The mansion was quiet except for the faint sound of soft playing through the hallway speakers.
Vikki was in the living room, sitting cross–legged on the couch with a glass of wine in her hand. The flicker of candlelight softened her features, but the moment she saw me, her lips curved into a too–perfect smile.
“Hey, stranger,” she said, setting her glass down. “You’re home late.”
“Work ran longer than expected.” I started toward the study, already loosening my tie,
Before I could step in, she walked up behind me and slid her arms around my shoulders. “You’ve been overworking yourself again,” she murmured. “Come to bed, Edmund.”
Her perfume filled my nose, sweet, heavy, familiar, but it felt foreign now. I gently removed her hands and faced her. “In a bit. I just need to review something first.”
She frowned slightly. “You’ve been distant lately. Did something happen?”
“Nothing happened,” I said flatly, turning on the laptop.
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Chapter 49
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“Really?” she asked, walking around to sit on the edge of my desk. “Because you’ve been cold. I can feel it.”
I exhaled slowly, keeping my voice calm. “It’s just work, Vikki.”
“Or maybe it’s that doctor lady again?”
My head snapped up. “What do you mean by that?”
“I heard you’re working with her on the outreach project,” she said, folding her arms. “Dr. Garcia, right?”
“Yes,” I replied cautiously. “She’s talented. I needed someone efficient on my team.”
Her laugh was sharp. “Sure. That’s your reason?”
“What do you think?” I asked, meeting her gaze directly.
She sighed and looked away for a second before sitting on the armchair across from me. “You really want to know what I think?”
“Go ahead.”
“I think there’s something you’re not telling me.” Her tone dropped lower, almost accusatory. “Because today, a little birdie told me something I can’t quite process yet.”
I froze. “What are you talking about?”
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She tilted her head, her voice tight. “That you and Dr. Garcia were once married. Some years ago.”
The words hit like a punch to the gut. I looked up from the laptop, eyes narrowing. “Where did you hear that from?”
Her mouth twisted into a bitter smile. “So it’s true.”
“Vikki-”
“What the hell, Edmund?” she snapped, standing abruptly. “Why am I just hearing about this now?”
“Because it wasn’t important.”
“Not important?” she repeated, laughing in disbelief. “The fact that you were married to that woman, that quack, isn’t important?”
“It was a long time ago,” I said, my voice low. “Besides, it wasn’t real. It was a contract marriage.”
She gasped, eyes widening. “She was the one? The woman you married back then?”
I said nothing, which was answer enough.
“I knew it,” she whispered, shaking her head. “I wasn’t wrong about the tension between you two.”
“What tension?” I asked quietly.
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Chapter 49
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“Oh, please don’t insult my intelligence.” Her tone dripped with sarcasm. “You still have feelings for her. I can see it. Everyone can.”
“You’re being paranoid.”
“Am I?” she shot back. “Am I really, Edmund?”
I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. “Vikki—”
“No, don’t Vikki me,” she said, voice rising. “You know what? You’re kicking her off your team, and that’s final.”
I looked up from my laptop, half amused. “You must be joking.”
She turned sharply. “What did you just say to me?”
“Despite the fact that Amelia is my ex–wife,” I said slowly, “she’s also one of the best doctors I’ve ever worked with. She’s an essential part of the project, and I’m not letting her go.”
She stared at me for a beat too long, her face a mixture of disbelief and fury.
Then she whispered, almost shaking, “Are you fucking her?”
My jaw tightened.
She took a step closer, her voice trembling now, not from anger this time, but something else.“Tell me the truth, Edmund. Is that what this is about? Are you sleeping with her?”
“No,” I said firmly, meeting her gaze. “And even if I were, it wouldn’t concern you the way you think.”
Her breath caught, a mix of pain and rage flickering across her face. “Unbelievable,” she said quietly, laughing bitterly. “You’re actually defending her.”
“I’m defending what’s right.”
“What’s right?” she repeated, tears welling in her eyes. “You think protecting your ex–wife is what’s right? You think humiliating me in my own house is right?”
“Don’t twist this into something it isn’t.”
“Oh, I’m not twisting anything,” she said, her voice shaking. “You already made your choice. And God help you, Edmund, if you think I’ll sit back and watch you throw away our marriage for her.”
She turned sharply and stormed toward the door, heels clicking against the floor.
“Vikki,” I called.
She paused, not looking back.
“You’re overreacting.”
She laughed bitterly, glancing over her shoulder. “No, Edmund. I’m just finally seeing things clearly.”
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Chapter 49
The door slammed behind her, echoing through the house like a warning.
I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly, my hands covering my face.
Maybe she was right. Maybe I was crossing a line I wouldn’t be able to uncross.
But the truth was, I’d already made my choice long before she ever asked.
And deep down, I knew I wouldn’t stop, not until Amelia Garcia was back where she belonged.
With me.
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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.
