Chapter 63
Edmund’s POV
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The soft sound of violins played in the hall, blending with the low chatter of well–dressed guests and the occasional click of cameras from the press stationed near the entrance. The gala was already in full swing, and yet I hadn’t been able to shake the feeling that something was missing, or rather, someone.
My tuxedo felt a little too tight around my collar, my glass of champagne untouched as I greeted donors and exchanged polite smiles. Every time someone mentioned how successful the outreach program had been, I found myself scanning the crowd for a familiar face, her face.
Amelia.
She was supposed to have arrived thirty minutes ago. And though I told myself not to care so obviously, my pulse betrayed me each time the ballroom doors opened.
She’d texted earlier that she was “almost ready,” and that alone had been enough to make me grin like an idiot in front of one of the sponsors. But now, as more guests trickled in and the photographers flashes went off in rhythmic bursts, I couldn’t stop wondering if she’d changed her mind about coming.
“She’ll show,” Steven, the assistant medical officer, said quietly beside me, as if reading my thoughts. “She’s not one to miss something she’s worked so hard for.”
I nodded, trying to look composed, but my heart was racing faster than I cared to admit. “Yeah,” I murmured. “I’m sure she’ll be here.”
The host’s voice boomed lightly over the speakers, announcing the start of dinner soon. My hand automatically went to my cufflinks, a nervous habit I hadn’t shaken since college. I was about to excuse myself when a sudden murmur rippled across the ballroom.
The cameras went off in a rapid burst of flashes near the entrance.
And then I saw her.
For a second, my chest forgot how to move.
Amelia stepped through the archway like a dream materializing into the room, dressed in deep emerald green satin that caught every glimmer of light. The gown hugged her body perfectly, sculpting to every curve before flowing down into a floor–length skirt that swayed with her every step. A soft side slit revealed just enough of her leg, paired with silver stiletto heels that clicked softly against the marble floor.
Her hair was styled in loose waves that framed her face, and her skin glowed under the chandelier’s light. The subtle shimmer of her silver earrings drew my eyes to her neck. My throat tightened painfully.
She was… stunning.
Every conversation near me dissolved into background noise. Even the music seemed to fade out for a beat. She smiled politely as people turned to look at her, some even whispering, admiration, curiosity, maybe even envy. But I couldn’t hear any of it.
All I could think about was how she was once mine. How, despite everything that had happened between us, she still managed to make my world stop spinning every single time she walked into a room.
Steven nudged me slightly. “Boss,” he said under his breath, “you’re staring.”
I blinked, realizing I hadn’t moved in what felt like forever. My hand tightened around my glass. “Right,” I muttered. “I should… go say hi.”
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Chapter 63
Before he could reply, I was already walking toward her.
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She noticed me halfway through the room, her eyes widening just a little, her lips curving into a small smile that sent a rush of warmth straight through my chest. When I finally reached her, I had to take a second just to take her in again.
“Wow,” I breathed before I could stop myself. “You look… incredible.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away for a moment. “Thank you,” she said softly. “You clean up well yourself.”
I smiled, lowering my voice as I leaned in. “So, you got my little surprise?”
She chuckled. “I did. You really didn’t have to go all out with the makeover team and the dress, you know.”
“I wanted to,” I said simply. “I told you I wasn’t going to let you come here in anything less than perfect.”
She shook her head with that faint, amused expression that always made my chest tighten. “You and your obsession with perfection,” she teased.
“I call it intentionality,” I said, grinning.
Her laugh came out light, genuine, the kind that made people turn to look just because it was so contagious. I offered her my arm. “Come on. Let’s get you something to drink.”
We walked together through the room, exchanging greetings with familiar faces. Every time someone congratulated us on the success of the outreach, Amelia’s eyes sparkled with pride.
When the band started playing a slow, romantic tune, I glanced toward the dance floor. Couples were already swaying under the soft light. I hesitated for a second, then turned to her.
“Dance with me?”
She blinked, a flicker of hesitation passing across her face. “Edmund, I don’t think-
“Just one,” I said quietly, my voice barely audible over the music. “For old times sake.”
Her lips parted as if to argue, but after a moment, she sighed and nodded.
I held out my hand, and when her fingers slipped into mine, something inside me steadied. We walked onto the dance floor, and I drew her close, not too close, but enough that I could feel her warmth seep through the air between us. Her hand rested lightly on my shoulder, and I placed my other hand gently against her waist.
The band played something soft and classic – Sinatra, maybe. Her scent was faint, a mix of jasmine and something I couldn’t name but would recognize anywhere. For a while, neither of us said anything. We just moved slowly, almost in sync, as though our bodies remembered what our hearts had long forgotten how to say.
“You’re quiet,” I murmured after a while.
She looked up at me, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Just thinking.”
“About?”
She hesitated. “About how strange this feels… but also right.”
My chest tightened. “Yeah,” I said quietly. “That’s exactly it.”
She met my gaze, and for a second, I thought I saw it, that flicker of something familiar, the emotion I’d missed for years. And in that fragile, beautiful moment, the noise of the gala melted away. There was only her, her breath, her warmth, the way her eyes softened when she looked at me.
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Chapter 63
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“I’m really proud of you, you know,” she said after a moment. “What you’ve done with the outreach… it’s incredible.”
I smiled faintly. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Still,” she said. “You should be proud.”
Her hand brushed lightly against my chest, and I swear my heart almost stumbled. I didn’t realize I’d stopped moving until she looked up at me again. I exhaled shakily, trying to keep it together.
“Amelia-”
“Mr. Montgomery!” a voice called from nearby, breaking the spell. It was one of the event organizers, reminding me that I was supposed to make a short speech before dinner.
I nodded faintly, forcing a polite smile. “Right. Duty calls,” I murmured, reluctant to let her go.
She smiled, stepping back slowly. “Go,” she said softly. “You’re the star tonight.”
“No,” I said, my eyes lingering on hers. “You are.”
Her cheeks colored, and I finally turned away, making my way to the podium as the host introduced me.but half my attention never left her.
I cleared my throat, adjusted the mic, and let out a breath. “Good evening, everyone,” I began, my voice echoing through the ballroom. “First, I’d like to thank you all for being here tonight, for believing in a vision that goes beyond wealth, beyond business, and beyond comfort.”
A few nods in the audience encouraged me to continue.
“When we first started the outreach initiative,” I said, glancing briefly toward the large screen behind me showing photos of the medical teams and volunteers, “it was just an idea, a thought that maybe we could take quality healthcare to places that the city lights never quite reach. But what I didn’t realize then was how much it would change me.”
“I’ve spent years chasing success,” I went on, my voice steadier now, “and for a while, I thought it was all about numbers, profits, growth, recognition. But standing in those small communities these past few days… seeing children smile after being treated, watching parents breathe easier knowing their loved ones were being cared for, I was reminded what real purpose
looks like.”
The room was silent now, the kind of silence that came from genuine attention.
He glanced again at Amelia. “It’s about people,” I continued quietly. “About choosing compassion even when it’s inconvenient. About realizing that sometimes the smallest act of kindness can change an entire life.”
I paused, taking a slow breath. “And that’s why this outreach isn’t just a project to me anymore, it’s a promise. A promise to keep showing up where help is needed most. To bring hope where it feels like there’s none left.”
There were rounds of applause, soft at first, then growing louder. I smiled faintly and lifted my glass. “To every doctor, volunteer, and partner who made this happen, thank you for proving that humanity still has a heartbeat. And to everyone supporting tonight, you’re not just donating funds, you’re building futures and saving lives.”
I lowered the mic slightly. “Cheers to compassion,” I said simply
“Cheers,” the crowd echoed.
The applause came stronger this time, and I stepped down from the podium, my pulse still racing, not from nerves, but because when I met Amelia’s gaze again across the tables, her eyes were glistening. She clapped softly, a small smile tugging at her lips, and in that moment, it felt like she was the only person in the room.
Dinner began soon after, and the energy in the room lightened, laughter, clinking glasses, soft jazz. I was about to head back
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Chapter 63
to her table when I noticed a wave of murmurs pass through the crowd and several eyes moved to the entrance.
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It started quietly at first, soft whispers, heads turning, cameras suddenly clicking again. I frowned, following their gaze toward the doors.
And then my stomach dropped.
Because standing at the entrance, her red lips curled into a knowing smile, was Vikki Montgomery.
She was dressed to kill, a glittery gold gown that caught every bit of light, her posture regal, with a prideful expression. Her eyes found mine instantly across the room, and that smile widened.
The press recognized her immediately. Flashbulbs went off like fireworks. People started whispering her name.
I froze where I stood.
What the hell was she doing here?
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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.
