The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them back.
She knew Simon’s temper all too well.
The way he phrased it meant one thing—he was definitely meeting her today.
Amelia didn’t want to stir up more trouble.
“I’ll head back right away.”
The chief secretary chuckled, “Please don’t keep him waiting.”
By the time Amelia got home, Simon had just stepped out of the shower.
That oversized bathrobe didn’t do much to hide his perfect build.
He sat down on the couch, lit a cigarette, and looked at her through the rising smoke.
After a moment, a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“I never knew my Amelia could be this fierce,” he said lazily.
Amelia stood still, silent.
She knew exactly what he was talking about—that scene at the studio where she slapped someone and let her temper fly.
“I can’t just let people walk all over me.
Are you here today as Vivian’s mouthpiece, come to settle things on her behalf?”
Simon stared at her for a beat, then snuffed out his cigarette.
He spoke plainly, “Come here.”
“If you’ve got something to say, just say it from there.”
But he just looked at her without moving.
With no other choice, Amelia walked over.
Simon slid a small box across the table toward her.
“Open it, see if you like it.”
Amelia lifted the lid.
Inside lay a necklace.
The diamond was cut flawlessly, glittering brilliantly under the light.
For a second, she froze.
Simon had never given her a present before.
Giving gifts required thought—he’d never bothered.
Sure, he gave her money.
But never things.
Usually, Amelia would be the one buying stuff for him—shirts, shoes, ties.
Nothing fancy, just what she could afford.
And to her surprise, he actually wore them.
He had the looks and figure to pull off anything, even the cheapest stuff somehow looked high-end on him.
So Amelia just kept buying, couldn’t help herself.
But him?
He never once gave her anything.
Maybe he just never remembered.
Maybe he never even considered it.
Today felt like something out of a parallel universe.
“Why this all of a sudden?”
She looked at him, trying to read his face.
The second she saw the necklace, she couldn’t lie to herself—she was moved.
Amelia knew it.
She wasn’t some saint.
Even the tiniest gesture from Simon could keep her floating all day.
Simon raised an eyebrow, lips curled slightly.
“Looks good on you.
Try it on.”
The sparkling diamonds shimmered against her fair skin, making her features look even more striking.
Simon stepped up behind her, arms circling her waist.
His lips brushed over the necklace.
Amelia turned her head.
“What’s the occasion for the gift?”
Simon kissed her again.
“Amelia, is now really the time for questions?”
That sentence felt like a splash of cold water down her back.
“This is about Vivian, isn’t it?”
“Don’t go picking fights with her anymore.” Simon’s voice had a low rasp, the kind that usually melted her defenses—but this time, his tone held no warmth.
Her heart dropped like a stone.
“You’re really that sure I’m the one causing trouble?”
Simon looked at her, the heat draining from his eyes, leaving nothing but indifference behind.
“Doesn’t matter if it’s you or not.
Just stay away from her.”
Every word hit like a punch to the heart.
She forced herself to stay calm.
“What if she picks a fight with me?”
“Avoid her.”
Just two words, but they cut straight through Amelia’s heart.
That blatant favoritism hit her like a slap, dragging her back to those painful memories from childhood.
Back then, she’d just moved back to Velmira.
New place, no friends.
Meanwhile, Vivian was already the school’s queen bee.
Gorgeous, popular, everyone’s beloved ‘Miss Perfect.’
People listened when Vivian hinted—with a word or a look.
And that meant Amelia spent most days cornered by a pack of bullies.
The moment they saw her, they’d hurl rocks, mud…
sometimes even toss in rats, lizards, or snakes.
One day, Amelia had finally had enough and fought back—hit Vivian.
Then William Collins showed up at her house out of nowhere.
Didn’t ask a single question.
Just stormed in with a belt and beat her.
She’d cried, sobbed, spilled everything—all the awful things Vivian had done.
But William just threw one sentence at her.
A sentence she could still hear clear as day.
“Even if she kills you, you better take it.”
And now, all those feelings she buried deep down…
they came crashing back.
Just like that.
But hearing those words from Simon hurt way more than when that man said them.
Amelia bit back the bitterness rising inside her and forced herself to ask, “Why?”
Why was she the one who had to avoid her?
What did she ever do wrong?
She wasn’t the other woman, hadn’t wronged anyone—so why was she the one who had to back off?
Simon looked her straight in the eye.
“Because she’s Vivian, and you’re just Amelia.”
That line hit harder than a slap, like a knife sinking into her chest.
Amelia pulled the corners of her lips upward in a stiff, almost mocking smile.
“And what if I don’t want to?”
Simon’s gaze deepened.
“I’m just giving you a heads up.
Don’t box yourself into a bad spot.
Being smart about this won’t hurt you.”
Amelia let out a half-laugh.
So what if she behaved?
Either way, the ending was already written.
“Sure, whatever you say, Mr.
Johnson.”
Simon nodded in satisfaction.
“Make me a cup of tea.”
He was super picky about his tea.
Amelia actually learned how to brew tea just for him—every step, from boiling to steeping.
Every time they traveled, she brought a whole tea set just for him.
This time was no different.
She clearly wasn’t in the mood today.
“Not feeling well.
Don’t wanna make tea.”
Simon smirked slightly, like he could see right through her.
“You’re really growing some wings these days.”
Amelia glanced at him.
“Why doesn’t Miss Collins take care of you instead?
What, can’t bear to let her lift a finger?”
Simon’s face fell in an instant.
Amelia knew she was treading on thin ice, but she still said it.
“I’m just curious.
Now that your first love’s back, why keep me around?
You can’t tell she doesn’t like me?
You told me not to mess with her, but isn’t the easiest solution just letting me go?”
Simon’s smile turned cold.
“So you’re dying to leave, huh?
Landed a deal with Anselme?
Or got a new gig lined up already?
Do you think this place is a hotel—come and go as you please?”
Simon was pissed now.
Every word stuck in Amelia’s throat.
Now was not the time to push him further.
“I was just asking.
No new offer, no deal.”
Simon’s face was still dark.
“Go get the tea set.”
Amelia nodded and turned to leave.
When she came back with the tea set, Simon was already in the study.
He saw her walk in and pointed to the spot beside him.
She walked over and sat down.
Simon had a cigarette between his fingers.
The moment she sat near him, that strong smoke smell hit her.
Suddenly, a wave of nausea rolled over her—so strong, she could barely hold it in.
Clenching her teeth, she forced it down while making tea for him, then quickly walked into the bathroom.
As soon as the door shut behind her, she rushed to the sink.
She dry-heaved a few times, but nothing came up.
Leaning on the sink, she took a deep breath to steady herself.
When she looked up, Simon was standing in the doorway, cigarette dangling from his lips.
His expression was unreadable, eyes dark with something she couldn’t quite place.
“If I hadn’t seen your medical report, I might’ve thought you were pregnant.”