AMELIA

I stared at the ring. It sparkled like it had been plucked out of a fairytale, but this wasn't a fairytale.

Everyone was waiting. Ethan looked like he was about to explode. His father, my father-in-law, just stared, his expression was unreadable.

I could feel my heart drumming in my ears. This wasn't just a proposal. It was a choice. A power move.

Did I love Rafael?

No.

Did I enjoy that night with him? More than I should have.

Did I want to watch Ethan burn with betrayal after everything he'd done to me?

Hell yes.

I took a breath, then let my fingers fall into Rafael's open hand.

"Yes," I said.

A collective gasp filled the room. Rafael slipped the ring onto my finger and stood, grinning like he just won a game.

He kissed my hand, then whispered, "You wouldn't regret it, sweetheart."

I turned to Ethan with a smile that could cut glass. The look on his face was priceless. I could feel his confusion and defeat radiating like heat waves off his skin.

After the event, everyone had something to say. Of course it wasn't what they expected, but for the sake of love, or at least the illusion of it they congratulated us anyway. The cameras were everywhere, flashing like we were some royal couple.

My father-in-law wasn't so pleased at the switch, but he decided that if it was what I wanted, then so be it. He gave me a stiff nod and asked that I meet him briefly before I left the reception.

Later that evening, Ethan burst into my room, slamming the door behind him like a spoiled child.

"What the fuck was that, Amelia?"

I barely flinched. I had been expecting this. "That was a proposal. Do you need me to explain any further?"

"You made a fool of me!" he barked. "You're supposed to marry me, Amelia!"

"Oh, spare me," I said, standing up to face him. "You brought your mistress to our engagement dinner, to our home. You spat on me, humiliated me, made it clear I was nothing but a pawn. So don't cry when someone else moves the board."

His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw ticking with rage. "You'll regret this. You don't know Rafael like I do. You think he wants you? He just wants to win. And when he's done with you..."

The door swung open, interrupting him mid-threat. Rafael stood in the doorway, calm as ever, with that arrogant gleam in his eyes.

"She's not your problem anymore, Ethan," Rafael said. "Move on."

"You're both insane," Ethan muttered, pushing past him as he stormed out. "You'll regret this. You both will."

Rafael looked at me and smirked. "That went better than I expected."

*************

RAFAEL

"You really want to get her, don't you?" Kelvin, my right-hand man, asked, leaning against the doorframe.

I smirked, tapping a pen on my polished desk. "Yes. Whatever it takes."

Kelvin's eyes narrowed. "What about your brother, Ethan?"

I let out a low chuckle. "Ethan has already lost by being a bitch to her. He only made things easier for me."

"I'd make her mine," I thought to myself.

And I did.

The look on Ethan's face as he walked out of the room was pure bliss. The air felt better without his whining voice in it.

"Hello, wife to be..." I said, reaching out to hold her waist, pulling her gently against me.

She grinned, her eyes glinting. "That sounds nice, husband to be."

I looked at the bed, then back at her. "Should we do what lovers do?" I asked, voice dipping as I leaned in to kiss her.

She leaned closer to me too, and before I could think much about it, we were in a deep, seductive kiss.

I pressed her against me, savoring every curve of her very round and plum bum. Her body fit into mine perfectly like a puzzle piece I didn't know I'd been missing.

My hand went to the back of her dress and pulled her zip down. The hands of her dress fell to reveal her big breasts, full, soft, and even better than I remembered them.

I kissed her neck and watched as she reacted to it. She let out sharp breaths, little gasps. My hands unhooked her bra as my tongue teased her nipples. She let out a soft moan, her hand pulling me closer, her nails scraping my skin.

I slid my hands down, and dipped my fingers into her panties, but she suddenly held my wrist and pulled it away.

She pushed me toward the bed and climbed on top of me, kissing me again. Her lips were hot and commanding. My mind ran wild. I was prepared for her to ride the hell out of me. I could feel my dick bulging harder in anticipation.

But then, Amelia reached out and pulled something from under her pillow. She handed me an envelope, and almost immediately, she stood up and began getting dressed.

"Amelia, what are you doing? What's this?" I asked, confused, glancing down at the brown envelope resting in my hand.

She met my gaze steadily. "It's a contract for our marriage," she said evenly.

I was shocked and a bit impressed. I'd known Amelia was smart, but I hadn't expected this level of calculation. Regardless... "Can't we do this after? I'm all hard."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Rafael, but we can't do anything else if we don't sign that."

"Fuck." I sighed, adjusting my pants. "That's evil, you know?"

She just nodded, acting a little bit sorry, but I knew damn well she enjoyed doing this.

"So... a contract?" I repeated, trying to get my mind off my dick. "What do you mean?"

She took a slow breath. "I'm not sure what this marriage would mean to you, Rafael... but your father asked that we sign that before we can go ahead to get married."

I opened the envelope slightly, eyes darting over the terms outlined within.

"Amelia... what on earth is this?"

AMELIA

The car stopped in front a mansion. The building was graced with multiple columns that elevated the look.

Rafael stepped out from his side of his car and rushed over to open the door for me. He held my hands as we walked into the house.

I gasped immediately we got in, words wouldn't do justice to how the interior looked. "It's beautiful." I said finding it hard to look away.

Rafael stood in front of me, forcing me to look at him. "I knew you'd love it." He said and leaned in for a kiss.

Before I could respond to that, I felt myself being swept off my feet into his arms. "Oh my gawd! What are you doing, Rafael?" I screamed giggling and held on to his neck for support.

Rafael ran up the stairs into the bedroom with me in his arms. He dropped me on the bed, took off his shirt in an instant and stared at me, "should I rip this or would you take it off?"

"Noo... it's my wedding dress, it should be protected." I giggled. And slowly took it off.

Rafael stared at me with ravenous eyes. I could tell that he was impatient with how slowly this was happening.

I felt my nipples harden when my dress fell to my waist, I didn't wear a bra because the dress had padding. I stepped out of the dress to reveal my lace panties before taking it off.

"Lie down." It almost sounded like a command, his voice was low.

I climbed the bed facing him, before I knew it he was on top of me. He held my hands above my head and kissed me. Every fiber of my being yearned for more of his touches. He went slowly this time, compared to the last time at the park.

His lips went to my nipples and I let out a soft moan. His other hand massaged my left boob.

Rafael tongue swirled around my right nipple, and I could feel my pussy cream up with expectations. As if he read my mind. His slid his finger between my legs and rubbed me. I wanted him to have him and my body did nothing to hide it.

He rubbed his hard dick on me before sliding inside. My hips pushed further to him as he thrusted. A low growl escaped his throat and he pulled me closer to him. It was magical.

**********

"You really can't wait to claim my office." Rafael asked, watching me half naked from the bed as i got dressed.

"It's been three weeks Rafael. And it's my office now." I smirked. "You signed the contract."

He rolled his eyes. "Right, your office."

"Don't be so grumpy about it, it's just one of three." I said and leaned in to kiss him. "Gotta go, I don't want anyone thinking that their new boss is lazy."

"No one would think that, considering you just got married. And even if they did, they wouldn't dare show it. I'd end them."

I rolled my eyes at his remark, even though I knew very well that he wasn't joking.

I walked down the stairs and Rafael followed slowly behind me.

"I promise, I just want to see my office, say hello and I'd come right back." I gave him in a kiss and opened the door.

I found a black box on the doorstep. I gasped immediately I opened it.

Inside the box was one of our wedding photos. It was my favorite.

But my face... was gone.

Burnt out, like someone had taken a lighter or acid to it. Rafael's side of the photo was untouched. He looked perfect.

A folded note lay beneath the frame.

"I'D BE BACK TO TAKE WHAT'S MINE."

My stomach twisted. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. My fingers trembled around the box. Rafael reached it before I could say anything, snatching it from my hands.

His eyes turned lethal the moment he saw the contents.

"What the f-" He cut himself off, pulled out his phone, and barked into it. "Get someone on the footage now. I want every second between midnight and now, every entrance, every shadow. I want a list of everyone who came near this damn house."

He hung up and wrapped his arms around me without asking.

"Amelia," he murmured. "It's okay. You're safe."

I didn't answer. The image of the ruined photo played in my head.

"I don't understand," I whispered. "Who would do this?"

Rafael didn't answer immediately. That pause was all I needed.

"You know something," I said, pulling away just enough to look at him.

"I don't," he said firmly. "Not exactly. But whoever it is they're going to regret breathing the second I find them."

I exhaled shakily, still not sure if it was fear or anger bubbling stronger in my chest.

"Go to the office," he said after a beat, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. "Keep your head up. I'll handle this."

I nodded and walked slowly into the car.

**********

My heels clicked against the marble floor as I stepped into the office, my office.

I was still going over some reports when the door swung open.

"What are you doing here Ethan?" I asked standing up, trying to keep my voice cool.

He shut the door behind him and took a step forward. "I just want to talk."

"We don't have anything to talk about."

"Yes, we do, Amelia." His voice was desperate. "I messed up, alright? I treated you like shit, and I shouldn't have. I was angry and stupid, but I never stopped loving you."

I stood still, letting the silence stretch.

He moved closer. "You don't belong here. This isn't you. He's not for you. Come home, Amelia. Please."

A bitter laugh slipped out before I could stop it. "Home? That was never home. That was a cage."

His face hardened. "So what, you just climb into Rafael's bed and call it freedom?"

I didn't flinch. "You don't get to come here and talk to me like that."

"Oh, I'm just saying what everyone else is thinking," he snapped, voice rising. "You left me and seduced my brother like some power-hungry slut-"

I pressed the intercom. "Security. Now!"

"Don't you dare!" he barked, his face reddening.

The doors opened almost instantly. Two large men stepped in.

"Get him out," I said, turning away from Ethan. "And make sure he never comes into this building again."

They grabbed him by the arms.

"This isn't over, Amelia!" he shouted as they dragged him out. "You'll regret choosing him over me!"

The door slammed shut.

I sat down slowly, and taking in a deep breath. My phone vibrated suddenly. It was Rafael.

"Amelia?"

"Your brother just showed up at my office. He made a scene."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine now. I had him escorted out."

A pause. Then his voice darkened. "I'll handle it. I'll send a guard to your office, he won't get near you again."

There was a beat of silence.

"And, Amelia... we found the person who dropped the box."

My heart skipped a beat. "Who?"

AMELIA

Rafael pulled away slowly, his hands dropping from my waist. He looked me in the eyes for a moment, searching for something. Trying to read me. Trying to figure out how much I had heard.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

I smiled like I didn't hear him tell another woman he loved her. Like I had not heard about the child.

"I just wanted to surprise you," I said softly. "I couldn't wait to tell you the good news."

My eyes shifted to the woman still standing in the room. She hadn't moved since I walked in. Her expression had gone from startled to annoyed, maybe even hostile.

"Are you not going to introduce her to me?" I asked, still smiling. "You two seem very... friendly."

Rafael cleared his throat and scratched his neck like he was obviously caught in a lie.

"Oh. Amelia, meet Camille... an old friend."

I scoffed before I could stop myself. It was small, but it slipped. Camille caught it.

"What was that?" she asked sharply, eyes narrowing at me.

"There was something in my throat," I said calmly, without even looking at her. Then I turned to her with a mild tilt of my head. "I thought you worked here?"

Camille smiled tightly. "No, I don't. But Rafael and I are partners... so, you could say that."

My throat burned. But I ignored the scorching feeling.

I turned to Rafael. "Can I wait for you at the park so we can go home together?"

He didn't hesitate. "I can't leave yet. I'll meet you at home."

I nodded and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. "Don't be late."

Then I turned and walked out of the office, closing the door behind me. But I didn't leave. I stood just to the side of the door and waited silently.

A few seconds later, Camille's voice floated out.

"You should divorce her."

I closed my eyes, trying to breathe through it. Please laugh. Please just say she's ridiculous.

Rafael laughed.

But not the way I hoped.

"I can't do that now," he said. "That would defeat the whole purpose of taking her from Ethan and getting married to her. I can't divorce her until I'm sure my father has written the will. As he promised to give half of his inheritance to the son that marries Amelia."

I felt something sharp pierce through my chest. The realization of his betrayal so layered it was hard to even process.

So that was it.

I had been a fool to think Rafael had really fallen in love with me. A fool to believe any of it, the soft mornings, the late-night talks, the way he used to hold me like I was the only person in his world, to believe his acts were real.

I sighed and walked away from the door, refusing to hear another word of his disgusting confession. He couldn't wait to be rid of me. I had been nothing but a pawn, the key to his inheritance, the leverage in some twisted game between him and Ethan.

Even when it was their family that ruined mine.

I tried to believe they had changed... I wanted to believe he had changed.

I got home, and for the first time in a long time, it no longer felt like home. Everywhere I looked, I saw traces of him. I remembered how Rafael used to make love to me in almost every part of the house, the couch, the stairs, even the kitchen counter. Was all of that just performance?

Was Camille always there? Watching from the corners while I played wife?

I let out a dry, bitter laugh and shook my head. "Rafael really needs a world's best actor award."

I took a long, hot shower. I tried to wash it off the ache, the sad truth and how it stung, but it clung to me like a second skin. Still, I told myself I had to carry on. I had to try.

Maybe Rafael was just being manipulated. Perhaps Camille was the poison, and he was just too weak to see it. Although I never considered Rafael to be easily manipulated. His actions are just an expression of his thoughts.

I went into the kitchen and started making one of his favorite dishes, grilled chicken and salad. After all, there was still a reason for celebration. I'd secured the biggest deal of my career. I wouldn't let him take that from me too.

**********

I sat at the dining table for hours.

I had tried calling Rafael over and over, but his line just kept ringing. He wasn't picking up.

Eventually, I gave up and served myself a portion. But I couldn't even finish half of it. My appetite had vanished. I stared down at the food and sighed. Such good food going to waste... it almost felt symbolic.

I packed it all carefully into containers and stored them in the refrigerator.

I went in, changed into my pajamas, and tried to sleep. I must have drifted off somehow, because the next thing I heard was a noise from downstairs waking me from my sleep.

I checked the time. A few minutes past one.

Rafael walked into the room and dropped onto the bed beside me without saying a word. He didn't touch me or try to explain why he was home so late. He just passed out.

I didn't have the energy for a conversation either. So I rolled over and went back to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up and Rafael was no longer beside me. I heard the sound of water splashing from the bathroom and stayed still, waiting for him to come out.

When he did, he acted like I wasn't even there. I watched him dry off and move around like I was invisible.

So I spoke first. "I waited for you last night."

He didn't bother to spare me a glance. "I had things to take care of."

He reached for his watch and put it on without looking up.

"You don't have to wait for me every night, Amelia. Just go to bed."

I swallowed and nodded. "I made your favorite last night. Would you like to have something for breakfast?"

"I'm not hungry."

I looked at him, really hard trying to figure out his actions. I didn't know when the words left my lips. I asked, my voice was almost inaudible. "How much longer are you going to keep pretending about this?"