Chapter 2

• Amelia didn't even glance at the check, a flash of mockery in her eyes.
• "Think it's too little? This is your income for ten years. Take the money and stay out of our lives. Maynard and I are a perfect match. After all, you're just the daughter of a small businessman. You don't belong in our world."
• Amelia felt another stab of pain. She hurried upstairs to the master bedroom, planning to leave whether Misty was there or not.
• With the breakup, she had no reason to stay.
• As she packed, she realized how little she had—her things barely filled a suitcase.
• The past three years felt like a dream.
• She saw the DNA test result on the bedside table and thought to herself, It's time to end this.
• Just then, Misty walked in uninvited, holding the breakup agreement. "Are you packed?" she asked.
• Seeing the paper on the nightstand, she looked puzzled.
• Amelia quickly grabbed the DNA test and crumpled it. She didn't want Misty to know her secret.
• Misty still thought she was part of the Milton family and already looked down on her.
• If she knew Amelia's real parents were nowhere to be found, who knows what cruel things she'd say.
• But Misty noticed Amelia's move and asked, surprised, "Are you pregnant?"
• Amelia clutched the DNA test tightly. "If I were pregnant, we wouldn't be breaking up."
• "True. A gold-digger like you would never let go of an opportunity. But even if you were pregnant, Maynard wouldn't want the kid," Misty said.
• Amelia turned and walked into the closet, but Misty followed. "Wait, let me see that paper you took from the table," she demanded.
• She couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to see it. If Amelia was pregnant, it had to be dealt with.
• Amelia held the crumpled DNA test close. "It's my privacy."
• "What privacy? I think you're trying to steal valuables. Give it to me!"
• Misty reached for it and tried to slap her. Amelia reacted instinctively and threw her over her shoulder. Misty landed on the floor, wailing, "My foot! It hurts so much!"
• "Amelia, what are you doing?"
• Maynard's cold voice cut through the room. Amelia turned to see him walk in, her heart sinking. "Maynard, it's not what it looks like..."
• But he walked past her, picked up Misty, and saw the breakup agreement on the floor—Amelia's signature on the last page.
• He paused, surprised she'd signed so quickly.
• "Maynard?" he heard Misty say.
• He snapped back to reality and asked, "Are you okay?"
• "My hand hurts so much. Is it broken? Will I ever play the piano again?" Misty whined.
• Maynard laid her on the bed. "No, it's not broken. I'll get a doctor to check it out."
• He turned to Amelia. "Apologize to Misty."
• Misty was the eldest daughter of the Erikson family, with three overprotective brothers. If the Eriksons found out she'd been hit, Amelia would be in deep trouble.
• Hearing Maynard call Misty's name made Amelia's heart ache again.
• She'd always been a stand-in for Misty.
• Her heart felt numb with pain. She croaked, "Apologize?"
• "You were the one who struck first. Even a kid knows that. Besides, do you have any idea how important those hands are to a pianist?"
• Misty mattered more than anything. Amelia was less than a weed on the roadside.
• She'd endured it for three years, but she couldn't take it anymore.
• Stubbornly, she said, "Whether you believe it or not, she was the one who started it!"
• Adrian, the butler, chimed in at the door, "Mr. Simmons, I saw Amelia push Miss Erikson with my own eyes."
• Maynard's brow furrowed. "Apologize!" he barked.
• "What if I don't?" Amelia challenged.
• Surprise flickered in his eyes. "You've got some nerve. Think about what happened to your uncle in the hospital's VIP ward!" he threatened.
• Amelia held back her tears. She couldn't believe he'd used her uncle to scare her.
• She finally bowed to reality and croaked, "I'm sorry."
• Misty was overjoyed inside but put on a show. "For Maynard's sake, I'll forgive you."
• Amelia straightened her back and looked at Maynard. "Can I go now?"
• He glanced at the breakup agreement, his brow furrowing slightly. He hadn't expected her to sign so easily.
• "Do you have a place to stay?" he asked.
• "No," she replied instinctively, surprised he seemed to care.
• [$]
• He quickly averted his gaze. "Bring some ice for Misty. Her foot is twisted because of you. Do you really think you can just walk away?"
• Of course, it was all for Misty.
• Amelia's steps were stiff as she left the room. The other woman had barged in and taken over the bed, and yet Amelia had to bring her ice.
• She felt like a complete failure.
• She took a shaky breath and brought the ice upstairs.
• Pushing the door open, she didn't see Maynard. Where was he?
• Misty was leaning against the headboard, her lips curled. "Just leave the ice and go. Do you really think I need you to serve me? Or do you want to watch Maynard and me get cosy? It has been three years, after all."
• Misty's words hinted at something.
• That's when Amelia heard the sound of water from the bathroom—Maynard was taking a shower!
• The blood drained from her face.
• They had just broken up, and he was already in bed with another woman.