Theo was sill perfectly gentle. 

Like those vicious words I just hard were just a figment of my imagination. 

I was about to talk about the divorce. 

Then it hit me–our marriage certificate was fake. I couldn’t even file for divorce. 

That’s when I heard a sweet and whiny voice through the phone. 

“Babe, my back hurts… Our little one’s kicking 

Theo freaked out for a second. 

again…” 

“Amelia, I’ve got some shit to handle here. I’ll be home later, okay?” 

He hung up before I could say a word. 

I sat in the living room forever. Finally heard the front door open. 

Dad and Theo walked in, still carrying traces of joy from.. 

big day. 

“Amelia, sweetie, I flew all the way to Switzerland to get this custom–made for you. All organic.” 

Theo knelt down and started rubbing my swollen ankles. 

“Why’d you skip your checkup? Mad we weren’t there? I’ll get the head doctor to make a house call tomorrow, how’s that sound?” 

They both froze and went quiet when I didn’t respond. 

Theo gave my dad a tiny headshake–like “don’t worry, she doesn’t know about the wedding.” 

I handed Theo a folder. “Sign it.” 

. My dad tried to lighten the mood. “My little girl only wants presents from hubby now? Dad’s heart hurt so much!” 

Theo didn’t even look at it. Just scribbled his signature. 

“What’s mine is yours, babe. No need to be so formal.” 

He smiled as he passed it back. 

Right then, both their phones buzzed. 

My dad squeezed my shoulder. “Got some urgent business stuff. We’ll be in the B–wing for a bit.” 

Theo kissed the top of my forehead. “Built that whole wing just for you. This way me and your dad can work and still keep an eye on you.” 

Then they both rushed out. 

The two boutonnières that fell from their pockets reminded me that tonight was their wedding night.. 

I looked down at the paper that read “Biological Father Voluntarily Relinquishes All Parental Rights” and laughed until I cried. 

With this, my baby had nothing to do with Theo Maddox. 

I could love hard, and I could let go even harder. 

I wiped away the last tear and called iny lawyer. 

“Nolan, I want to end the trust early. And cut off all support to Maddox Industries. Everything.” 

ted Moin a Coffin 

Nolan paused. 

gger the inheritance procesa, you’ll own 12% of Brooks Corporation with ten dayas 

“Your mother… she set up bulletproof asset protection when she died. Even if Brielle marries your father, she can’t touch a fine 

Thummed a soft reply and ended the call. 

The year Mom died. my dad Everett was on his knees and sobbed at her memorial 

He kept slapping himself, saying he fucked up when he was drunk. 

“I was drunk… I failed you both…” 

I locked myself in my room for days and wouldn’t eat anything. 

It was Theo brought me soup, gently coaxing me to take each bite. 

“Your mother in heaven would want you to be happy too.” 

That was the line that pulled me back from the edge. 

Made me give him my whole heart. 

And now I finally see what was really behind all that tenderness. 

My phone kept buzzing. 

Photo after photo. 

Young Theo and Emily kissing on a yacht, holding hands in the snow. 

Every single photo had “My beloved Emily” written on it. 

So all those honeymoon spots he took me to were just recreating their greatest hits. 

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