Amelia stood in front of Lucas's study, her hand hesitating on the polished wooden door. She had been summoned, but no explanation had been given. Ever since Victoria's unexpected arrival, the tension in the mansion had only grown thicker. Amelia felt like she was walking on eggshells, constantly watched, and always one wrong move away from disaster.
Finally, she took a deep breath and knocked.
"Come in," Lucas's voice called from inside, firm and commanding.
Amelia pushed the door open and stepped inside. The study was dimly lit, the soft glow of a desk lamp casting long shadows across the room. Lucas sat behind an expansive mahogany desk, his jacket discarded and his sleeves rolled up. Papers were spread out in front of him, but he looked up the moment she entered.
"You wanted to see me?" Amelia asked, keeping her voice steady despite the nervous flutter in her chest.
"Yes," Lucas said, gesturing to the chair across from him. "Sit down."
She obeyed, feeling the weight of his gaze on her as she settled into the chair. For a moment, he said nothing, his sharp blue eyes studying her as though he was trying to unravel a mystery.
"Victoria spoke to you today," Lucas finally said, breaking the silence.
Amelia's stomach tightened. "Yes, she did."
"And?" Lucas pressed, his tone unreadable.
Amelia hesitated. How much should she tell him? Victoria's words had been laced with subtle threats and pointed questions, but was it wise to share everything with Lucas?
"She was…curious," Amelia said carefully. "She asked about our arrangement."
Lucas's jaw tightened, and a flicker of frustration crossed his face. "And what did you tell her?"
"I didn't tell her anything," Amelia said quickly. "I thought it was better to keep things vague."
Lucas leaned back in his chair, his expression softening slightly. "Good. Victoria thrives on weakness, Amelia. She'll look for any crack, any sign of hesitation, and use it against you. You need to be stronger than that."
His words stung, but Amelia bit her tongue. "Why is she here, Lucas?" she asked after a moment. "What does she want from you?"
Lucas's gaze darkened, and for a moment, Amelia thought he might not answer. But then he sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Victoria and I have history," he admitted. "We were engaged once, years ago. It was a business arrangement nothing more. But when the engagement ended, she didn't take it well. She still sees me as hers, and she doesn't like to lose."
Amelia's heart sank. Victoria wasn't just an ex-fiancée she was someone who clearly still had a hold over Lucas, whether he admitted it or not.
"And now?" Amelia asked softly. "What does she want now?"
Lucas's lips pressed into a thin line. "Control. Power. She knows about our arrangement, and she'll do whatever it takes to undermine it. That's why I need you to be careful."
Amelia nodded, her mind racing. This wasn't just about her anymore. Victoria's presence was a direct threat to the fragile pact she had made with Lucas.
"I understand," she said finally. "I'll be careful."
Lucas studied her for a moment longer, then nodded. "Good. That's all for now."
Amelia rose to her feet, but before she could leave, Lucas's voice stopped her.
"Amelia."
She turned back to face him. His expression had softened, and for the first time since she entered the room, there was a hint of vulnerability in his eyes.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "For staying."
Amelia's chest tightened at his words. She gave him a small nod, then left the study, closing the door behind her.
As she walked back to her room, Amelia couldn't shake the weight of the conversation. Lucas had revealed more about himself in that brief exchange than he had in all the time they'd known each other. But his honesty only left her with more questions. What exactly had happened between him and Victoria? And why did she feel like she was being drawn into something far more complicated than a simple marriage pact?
Back in her room, Amelia sat on the edge of the bed, her thoughts swirling. She had entered this arrangement thinking it would be cold, detached, and transactional. But the more time she spent with Lucas, the more she realized there were layers to him layers he kept hidden behind closed doors.
And then there was Victoria. Amelia didn't trust her, not for a second. The way Victoria had spoken to her earlier, the veiled threats and pointed remarks it was clear she saw Amelia as a threat. But why? Surely someone like Victoria wouldn't feel threatened by a nobody like her.
Amelia's thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at her door. She frowned, rising to answer it. When she opened the door, a maid stood there, holding a small envelope.
"This was left for you, ma'am," the maid said, handing it over.
"Thank you," Amelia said, taking the envelope. She waited until the maid was gone before closing the door and opening it.
Inside was a single sheet of paper with a simple message written in elegant script:
Be careful who you trust. Not everything is as it seems.
Amelia's blood ran cold. There was no name, no indication of who had sent it, but the warning was clear. Someone in this house was watching her someone who knew more than they were letting on.
She folded the note and tucked it away, her mind racing. This wasn't just a game of appearances anymore. There were secrets in this mansion, secrets that could destroy everything if she wasn't careful.
As Amelia lay down that night, she resolved to uncover the truth, no matter how dangerous it might be. If she was going to survive in Lucas's world, she needed to be prepared for whatever came next. And she couldn't afford to trust anyone not even the man she had married.
Amelia sat up in bed, staring at the note she had hidden under her pillow. The words kept echoing in her mind: Be careful who you trust. Not everything is as it seems. Who could have written it? Was it a warning, a threat, or something else entirely? Every moment in the mansion felt like a puzzle she couldn't solve, and the stakes seemed to grow higher with each passing day.
Her thoughts drifted to Lucas. Despite their tense arrangement, there had been moments when he let his guard down, showing glimpses of a man who wasn't as cold as he pretended to be. But could she trust him? He clearly had secrets, and his connection to Victoria seemed more complicated than he admitted.
Victoria was another mystery altogether. Amelia replayed their earlier interactions in her mind, searching for clues. The older woman's confidence and sharp words had left an impression, but there was also an undeniable edge to her like she was playing a game only she understood. Amelia wondered if Victoria was the one who left the note. If she wanted to intimidate her, this would be a clever way to do it.
The mansion itself added to the weight of Amelia's worries. It was vast and grand, yet suffocating at the same time. Every corner seemed to hold a secret, every shadow whispering something she wasn't meant to hear. Even the staff, who were polite and professional, often exchanged glances that made her uneasy. Did they know something she didn't?
Amelia took a deep breath and made a silent promise to herself. She wouldn't be a passive player in this game anymore. If there were secrets behind these walls, she would uncover them. And if anyone thought they could manipulate or intimidate her, they were about to find out she wasn't as fragile as she appeared.