Chapter 9
Louie looked surprised, but honestly? This was exactly what he’d been hoping for.]
He’d called Amelia partly for this reason. As the third Cavendish son, he didn’t have the juice to go toe–to–toe with Nathan fucking Harrison, CEO of the biggest company in the city. Avoiding a pissing contest was definitely the smart play.[]
Still, Amelia caving this easily? That caught him off guard. He’d been ready to drag her into his office afterward and talk her into it.[]
Louie studied her face, trying to figure out what the hell was going on in her head, but those oversized sunglasses were like a wall.[]
“Let’s just get the paperwork done,” Amelia said flatly.[]
She didn’t bother explaining herself to Nathan and Vivian, just stared down at the conference table’s polished wood. Beautiful grain, probably cost more than most people’s cars, but she felt absolutely nothing.
“All my stuff goes through Cavendish Entertainment. Standard deal.” She glanced at Louie, who immediately got it and signaled his contracts team.[]
Vivian was watching Amelia with this look like she’d just stepped in dog shit. “What an… unexpected change of heart,” she said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.
Amelia just smiled and walked out. In the hallway, she grabbed coffee from the machine while Louie hurried after her.[]
“Okay, what the fuck was that about?” He’d dropped the professional act now that they were alone.[]
She turned around. “You heard what she said, right? About ‘Voice of Heaven‘?“]]
Louie nodded slowly. “Yeah, something about being a guest judge. Not competing–more like the inspirational cancer patient who gives touching commentary.”
Amelia’s smile turned wicked. She set down her coffee cup. “Doesn’t that sound like it could be… entertaining?”
Louie still looked confused.]
“Nathan and I filed for divorce yesterday. Thirty–day cooling–off period.” Amelia’s voice was conversational, like she was discussing the weather. “Want to know why he’s divorcing me? So he can marry her.“]
“She just said she wants my song as her signature piece, right? Sooner or later, everyone’s going to find out who really wrote it.” Her smile widened. “I can’t wait to see their faces when that bomb drops.“[]
Understanding hit Louie like a truck, and Amelia actually laughed. “I’m going to have a front–row seat to that shitshow.”
“So this is payback?”
Amelia picked up her coffee, savoring the bitter taste. “Nah.“[]
“I was planning to disappear, cut all ties, focus on my own life.” She looked out the window at the trees moving in the wind.[]
“But they came to me. They pushed this.“[]
“So why not sit back and watch it all burn?“]
Louie listened to her calm, almost cheerful tone with a complicated expression. The Visconti name used to mean something in this city. He and Amelia had grown up in the same circles–shit, half the guys at prep school had been obsessed with her.[]
But money talks, and when her family lost theirs, people forgot fast. That’s just how their world worked. If things had been different back then…]
Louie looked away before Amelia could catch his expression. After a beat, he said, “You’re better off without him anyway.“[]
Amelia’s smile softened. “Thanks, Louie.“[]
8.0%
Chapter 9
“Just good business,” he shrugged.[]
Which was true. The three Cavendish brothers were in an ongoing competition for dad’s empire. Whoever delivered the best results would eventually run everything.
They chatted for a few more minutes, Louie promising to keep the divorce news quiet, then he headed back to deal with contracts. They still had ‘Voice of Heaven‘ details to hammer out later.
Amelia stood alone in the hallway, coffee in hand, watching the city through floor–to–ceiling windows. She wasn’t sure how long she’d been standing there when she heard familiar footsteps.
She knew it was Nathan before his shadow fell across the floor. Quickly pulling up her mask, she turned away from him.[]
“Why’d you do that?” Nathan’s voice came from behind her.[]
That controlled, CEO tone he used when he was trying to intimidate someone. The hallway carried his scent–that expensive Tom Ford cologne mixed with cigarettes. She’d know that combination in her sleep.[]
“Your writing shows real talent. You’re obviously educated, sophisticated. Why make life harder for someone who’s dying?“[]
The words hit her like a physical blow. Amelia slowly turned to face him, looking up at those familiar dark eyes.[]
“Do I?” she asked quietly. “Have talent?“||
Nathan looked confused by the question.[]
“Yeah. Obviously.“]
It was stated like a fact. But Amelia started laughing.
Talent?
Her mind flashed back to their wedding night. He’d lit a cigarette right there in their bedroom–their bedroom–and laid out his expectations.]
ow.”
“Grandpa’s getting worse. I need to focus on family stuff now.‘”
He’d said: “That music thing you do–put it on the back burner for a while. I need you taking care of my grandparents.“[]
The smoke had drifted upward, casual and dismissive, just like his attitude toward her entire career. She’d tried to argue that she could do both–care for his family and keep working.
He’d actually frowned at her. “Amelia, the Harrison family doesn’t need you doing that kind of… public work.“]
In the end, she’d given in. Told herself Grandpa Harrison really did need care, that it was the right thing to do.[]
But she’d known what he really meant. It wasn’t about public work–it was about him never giving a shit about her career in the first place.
He’d never bothered explaining, never asked what she wanted. Even though they were married. Even though they’d shared a bed, shared everything two people could share.
Nathan stared at the woman in front of him. Something about her felt familiar, like déjà vu.
But looking at her short, modern haircut, her expensive outfit, those killer heels–he couldn’t place where he might have seen her.
Suddenly he felt irritated. For some reason, this stranger reminded him of Amelia.[]
