Of course—the heart leads the way. When it comes to love, everyone chooses their first love. It’s only natural.
Amelia’s gaze dropped to his left hand. Her voice was hoarse as she nodded toward the wedding band. “Why are you still wearing your ring?”
Daniel looked down, and the diamond caught the light, scattering brilliant reflections with the slightest movement of his fingers.
“I’m married,” he replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Of course I wear my ring.”
His tone was so matter-of-fact, it carried a hint of exasperation, as if she’d asked something utterly pointless.
Wearing a wedding ring made perfect sense—outwardly, it signaled to the world that he was taken; inwardly, it was a reminder to himself to stay faithful, to honor his vows.
But Amelia couldn’t understand what was going through his mind, how he could keep wearing that band. That ring was supposed to symbolize loyalty, yet those same hands had shattered their marriage. The irony was almost laughable.
“Take it off,” she said quietly. “There’s really no need to wear it anymore.”
Daniel’s fingers curled reflexively. He changed the subject so abruptly it was almost clumsy. “I’ve asked the housekeeper to prepare something light for lunch. Once you’ve gotten up and washed, you can eat.”
He stood and headed for the door. Before he reached it, Amelia spoke up. “If you could do it all over again, would you still make the same choice?”
His back was to her, the heavy blackout curtains blocking any trace of daylight. Only a dim lamp cast its pale glow over the side of his body, outlining him in shadow and ambiguity.
For a moment, the air seemed to freeze. His shoulders slumped just a little, like a man suddenly exhausted. When he finally spoke, his voice sounded tired. “There’s no ‘if.’ Amelia, this is what’s best. Cedric is the most capable man I have—honestly, he’s even better than me. That’s just the truth. He got you out safely, didn’t he?”
That was Daniel in a nutshell.
He wanted everything, played every side. He’d straddle both worlds, then tell you it was for the best.
This wasn’t just another painful conversation or another moment of favoritism. It was life or death.
Whatever dreams she’d harbored were shattered now—broken beyond repair.
She looked at his tall figure, silhouetted against the door, and a sudden curiosity flickered through her. When a man like Daniel was pulled in two directions, if she left for good, would he even miss her?
Maybe he hadn’t loved her deeply, but when someone real just vanished—gone in a blink, like a bubble popping—surely there’d be a pang of regret. Wouldn’t there?
“Daniel.” Amelia called his name, her voice lighter than before. “Can I ask you something?”
She smoothed the creases from the blanket, as if she could do the same for her heart. “If I disappeared one day, would you be sad?”
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