Chapter 4

Left behind in the hospital room, Landon was seething with frustration. But he couldn’t do anything but simmer in his rage. "Amelia, just you wait."

Meanwhile, Amelia smiled to herself, her eyes sparkling with mischief, thinking smugly, "La, la, la… I can’t hear you."

The next thought from Landon’s mind, however, took a different tone. "I’m in danger here," he admitted, softening his mental voice, almost pleading.

Amelia stopped short, startled. "Danger? Who would dare harm him?"

Then his next warning struck her like a lightning bolt. "If I die, do you think Zachary will let you go?"

A shiver ran down Amelia’s spine as she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest. She knew Zachary and Sandra had planned this for a really long time and wouldn’t let her go until they got their hands on the inheritance left to her by her late mother.

The thought made her stomach churn, and she quickly grabbed Gloria’s hand. "Gloria, he’s been in treatment for so long without waking up. Maybe it’s time to try something different. Why don’t we take him home? A change of environment and some love might just do the trick."

Gloria sighed heavily, a flicker of hope sparking in her eyes. "The doctors did mention this as a possible approach. I’ve been coming here every day to talk to Landon, but nothing’s worked. Maybe… maybe you could be the turning point."

Her gaze was so pointed, so filled with expectation, that Amelia felt her nerves tighten like a bowstring.

“Aaron, go make the arrangements,” Gloria instructed firmly.

“Yes, ma’am,” Aaron replied with a crisp nod.

The news of Landon’s discharge quickly brought the head physician to their side, who carefully explained the post-care procedures.

When the doctor learned that Amelia was now Landon’s wife, he took her aside, his tone serious as he gave her an extensive list of instructions. “Ma’am, it’s crucial that Mr. Kingsley takes his medication on time. Make sure to massage him regularly to prevent muscle atrophy, and talk to him often—emotional engagement can sometimes work miracles.”

Amelia nearly rolled her eyes but kept her expression polite. "Good grief. Am I a wife or a full-time caregiver?"

“Amy,” Gloria said tearfully, her eyes glistening with emotion as she wiped away her tears, “Landon’s recovery depends on you.”

For a moment, Amelia was at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, Landon’s tense nerves finally began to relax. In his mind, he sighed with relief, “Finally, I’m getting out of this place and going home."

But outside the hospital room, Amelia’s troubles were just beginning. No sooner had she stepped out than Zachary appeared, blocking her path with a face full of feigned anguish, just as she expected.

"Amelia, there you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Where have you been? I was going out of my mind with worry," Zachary said, his face a mask of concern and affection.

If this had been her last life, Amelia might have fallen for his act. But now, his performance only felt hollow and grotesque to her.

“Amelia,” Zachary said earnestly, stepping closer and attempting to take her hand, “the surgery has already been delayed for an hour. Come with me, quickly.”

Before he could reach her, however, the Kingsley family’s bodyguards moved to block his path, their presence an unspoken warning.

"Amelia?" Zachary’s expression tightened as unease flickered across his face. She couldn’t have found out the truth already, could she? And if she’s really under Gloria’s protection, then I’m in serious trouble. The Kingsleys aren’t people I can afford to cross.

Forcing himself to remain calm, he continued his performance, “Amelia, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are worried sick about you after knowing you went missing. They’re already on their way to the hospital. Come back with me now and stop making everyone worry.”

Amelia’s heart burned with fury at the mention of her greedy father and scheming stepmother, who feigned affection but were plotting her downfall.

Of course, they were panicking now—panicking that she might slip through their grasp, panicking that their lies would be exposed, and panicking most of all about losing her mother Debra’s vast inheritance.

"Are you Mr. Foster?" Gloria’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Amelia is now my daughter-in-law, a part of the Kingsley family. Please stop harassing her."

Zachary’s jaw dropped. "What?"

Amelia took a deep breath, straightened her back, and declared firmly, "I’m now Landon’s wife." Her expression was determined, her voice unwavering, and her bright eyes shone with defiance.

In this life, she had been given a second chance. There would be no looking back. She was determined to live her life on her terms, expose these wolves in sheep’s clothing, and reclaim everything that belonged to her mother.

Gloria, sensing the tension, hate, and resolve in Amelia’s stance, gave her a reassuring smile before turning back to Zachary. "Mr. Foster, step aside, please."

“No, Amelia is my fiancée…” Zachary practically yelped, pinching his thigh hard to convince himself this wasn’t some bizarre dream.

Inside, however, his thoughts were much darker. So she knows the truth about that so-called cancer now and went to the Kingsleys for protection? Fine. But there’s no way I’m letting her, or her inheritance, escape my grasp.

Taking a softer tone, Zachary tried again. "Amelia, I know you’re scared of the pain, and you don’t want the surgery. That’s fine. We can wait. Let’s go home and talk it over first…"

His thoughts, however, betrayed his cruel intentions. Once I get her back, I’ll drag her straight to the operating table. Let her learn the truth if she wants—she won’t be able to escape.

And after the surgery? Who’d want a broken woman but me? She’ll come begging for me to take her, inheritance and all!

“Zachary, stop pretending. I know I’m not sick, and there’s no way I’m leaving with you today,” Amelia said firmly, her gaze cold and dismissive as she looked at him.

Watching him perform this pitiful charade felt like observing a bad carnival act. She had made up her mind—this man, who hid his venomous heart beneath a polished exterior, would no longer fool her.

Zachary’s expression shifted for a moment, and he quickly masked it with faux confusion. “Amelia, what are you talking about? Fine, you’re not sick. Let’s just go home, okay?”

“No.” Amelia’s voice trembled with suppressed emotion, but her resolve was unshaken. She clenched her teeth, fighting the wave of bitterness that rose in her chest.

Returning to the Edwards family would be like stepping back into a den of vipers. Every member of that household was poised to strip her of everything, leaving nothing but her bones. There was no way she was going back there.

“Amelia, stop being so stubborn, will you?” Zachary adjusted his glasses, the picture of exasperation. “Let’s not air our dirty laundry here in front of Mrs. Kingsley. Whatever it is, we can talk it over at home.”

“I’m a Kingsley now,” Amelia retorted, lifting her chin as she stole a glance at Gloria.

Gloria responded with an encouraging smile, subtle but warm.

Emboldened by the gesture, Amelia squared her shoulders and declared, “I’m married to Landon now.”

Zachary’s laugh was sharp and incredulous, but it died abruptly as he caught himself mid-sentence. “That’s impossible. Landon’s practically a living corpse—” He stopped cold, realizing his slip.

A chill spread across the air as several icy, sharp gazes turned toward him. Zachary’s back stiffened, and a bead of cold sweat ran down his temple. Damn it. That was a mistake.

“Mr. Foster, Amy is now part of my family,” Gloria’s voice was calm, yet her words carried weight.

Zachary’s mind raced, cursing Amelia under his breath. “This conniving little wretch actually managed to secure the Kingsley family’s protection?”

He was cornered but dared not show it. Trying to keep his composure, he turned to Gloria. “Mrs. Kingsley, there must be some misunderstanding. Amelia is practically my wife.”

Gloria’s lips curved into a poised smile as she asked lightly, “Oh? Were the two of you engaged?”

Zachary hesitated, then shook his head. “No.”

In Norava, engagement ceremonies were a big deal, but Sandra had insisted she didn’t want to see him getting engaged with another woman, so the families had forgone the formalities and simply acknowledged the engagement.

“Are you married, then?” Gloria pressed on.

“Not… yet,” he admitted, his voice faltering.

“Then what exactly gives you the right to call Amy your wife?” Gloria asked with a serene yet cutting laugh.

Amelia caught the playful glint in Gloria’s eyes and couldn’t help but feel a rush of admiration and excitement.

She hadn’t expected her future mother-in-law to be not only kind but also quite the player when it came to these little mind games.

A sense of hope bloomed within her. She thought that perhaps this unexpected marriage that had fallen into her lap might be the key to restarting her life—an unforeseen twist that could offer a fresh start.

“Mrs. Kingsley, this is common knowledge in Norava…” Zachary began, his tone tinged with frustration, though he dared not confront Gloria directly.

“Is that so? Funny. I seem to have missed the memo,” Gloria said with a sly smile. "Mr. Foster, might I suggest you check with city hall for the official records?"

Panic flickered across Zachary’s face. He hastily pulled out his phone, barking orders to confirm Amelia’s marital status. Moments later, the reply came. Amelia and Landon had registered their marriage just minutes ago.

To him, this was utterly inconceivable. Amelia had been right under his nose, never leaving the hospital, yet somehow she managed to marry another man.

And Landon—who was in a vegetative state—couldn’t have possibly gone to the city hall to tie the knot. Zachary couldn’t fathom how they had legally become husband and wife.

“Do you still have doubts, Mr. Foster?” Gloria asked, her voice sweet but laced with steel.

Zachary’s gaze snapped back to Amelia. The veneer of false affection he had worn for so long finally cracked, revealing the cold calculation beneath. “Amelia, so this is how you repay me? By leaving me to climb the social ladder?”

“Repay you?” Amelia let out a cold laugh, her eyes flashing with disdain. “You might want to check on Sandra. The child she’s carrying could use some attention from its father.”

Zachary’s face drained of color. Sandra’s pregnancy was a closely guarded secret, and he had no idea how Amelia had uncovered it.

“Amy, let’s go home,” Gloria said gently, placing a hand on Amelia’s shoulder.

“Let’s go.” Amelia nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude.

With the Kingsley family’s bodyguards clearing the path, Amelia walked out of the hospital, leaving the shadows of her past behind.

Outside, the bright sun bathed her face in warmth. She tilted her head back, letting the light kiss her skin as she stared at the azure sky dotted with clouds. Taking a deep breath, she whispered to herself, "Zachary, Sandra, just you wait. This is far from over."