CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER TWO
The Woman They Chose to Humiliate
Silence swept through the ballroom.
More than three hundred guests turned toward Amelia as Cassandra Whitmore smiled with practiced elegance.
"My friends," Cassandra said warmly, raising her champagne glass, "charity events always remind us that compassion matters. Unfortunately, compassion can sometimes be... misunderstood."
A few polite laughs echoed across the room.
Amelia felt every heartbeat inside her chest.
"This young woman," Cassandra continued, "has mistaken kindness for entitlement."
Dozens of curious eyes landed on Amelia.
Some recognized her immediately.
Others whispered.
"Isn't that Ethan's ex?"
"I heard she tried to trap him."
"I thought she disappeared."
Amelia's fingers tightened around her clutch.
"I'm not here for this," she said quietly.
Cassandra ignored her.
"Miss Rose once worked at one of our hospitals. We were happy to help her when she faced financial difficulties."
Amelia stared at her.
"That's a lie."
Cassandra tilted her head.
"Oh? Didn't my office offer you two million dollars?"
Gasps spread across the room.
Cassandra continued before Amelia could answer.
"She declined the money because apparently she preferred... something larger."
More whispers.
Several guests looked directly at Amelia's pregnant belly.
Someone actually laughed.
Amelia suddenly understood.
The invitation had never been about Ethan.
It had been about destroying her publicly.
She turned toward the exit.
Then Cassandra spoke again.
"Leaving already?"
The older woman's voice carried effortlessly.
"Shouldn't you tell everyone who the father of your child is?"
The room became perfectly still.
Amelia slowly turned around.
"My child deserves better than this."
"Then answer the question."
"My private life is none of your business."
Cassandra smiled.
"When a woman uses pregnancy to manipulate one of America's most eligible billionaires..."
"I never manipulated anyone."
"...it becomes everyone's business."
The crowd erupted into whispers.
Several phones appeared.
Someone had already begun recording.
Amelia felt tears burning behind her eyes.
Not now.
She would not cry here.
Not in front of Cassandra Whitmore.
Then the ballroom doors opened.
Every conversation stopped.
A tall man stepped inside wearing a charcoal tuxedo.
His shoulders were broader than Amelia remembered.
His face was leaner.
His expression colder.
May you like
But she would have recognized him anywhere.
Ethan Blackwood had finally come home.
