FORGOTTEN BRIDE

er '

Amelia Hawthorne,

er shown any signs of weakness, not once in his life. He had a way of making people do his bidding, especially me, his only son. The weig

ing up its prey. He wasn't looking at me, his son, but rather at a pawn in his grand scheme. His v

said, "and you'll do it for

s grip on my life, my decisions, had always been unyielding. The business had been his life's work, a

ghest levels of society, and more importantly, they had the business connections my father had long coveted. He had made it clear from the start that t

I ever did, and she'd always had a crush on me. That was the worst part of it-the way she had always looked at me with ado

n my father's eyes, and now, she was becoming that in mine as well. But despite my personal feeli

d to know the truth-how much I regretted the way things had ended between us. How much I still cared for her. But

assing moment. I couldn't stand it. I couldn't bear the thought of losing her forever, but what choi

a without at least seeing Cecilia one last ti

ery night, to go to Cecilia's ho

t wind of my intentions. His voice was low but firm, t

it. "You will marry Amelia. I've made arrangements, and it's

ess, his voice cutting through me like a knife. "You're a Blackwell, and this family doesn't get

building inside me. I wanted to lash out. To tell him where to shove his plans

he couldn't control was my heart. And my heart was still wit

er one last time, even if it meant defying everything

er said. I couldn't take i

idn't care if my father would disown me. I had already lost so much. My pride, my sen

watching my every move. I couldn't escape his watchful gaze. He had eyes

y chest as I neared the place where she had lived-where we had lived together, before everything fell apart. The m

at the house was dark. There w

ening. No answer. I knocked again, har

door creaked open, and standing there

y were all there, looking at

anger. "You're the one who broke our daughter's heart," he spat, glaring at

hing-but the words caught in my throat. The anger i

voice full of disgust. "You're the reason she's been lost in her own tho

from trying to speak. "Please, I never wanted to hurt her," I managed to

beyond understanding. Her father reached out and grab

led, his grip tightening. "You never did

ts pounding into me, each blow landing with a force I hadn't anticipated. My vision blurred as pain shot through m

the sense of betrayal-it all collid

he world around me seemed to fade a