She Loved the Billionaire Since Childhood — Until Forced to Serve at His Wedding!
Chapter 2
The bridal suite was enormous.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked Manhattan.
Designer gowns hung beside the mirrors.
Boxes of jewelry covered the tables.
Florists moved silently through the room.
Amelia entered carrying champagne.
Victoria sat before a mirror while two stylists adjusted her hair.
She looked beautiful.
Amelia hated herself for noticing.
“Put that there,” Victoria said without looking at her.
Amelia placed the tray down.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Victoria finally looked at her reflection.
Then she glanced toward Amelia.
“You were talking to Ethan earlier.”
Amelia said nothing.
“You know him?”
“We grew up together.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed.
“How close?”
Amelia hesitated.
“Neighbors.”
Victoria smiled.
“That’s all?”
“Yes.”
A stylist entered.
“Five minutes.”
Victoria stood.
She admired herself in the mirror.
“Do you know what Ethan told me last night?”
Amelia kept her eyes lowered.
“What?”
“He said this is the first time in his life he’s certain about anything.”
Amelia’s heart sank.
She forced herself to smile.
“Congratulations.”
Victoria studied her.
“You sound sincere.”
“I am.”
“Good.”
Victoria stepped closer.
Then she whispered:
“I don’t like women who pretend they’re harmless.”
Amelia looked at her.
“I’m not pretending anything.”
Victoria smiled.
“Let’s hope not.”
She walked away.
Amelia remained silent.
She wanted to leave.
But she needed the money.
Her mother had undergone surgery six months earlier, and the medical bills had consumed nearly everything Amelia had saved.
This wedding job paid enough to cover another month’s expenses.
So she stayed.
As the ceremony approached, Ethan passed through the suite.
His eyes immediately found Amelia.
“Can I talk to you?”
Victoria frowned.
“Now?”
“Two minutes.”
She reluctantly stepped aside.
Ethan walked Amelia into the hallway.
“What happened to you?”
“What do you mean?”
“I haven’t seen you in years.”
“Neither have I.”
“I looked for you.”
Amelia stared at him.
“Did you?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Your family moved.”
“My family couldn’t afford to stay.”
Ethan’s face changed.
“I didn’t know.”
“You never asked.”
He looked hurt.
“Amelia…”
She shook her head.
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“I know.”
“Then go get married.”
He stared at her.
“I want to know why you’re here.”
She smiled sadly.
“Because I needed a job.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
He didn’t believe her.
But before he could speak, Victoria appeared.
“Ethan.”
He turned.
“The guests are waiting.”
He nodded.
Then he looked at Amelia.
“I’ll find you later.”
She shook her head.
“Don’t.”
He stopped.
“Why?”
“Because you’re getting married.”
Her voice trembled.
“And I’m just the woman carrying your champagne.”
Ethan’s expression tightened.
“You’re not just anything.”
Then he walked away.
Amelia stood alone.
She pressed her fingers against her chest.
For years, she had imagined Ethan looking at her like that.
Now that he finally did, it was too late.
Or at least, that’s what she thought.
