Chapter 13: Facing the Past 

Their engagement made headlines. “Tech Tycoon Ethan Carter to Marry Childhood Sweetheart Amelia Miller,” one headline screamed. Paparazzi photos of their dates, their laughter, their easy intimacy were plastered all over the internet. 

Just as Amelia was getting used to her newfound happiness, a message popped up on her Whe 

hone. 

“Don’t you think you’re being childish?” it read. 

Amelia rolled her eyes and blocked the number without replying. 

She was about to call Ethan when his assistant’s number flashed on her screen. “Amelia? It’s 

Ethan. He’s been in an accident.” 

Amelia’s blood ran cold. “Where is he?” 

“He’s at Mercy Hospital.” 

Amelia grabbed her keys and raced to the hospital. As she was getting out of her car, she felt someone grab her arm. It was Mark, his face contorted in a mixture of anger and jealousy. 

“Is this why you’ve been avoiding me?” he snarled. “To be with him?” 

Amelia kicked him in the shin, her patience snapping. “Get a grip, Mark. It’s none of your 

business.” 

“You’re just trying to make me jealous, aren’t you?” he said, his voice pleading. 

“Mark, get over yourself. I’m engaged to Ethan! The last thing I want to do is rehash the past with you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have somewhere to be.” 

She 

tried to push past him, but he grabbed her arm, his grip bruising. “Amelia, I’m sorry, okay? I was an idiot. Just come back to me. I promise, I’ll change. I’ll be a better boyfriend. Just give me another chance.” 

Amelia stared at him incredulously. Was he for real? 

O 

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13 

ור 

KIKA 

“Don’t you dare talk about Vivian like that! She’s your sister! You should be ashamed of yourself for even thinking about being with someone else when she needs you.” 

Amelia was speechless. How could he be so clueless? 

She finally snapped, her anger boiling over. “You’re delusional! You think you can treat me like garbage for three years, then waltz back into my life as if nothing happened? Get over yourself! I’m done with you!” 

he shoved him away and ran towards the hospital entrance, ignoring his pleas. 

Amelia found Ethan in a private room, hooked up to an IV drip. The doctor assured her that he was going to be fine. He’d suffered a mild concussion and just needed some rest. 

Before she could process this, the door flew open, revealing a furious Mark. 

“So this is where you are! You lied to me!” he roared. 

Amelia rushed over and slammed the door shut in his face. She didn’t care if her actions 

seemed childish; she wasn’t going to let him upset Ethan. 

“What do you want, Mark? Haven’t you done enough?” 

“Amelia, I…” He took a step closer, his eyes filled with a mixture of regret and desperation. “I miss you. I think about you all the time. Life’s been… different without you. No one makes sure I eat breakfast, no one packs my gym bag… I just… I need you.” 

Amelia stared at him, a mixture of pity and disgust washing over her. 

“Just leave, Mark. You made your choice, now live with it.” 

She opened the door, ready to tell him to leave, but he grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her skin. ‘ 

“Amelia, please! Don’t do this! I’ll do anything to get you back. Please!” 

Amelia had had enough. She pulled out the small pocketknife she always carried and jabbed it into his arm. He yelped in pain and let 

go 

of her. 

“We’re over! If you ever come near me or Ethan again, I will call the police. Don’t test me. 

13 

KIKA 

13:10 Fri, 13 Dec ME 

Mark stared at her, his face pale. To her surprise, he began to cry. “What do I have to do to 

make you forgive me? I messed up, okay? I know that now. Please, Amelia, just tell me what 

to do.” 

“Leave,” she whispered, her voice devoid of emotion. “Just… go.” 

She turned to leave, but he grabbed her from behind. Before he could pull her back, Ethan was suddenly there, shoving Mark away from her. 

Get away from her,” he growled, his voice dangerously low. 

He pulled Amelia behind him, shielding her with his body. He then pulled out his phone 

and called the police. 

That was the last time Amelia ever saw Mark. She heard through the grapevine that he had spiraled after their breakup, his life falling apart without Amelia there to pick up the pieces. Vivian, after serving a short prison sentence for her role in Ethan’s accident, tried to weasel 

her way back into Mark’s life. However, Mark, finally seeing her for who she truly was, 

wanted nothing to do with her. He had lost everything: his company, his family, and the 

woman he finally realized he truly loved.