When Contracts Turn to Forbidden Kisses Chapter 74

Amelia

The notification sound from my phone broke the morning silence in the apartment. I put down my medical journal and reached for the device, curious who'd be texting me this early.

[Thompson Enterprise external floating shares and Robert Thompson's 20% stake acquisition completed. Please check the attached files for details.]

My heart skipped a beat. I immediately grabbed my laptop from the coffee table and opened my email, clicking on the detailed report with trembling fingers. Olivia emerged from the kitchen, carrying two steaming mugs of decaffeinated coffee.

"What's got you looking so serious?" She placed one mug beside me and settled on the couch, peering at my screen with curiosity.

"The acquisition went through." I turned the laptop toward her. "I invested a million dollars to buy these Thompson Enterprise shares, but something is strange."

I clicked open my financial platform account and stared at the balance in disbelief. "They've refunded $500,000. The actual acquisition only cost $500,000."

Olivia's eyes widened. "What the hell does that mean?"

"Either Thompson Enterprise's stock is severely undervalued, or..." I paused, a suspicion forming in my mind, "someone's helping me behind the scenes."

I closed the laptop and gazed out at the Hudson River, its surface glimmering in the morning light. "I've already contacted a professional management team from Wall Street to reorganize Thompson Enterprise's business operations. I need to make sure my mother's legacy is properly managed. I can't let it depreciate in my hands."

Olivia squeezed my hand. "Amelia, are you sure you want to take on this much responsibility? With the baby and everything else going on?"

"I have to." My voice was soft but determined. "What my mother left me isn't just property—it's a responsibility, a legacy. And with everything I've learned recently about her past... I need to protect what's mine."

---

That afternoon, I called ahead to ask Mrs. Jenkins if Robert was still living in the Brownstone.

She replied, "Ever since what happened at the old house with your father, he hasn't been back." So, Olivia and I drove to Brooklyn.

When we arrived and rang the bell, Mrs. Jenkins hurried out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. The moment she saw me, her eyes filled with tears.

"My goodness, Amelia!" She wrapped me in a tight embrace, the familiar scent of vanilla and cinnamon enveloping me. "You've finally come home. I've missed you every single day."

"I've missed you too, Mrs. Jenkins." I melted into her arms, feeling like a little girl again.

Her embrace was warm and strong, and for a moment, all the worries about acquisitions, divorce, and the future seemed to be cut off outside. I became that little girl again, the one who only needed to worry about whether there was enough lemon scones to eat.

She held me at arm's length, examining me with concern. "Let me look at you. You're too thin! Must be working too hard at that hospital. Come in, come in. I've made your favorite lemon scones and Earl Grey tea."

In the familiar living room, we gathered around the fireplace. Mrs. Jenkins brought out an elegant tea set and freshly baked scones. The familiar aroma instantly transported me back to my childhood—to simpler times, before I knew about contracts and marriages and family secrets.

"Mrs. Jenkins," I said, taking a sip of tea, "I'll be heading to Boston soon for a training program. I'll be away from New York for a few years."

Hearing this news, her eyes dimmed, filled with reluctance. "Leaving so soon, and for years? Oh, sweetheart, you’ve got to take care of yourself. Make sure you eat well, and don’t work those long nights all the time."

"I will." I reached for her wrinkled hand, noticing how much smaller it seemed than in my memories. "When I come back, I promise I'll visit more often."

Olivia had been quietly observing our interaction, her own eyes glistening. "Don't worry, Mrs. Jenkins. I'll make sure Amelia takes care of herself."

"That's good, that's good." Mrs. Jenkins nodded approvingly. "You girls need to look after each other in this big, harsh world."

I didn't tell her about my pregnancy. Not yet. Some news needed the right time, and I wasn't ready to share that part of my life when I myself was still processing it.

---

As evening approached, the three of us—Mrs. Jenkins, Olivia, and I—made our way to the Cemetery. My grandfather William's gravestone stood silently, surrounded by the white roses he had loved in life. The setting sun cast long shadows across the peaceful grounds.

I knelt before the grave, gently placing the bouquet I'd brought. Mrs. Jenkins stood behind me, her hand resting lightly on my shoulder.

"William would be so proud to see the woman you've become," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "You've grown into the strong, capable person he always knew you would be."

I closed my eyes, feeling a connection to my grandfather that transcended his physical absence. "Grandpa, I'm going to protect Thompson Enterprise. I'll safeguard everything you and Mom left behind. I won't let anyone trample on our family's dignity."

A gentle breeze swept through the cemetery, scattering white rose petals across the tombstone. It felt like Grandfather's way of acknowledging my promise. A surge of determination rose within me—the courage and resolve that came from my bloodline.

As I prepared to stand, the sound of familiar footsteps approached from behind. I turned to see Ethan and Noah walking toward us.

"What are the odds?" Olivia muttered under her breath. "How did they know we'd be here?"

I knew this was no coincidence. Ethan's expression held something I couldn't quite read—a mixture of determination and something softer, more vulnerable. He stopped a few paces away from me.

"Amelia." His voice was low and gentle, lacking its usual commanding tone. "I need to talk to you about the Upper East Side penthouse ownership transfer."

I rose to my feet, brushing dirt from my skirt. "Is a cemetery really the appropriate place for that discussion?"

"I know the timing is off, but..." He hesitated, an unusual show of uncertainty for him.

I studied his sincere expression, a complex mixture of emotions stirring within me. "Thank you for eventually choosing to tell me the truth."

Noah cleared his throat awkwardly. "Ethan, maybe we should talk about this another time."

Ethan ignored Noah's suggestion, his eyes never leaving mine. "About the penthouse ownership—I hope you'll accept it. It's rightfully yours."

I shook my head, avoiding his searching gaze. "Keep it for your future family. I don't need compensation."

"Amelia..." He started to say something more, but I cut him off.

"Ethan, some things, once missed, stay missed." My voice was quiet but firm. "We both need to learn to let go and move forward."

I didn't mention the baby growing inside me—his child. That conversation would have to wait for another day, another place.