Template placeholder with Chapter 19
Chapter 19:
With every sip, her head seemed to clear; whether it was the warmth of the soup or her body slowly regaining strength, she didn’t know. When the bowl was empty, Wyatt set it aside, then fixed her with a steady look.
“What are you sorry for p>
Whatever calm Amelia had regained vanished, replaced by a rush of anxiety. There would have been some comfort if he had sounded angry or upset, but the gentleness in his voice rattled her more than a sharp accusation ever could. If Jaxton had witnessed her in such a state tonight, he would undoubtedly have humiliated her.
So Amelia’s first instinct with Wyatt was that he would despise her for this. After all, in high society, people cared about appearances above all else. However, Wyatt hadn’t criticized her once. He simply took care of her, every action careful and considerate.
As the silence stretched between them, Wyatt waited, not rushing her for a response. After a few moments, Amelia took a slow breath and met his gaze.
Whа𝘵 𝘦v𝖾𝗿y𝘰n𝖾 іѕ 𝗿е𝘢𝘥iո𝘨 𝗼𝘯
“Everything that happened today is my fault p>
Finishing her admission, she dropped her eyes and fidgeted with her fingers, unable to hide her nerves. Wyatt caught the anxious fidget, a small smile breaking through his serious expression.
“There’s nothing to apologize for. You didn’t do anything wrong p>
He paused briefly. “Even if you do make mistakes later on, there’s no need to apologize. No matter what happens, I’ll be there for you p>
Though his promise could have sounded too sweet, Wyatt delivered it with the quiet seriousness of a news report. It was this sincerity that assured Amelia he meant every word. His words only made her firmer about marrying him. She believed this man was indeed different from Jaxton.
As their conversation wound its way to this moment, Amelia saw no reason to bring up ending their arrangement anymore. Since Wyatt had shown his sincerity, she felt it was right to make her stance clear, too. Fixing her gaze on him, she said with honest resolve, “You don’t have to worry. Nothing like this will happen again. Once we’re married, I’ll respect your boundaries, do my best to be a proper wife, and make sure your reputation stays intact p>
This was the basic principle she held for marrying Wyatt, one she believed she should uphold. Still, something in Wyatt’s eyes—those drawn brows and that subtle frown—hinted that he wasn’t pleased with her words. Pausing for a breath, Amelia tried again. “And if there’s anything else you want from me, just tell me. I’ll do everything I can to p>
“There’s only one thing I’ll ever ask from you,” Wyatt said in a low voice before she could finish. “I just want you to be yourself. That’s all I ask. Even after we marry, I want you to live the way you want and do whatever makes you happy p>
Hearing Wyatt’s words, Amelia was taken aback. From the moment she was engaged to Jaxton, everyone had told her to remember her place, to do nothing that would tarnish the Morrison family name, and never to embarrass Jaxton. Yet here was a man of higher status than Jaxton, telling her to be herself. That realization sent a wave of warmth through her chest, and she couldn’t help but smile at Wyatt.
“Mr. Stewart, I’ll remember what you said p>
From now on, she would be herself. When Wyatt saw the smile on her face, his expression softened. This, he thought, was the Amelia he knew.