Template placeholder with Chapter 23
Chapter 23:
Amelia was halfway out of bed when those words hit her, nearly sending her tumbling to the floor. Quick reflexes saved her—she grabbed the edge of the nightstand just in time, steadying herself before she could fall.
“Amelia, I’ve finally figured it out,” Carlee said.
About to speak, Amelia felt resigned and could only ask, “What have you figured out p>
A thoughtful frown marked Carlee’s face. “I kept wondering what would make Wyatt want to marry you. Don’t get me wrong; you’re smart, gorgeous, and in amazing shape. But just being incredible isn’t enough to hook a guy like Wyatt p>
With his family’s status, Wyatt could have his pick from a whole parade of stunning women. The line of volunteers for his affection could probably stretch from his driveway all the way to the city center.
Carlee’s theory only grew firmer in her mind. “There’s only one explanation—Wyatt must have problems in the bedroom p>
Suddenly, the earlier excitement drained from Carlee’s eyes, replaced with pity. “Amelia, you should think about this more carefully. Marriage is for life. Tying yourself to Wyatt means giving up any hope for passion, and you can’t cheat on him. You’ll be stuck with zero physical satisfaction for life p>
Initially, Amelia had thought Carlee was just spouting nonsense, but by the end of her analysis, even she began to believe her a little. The truth was, Amelia couldn’t fathom Wyatt’s reason for wanting to marry her, either. It hardly seemed likely that repaying a life-saving debt could be the reason.
Plus, thinking back on every encounter, Amelia realized Wyatt was always polite, never once overstepping boundaries when he was with her. Still, it was exactly that careful courtesy that left her wondering if Carlee’s theory was true.
F𝘰𝗅𝗹оw 𝘶𝗌 𝘰ո 𝗀𝗮𝗅ո𝗈v𝘦𝘭𝘴.с𝗼𝗆
“Take last night, for instance. Even I felt something watching you like that—you are captivating,” Carlee admitted. “But a man like Wyatt can remain so composed? That definitely says something p>
Meanwhile, out in the hallway, Davin silently wished he could block out every word drifting through the door. His eyes flicked toward Wyatt, who was standing beside him. Wyatt caught the odd look. Instantly, Davin snapped his gaze away. He rapped his knuckles against the door, determined to put a stop to the conversation inside.
The knock brought the exchange to an abrupt halt. When Wyatt entered the room, both women looked uneasy—especially Carlee, who felt his gaze was far colder toward her than the night before. Even with Hillside Villa’s thick walls, her voice had found a way to pierce through. Wyatt had heard what she said.
Looking at Amelia, Wyatt said, “I’ve brought in a team of specialists for your grandmother and asked Marc to oversee her treatment. You’ll need to meet with him at the hospital to discuss her treatment plan p>
The efficiency stunned Amelia. She hadn’t expected Wyatt to move so fast. Relief and gratitude flooded her face, and she forgot about Carlee’s earlier words completely.
“I’ll go to the hospital right away!” Amelia said, eyes alight.
Wyatt shook his head gently. “There’s no need to rush. Breakfast is ready. Let’s eat before going p>
Although her instinct was to skip the meal, Amelia reconsidered. For Wyatt’s sake, she agreed to sit down and eat with him first.
With Carlee whisked away by Davin, only Amelia and Wyatt remained at the table. Amelia’s mind was miles away, tangled with worry over Michelle’s treatment, so she didn’t notice the table was filled with her favorite dishes.
Perched atop the mountain, Hillside Villa was isolated—grabbing a cab there was out of the question. Only when she finally slipped into Wyatt’s car, the cool leather and silence wrapping around her, did her mind settle.
This sudden calmness brought Carlee’s earlier speculation rushing back. Was there really any truth to what Carlee had hinted—that Wyatt was incapable in bed? Even if he was, Amelia realized she didn’t mind. The marriage had already given her far more than she’d expected.
Still, as the car glided down the winding drive, she found her gaze drifting to a certain area of Wyatt’s. Unbeknownst to her, he noticed. A vein in his temple twitched as he caught her glance.