Chapter 1
Amelia's POV
I clutched the pregnancy test, my palm slick with sweat. Two red lines, clear as day, mocking my naivety.
Remy's voice carried from the ballroom: "Olivia is the light of my life. Without her, there's no future for the winery."
'Light?' I laughed bitterly in my head. 'Then what the hell have I been for ten years?'
The night breeze on the terrace was cold. I pulled my jacket tighter around me. The Perry Family Winery's ballroom blazed with lights—guests in designer clothes laughing and chatting.
And here I was, hiding in the shadows like some dirty secret.
My fingertips traced the plastic test over and over. The red lines didn't magically disappear. My nails dug into my palm until it hurt.
From inside came the sound of applause, cheers. My heart hammered against my ribs in sharp contrast.
"Amelia, we've all seen what you've been through these ten years."
I turned. Tom, the old winery worker, stood behind me with kind eyes full of pity.
"When he went bankrupt, you sold your mother's jewelry to help him out. And now..." Tom's voice cracked.
"Don't." My voice shook. "Don't say it, Uncle Tom. This was my choice."
But was it really? I looked back through the glass doors at Remy on the stage, his arm around Olivia's waist, his smile perfect for the cameras.
In the corner of the ballroom, I spotted Remy talking to Olivia's father—a man in a custom suit holding a cigar.
I watched Olivia's father pat Remy's shoulder, leaning in close. "As soon as you're engaged, I'll inject two million into the winery immediately."
Remy nodded eagerly, practically bowing. "I'll take good care of Olivia. She won't suffer even a moment of discomfort."
My fingers tightened around the pregnancy test. My chest felt like it was caving in.
'So that's what this is about.'
Olivia appeared, linking her arm through Remy's, pouting at her father. "Daddy, I knew you loved me the most."
Her father's eyes narrowed into a smile. "Remy, remember your promise—my daughter cannot be hurt in any way, especially not bothered by 'irrelevant people.'"
"You have my word," Remy replied quickly. "I know exactly what to do."
'So the 'light' comes with a two-million-dollar price tag,' I thought, my stomach churning.
I couldn't watch anymore. I slipped away from the terrace and headed toward the back office. Maybe I could find a quiet moment to tell Remy about the baby. Maybe when it was just us, he'd remember what we meant to each other.
The office was dimly lit, music from the party bleeding through the thin walls. Olivia's designer coat was thrown carelessly across the couch.
The door opened. Remy walked in and shut it behind him without a word.
"Remy, I need to tell you something—"
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a white pill box.
My words died in my throat.
He set the box on the coffee table between us, his eyes cold and calculating.
I picked it up with trembling fingers. The label read clearly: "Abortion Pills."
"Get rid of it." His voice was flat, businesslike. "If this pregnancy gets out now, the LA Times will run headlines about 'Perry Winery Heir's Messy Private Life.' Olivia's father will pull his funding."
The room spun. "This is your child too... We've been together for ten years. You said you'd marry me."
Remy frowned, irritation flashing across his face. "Stop being dramatic. Once the company stabilizes, we can have kids. Right now, business comes first."
I stared at him. This man who I'd given everything to. Who I'd supported through bankruptcy, failure, endless late nights. Who I'd believed loved me back.
"Business comes first," I repeated slowly.
"Exactly. Take the pills tonight. This whole thing goes away."
I slipped the pregnancy test into my coat pocket and picked up the pill box. My hands had stopped shaking. Everything inside me had gone numb.
"Fine."
Remy's shoulders relaxed. "Good. I knew you'd understand."
I walked toward the door without another word.
"Amelia." His voice stopped me. "After the wedding, things will be different. You'll see."
I didn't turn around. "Sure they will."
I walked out of that office and past the ballroom. Through the open doors, I heard Olivia's shrill laugh.
"Remy, how did you ever end up with Amelia anyway? That dress she's wearing is from three years ago. So embarrassing."
Remy's laugh joined hers. "I was young and stupid back then. Now I know who's right for me."
I kept walking. Straight to the parking lot, to my beat-up Honda Civic that looked like shit next to all the BMWs and Mercedes.
I got in, closed the door, and finally let myself cry.
Silent tears that burned my cheeks. My shoulders shook, but I didn't make a sound.
'Ten years of love, and all I was to you was a stupid mistake.'
I looked at the pill box in my hand, then at the pregnancy test in my pocket.
Two red lines. Two choices.