Page 30 of The English Billionaire's Obsession

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

Amelia

I feel trapped and not just by the walls of the toilet cubicle. I’m not using the toilet. I’m just sitting on the cold seat. Trapped in his apartment, trapped in his lies, trapped in England. I’m trapped in this new, ugly world where I didn’t earn the most significant event of my life for myself.

It was given to me all because… This is when the anger starts to fade, becoming bright andpromising. He became obsessed with me over a video. My instincts try to tell me it doesn’t matter why I’m here. The fact I am, and Tommy wants me, that’s enough, especially when he said he’s you-know-what over the video many times.

I leave the cubicle and go to the sink, splashing water on my face. When I leave the hallway, it’s a left turn back to the café but a right turn to a fire exit. My heart hammers. Sweat pours down my body. I’m not thinking very far ahead as I walk toward the exit, just long enough into the future to know I need some fresh air, a break from all this—a short one.

My womb—yep, her again—is ecstatic. Hemorethan wants to date me. He’s obsessed, he said, and that means we’ll be able to have a family together one day. All I have to do is accept that I’m here because he wants me here, not because of my silly video and stupid art piece. Now I’m questioning everything. Is my candy drawing even good, or am I getting favoritism at work?

I walk down the stairs, then push out another fire door. Onto the street, I stand in the rain, letting it wash through my hair and slide down my body. It’s refreshing and jolts me awake, allowing me to analyze this situation.

I’m still working in my dream job. I’m still in England, a place I’ve always wanted to visit, and I’ve just discovered that the man of my dreams wants me too. Shouldn’t I be happy?

“Excuse me, miss.”

I look up at the voice. It’s funny as in odd, not ha-ha, but I’ve only just realized I’m standing in an alleyway with nobody else around. The man has long red hair, some tied up, the rest messy around his shoulders. He’s tall, pale, and wears thick glasses. He’s wearing a long-sleeved shirt, but I can see poorly drawn tattoos on his hands.

“Can I help you?” I ask.

I’ve always done my best to be friendly to homeless people, but I’m also a realist. Being alone in this alleyway with a man I don’t know isn’t a good idea, especially after the graffiti and the threats.

“We’ll have to see about that,” he says, moving closer.

I step back with my hands raised. I know I’m probably being insensitive if this manisn’tinvolved in the crazy fever dream my life has become, but at the same time, why take the risk?

He stops short, raising his hands too, shaking his head slowly. “I’m not going to hurt you, Amelia.”

“How do you know my name?” I snap.

He grins. There’s something mean in his eyes, but also something like fear. Or maybe I’m projecting the second one, praying he feels that way so he doesn’t give into the dark part of him, which seems intent on hurting me.

“There was an announcement on Realization Global’s website,” he says. “So just try to relax, okay?”

“What do you want from me?” I say, glancing at the fire door.

My belly tightens when I see my mistake. The fire door closed behind me, locking securely, meaning I’ll have to walk around this man if I want to escape. He stands in the middle of the alley, hands on his hips.

“I just want you to deliver a message.”

“What message?”

“Tell your new boyfriend that if he doesn’t leave one million at this address…”

“What are you doing?” I ask sharply when he reaches into his pocket.

“You’re real skittish, aren’t you? I’ve written the address on a piece of paper.”

I’m tense as he slowly withdraws his hand from his pocket. He seems to take some pleasure from how honed in on the movement I am, staring as I wait for him to get it over with.

A knife, a gun, but no, it’s a piece of paper, like he said.

“No,” I say when he gestures as if he’s going to walk over and hand it to me. “Leave it on the ground.”

He laughs cruelly, then shrugs, dropping the paper.

“Tell him if he doesn’t leave one million, a tiny amount for him, we’re going to hurtyou, Amelia. I’ve never seen Tommy look at anybody like he looks at you.”

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