CHAPTER EIGHT - DRAKE MEDIA

FIVE YEARS LATER...

Amelia's POV

"Will Daddy win the big shiny award, Mama?" My five-year-old's high-pitched voice cut through the hushed tension of the television. He bounced repeatedly on the sofa beside me, though his eyes were glued to the massive screen.

The Annual Global Business Award was live on TV.

I smoothed my right hand over Caden's dark hair. "I don't know, baby. We'll have to wait and see." I smiled, in a bid to ease the knots of nerves in my stomach.

The most important part of the night was yet to come. The presenter was announcing a lot of awards tonight, but it was the most important one that mattered to me and Drake.

The Global Innovator of the Year. Already, Drake Media has won a lot of awards, ranging from Best Marketing Campaign, Sustainable Practices, and Tech Innovator of the Year.

Each time, I'd spotted Drake on the TV, his face shone with pride. And each time, I had smiled. Just then, the cameraman caught him again.

"Is that Daddy?" Caden pointed out.

"Mhm," I nodded.

Caden folded his arms, then began singing one of his loud, off-key anime theme songs. "Cha-la Head-Cha-la." I gave him a look.

"Caden. Inside voice. And no singing during the awards." I warned, raising my brows just slightly.

He paused, clamping his mouth shut and leaning closer to the TV with a mumbled, "Sorry."

Lights flashed again, and this time, the cameras panned across the rows of billionaires and company CEOs.

"Tonight's most anticipated category... The Global Innovator of the Year Award goes to...,"

Get on and say it, I wanted to scream.

"And the award goes to... The CALLOWAY Group of Companies." The camera cut to a familiar face standing to accept the award.

You've got to be kidding me. The Calloways? How come? All air was stolen from my lungs when applause erupted from the television. Caden, oblivious, clapped too, smacking his small hands together.

"No," I hissed, glaring at him. "Stop that,"

He blinked at me, obviously confused. "What?"

I was annoyed. Annoyed didn't even cover it. All I could think of was How come? How could the Calloway, whose businesses had been below my husband's, just come and claim the award that Drake and I had been working for? Five years of literally pouring our lives into building Drake Media into a powerhouse that could crush our enemies.

It's cheating. It has to be.

"Go get ready for bed," I muttered reaching for the intercom button on the wall. "Lena, please come here and take Caden up. He's had enough screen time."

A moment later, Lena, our housekeeper, appeared. She gently took Caden's hand. He pouted, dragging his feet as Lena coaxed him away.

Now alone, the silence was deafening. I stared at Jeremy as he walked, accepting our award. I grabbed my phone, dialling Drake's number. It rang twice before he answered.

"Did you know the Calloways were invited to the ceremony?" His voice was a low rumble.

"What? No. What kind of a question is that Drake?" I rose to my feet, one hand pressing my phone to my ear and the other tugging my robe firmly together.

"There's only one person who has a connection with Jeremy. It's you, Amelia. How could you do this to me?"

Now this was not how I planned my evening to go. I took a few steps forward, unsure of what to say to Drake. I was baffled to be honest, that he would accuse me of such a thing. Drake knew how much I loathed my ex-husband.

"Drake, breathe. We lost the Innovator award, but we got many others. Get out of there and come home, please. I set up a dinner celebration for the two of us." I said calmly.

"You must have some nerves to say that to me. How could you, Amelia? I've had my doubts about your loyalty for a while now. I just kept my fingers crossed. Now... this? You know how much this award meant to me?"

I winced. For the five years that we had been married, Drake had never raised his voice at me. All these were new. But maybe he was upset about the award. That was the only solid explanation.

I tried to talk to him again. "Drake... You're upset and I know it. But this is not what we should talk about over the phone. Can you come home? Please... my love,"

There was a pause, and then a sigh followed. "I'll be home soon."

I heaved a sigh of relief. Thank God. I walked to the dining room, where I'd set up a candlelight dinner for tonight. The plan was to celebrate after our big win. Somehow, we did not win. My thoughts spun back to Jeremy Calloway, all smug and confident as he accepted the award.

It was more like he expected. Which only meant that foul play was involved tonight. What if the Calloway knew the judges or something? That family could not be trusted no matter what. I ran a hand through my perfectly straightened hair and tossed my phone on the table, not caring where it landed.

"Lena!" I called out.

"Ma'am,"

"Serve the meal now. He's on his way," I made my way to the left-hand corner, a bright little corridor that housed my room and my kids ' room.

They were fast asleep, Camilla's lips formed in a pout, and Caden's arm was out of the sheets. I smoothed the sheets over them and placed a kiss on both their heads, careful not to wake either of them.

As I turned to leave, however, a small hand grasped my wrist.

"Goodnight, Mommy."

"Goodnight, Mila. Take care of your brother. And remember... if an attack comes..."

"Call for Mommy if I can't find my inhaler," her sleepy voice murmured.

I let out a contented sigh as her eyelids fluttered closed and the rise of her chest became steady. I double-checked to ensure that both an inhaler and a juice pack were on their bedside table before I exited the room.

"Do you care to start explaining...?"

"Drake, you're home."

The sound of a deafening slap echoed in the corridor, and my head was jerked to the side by it. My cheek burned and stung all at once. I held my palm to my reddened face, disbelief etched across my features.

"Did you just... slap me?"