CHAPTER NINE - HE HAS MOVED ON

Amelia's POV

"Did you just... Did you just slap me?"

Drake's indifferent expression confirmed the answer to my question. His eyes held a cold gaze and his arms were folded across his chest.

"Start talking, Amelia. You know how I can get whenever I'm mad. You do not want to mess with me."

I opened my mouth to say something but closed it when no word came out. My cheek had swollen under my palm, evidence of what had just happened. Drake had a bad temper, and I had seen him lash out at staff and those who worked for him. Countless times, I'd intervened. Never for once had I thought I'd be a victim of his bad temper.

The fact that he had just hit me was still shocking. I swallowed on nothing, biting on the insides of my cheek and willing the pain to go away.

"I don't have anything to say to you," I finally said and made a move to walk past him but I was stopped by the pull on my hair. Drake grabbed my hair, yanking me backwards.

"Ouch! What has gotten into you? Let me go!" I yelled, blinded by the pain I felt at the moment. My scalp burned and he held on tighter.

"Now listen to me, bitch. Jeremy may be your ex-husband, and you may have feelings for the man. But don't forget that those kids in there..." Drake leaned in to whisper in my ear. "They are mine."

I shuddered. "Let go of me, Drake."

"If you know why you've done, fix it."

I sniffed, ignoring the heavy lump at the back of my throat. "I did nothing."

"If you don't find Jeremy and tell him to give back my award, I'll hurt you badly, Amelia. Let's see how you live without seeing your kids for a month." Drake released my hair, a menacing look on his face.

I stepped back, an emotion I hadn't felt in years coming at me. Fear. Drake looked like a monster. No, he was a monster. Tears pooled at the base of my eyes as I retreated.

"Don't do this," I pleaded, my voice shaky.

Drake threw one final disgusting look my way and he stormed off the other way. The tears slid out one after the other, my lips quivered and I sank my teeth into my lip. A figure appeared beside me, casting a sympathetic look my way.

"Are you okay, ma'am?" Lena asked.

I nodded, looking away from her and dabbing at my eyes. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Lena." I smiled sadly.

"Ma'am he shouldn't treat you like that. You are a good person."

"He's acting strange, Lena. I'm sure someone must have told him a lie about me. Drake has never been cruel to me. I have to get to the bottom of this."

"Do be careful with whatever you do, ma'am. And don't worry about the twins, I'll make sure to keep an eye on them."

I smiled through gritted teeth. "Thank you, Lena."

***

The next morning routine was the same as ever. I weakly crawled out of my bed to get prepared for work. Today, I made sure to put extra makeup to cover the bruise on my face. I swiped a red lipstick over my lips and mascara on my lashes. Satisfied with the look, I grabbed my bag and exited my room

Downstairs, Lena was occupied with getting the twins ready for school. On a normal day, I'd go over and say goodbye for the day but today… I had to sneak out of the house so they didn't notice.

“Drive,” I said to the chauffeur once I got in the car.

“Where to ma'am?” He asked me.

“Uhm… work. Where else do I go?” I scowled, not looking at him but keeping my gaze on my phone. The car started and I leaned back, the plans for today coming back in slowly. First, I'd set things right with Drake. Get under his skin, find out who's filling his head with fake information. Whoever it was probably needed a visit.

“The car has stopped, ma'am. I'll get down to check what the problem is.” The driver informed me.

I nodded, flipping my hair out of my face. Cars didn't break down in the middle of nowhere that often. If the driver was quick, and the problem wasn't too much, I could get to the office on time.

But as I sat there, I grew bored and tired. How long had it been? I'd been sitting inside the car for hours while the driver tried to fix the car. I checked what time it was and I knew I'd be late for work. I sighed and sent a text to Drake. The last thing I needed was to annoy him by showing up late to the office.

A few seconds passed after I'd sent the text, and still no sign that the driver was making any progress with the car. I huffed and alighted, walking to the back.

“What's going on? I'm gonna be late.”

“I'm very sorry ma'am. We've got a deflated tyre.” The driver said, his head bent.

“Well, fix it. Don't you have a spare or something?”

His head even went lower.

I reached for my phone and dialled a number. “Hello, Mrs. Chander speaking. I'd like a driver to come pick me up….” I turned to face the driver. “Where are we at?”

“Pikes Nursery,” he mumbled.

“Pikes Nursery. Please do hurry, I have a meeting to attend.”

I should have gotten back into the car to await my backup driver. Except, I didn't. I stood there, my arms folded and an impertinent scowl on my face. It seemed the location we were at had some kind of nursery school or something. Mothers with their kids lolled about.

You know what they say? Mummy guilt ate at me as I watched different kids say goodbyes to their Mums, who dropped them off at school. I never dropped my kids off at their school for once. I let Lena do it. Lena had the upper hand when it came to Camilla and Caden. I've always been the busy mum, busting my ass to help Drake grow his business to the point that it would kick The Calloway Group Of Companies to the curb.

A sobbing little girl and her Mum passed by me. Alright, this might sound a little weird but I swear, I've seen that woman somewhere. My instincts took the better part of me and I followed her.

“Hello, excuse me,” I called out.

She turned and our eyes locked. Great. This just kept getting better and better. The woman said goodbye to her daughter and walked over to where I stood.

“Hi… I'm sorry. I just… You looked like someone I know.” I stammered, racking my brains to remember where I'd seen the female.

“Of course, I know you. My name is Isadora. And you must be… Amelia Kishi. Nice to see you again, Miss. Amelia.”

I frowned but took her outstretched hand for a handshake. “How do I know you…?” I asked her.

“The last time we met, you were so riled up to take a proper look at me. I mean, I wouldn't blame you. I was naked and fucking your husband. But now, it's nice to see you again. May I ask what you're doing here? Do you have kids who attend this school?”

I bit into my lip, my frown spreading across my face. Right. She was the one who broke my home five years ago. How could I forget?

“Miss. Amelia…” she started but I cut her off.

“It's actually Mrs. Amelia Chander to you.” I folded my arms.

She stared for a beat and then chuckled, infuriating me all the more. “That's nice. I mean… who would have thought that you'd move on that fast? Look, I don't have much time. But… you see my husband is waiting for me in that car. So it was a pleasure meeting you again.”

I watched her walk away to the limo parked on the other side of the road. To my dismay, the husband comes out to open the door for his wife. And as if I've not had the best surprises today decided to bring me.

It's Jeremy.

Jeremy fucking Calloway is her husband.

You've got to be kidding me.