Hiding In The Devil's Bed

Chapter 1 Begin Again

The operating room was shrouded in an almost suffocating sterility, the sharp tang of disinfectant lingering in the air. A blinding sea of white walls and fluorescent surgical lights blurred the line between reality and a surreal nightmare.

"Ms. Edwards, the surgery is about to begin. Please relax and don't worry..." A calm, reassuring voice floated close to Amelia Edwards' ear.

Her eyelids flew open, her pulse spiking. Staring back at her was the kind and professional smile of the lead surgeon, Jacob Green. She gasped, her red lips trembling as she spoke his name, "Dr. Green?"

Her mind raced. 'Wasn't I already dead? How am I lying here on an operating table?'

"Mr. Foster has arranged for the best medical team to ensure your safety," Jacob explained, his voice steady and soothing beneath his surgical mask. "I'll lead the procedure, so you're in good hands."

But Amelia's heart thundered in her chest, her shock rendering her momentarily speechless. Her hand moved instinctively to her left breast, her fingers trembling as they pressed against the soft, unscarred flesh. It was still there.

A wave of overwhelming relief hit her like a tidal surge, leaving her trembling from head to toe. Tears pooled in her wide, disbelieving eyes.

She pinched herself hard, the sharp sting confirming what seemed impossible—she was alive. This wasn't a dream born of desperation on the brink of death.

She had been reborn, returning to the very moment when all her nightmares had begun.

In her last life, Amelia had met Zachary Foster through an arranged date orchestrated by her parents. Zachary's courtship had been nothing short of relentless—showering her affectionately and treating her like a princess. She'd been swept off her feet.

But just before their wedding, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and forced to undergo a mastectomy, losing her left breast. Zachary, ever the devoted fiancé, hadn't flinched. He married her the moment she was discharged, a gesture that had moved her to tears.

Blinded by love, she had handed over her entire fortune to Zachary to save his failing company.

And then she'd fallen for his lies. Claiming a pursuit of "platonic love", Zachary had convinced her to endure three years of a sexless marriage.

But the day she saw him with her stepsister Sandra Edwards—and their three-year-old son—was the day the truth shattered her world. The "platonic love" was nothing but a cruel joke and the "DINK lifestyle" was just a convenient excuse. Zachary hadn't wanted her—not from the beginning.

Even the breast cancer diagnosis and this surgery had been a meticulously crafted sham, and she wasn't really sick.

Her scheming stepsister, Sandra—who had already been secretly involved with Zachary—worried that once they were married, he wouldn't be able to control himself and would actually sleep with Amelia. So, Sandra cunningly bribed Jacob to set a trap and deliberately maim Amelia's body.

Also, Amelia's supposedly doting "mother" was not her biological parent at all, but a conniving stepmother whose endless adoration was nothing more than a facade to isolate and control her.

Behind closed doors, she was quietly destroying Amelia. To the outside world, she carefully crafted the image of a devoted, selfless mother, all while secretly plotting against Amelia.

Together, they'd orchestrated her downfall, robbing her of her health, wealth, and dignity. They'd sweet-talked her into agreeing to a blind date with Zachary, persuading her to undergo the mastectomy, and even getting her to marry him.

They deceived her into transferring all her assets to Zachary, including the priceless jewelry her late mother had left her.

When her usefulness and fortune had dried up, she'd been discarded—a broken, penniless divorcee. The devastating revelation had driven her to the edge. Unable to bear the weight of betrayal, she had thrown herself into the sea and died.

Yet now, against all odds, fate had given her a second chance, and Amelia found herself inexplicably returned to the moment just before the surgery.

"Ms. Edwards, don't be nervous," Jacob said with a warm smile, his tone steady but strangely unsettling. "Mr. Foster insisted I ensure you come through this surgery safely." His words only amplified Amelia's dread.

Since her rebirth, she knew she couldn't allow herself to be tricked into having her left breast removed as she had in her last life.

Yet, every person present was part of Zachary's arrangement. She couldn't just declare that she wasn't sick and didn't need the surgery—it would raise suspicion. She had to find a way to escape this.

"Dr. Green, wait." Amelia's voice quivered with urgency, though she struggled to concealed her panic.

Jacob paused, his gentle eyes narrowing with curiosity. "Is there something else you're concerned about?"

"I... I need to use the restroom," she blurted, clutching the disposable surgical pad beneath her with clammy hands. Her heart raced as if it might break free from her chest.

"Why so much trouble? Didn't you just go to the restroom before entering the operating room?" a female assistant behind Jacob asked impatiently.

The voice was intentionally lowered, but its familiarity struck Amelia like a bolt of lightning, sending a chill down her spine. Her heart froze. 'Sandra? She's here too?'

Cold sweat dampened Amelia's palms as a mix of fury and fear coursed through her veins. Her unease grew with every second.

She struggled to sit up, her body trembling. "I... I must be too nervous. Just give me a moment—"

"No need for that. We can use a catheter," Sandra interrupted with a long face. At her silent cue, an assistant stepped forward with a catheter in hand.

The anesthesiologist was already poised, syringe ready to administer the sedative at a moment's notice.

Amelia knew that the second she lost consciousness, she'd be as helpless as a turtle on its back, completely at their mercy.

"Dr. Green, I just remembered," Amelia blurted out, her voice frantic, "I forgot to give my fiancé the combination to one of the safes. Where's Zachary? I need to see him."

Sandra's expression shifted slightly at the mention of the safe, the greed in her eyes flickering to life.

Though they were stepsisters, Amelia had been born with a silver spoon, holding a 30% share of the family business. Meanwhile, Sandra had nothing to her name.

But Sandra forced herself to calm down, suppressing her envy and frustration. 'It doesn't matter. Everything Amelia has will be mine soon.'

"Mr. Foster is just outside," Jacob said smoothly, feigning a kind demeanor. "I'll have him change and come in."

Amelia shook her head, her voice growing firmer. "This place is too crowded. It's not convenient. I'll go out and talk to him. We'll need to delay the surgery anyway, so please make the necessary adjustments and prepare everything again."

Without waiting for a response, she swung her legs off the bed and started toward the door. She was so light-headed from the 12-hour fasting for the surgery that her vision blurred, and her steps were unsteady, but she pressed on.

The door to the operating room slid open, revealing a tall, young man in a perfectly tailored suit. His gold-rimmed glasses reflected the harsh hallway light, and his face carried its usual mask of authority. He was in the middle of giving instructions to his subordinates, his expression dark and brooding.

It was none other than her fiancé, Zachary.

The moment he saw Amelia step out of the operating room, his face soured. But he quickly recovered, a practiced smile curving his lips as he walked toward her. "Amelia, what are you doing out here?" Zachary asked, his tone warm and composed.

Leaning against the doorframe for support, Amelia didn't miss the brief flicker of panic in his eyes. 'Look at him. He's rattled. Guilty.'

She bit back her fury, keeping her act flawless. Feigning fear, she whispered, "Zachary, I'm scared..."

Adjusting his glasses, Zachary softened his voice, his facade of tenderness perfectly intact. "It's gonna be alright. I've arranged for the best—Dr. Green will take great care of you. You'll be fine."

Amelia shook her head, her wide eyes shimmering with faux terror. "I... I need some time to calm down. This is too frightening." Inside, her thoughts churned. 'Will he agree to delay the surgery? Will this buy me the time I need to escape?'

But Zachary's smile faltered. His face hardened as he snapped, "This isn't a game, Amelia. Do you know how much effort I've put into arranging all this? And now you want to back out? Get back in there."

"Zachary, I'm just so anxious. My stomach hurts and I need to use the restroom. Besides, I'll need to change clothes again anyway. Please, let me go to the bathroom to calm my nerves." Her voice trembled as she scrambled to string together excuses.

Zachary's brows furrowed in irritation, but he relented. "Fine. Go ahead. I'll wait for you."

Waving for a nurse to accompany Amelia, he suppressed his impatience and dismissed the matter with a smug thought. 'She's as foolish as ever. She'd never suspected that today's surgery was a carefully laid trap. Let her use the restroom first. A short delay won't hurt.'

The thought of tying the knot with Amelia in just a few days, followed by claiming the inheritance left by her biological mother, Debra Hughes, filled Zachary with a sense of smug satisfaction. With that fortune in his grasp, he could acquire the property at Stonefield and instantly elevate himself to multi-billionaire status.

But his daydream shattered when the nurse came rushing back, her face ghastly. "Mr. Foster, Ms. Edwards is missing."

"What?" Zachary's voice rose an octave, his face twisting with shock.

Sandra, who had stepped out of the operating room after waiting too long, also froze. "What the hell? She said she needed to tell you the combination to the safe. That's why I let her go. Zachary, you don't think she's... run off, do you?"

"Relax, we've covered all our tracks perfectly," Zachary said, though his clenched jaw betrayed his frustration. "She's terrified of pain. She's probably just hiding somewhere out of fear. Once we find her, I'll calm her down and bring her back."

But even as he reassured Sandra, he glanced around and his sharp eyes caught a glimpse of a slim figure disappearing around the bend to the left ahead. It was Amelia.

They hadn't expected her to actually try to run.

Zachary exchanged a tense look with Sandra, a dark premonition creeping into his gut. A gnawing sense of dread curled around his insides, and the question lingered, unwelcome, like a shadow in his mind. "Did she figure out our plan?"

His expression hardened as he barked orders to the staff. "There she is. After her!" His words sliced through the tension, crisp and unyielding.

Chapter 2 Hearing His Voice

Amelia stumbled forward, her legs barely supporting her. She had no money, no phone, and no way to call for help. The only option left was to run to the police station near the hospital, but her weakened body was on the verge of collapse, not strong enough to carry her far.

"Ms. Edwards is just ahead," one of Zachary's bodyguards reported briskly, spotting her.

"Amelia, stop right there," Zachary bellowed, his voice booming through the corridor.

The sound of his voice, coupled with the pounding footsteps of the bodyguards behind her, sent a chill straight down Amelia's spine. A quick glance over her shoulder confirmed her worst fear—they were catching up fast.

'How did they move so fast? They must've checked the hospital's surveillance footage,' she thought, her panic rising like a tidal wave.

'What do I do? If they drag me back, one shot of anesthesia and I'll be nothing more than a lamb to the slaughter. The nightmare from my last life will repeat itself.' Cold sweat drenched her, and her vision blurred.

She forced her legs to move faster, but they wobbled beneath her. Each breath felt like a weight on her chest, her legs trembling beneath her as she fought to stay on her feet.

Her condition was so fragile, so depleted, that she could barely move. The effort of running felt like a cruel joke—her body simply wouldn't cooperate.

'If I keep going like this, they'll catch me for sure.' The thought tightened her chest with fear. Her chances of escape were slipping away, and she knew it.

'I can't outrun them. What should I do? Someone, please help me.' Desperation clawed at her chest as she pressed on.

After turning several corners, Amelia spotted an unusual-looking room. A faint flicker of recognition sparked in her mind.

'If I'm not mistaken,' she thought, 'this is the private room of Landon Kingsley, the eldest grandson of the Kingsley family's head. Their family is the most powerful dynasty in Norava.'

Landon's name alone was enough to make anyone's blood run cold. Known for his ruthless efficiency and unrelenting dominance, he had transformed Kingsley Group into Norava's top corporation in under two years.

But three months ago, a car accident had unfortunately left him in a vegetative state.

The door to the room was slightly ajar, with no guards in sight.

Amelia hesitated for only a second before making her decision. She bit her lip, shoved the door open, and slipped inside, slamming it shut behind her.

Outside, Zachary's furious voice was unmistakable. "Where is she? Find her. I want every corner searched. We must find her now."

The sound of footsteps and Zachary's yelling grew louder, closer. Her heart thudded wildly. The room was opulent but lacked any decent hiding spots.

Amelia's eyes darted around before landing on the bed. With no time to waste, she rushed over, yanked back the covers, and slid underneath.

"Get out." The voice was so cold, so sudden, that Amelia nearly tumbled off the bed in shock.

Her mind raced as she panicked. 'That's impossible. Vegetative patients don't speak. I must be hearing things.'

Shaking off the thought, she pressed closer to Landon's motionless body, positioning herself so that, from the outside, it would look like only one person was under the covers. Unless someone physically pulled the blanket off, her presence would remain concealed.

She assured herself that Zachary wouldn't dare touch Landon's bed.

Landon's body radiated warmth, a stark contrast to her icy, trembling form. The sudden comfort made Amelia's eyes sting with tears.

'How did my life come to this?' she thought bitterly, her sorrow and despair threatening to overwhelm her. 'The mother I respected, the fiancé I loved, the stepsister I cared for—they're all monsters. What have I done wrong? Why do they have to treat me like that?'

"Mr. Foster, Ms. Edwards has barged into Mr. Kingsley's room," one of Zachary's bodyguards reported from outside.

Zachary and his men gathered just beyond the door, their voices low as they discussed their next move though they hadn't broken in yet.

Amelia's breath hitched. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt a sense of urgency flood through her.

Though Landon was the epitome of power, he was still comatose, unable to move or speak.

And for reasons she couldn't fathom, the Kingsley family's guards were nowhere to be seen. If Zachary barged in with his men, there would be no one to stop him.

Clutching Landon's shirt desperately, she whispered on the verge of tears, "Landon, what should I do?"

"Not my problem. Get off me." The frigid voice pierced the silence again.

Amelia froze, her tears forgotten. 'He... spoke?' Her heart raced. 'Seems like Landon isn't unconscious. He's awake? This is incredible. If he's really awake, I can ask for his protection. We kind of know each other, after all.'

Wiping her face quickly, she crawled out from beneath the covers and moved closer to him. She knelt by his side, her face now mere inches from his. "Landon, please help me. That jerk Zachary forged fake medical records to justify cutting off my left breast. He's a monster."

Landon's eyes remained closed, his expression serene as if he were still in a deep sleep.

'Is he pretending?' Amelia wondered. 'No way am I letting this chance slip away.'

Gripping his shoulders, she shook him with all the strength she could muster. "Landon, I know you're awake. Open your eyes and look at me. It's me, Amelia Edwards."

"Amelia?" Landon's voice came again, yet his eyes stayed firmly shut, and his lips didn't move an inch.

'But he just spoke to me... How is this possible? Could it be ventriloquism?' Amelia placed her hand lightly on his stomach, feeling only the gentle rise and fall of his breathing—no other movement, nothing to indicate he'd spoken.

'How is he communicating with me?' she pondered, her curiosity growing. "Can you really talk?" she whispered tentatively.

But silence followed. She waited, her ears straining, yet heard nothing more.

'Was it really Landon speaking? Or am I just so desperate for help that I've started hallucinating?' she thought, questioning herself internally, frustration tugging at her.

Just then, voices erupted outside the door.

Aaron Hall, Landon's personal assistant, spoke first, his tone sharp, "Mr. Foster, this is Mr. Kingsley's private room."

"Mr. Hall, my apologies," Zachary's voice replied, laced with forced politeness and a thread of tension. "My fiancée entered without permission. I'll take her out right away."

Amelia's stomach tightened in fear. Whether or not Landon's voice was real, she had no other choice now.

She quickly slid back under the covers, pressing herself tightly against Landon's still form, praying that Aaron wouldn't let Zachary in.

Aaron's tone turned skeptical. "Mr. Foster, you must be mistaken. I've been stationed here at the door the entire time, and I haven't seen anyone enter."

Zachary chuckled nervously, "Mr. Hall, how about you just open the door and let us take a quick look? I promise we'll be in and out."

Landon was someone Zachary could never afford to cross, even now, reduced to a comatose state by the accident.

But the stakes were high, and Zachary was determined to find Amelia and get her on the operating table today no matter what. If he failed today, all his careful plans, months of scheming, would come crashing down.

"That's not happening," Aaron replied firmly, his patience wearing thin. "Mr. Kingsley's room isn't open to just anyone."

"Mr. Hall—" Zachary's tone grew more pleading, but Aaron cut him off.

"Mr. Foster, please don't interfere with my duties," Aaron said coolly, his stance unyielding. He was unwavering, and Zachary knew better than to challenge him further.

A tense silence filled the room, thick with unspoken threats. Zachary adjusted his glasses, turning to one of his men. "Tom, are you sure about what you saw?"

Tom Wallace nodded emphatically. "Absolutely, sir. I swear on my life—Ms. Edwards went into that room. She's in there right now."

"Mr. Hall," Zachary said, his impatience starting to show, "you heard that, didn't you? My fiancée's surgery can't be delayed. It's a matter of life and death. She's been spoiled since childhood and is terrified of pain. That's why she ran off at the last minute. Please, can't you make an exception?"

Under the covers, Amelia's body shook with equal parts anger and fear. Her frail frame trembled against Landon's side as she clenched his shirt in her petite hands. In her panic, her legs accidentally entwined with his.

"Let go." The sudden command was sharp and furious, nearly making her leap out of her skin.

'Another hallucination?' she thought, mortified by the situation and their current position. Quickly, she withdrew her legs, but her body remained glued to his. All she could do was pray silently for Zachary to leave so she could borrow Aaron's phone and call the police.

Zachary, however, wasn't giving up. "Mr. Hall, surely you're concerned about Mr. Kingsley's safety too, right? My fiancée is carrying a virus. If she infects Mr. Kingsley, it would be disastrous."

Amelia's chest burned with rage as she was actually perfectly healthy. 'Aaron wouldn't actually let them in, would he?'

The sound of the lock turning was like a gunshot. Amelia froze in terror, her fingers instinctively clutching at Landon's clothing.

"Where exactly do you think you're touching?" Landon's furious, frigid voice startled her so badly that she almost bolted upright.

When she looked down, her face turned scarlet as she realized, to her horror, that she had grabbed the waistband of his pants. She instantly retracted her hand like she'd been burned.

"I—I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." she stammered, her ghastly face flushed crimson with embarrassment.

Outside, Zachary's voice suddenly brightened with triumph. "I heard her just now."

He pushed forward eagerly, his confidence swelling. 'Finally, I've got her. No matter what, Amelia is going under the knife today. Once the surgery is done, I'll marry her tomorrow at the city hall. Then, everything she owns will become mine and Sandra's.'

Amelia's heart sank, a wave of sadness and despair washing over her. 'Am I really destined to relive this nightmare, even in this life?'

"Mr. Foster," Aaron's voice interrupted sharply as he stepped forward, blocking Zachary's path. "You're mistaken. There's no woman here. I haven't heard anything."

"I heard her just now." Zachary wouldn't back down.

"You're imagining things. I heard nothing," Aaron replied smoothly. "This room is perfectly visible. Other than Mr. Kingsley, there's no one here."

Zachary continued, "She must be hiding somewhere. Let me just—"

"You intend to search Mr. Kingsley's room, Mr. Foster?" Aaron asked, his voice icy.

As if on cue, about four towering bodyguards appeared silently, forming an impenetrable line in front of the door.

Zachary hesitated, his face twitching with frustration. After weighing his options, he finally stepped back with a forced smile. "Apologies for the disturbance."

The door closed firmly, and the tension in the room dissipated slightly. Aaron approached the bed, his sharp gaze narrowing. Without a word, he yanked back the blanket, exposing Amelia. She froze like a deer in headlights.

Chapter 3 Marrying The Comatose Ceo

"Ms. Edwards, you're quite audacious," Aaron frowned as he stared at the trembling Amelia on the bed, but his reprimand died on his lips when he noticed something unusual. Landon's body, particularly his lower half, appeared to have stirred and had a tent in his pants.

Aaron's eyes widened with surprise. Unable to continue his scolding nor mask his excitement, he immediately grabbed his phone and dialed, his voice filled with urgency. "Dr. Coleman, come here right away."

Amelia leapt off the bed in a panic. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to offend. I had no choice—Zachary is trying to drag me into surgery, but I'm not even sick."

Aaron shot her a skeptical glance. "You're not sick?" The question escaped his lips as he puzzled over her claim. 'Why would someone force a healthy person into surgery?'

"That's right, I'm perfectly fine." Amelia's eyes brimmed with tears as memories of her last life overwhelmed her. "Zachary never loved me. He's been lying to me all along. Everything he's done was just to take control of my shares."

The revelation sent a ripple of disbelief through Aaron's otherwise stoic expression. Zachary was known across Norava as a man deeply devoted to Amelia. The idea that he would orchestrate such a scheme of a needless surgery was nothing short of shocking—a scandal straight out of a dramatic soap opera.

Aaron furrowed his brow, feeling a flicker of sympathy—but that was all it was, just sympathy.

The Kingsley family was already neck-deep in turmoil. He had no idea when Landon would wake up, and Amelia certainly had no place here.

"Ms. Edwards, you need to leave," Aaron said firmly.

"I can't," she protested, trembling with desperation. She didn't dare leave.

She knew Zachary all too well. He must have the entire hospital surrounded by now. The moment she stepped out of Landon's room, she'd be captured.

Clinging to a sliver of hope, she pleaded, "Mr. Hall, please, just let me stay a little longer. Or... could you call the police for me?"

Aaron's face hardened. "I'm sorry, Ms. Edwards, but I work for the Kingsley family. My responsibility is to look after Mr. Kingsley, not to create trouble for him."

She continued, "Mr. Hall, please—"

"Ms. Edwards, leave," he repeated, cutting her off.

Amelia bit her lip, her mind racing. She figured if she stalled long enough, the situation might shift in her favor.

Before she could muster another plea, footsteps approached. "What's going on, Mr. Hall?" a woman's voice asked nervously.

Just then, Landon's doctor Ryan Coleman arrived, accompanied by a regal woman in her late forties, whose air of authority and elegance was impossible to miss.

Aaron threw a glance at Amelia before ushering the newcomers aside for a hushed conversation. Recognizing her precarious position, Amelia wisely covered her ears to feign ignorance.

A few moments later, the woman approached with a warm, almost disarming smile. "You must be Ms. Edwards. I'm Gloria Kingsley, Landon's mother."

Amelia's heart clenched at the unexpected introduction. "Mrs. Kingsley, it's a pleasure to meet you," she stammered, forcing a shaky smile.

Her thoughts churned. 'She seems kind... Could she be my chance? Could she save me?'

"I've just talked to Aaron. I understand you're in a bit of trouble, right?" Gloria's voice was gentle but probing.

The dam of Amelia's emotions broke as she clutched at this lifeline. "Mrs. Kingsley, please, I'm begging you. Call the police for me..."

Gloria's smile softened, but her words carried an unsettling weight. "Amelia, surgeries like these require immediate family consent. Your parents signed the paperwork, didn't they? That means they won't protect you. Even if you get the police involved and escape today, what about tomorrow?"

Each sentence felt like a dagger twisting in Amelia's heart. She clutched her chest, feeling a wave of heartache that threatened to shatter her.

'My stepmother and stepsister are cruel enough, but my father is my flesh and blood. How can he just stand by and watch me get schemed against?' She then clenched the front of her dress as despair engulfed her.

Her thoughts kept spiraling. 'Even if I somehow escape the hospital today, what then? They will never let me go. And I'm alone, isolated, with no one to turn to. How long can I keep trying to fend for myself?'

"Ms. Edwards," Gloria said with a smile after a moment, her tone thoughtful, "I might have a solution, but it depends on whether you're willing."

Amelia's head snapped up. "What is it?"

"Marry my son and become a Kingsley."

"What?"

Amelia was taken aback, her mind racing to process the unexpected offer.

Gloria's poised expression didn't waver as she explained, chuckling, "Even though my son is currently in a coma, there's no telling when he might wake up.

"And even if he doesn't, our family has enough wealth and power to ensure you'll live comfortably. With our protection, do you think Zachary would dare lay a finger on you?"

Amelia's mind raced as she weighed her options. With no other path to safety, she finally nodded, her voice steady with determination. "Alright. I'll do it."

"I won't allow it." Landon's deep, growling voice reverberated in her head, sharp and commanding.

Startled, Amelia shivered, her heart hammering. She turned quickly toward the bed with guilt in her eyes. 'Is he awake?'

Landon lay there, completely still, his face calm and untouched by the turmoil around him, seemingly lost in his dreams.

Her brow furrowed in confusion. 'Why do I keep hearing his voice?'

Gathering her courage, she asked hesitantly in a low voice, "Did any of you hear Landon speak just now?"

"No, of course not," Gloria replied, shaking her head, her brows drawing together slightly in bewilderment.

Everyone around her looked utterly baffled, unsure of what was happening.

"Ms. Edwards, comatose patients don't talk. You're likely imagining things," Aaron said, his tone cautious, as if trying to reason with her. He figured Amelia must be in shock, confused by the situation.

Amelia frowned, trying to make sense of it all. It was strange to her that only she could hear Landon's voice. But at the same time, she couldn't help but feel a strange comfort in the sound because it meant he couldn't stop her from marrying him.

"Have the doctor come in and check on Landon," Gloria instructed Aaron before turning to Amelia with a warm but decisive tone. "Ms. Edwards, let's have your identification information so we can get your marriage paperwork started."

"Wait... now?" Amelia blinked in rapid confusion. 'How on earth can I marry someone who's in a coma?'

"Don't worry about the formalities," Gloria said breezily. "Aaron will handle the paperwork. In the meantime, you'll come home with me. It's time you got familiar with your new home."

"Oh... okay," Amelia responded, still reeling as she trailed behind Gloria.

Noticing Amelia's hospital gown, Gloria paused, took off her coat, and gently draped it over her shoulders.

"Mrs. Kingsley, thank you..." The warmth and soft fragrance of the coat enveloped Amelia, and for a fleeting moment, her eyes stung with unshed tears. 'If only I had my own mother... She would have fought for me, protected me no matter what, just like Gloria is protecting Landon.'

"From now on, we're family. Call me Gloria," Gloria said with a kind smile.

The lump in Amelia's throat grew heavier, and for a moment, words eluded her.

"It's okay, take your time," Gloria comforted her, mistaking her silence for shyness. She reached for Amelia's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze as she led her out of the room.

Just as they reached the doorway, an unmistakable growl from Landon echoed in Amelia's head, "Amelia, stop right there!"

She froze mid-step, her blood running cold.

Gloria looked at her with concern. "Amy, what's wrong?"

Amelia's voice trembled as she asked, "Did... Did you hear something just now?"

If she had chalked up the earlier voice to stress-induced hallucinations, this time it felt far too real to dismiss.

"No, nothing," Gloria replied, glancing around with confusion. "Aaron, did you hear anything?"

Aaron shook his head firmly.

The hospital had gone to great lengths to ensure Landon's recovery, assigning him to a secluded, quiet room. Aside from the four of them, the place was completely empty.

"Amelia, take me out of this hospital!" The voice in her head grew sharper, angrier, practically vibrating with frustration.

At last, a bizarre realization dawned on Amelia. This wasn't a hallucination—she could hear Landon's thoughts.

'Oh my goodness. Is this for real? Have I gained some supernatural ability in this new life?' She tried her best to keep her expression neutral while silently celebrating. 'This is fantastic. With this golden ticket in hand, those scumbags Zachary and Sandra don't stand a chance.'

'Amelia, are you listening?' Landon's voice in her head was practically roaring now. He sounded livid, his fury unmistakable.

What Amelia didn't realize was how desperately Landon clung to this newfound lifeline. He had spent far too long lying in a hospital bed, trapped in his own body, treated like an inert shell by everyone around him.

No one else was able to understand the turmoil swirling in his mind. But now, he finally had someone who could hear him, someone who might be able to help. He couldn't let this chance slip away.

And as the head of the Kingsley family, he had unfinished business to settle—including dealing with his conniving cousin, Patrick Kingsley, who had hit him with his car and left him in this state.

"Maybe we should take him home," Amelia suggested aloud, throwing Landon a bone.

Gloria's expression stiffened in shock, her maternal instincts kicking in. "Absolutely not. Landon needs round-the-clock medical care. He's staying here until he recovers."

"Of course..." Amelia replied, sounding appropriately resigned for him to hear. Internally, though, she smirked, 'See? It's not that I don't want to help you. It's that your mother won't let you go home.'

Amelia still felt the lingering shock of her rebirth, and now, out of nowhere, she had a husband. It was all happening so fast—one minute she was barely keeping her head above water, and the next, she was caught in the whirlwind of a high-stakes drama that felt like an emotional roller coaster.

'Fine. Let Landon stay here. I don't need a husband—I need the Kingsley family's protection. Men?' Amelia's lips curled into a bitter smile. 'After what Zachary put me through, I'll never trust one again.'

'Amelia!' Landon's voice echoed in her mind, each word sharp and filled with venom. 'You ungrateful jerk. The nerve of you, burning bridges after getting what you want. Damn you.'

Amelia pretended not to hear, her gaze unwavering, hiding her amusement behind a blank face. After all, no one else could hear Landon's thoughts but her. This was her little secret, and she intended to make the most of it.

Chapter 4 I'm Now Landon's Wife

Left behind in the hospital room, Landon was seething with frustration. But he couldn't do anything but simmer in his rage. 'Amelia, just you wait.'

Meanwhile, Amelia smiled to herself, her eyes sparkling with mischief, thinking smugly, 'La, la, la... I can't hear you. I can't hear you...'

The next thought from Landon's mind, however, took a different tone. 'I'm in danger here,' he admitted, softening his mental voice, almost pleading.

Amelia stopped short, startled. 'Danger? Who would dare harm him?'

Then his next warning struck her like a lightning bolt. 'If I die, do you think Zachary will let you go?'

A shiver ran down Amelia's spine as she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest. She knew Zachary and Sandra had planned this for a really long time and wouldn't let her go until they got their hands on the inheritance left to her by her late mother.

The thought made her stomach churn, and she quickly grabbed Gloria's hand. "Gloria, he's been in treatment for so long without waking up. Maybe it's time to try something different. Why don't we take him home? A change of environment and some love might just do the trick."

Gloria sighed heavily, a flicker of hope sparking in her eyes, "The doctors did mention this as a possible approach. I've been coming here every day to talk to Landon, but nothing's worked. Maybe... Maybe you could be the turning point."

Her gaze was so pointed, so filled with expectation, that Amelia felt her nerves tighten like a bowstring.

"Aaron, go make the arrangements," Gloria instructed firmly.

"Yes, ma'am," Aaron replied with a crisp nod.

The news of Landon's discharge quickly brought the head physician to their side, who carefully explained the post-care procedures.

When the doctor learned that Amelia was now Landon's wife, he took her aside, his tone serious as he gave her an extensive list of instructions. "Ma'am, it's crucial that Mr. Kingsley takes his medication on time.

"Make sure to massage him regularly to prevent muscle atrophy, and talk to him often—emotional engagement can sometimes work miracles."

Amelia nearly rolled her eyes but kept her expression polite. 'Good grief. Am I a wife or a full-time caregiver?'

"Amy," Gloria said tearfully, her eyes glistening with emotion as she wiped off her tears, "Landon's recovery depends on you now."

For a moment, Amelia was at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, Landon's tense nerves finally began to relax. In his mind, he sighed with relief, 'Finally, I'm getting out of this place and going home.'

But outside the hospital room, Amelia's troubles were just beginning. No sooner had she stepped out than Zachary appeared, blocking her path with a face full of feigned anguish just as she expected.

"Amelia, there you are. I've been looking everywhere for you. Where have you been? I was going out of my mind with worry," Zachary said, his face a mask of concern and affection.

If this had been her last life, Amelia might have fallen for his act. But now, his performance only felt hollow and grotesque to her.

"Amelia," Zachary said earnestly, stepping closer and attempting to take her hand, "the surgery has already been delayed for an hour. Come with me, quickly."

Before he could reach her, however, the Kingsley family's bodyguards moved to block his path, their presence an unspoken warning.

"Amelia?" Zachary's expression tightened as unease flickered across his face. 'She couldn't have found out the truth already, could she? And if she's really under Gloria's protection, then I'm in serious trouble. The Kingsleys aren't people I can afford to cross.'

Forcing himself to remain calm, he continued his performance. "Amelia, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are worried sick about you after knowing you went missing. They're already on their way to the hospital. Come back with me now and stop making everyone worry."

Amelia's heart burned with fury at the mention of her greedy father and scheming stepmother, who feigned affection but were plotting her downfall.

Of course, they were panicking now—panicking that she might slip through their grasp, panicking that their lies would be exposed, and panicking most of all about losing her mother Debra's vast inheritance.

"Are you Mr. Foster?" Gloria's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Amelia is now my daughter-in-law, a part of the Kingsley family. Please stop harassing her."

Zachary's jaw dropped. "What?"

Amelia took a deep breath, straightened her back, and declared firmly, "I'm now Landon's wife." Her expression was determined, her voice unwavering, and her bright eyes shone with defiance.

In this life, she had been given a second chance. There would be no looking back. She was determined to live her life on her terms, expose these wolves in sheep's clothing, and reclaim everything that belonged to her mother.

Gloria, sensing the tension, hate and resolve in Amelia's stance, gave her a reassuring smile before turning back to Zachary. "Mr. Foster, step aside, please."

"No, Amelia is my fiancée..." Zachary practically yelped, pinching his thigh hard to convince himself this wasn't some bizarre dream.

Inside, however, his thoughts were much darker. 'So she knows the truth about that so-called cancer now and went to the Kingsleys for protection? Fine. But there's no way I'm letting her, or her inheritance, escape my grasp.'

Taking a softer tone, Zachary tried again. "Amelia, I know you're scared of the pain, and you don't want the surgery. That's fine. We can wait. Let's go home and talk it over first..."

His thoughts, however, betrayed his cruel intentions. 'Once I get her back, I'll drag her straight to the operating table. Let her learn the truth if she wants—she won't be able to escape.

'And after the surgery? Who'd want a broken woman but me? She'll come begging for me to take her, inheritance and all.'

"Zachary, stop pretending. I know I'm not sick, and there's no way I'm leaving with you today," Amelia said firmly, her gaze cold and dismissive as she looked at him.

Watching him perform this pitiful charade felt like observing a bad carnival act. She had made up her mind—this man, who hid his venomous heart beneath a polished exterior, would no longer fool her.

Zachary's expression shifted for a moment and he quickly masked it with faux confusion. "Amelia, what are you talking about? Fine, you're not sick. Let's just go home, okay?"

"No." Amelia's voice trembled with suppressed emotion, but her resolve was unshaken. She clenched her teeth, fighting the wave of bitterness that rose in her chest.

Returning to the Edwards family would be like stepping back into a den of vipers. Every member of that household was poised to strip her of everything, leaving nothing but her bones. There was no way she was going back there.

"Amelia, stop being so stubborn, will you?" Zachary adjusted his glasses, the picture of exasperation. "Let's not air our dirty laundry here in front of Mrs. Kingsley. Whatever it is, we can talk it over at home."

"I'm a Kingsley now," Amelia retorted, lifting her chin as she stole a glance at Gloria.

Gloria responded with an encouraging smile, subtle but warm.

Emboldened by the gesture, Amelia squared her shoulders and declared, "I'm married to Landon now."

Zachary's laugh was sharp and incredulous, but it died abruptly as he caught himself mid-sentence. "That's impossible. Landon's practically a living corpse—" He stopped cold, realizing his slip.

A chill spread across the air as several icy, sharp gazes turned toward him. Zachary's back stiffened, and a bead of cold sweat ran down his temple. 'Damn it. That was a mistake.'

"Mr. Foster, Amy is now part of my family." Gloria's voice was calm, yet her words carried weight.

Zachary's mind raced, cursing Amelia under his breath. 'This conniving little wretch actually managed to secure the Kingsley family's protection?'

He was cornered but dared not show it. Trying to keep his composure, he turned to Gloria. "Mrs. Kingsley, there must be some misunderstanding. Amelia is practically my wife."

Gloria's lips curved into a poised smile as she asked lightly, "Oh? Were the two of you engaged?"

Zachary hesitated, then shook his head. "No."

In Norava, engagement ceremonies were a big deal, but Sandra had insisted she didn't want to see him getting engaged with another woman, so the families had forgone the formalities and simply acknowledged the engagement.

"Are you married, then?" Gloria pressed on.

"Not... yet," he admitted, his voice faltering.

"Then what exactly gives you the right to call Amy your wife?" Gloria asked with a serene yet cutting laugh.

Amelia caught the playful glint in Gloria's eyes and couldn't help but feel a rush of admiration and excitement.

She hadn't expected her future mother-in-law to be not only kind but also quite the player when it came to these little mind games.

A sense of hope bloomed within her. She thought that perhaps this unexpected marriage that had fallen into her lap might be the key to restarting her life—an unforeseen twist that could offer a fresh start.

"Mrs. Kingsley, this is common knowledge in Norava..." Zachary began, his tone tinged with frustration, though he dared not confront Gloria directly.

"Is that so? Funny. I seem to have missed the memo," Gloria said with a sly smile. "Mr. Foster, might I suggest you check with city hall for the official records?"

Panic flickered across Zachary's face. He hastily pulled out his phone, barking orders to confirm Amelia's marital status. Moments later, the reply came. Amelia and Landon had registered their marriage just minutes ago.

To him, this was utterly inconceivable. Amelia had been right under his nose, never leaving the hospital, yet somehow she managed to marry another man.

And Landon—who was in a vegetative state—couldn't have possibly gone to the city hall to tie the knot. Zachary couldn't fathom how they had legally become husband and wife.

"Do you still have doubts, Mr. Foster?" Gloria asked, her voice sweet but laced with steel.

Zachary's gaze snapped back to Amelia. The veneer of false affection he had worn for so long finally cracked, revealing the cold calculation beneath. "Amelia, so this is how you repay me? By leaving me to climb the social ladder?"

"Repay you?" Amelia let out a cold laugh, her eyes flashing with disdain. "You might want to check on Sandra. The child she's carrying could use some attention from its father."

Zachary's face drained of color. Sandra's pregnancy was a closely guarded secret, and he had no idea how Amelia had uncovered it.

"Amy, let's go home," Gloria said gently, placing a hand on Amelia's shoulder.

"Let's go." Amelia nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude.

With the Kingsley family's bodyguards clearing the path, Amelia walked out of the hospital, leaving the shadows of her past behind.

Outside, the bright sun bathed her face in warmth. She tilted her head back, letting the light kiss her skin as she stared at the azure sky dotted with clouds. Taking a deep breath, she whispered to herself, 'Zachary, Sandra, just you wait. This is far from over.'

Chapter 5 Undress Him.

Having suddenly acquired a husband who was little more than a vegetable, Amelia sat on the edge of the bed, staring at Landon as if in a trance. Everything about her current situation felt surreal, like some bizarre fever dream.

Gloria's voice broke her thoughts. "Amy, from now on, you'll be sharing this room with Landon."

"What? We'll be sharing a bed?" Amelia blurted out, her eyes wide with disbelief. Her immediate reaction was one of instinctive resistance.

Gloria, ever composed, responded with a calm smile, "You're husband and wife now. Sharing a bed is perfectly normal."

'Well, that does make sense, but still...' Amelia frowned slightly, her delicate brows drawing together in unease.

"Amy, is that a problem?" Gloria asked, her tone gentle but probing.

Amelia hesitated, her mind racing. She definitely didn't want this, but the reality of her situation pushed her to swallow her discomfort. She needed the Kingsley family's protection to survive. Forcing a stiff smile, she replied, "No, not at all."

"Then I'll leave Landon in your care," Gloria said, her tone deceptively light.

"Sure. Absolutely." Amelia's smile grew even more strained. Her mind, however, spiraled with images of the awkward task ahead—bathing and dressing Landon. She was so consumed by this looming embarrassment that she completely missed the glint of calculated mischief in Gloria's eyes.

"I noticed that hospital gown is rather unsightly," Gloria continued casually, as if discussing the weather. "Why don't you give Landon a quick wipe-down and help him change into something more comfortable, like his pajamas?"

"Oh, alright." Amelia's voice faltered, but she forced herself to nod. There was no room to refuse.

Gloria's lips curved into a subtle, satisfied smile. There was an unmistakable spark of cunning in her expression.

She had her own agenda. Aaron had mentioned that Landon had gotten a boner in front of Amelia before, which Gloria considered nothing short of miraculous.

She figured this could be the perfect opportunity to foster intimacy between them. 'After all, once they grow closer, it wouldn't be long before they could give me grandchildren.'

To her, a grandchild would solve everything. It would not only secure their family legacy but also strengthen Gloria's position against her late husband's elder brother, Henry Kingsley. She was determined to protect her husband's inheritance for her son at all costs.

With a satisfied nod, Gloria left the room. Amelia let out a heavy sigh, her eyes drifting to the peacefully sleeping Landon. "You know, you can talk to me, so why not just wake up already?"

'Do you think I don't want to wake up?' Landon's cold laugh echoed in her mind, his voice sharp with sarcasm.

Although his body remained lifeless, Landon's awareness of the world around him hadn't dulled for a second. The frustration of being trapped—unable to move, speak, or even flinch—was enough to drive anyone insane.

But then there was Amelia, who was like a silver lining to him. Somehow, inexplicably, she could hear his thoughts. She was his one link to the world, even if he had no idea why.

"Then hurry up and wake up," Amelia muttered, her voice laced with frustration. Her brows knitted tightly together as she paced.

Her mind wandered to her first marriage in her last life. Zachary had spent three years denying her even the most basic intimacy, all in the name of remaining faithful to Sandra. Two lifetimes had passed, yet she had never been with a man.

And now, the prospect of bathing and dressing Landon felt insurmountable to her.

If only he would wake up—just sit up, say something, anything—she wouldn't have to do this.

Though Landon couldn't hear her thoughts, he could sense her hesitation. His lips may not move, but his mind was sharp, and his disdain clear. 'You want the protection I can offer but aren't willing to pay the price? That's not how the world works.'

His inner voice cut through her thoughts like ice. 'Wash me.' The cold command startled Amelia. For someone in a coma, his authoritative tone carried an almost oppressive weight.

Overwhelmed, she froze for a moment, but then the defiance kicked in. 'He may be able to bark orders in my head, but that doesn't mean I have to listen. No one else knows what he thinks anyway.'

"Nope," Amelia said aloud, crossing her legs and leaning back smugly. A playful smirk tugged at her lips as she added silently, 'Not gonna do it. Let's see what you'll do about that, Mr. Big Shot.'

Landon's voice rang sharply in her head. 'Amelia, are you defying me?'

"Oh, sorry, what was that? Didn't catch it." Amelia hummed, twirling a lock of her hair with mock innocence.

'Let's see how quickly my mother will kick you out when she finds out you're not following her orders,' Landon sneered in Amelia's head, his tone dripping with cold amusement.

The playful smirk on Amelia's face faltered. She didn't respond, giving him some peace of mind, but her stomach twisted with unease and terror.

The silence was unnerving. Without Landon's cutting remarks filling her thoughts, the room felt too quiet. Yet the threat lingered, heavy and ominous.

She bit her lip, frustration bubbling inside her. She couldn't afford to lose the Kingsley family's protection, not when she had no plan yet to handle Zachary or the Edwards family.

A knock on the door jolted her out of her spiraling thoughts. "Mrs. Amelia," came the soft voice of a servant, Emma. "Mrs. Gloria asked me to remind you to join her for flower arranging downstairs after you've finished."

Amelia's heart skipped a beat. "Of course. I'll be there shortly," she called back, forcing cheer into her voice. She had no choice but to do what he said.

Turning back to Landon, she let out another sigh, louder this time. "Alright, alright. Let's get this over with," she muttered, bracing herself for the awkwardness ahead.

Amelia brought over a basin of warm water, her movements hesitant but deliberate. She pulled back the blanket, her fingers trembling slightly as she reached to unbutton Landon's shirt.

Her gaze flickered to his face, trying to discern if he was angry, asleep, or entirely oblivious. He gave no reaction, remaining as still as ever.

With a deep breath, Amelia steadied herself and mustered some courage. Once the buttons were undone, she pulled his shirt open.

The sight before her made her pause. Landon's chest was perfectly sculpted—broad, muscular, and unnervingly flawless for someone who had supposedly been bedridden for so long. His skin was firm, his physique the kind that belonged on the cover of a fitness magazine.

It was the first time Amelia had ever seen a man's body up close, and it left her momentarily frozen. Her breath hitched, her wide eyes tracing every curve and line of his chest. After several seconds, she snapped herself out of it, her cheeks burning as she grabbed the towel.

Her hands trembled as she wrung out the hot cloth. Each stroke of the towel against his skin felt unnervingly intimate, like her fingertips were grazing his muscles through the thin barrier of fabric.

She could feel the tension and elasticity beneath her touch, and her face grew hotter with every motion.

When her hand brushed over his chest, her nerves got the better of her, and the towel nearly slipped from her trembling fingers. 'Focus, Amelia. Focus,' she scolded herself internally, trying to will the embarrassment away.

To her relief, Landon remained utterly unresponsive, allowing her to finish cleaning his upper body without further incident.

But then came the next challenge—changing his clothes. Amelia sighed, brushing a stray strand of hair from her forehead. She climbed onto the bed, carefully straddling him to prop him up. It was awkward, to say the least, but she needed to lift him to pull his arms through the sleeves.

He was heavier than she anticipated. Before she knew it, her balance gave way, and they both toppled backward.

Amelia landed sprawled atop him, her soft curves pressing against his solid chest. Her head tilted to the side, her lips accidentally brushing the warm skin of his neck.

She froze, horrified, as their mingled breaths created an undeniably intimate atmosphere. Her legs were splayed on either side of his waist in a position so compromising it would make any onlooker blush.

"Amy... Oh! I didn't see anything, you two carry on." Gloria, feeling uneasy, pushed the door open to check up on them. But upon seeing the scene inside, she quickly backed out of the room. Her voice rang out in a mix of amusement and faux innocence.

Before Amelia could so much as breathe, Gloria quickly closed the door behind her, leaving them alone once more.

Amelia snapped back to reality, scrambling upright as if burned. "I—I—I..." she stammered, her face flaming red. She couldn't even finish her sentence before her eyes darted downward and widened in shock. He had a boner again.

"You shameless pervert!" Amelia blurted, her voice a mix of fury and embarrassment. Her cheeks burned as she glared at him, the indignation bubbling over. 'Who would've thought a comatose guy could be this indecent?'

But Landon, internally, was no less mortified.

If he could've moved, he'd have buried his face in his hands. He hadn't wanted her to touch him, but the more reluctant she seemed, the more stubborn he had become about making her go through with it.

And now, she hadn't really got the job done and his body had betrayed him, making the entire situation utterly humiliating.

From the moment he had slipped into a coma, Landon had been painfully aware of his surroundings.

He knew Kenneth had sabotaged his car, orchestrating the accident that left him trapped in this state. He also knew that Henry's family were circling like vultures, waiting for an opportunity to seize control and take him out for good.

Yet he'd been powerless to stop any of it, forced to endure his helplessness in silence until now.

Amelia had stumbled her way into his life—quite literally—and, for reasons he still didn't understand, she could hear his thoughts. Her presence had cracked open the door to his confinement.

Somehow, her touch awakened parts of him he hadn't realized could still respond. And it had happened twice, in one day.

It was a cruel irony. Overwhelmed by embarrassment, Landon decided to play possum and awkwardly fought to control his breathing, feigning obliviousness to the world around him.

"Disgusting! Even as a vegetable, you're still a shameless lecher." Amelia's muttered tirade continued as she scowled at his unresponsive form.

To her relief—and his—Landon's body slowly settled, the earlier reaction fading into stillness once more.

Amelia frowned, leaning closer as she examined him. "Is he asleep? Does he really not feel anything? Is it just his mind and body not syncing properly?" she wondered aloud.

Her curiosity got the better of her and she wanted to prove her theory. Tentatively, she placed a hand on his waist, hesitating as she glanced at his face for any sign of consciousness.

To mask her nerves, she straightened her posture and cleared her throat. "I'm only doing this because I need to change your pants, okay? Don't get any ideas. This is purely professional."

She hooked her fingers under the waistband, carefully tugging his pants downward. When the fabric slipped just low enough to reveal his boxers, her courage faltered.

Turning her head to the side, she squeezed her eyes shut. 'He's just a patient. He's a vegetable. He can only hear and speak in my head, but his body feels nothing...'

'But... can he really feel anything?' a traitorous thought whispered in her mind. Amelia bit her lip, cracking open one eye to peek at him. He lay there, utterly still, as if nothing in the world could faze him.

"Phew." She exhaled in relief, a tiny smile tugging at her lips. 'So it really was just an accident earlier. Men are... uh, biologically prone to getting boners, right? No big deal. He doesn't feel anything, so I'm in the clear.'

Reassured, she gathered her courage and shifted her focus back to the task at hand, turning her attention away from his reactions. She determined to finish without further incident.

With a swift motion, she pulled the pants down to his ankles. The soft fabric slid away, revealing his powerful, muscular legs.

Chapter 6 It Was Hell

Landon never imagined Amelia would pull his pants down. At this moment, regret washed over him like a tidal wave, sweeping away all sense of clarity. He felt as if the very ability to communicate with her had slipped through his fingers, leaving him paralyzed in his thoughts.

In his memory, Amelia had always been shy and sweet, someone who blushed furiously even when Zachary kissed her on the cheek in public. And yet, here she was, stripping his pants off without hesitation.

He silently cursed himself for underestimating her. The chill of the air brushing against his skin was a stark reminder of his current predicament. He was now lying there with nothing but his underwear on, practically naked in front of her.

Landon, the man who exuded power and control, had never been in such an embarrassing situation in front of any woman.

But now that things had come to this, he had no choice but to continue pretending to be unconscious. He just prayed Amelia wouldn't take things any further.

To his relief, Amelia didn't have the nerve to go beyond removing his pants. As she stood at the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed downward, she was clearly flustered. Her cheeks burned, her heart pounded, and her hands nervously fidgeted by her sides.

'Taking pants off is easy... but putting new ones back on? Do I really have to lift his hips?' Amelia thought in a panic, pacing back and forth in the room.

Her mind raced. 'No, no, that's not lifting. That's touching—no, it's definitely groping. And I'd have to touch him more than once just to get the pants on properly.' Her internal struggle was also pure torture for Landon.

To him, she was completely unpredictable. She wasn't behaving in any way he could anticipate and it drove him insane.

He couldn't guess what she'd do next, and the thought of her fumbling with his clothes again filled him with dread. He was afraid that she might do something else to him during the process.

"I think," Amelia said abruptly, breaking the tense silence, "you have to get cleaned and dressed every day anyway, and it's such a hassle. Maybe it's better if you just don't wear anything at all."

Landon's chest rose and fell sharply in protest. 'Don't wear anything? Does she mean I should stay naked? What the hell? Why can't she call the butler for help? Ugh, she's hopeless.'

Satisfied with her "solution", Amelia brushed her hands off as if her work was done. "Well, mission accomplished. I'm off to arrange flowers. You get some rest." With that, she turned and left the room.

As the door closed behind her, Landon let out a heavy sigh of relief, finally free from her "torture". Her so-called "care" had left him utterly exhausted—not just physically, but mentally.

Lying motionless for so long drained his energy. His body couldn't keep up and he got tired easily. For the first time, doubt crept into his mind. 'Could I ever fully recover from this state?'

*****

Downstairs, Gloria was busy arranging flowers. When she spotted Amelia coming down, she looked up with a smile. "Finished?" Gloria asked.

"Mm—hmm." Amelia nodded quickly and batted her eyes, her guilty conscience flickering across her face. 'Does just taking his clothes off without putting fresh ones on count as finished?'

Gloria gestured toward a bouquet of richly petaled lilies. "There are some double-bloomed lilies here—Landon's favorite. Arrange a vase and put it in his room."

Amelia hesitated, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. She was still flushed and warm from her earlier "work".

Gloria observed her closely, her smile turning even more satisfied. "Taking care of Landon must be exhausting, isn't it?"

"It's... manageable," Amelia stammered, her mind flashing back to the embarrassing moment when she'd ended up on top of him. She quickly added, "It's just... he's too heavy. I couldn't move him properly, and that's why I fell on top of him."

"Well, it's a good thing that he's not wasting away," Gloria said with a knowing smile before her tone shifted to something more wistful. "Landon's always been into combat skills. He started training when he was just a boy. But in recent years, he gave it all up to protect his father's legacy."

Amelia's heart sank, a pang of unexpected sympathy hitting her. She never imagined that someone like Landon—so untouchable and at the top of the food chain—would have his own burdens. In her eyes, people like him wielded power with ease, unstoppable and immune to the schemes of others.

"Ever since Landon's accident, Henry and his family have been pressing harder," Gloria explained with a weary sigh. The usually composed and elegant woman now wore a shadow of worry on her refined features. "If Landon doesn't wake up soon, I don't think I'll be able to hold on much longer."

Amelia blinked in disbelief, her eyes wide with shock. "But as far as I know, Kingsley Group was founded by Mr. Isaac Kingsley himself. Henry and his family shouldn't have any claim to it."

"They shouldn't," Gloria remarked bitterly. "But Landon is my only child. As far as they're concerned, he's as good as dead, and they want to devour everything he has," She sighed again, this time with an almost imperceptible tremor in her voice.

Amelia's jaw tightened in anger. 'Landon's not even gone, and they're already circling like vultures? Henry and his family are shameless.'

Gloria turned to Amelia, her eyes full of a desperate kind of hope. "Amy, you have to do your best," she said earnestly, as though Amelia was the last thread holding everything together.

"W—what?" Amelia stammered, utterly bewildered. 'How can I help when even the best doctors can't fix Landon's condition?'

"Like you said," Gloria pleaded gently, "reach him with your feelings. Wake him up."

"Uh..." Amelia's face froze in discomfort.

She wanted to remind Gloria that she and Landon barely knew each other. They had no emotional bond to speak of. The words she'd said earlier were pure desperation and a desperate plea for protection, nothing more.

But before she could say anything, Gloria's hand clasped over hers tightly. "And if that doesn't work... then give him an heir. If there's a child, Henry and his family won't be able to touch our assets. You understand, don't you?"

"What?" Amelia's voice came out in a strangled gasp as she was utterly stunned.

It dawned on her then—every move Gloria had made, every kind word, every supportive gesture—had all been leading to this moment. She wanted Amelia to bear Landon's child.

The thought sent a shiver down her spine. She hadn't agreed to this. Back when she begged for Landon's help, children were the furthest thing from her mind. It had all felt so immediate and sudden, and the weight of it—of becoming a mother, of bearing his child—felt overwhelming, almost impossible to process.

Seeing Amelia's hesitation, Gloria softened her tone and tried a different tactic. "Amy, I know I am asking a lot from you. I understand how difficult it must seem. But we have no other choice. If everything falls apart, none of us will get out of this mess unscathed."

"I..." Amelia faltered, unable to find the words to respond.

At that moment, Ethan Burns, the family butler, appeared in the doorway. "Mrs. Gloria, the Edwards family is here. They're asking to see Mrs. Amelia."

Amelia's slender frame trembled, and a wave of hatred surged through her chest.

The tragedies of her past life replayed in her mind like flashes of a nightmare. Betrayal, loss, and pain all collided at once, filling her with a desperate longing to march out and confront them, to see them pay for their crimes.

"My in-laws?" Gloria arched a brow, her expression unreadable as she turned to Amelia. "Amy, do you want to go back with them?"

"No," Amelia answered without hesitation. Going home with the Edwards family would be akin to walking into a trap.

Their plot to perform a needless surgery on her had already been exposed. She had no doubt they'd come up with another way to harm her if she returned. She wouldn't go back. That wasn't her home. It was hell.

"Good," Gloria said, a reassuring smile spreading across her lips. "Ethan, show them in."

Walter Edwards and his wife, Melissa Edwards, stepped into the grand living room, their faces darkening the moment they saw Amelia nestled comfortably beside Gloria.

In their minds, a furious storm brewed. 'This little brat dared to get married behind our backs. Does she even see us as her parents anymore?'

Walter cleared his throat, forcing a polite smile. "Mrs. Kingsley, I apologize for the intrusion. I'm here to take my daughter home."

"Mr. Edwards," Gloria replied with a calm yet authoritative tone, "Amy has her own home now. You're always welcome to visit, but she won't be leaving with you."

Walter and Melissa exchanged stunned looks. 'Could Zachary have been telling the truth? Has Amy married Landon Kingsley? That doesn't make sense. The Kingsley family has never had any dealings with us, and Amelia couldn't possibly know Landon.

'She must have pulled some trick to gain their protection and dodge the surgery. If we can just coax her back, everything will be back under our control.'

"Mrs. Kingsley, you must be joking," Melissa chimed in with a strained laugh. "Amy is engaged to Zachary, after all."

Gloria didn't even blink. "I've already discussed this with Zachary. There's no need to repeat myself." Her voice was steady, her demeanor poised and unbothered.

Amelia, on the verge of an outburst, felt her fiery anger simmer down under Gloria's composed presence. 'True revenge isn't about shouting and chaos—it's about playing the long game.'

Walter, refusing to back down, pressed further. "But Mr. Kingsley and Amy have never even met. How can they be husband and wife?"

"I've met him before," Amelia blurted out. It wasn't a lie. She had met Landon, albeit briefly. Though, to be honest, she doubted he even remembered her.

"Amy, how come you never mentioned this before?" Melissa's heart skipped a beat, regret flooding her chest.

She thought, 'If I had known Amelia was acquainted with Landon, I wouldn't have bothered with Zachary at all. The crumbs from the Kingsley family's table would be enough to sustain our family for a lifetime.'

Melissa's gaze met Walter's, and a silent understanding passed between them. Walter immediately shifted his tone to one of fawning delight. "Well, in that case, I have no objections. But we should discuss the wedding arrangements properly..."

Amelia let out a cold laugh, her eyes sharp with disdain. 'They came here planning to drag me back for surgery, but now they're falling over themselves calculating the potential benefits of my marriage? These two really know how to ride the wind and change their tune.'

"There won't be a wedding," Amelia said icily, her words cutting through their schemes like a blade. "The Kingsley family isn't trying to take advantage of me, and I'm not looking to gain anything from them."

Melissa's face turned an alarming shade of pale, but she quickly plastered on a smile, attempting to salvage the situation. "Amy, what are you saying? A proper marriage requires proper traditions..."

"Traditions?" Amelia's voice dripped with sarcasm as she fixed Melissa with an icy stare. "Does the Edwards family even have such a thing? And besides, you're not my mother. What gives you the right to lecture me about any of this?"

Chapter 7 The Truth

Melissa shivered under the ice-cold glare Amelia cast her way, the weight of that piercing gaze making her palms clammy.

Her thoughts scrambled in panic. 'She has always been so gentle and sweet, always respecting me as her mother. What's gotten into her today? Could she... Could she have learned the truth about her birth mother?

'No, that's impossible. Debra's death was silent and discreet. No one in Norava could possibly know that Amelia is Debra's daughter.'

Drawing a deep breath to calm her nerves, Melissa plastered on her usual facade of motherly affection. "Amy, darling, I'm your mother. I'm only worried about you—"

"You? My mother?" Amelia's laugh was sharp, bitter, cutting right to the bone. Her eyes burned with a mix of anguish and fury. "You don't deserve that title."

Melissa's expression was as excessively affectionate as ever, full of false concern. For years, she'd played the part of the doting mother, nurturing Amelia into the perfect naive, sweet-tempered fool—easy to manipulate, easier still to control.

In her last life, Amelia had fallen for it all, treating a wolf in sheep's clothing as her flesh and blood for twenty years, only to end up losing everything, even her life.

Walter's stern voice cut through the tension, laced with irritation. "Amy, what kind of tone is that? Apologize to your mother right this instant."

"Sure," Amelia replied coldly, her voice trembling with barely restrained emotion. "Just tell me one thing first, Dad. Where is my real mother buried? I'll need to know where to go to make my apology." Her eyes, shimmering with unshed tears, betrayed the heartache she couldn't quite contain.

Walter and Melissa's so-called love had always been about one thing—the fortune Debra had left for Amelia. If it weren't for the stipulation in Debra's will—that Amelia could only inherit after turning 18 and getting married—Melissa would have likely disposed of her long ago.

Walter froze for a moment, the mask of composure slipping before he forced himself to recover. "Amy, how could you say something so horrible? How could you say that to your own mother," he scolded.

"That's right, Amy," Melissa added with a wounded expression, her voice trembling as though on the verge of tears. "I've been so good to you..."

"Mrs. Edwards," Amelia spat, her voice rising with fury, "your daughter is Sandra while I'm Debra's." The silence that followed was deafening. It was as if Amelia's declaration had sucked all the air out of the room.

The truth had finally come to light, but instead of relief, a deep, aching pain clawed at her chest. The revelation, as earth-shattering as it was, only made the hurt feel sharper. It was as though a part of her had been ripped open, exposing everything she had tried so hard to ignore.

Walter and Melissa paled visibly, their carefully constructed charade crashing down in an instant.

Years ago, Walter had been with Melissa when he met Debra. But the allure of the priceless heirlooms Debra owned had been too tempting. He'd feigned affection, courted her, and eventually married her for her wealth.

The three of them had lived in the neighboring city of Pinecrest. After Debra's untimely death, Walter and Melissa relocated to Norava with Amelia.

The fever-induced amnesia Amelia suffered as a child was a stroke of luck for them. She had come to see Melissa as her real mother, and the two seized the opportunity to rewrite history, claiming Amelia was Melissa's daughter to the outside world.

In Norava, no one even knew of Debra's existence. They had assumed Amelia would never learn the truth.

Gloria, watching the scene unfold, was visibly stunned. Everyone in Norava knew the Edwards family had two daughters. Melissa, in particular, was infamous for her excessive favoritism toward her elder daughter, Amelia.

But now, the truth was out in the open. Melissa had not only pushed Amelia into undergoing unnecessary surgery but had also stood idly by while Sandra bore her future brother-in-law's child. And all because Amelia wasn't her own.

Gloria's mind reeled. 'So that's why Melissa spent years smothering Amelia with false love. She wasn't doting on her—she was raising her to be a pliable fool she could exploit.'

But now that Sandra was carrying Zachary's child, Melissa could easily push for Sandra to take Amelia's place in the Foster family. After all, from her perspective, it didn't matter which daughter married into that family. Either way, it was a connection to the Fosters.

Gloria's suspicions deepened. 'Could they be plotting something even bigger?'

As the matriarch of a powerful family, Gloria had seen her fair share of schemes and storms. But now, her fury surged like a tidal wave. Pulling Amelia protectively into her embrace, she fixed Melissa with a steely gaze. Her voice was sharp, leaving no room for argument.

"Mrs. Edwards," she said coldly, "since it turns out you're not Amy's biological mother, you are no longer an in-law to me."

Melissa and Walter froze, panic flashing across their faces. If they couldn't appease Amelia, Debra's fortune would slip through their fingers for good.

"Honey," Melissa whimpered, throwing herself into Walter's arms in a theatrical display of grief. "For eighteen years, I've raised Amy as if she were my own flesh and blood, only to be treated like this..."

Walter stiffened, composing himself before he barked angrily at Amelia. "Amy, how could you be so ungrateful? After everything we've done for you? We only did this for your own good. Your birth mother passed away far too young.

"We only kept the truth from you so you could live a happy, carefree life. All these years, Melissa has treated you better than her own daughter, Sandra. How could you speak to her like this? Apologize to your mother and come home with us."

Amelia's heart clenched as she shook her head, sadness etched in her expression.

Their words might have sounded righteous, but she knew better. This wasn't about family, or love, or concern for her well-being. It was about dragging her back to go through with that bogus surgery, and then shoving her into a marriage with Zachary.

Melissa might not have been her real mother, but Walter was her biological father. Yet even he had schemed against his own daughter so heartlessly, driven by greed to betray her trust. The realization stung like a thousand needles.

Fighting back tears, Amelia leaned into Gloria's arms, her voice quiet but resolute. "I'm already part of the Kingsley family now. You can leave."

"Amy!" Walter's voice rose sharply. "Are you saying you won't even listen to your father anymore?"

He still believed his eldest daughter was the same timid girl who had always cowered before him. A slight raise in his voice used to be enough to terrify her into submission.

While today had not gone as planned, he was confident his authority would prevail. He figured that as long as he could get her back under his roof, the rest would be easy.

But Amelia simply closed her eyes, fists clenched tightly at her sides. "I won't listen anymore," she said softly, but the weight of her words was unshakable.

From this moment on, she was severing all ties with the Edwards family. And not just that—she would make them pay for everything they had done. She would reclaim every last thing that rightfully belonged to Debra.

Walter stared at her, momentarily struck speechless. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Melissa, panicked, resorted to tears again. "Amy, all these years, I've treated you so well. Are you telling me that it all means nothing? Has it all been erased?"

"Whether it was kindness or manipulation, you know the truth better than anyone," Amelia replied, her face set in stone.

"You ungrateful wretch!" Walter exploded, his face reddening as he shouted.

Gloria's expression darkened as she stepped in. "Mr. Edwards, do you intend to cause a scene in my home?"

Walter froze as if struck by lightning, his arrogance deflating in an instant. "Mrs. Kingsley, I was merely disciplining my daughter—"

"Amelia is part of the Kingsley family now," Gloria interrupted, her tone icy. "It is my responsibility as her mother-in-law to discipline her, if necessary. My son, Landon, cannot handle any disturbances. Should anything happen, the consequences are something you cannot afford. I suggest you leave."

Her words landed like a hammer. At Gloria's subtle signal, Ethan, the butler, appeared with two burly bodyguards in tow. "Mr. Edwards," Ethan said politely but firmly, "this way, please."

Walter hesitated, unwilling to back down, but he knew he was outmatched. No matter how unwilling he was, he had no choice but to retreat.

He swallowed his anger, forcing a kind and fatherly smile onto his face. "Amy, when you come back home, I'll take you to visit your mother's grave."

His words dripped with implied menace—if she didn't return, she'd never learn where Debra was buried.

Amelia's face went ghostly pale. She stared at Walter's retreating figure, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails bit into her palms. 'How could he stoop so low?'

Gloria, who had been watching silently, let out a sigh as she placed a comforting hand on Amelia's shoulder. "Amy, I never imagined you had such a complicated family..."

Lowering her gaze to hide the tears welling in her eyes, Amelia took a shaky breath. "I'm sorry. I only found out today myself. If it causes trouble for your family, I can leave right now."

"Don't be silly." Gloria wrapped an arm around Amelia protectively, her tone firm yet gentle. "Where would you even go if you left us? High society is full of dark secrets and power struggles. You've married into the Kingsley family now, and that makes you one of us."

"Gloria..." Tears spilled down Amelia's cheeks, the warmth of Gloria's words breaking through the cold bitterness that had surrounded her heart.

"From now on, our family will protect you."

"Thank you..."

Amelia wiped her tears and straightened her back, determination flickering in her gaze.

The Edwards family and the Foster family had been struggling in business these past two years, desperately waiting for Debra's inheritance to save them.

Amelia knew they wouldn't stop targeting her. 'They'll come after me again, unless...'

"Gloria, may I ask for a favor?" she asked cautiously.

"Of course, dear. What do you need?" Gloria nodded without hesitation.

Amelia explained, "My biological mother left me a diamond hairpin worth more than 30 million dollars. According to her will, I can't claim it until I'm age and married. Now that I'm married, I'd like to retrieve it and keep it as a reminder of her."

"Consider it done," Gloria said with a decisive smile.

*****

After their humiliating encounter at Kingsley Villa, Walter and Melissa returned home in foul spirits.

The moment they stepped through the door, Sandra rushed to meet them. "Dad, Mom, how did it go?"

"She wouldn't come back," Walter snapped, his face dark with fury. "How could you have been so careless? Letting her find out about the affair?"

"I..." Sandra's hand reflexively went to her belly, guilt flickering across her face. "We didn't mean for it to happen. Everything seemed fine when she went into surgery."

Zachary frowned, his frustration evident, "She wasn't right when she came out. Could someone in the operating room have said something to her?"

"No one said anything," Sandra replied, shaking her head. "I was in the operating room the entire time. Besides, only the four of us even know the truth about her real mother."

The four of them—Sandra, Zachary, Walter, and Melissa—were in the same boat, bound together by their shared secrets and misdeeds. Naturally, they wouldn't let Amelia learn the truth.

'So who the hell blabbed and ruined everything?' Sandra cursed silently, her mind racing with suspicions.

"Dad," Sandra said after a moment, her tone sharp with an edge of desperation, "Amelia must have rushed to marry Landon for protection. They didn't even bother going to the city hall themselves. They just had the paperwork pushed through using connections. We should report them."

Chapter 8 His Proposal

"Report Amelia and Landon? Are you out of your mind? Do you think the Kingsley family is someone we can afford to provoke?" Walter snapped, his tone laced with exasperation.

"Then what are we supposed to do? Amelia latched onto that family knowing we wouldn't dare step out of line. If we don't act fast, she'll claim the entire inheritance for herself," Sandra hissed, her face dark with frustration.

The Edwards family was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Debra's antique collection was their last lifeline, the only thing that could save them from ruin.

If they failed to secure it, not only would the family collapse, but Sandra's cushy lifestyle would be nothing more than a distant memory. She would be left with nothing.

"We must get that inheritance," Walter growled, his expression hardening with grim resolve. His eyes, clouded with age, gleamed with a dangerous determination.

"Does Amy know about the inheritance?" Zachary interjected, a shadow of doubt crossing his face.

Walter and Melissa exchanged a heavy sigh. "She knows about her real mother. The inheritance... well, it's only a matter of time before she finds out about that too."

Zachary's brows furrowed in thought. "That complicates things. If Amy knows everything, she's fully within her rights to claim the inheritance on her own."

Regret clawed at him. 'Damn it. If I'd known Amelia would uncover the truth, I wouldn't have gotten involved with Sandra. At the very least, I could've married Amelia first and claimed the inheritance before any of this blew up.'

"She can't take it. Not yet," Walter muttered, massaging his temples. "When Debra wrote her will, she explicitly stated that both husband and wife must sign off to access the inheritance."

Zachary's eyes lit up with sudden excitement. "That's perfect. Landon's a vegetable—there's no way he can sign anything."

In his mind, the problem had already solved itself. As far as he was concerned, the feud between the Edwards family and Amelia was none of his business.

He was confident that if he distanced himself from Sandra now, Amelia might forgive him. And once she did, the massive inheritance would still fall into his lap.

Growing more pleased with his own plan, Zachary leaned forward eagerly. "Mr. Edwards, I have an idea."

"Speak," Sandra demanded, brimming with impatience.

Zachary hesitated, glancing awkwardly at Sandra. "But it'll mean Sandra has to make a bit of a sacrifice..."

Sandra's face soured instantly. "What do you mean, Zachary?"

Zachary's gaze sharpened, revealing a cunning glint. "Amelia and I were together for a year. She has feelings for me. The only reason she's furious now is because she found out Sandra is pregnant with my child. But if I told her it was a mistake, that Sandra already... took care of it—"

"I won't do it," Sandra cut in, her voice sharp and unyielding. "I will not get rid of this baby. He's the proof of our love."

"Sandra," Zachary said soothingly, reaching for her hand, "I'm not saying you actually have to do it. I'm saying we lie to her."

"Oh..." Sandra's pout softened, though she still clung to his arm, acting all sweet and coy. "That's fine, I guess. But you better not actually fall for her. And you definitely can't hurt me for her sake."

"Of course not, sweetheart," Zachary chuckled, tapping her nose playfully. "Once this is all over, I'll marry you. I promise."

"Alright." Sandra's smile returned, bright and satisfied as she snuggled closer to him.

*****

As the sky dimmed into a soft, dusky haze, Gloria decided to celebrate Amelia and Landon's marriage in style. The kitchen staff outdid themselves, preparing a lavish spread that would put a royal feast to shame.

She even brought out an exquisite bottle of vintage red wine, sharing it with Amelia over heartfelt toasts and laughter.

Meanwhile, the groom himself, Landon, lay utterly still and alone in his bedroom. His mind raced with a whirlwind of thoughts, countless emotions surging through him, but his immobilized body betrayed no sign of the storm within, unable to do anything about it.

What he craved most at that moment was Amelia's presence. 'Come back already,' he thought desperately, 'just sit by my side, talk to me, anything.'

It felt like an eternity before the bedroom door creaked open. Amelia finally returned, her cheeks glowing faintly pink from the wine. Relaxed by the alcohol, she moved with an unsteady, carefree sway.

She stumbled toward the bed, tossed back the covers, and flopped down beside him, her warm body sinking into the mattress with a sigh.

The faint tang of wine clung to her, teasing his senses, wearing down his already fragile patience. Landon's mind filled with a sharp, accusatory thought. 'On our first night as a married couple, you ditch me to drink?'

Amelia, as always, heard him loud and clear. She giggled, her voice laced with a tipsy playfulness, "I wasn't drinking alone, okay? Your mom and I had the party of our lives." She hiccupped lightly, then shivered and instinctively snuggled closer to him, seeking warmth.

Landon stiffened immediately. Her soft, warm body pressing against his was almost unbearable. His muscles tensed involuntarily, and a familiar, unwelcome heat began coursing through him.

He snapped, his inner voice filled with frustrated restraint, 'Get away from me.'

"Nope," Amelia mumbled defiantly, wrapping her arms around his neck as if claiming her territory. She nestled even closer, rubbing against him like a mischievous kitten. "Your mom said we have to share a bed. Married couples do that, you know."

Her display of intimacy was driving him to the brink. His body reacted with an intensity he couldn't control, every nerve alight, his desire for her igniting like wildfire. He had a boner again, which left him mortified.

But for a split second, he wanted nothing more than to pull her even closer, to claim her.

He was aroused by her, but he dared not voice his thoughts, even in the privacy of his own mind, for she could hear his every thought. He absolutely couldn't allow himself to admit that he had unspeakable feelings for her.

Amelia, oblivious to his inner struggle, sighed wistfully against his chest, "Landon, you're so lucky. Your mom protects you like a fierce lioness. She's kept your family's legacy intact. Do you know that?"

Her words instantly sobered his thoughts. A sharp edge of anxiety crept into his mind. 'What do you mean? Did Henry and his family try something?'

"Yeah, they sure did," Amelia answered breezily, hearing his unspoken question. "Not just once, either. They think you're down for the count forever, so they're circling like vultures. If you don't wake up soon, they might actually pull it off."

She giggled, but her words were like icy daggers stabbing into him, "So wake up already. Don't let them get what they want."

Landon's blood ran cold. 'Damn it. Kingsley Group was my father's blood, sweat, and tears. He built it from the ground up, fighting tooth and nail to survive. Where was Henry and his family then, when my dad barely had food on the table?

'They didn't lift a finger to help. And now, when everything is thriving and they're still leeching off his legacy, they want to take it all? Over my dead body. I will not let them destroy everything my father worked for. I have to wake up. I have to.'

He summoned every ounce of his strength, wishing for his eyes to open, his fingers to twitch, anything. But his body betrayed him again, refusing to obey.

Helpless and exhausted, he let out an internal scream of frustration before succumbing to the despair of stillness.

"Landon, your chest is so firm." Amelia's voice broke through his dark thoughts, light and teasing. She poked at him with her delicate fingers, exploring the hard planes of his chest. "Does practicing combat skills make your muscles this toned?"

Her touch sent shivers rippling through him, but this time, the smoldering anger and hatred toward Henry and his family provided just enough of a distraction to keep him from completely losing control.

'Amelia, do me a favor,' Landon's voice echoed coldly in both their minds, sharp as a blade slicing through the silence.

"What kind of favor?" Amelia asked, her tone light and playful as she continued to poke at his chest, her fingers prodding the firm muscles as if they were her new favorite toy. The more she poked, the more fascinated she seemed.

Landon's patience wore thin. How he wished he could swat her mischievous hand away, but his unresponsive body left him powerless. He clenched his metaphorical teeth, forcing himself to endure as he issued his next command in his mind. 'First, stop with your hands.'

"Alright, alright," she replied with a grin, obediently retracting her hand, though her eyes sparkled with teasing amusement.

He exhaled mentally, steadying himself. 'Find Wesley. Bring him back to be my personal doctor. Then inform Aaron that my car accident wasn't an accident—it was deliberate. Tell him to investigate thoroughly.'

"That's two favors, not one," Amelia retorted, her lips forming an adorable pout that seemed almost too practiced.

Landon was momentarily speechless. He couldn't believe she was seriously negotiating over something that wouldn't take her a minute to relay. His thoughts turned pointed. 'Amelia, if you still want my protection—'

"Wrong. Until you wake up, it's your mom protecting me," she interrupted with a sly grin, her tipsy gaze filled with a mischievous gleam.

Her boldness left him momentarily stunned. She knew how to take on the role of a messenger, but she clearly didn't intend to make this easy for him, her coy demeanor making it obvious she expected something in return.

Of course, she wouldn't dare bring it up herself—she was waiting for him to bring it up first.

Landon's chest heaved with irritation, his frustration mounting. He couldn't believe how reckless she was, thinking she could control him like this. Deep down, he swore to himself that the moment he could speak and move again, he'd show her just how much she'd underestimated him and teach her a lesson.

Despite his physical immobility, the sheer force of his presence still weighed on Amelia like a heavy storm cloud. She swallowed nervously, sensing the palpable tension, but remained quiet, waiting for his next move.

Finally, Landon relented, his tone steely and unyielding. 'Do as I ask, and you'll never have to bow before the Edwards family again. I guarantee it.'

"Even after you wake up and divorce me?" Amelia's eyes lit up with excitement, her voice carrying a breathless edge.

'Yes,' he answered silently.

"Deal." Amelia's grin spread wide, her satisfaction unmistakable. This was what she had been waiting for—the assurance she needed.

Their whirlwind marriage had been a gamble, with Landon needing a wife to produce an heir while still in his vegetative state.

But Amelia had no delusions about their future. His iron will all but guaranteed that he would wake up eventually, and when he did, a divorce was inevitable.

She figured that without his promise of protection, the Edwards family would become a looming threat she couldn't ignore if she couldn't take care of them by then. Now, with his commitment sealed, she felt a wave of relief wash over her.

"I'll make the call right now." With a quick tug of the blanket, Amelia climbed out of bed, completely forgetting that Landon was lying there half-naked, dressed in nothing but a pair of boxers. The night's chill was sharp and unforgiving, making the room feel like an icebox.

Exposed to the biting air, Landon's dormant body began to shiver involuntarily.

Realizing her oversight, Amelia scrambled to pull the blanket back over him. But in her haste, her hand accidentally pressed somewhere it definitely shouldn't have.