Amelia hadn't slept.
She had spent the entire night pacing her small apartment, the events of the conference replaying in her mind like a broken record.
The way Liam's hand had closed around her wrist.The way Julian had looked at her, like she was something fragile he had to protect.The way the entire room had seen her — not as a professional, but as a prize in a battle between two powerful men.
It made her stomach churn with frustration.
She wasn't anyone's possession.She wasn't a trophy.
She was Amelia Hale.
And yet, here she was, tangled in a web she hadn't seen coming.
When the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, she made herself a strong coffee, tied her hair back in a messy bun, and sat down at the kitchen table to think.
She needed a plan.Distance.Clarity.
But she had barely taken a sip of coffee when her phone buzzed violently on the table.
LIAM BLACKTHORNE.
Amelia stared at the screen.
She hesitated, heart pounding, before answering.
"Amelia," Liam's voice was low, controlled, but there was a sharpness underneath, a tension she could feel even through the phone. "We need to talk. Now."
"I don't think that's a good idea," she said carefully.
"I wasn't asking," he replied.
Before she could argue, he continued, his voice leaving no room for discussion:
"I'll send a car. Be ready in twenty minutes."
The line went dead.
Amelia sat frozen for a moment, the phone still pressed to her ear.
She hated how easily he commanded her.Hated how part of her thrilled at the authority in his voice.
But most of all, she hated that she knew she would go.
Because some part of her still wanted to understand him — to see the man behind the walls he built so high.
Exactly twenty minutes later, a sleek black car pulled up in front of her building.
The driver stepped out and opened the door without a word.
Amelia climbed inside, smoothing down her simple navy dress, trying to summon every ounce of courage she had.
The ride was silent and tense.
When they pulled up in front of Blackthorne Industries, Amelia felt her stomach twist.
She had expected a private conversation, maybe in his office.
But as she stepped into the grand marble lobby, she realized something chilling.
Liam wasn't just planning to talk.
He was planning to act.
Inside the executive boardroom, the scene was already set.
Several senior executives sat around the long glass table, along with a few key stakeholders she recognized from previous meetings.
At the head of the table, Liam stood — a king surveying his court.
When Amelia entered, every eye turned to her.
She hesitated at the door, heart hammering.
What was happening?
"Amelia," Liam said smoothly, his voice carrying across the room. "Please, join us."
She walked slowly to an empty seat near him, acutely aware of the weight of every glance.
Liam waited until she sat, then turned to address the room.
"As you all know, we are expanding our portfolio into sustainable luxury projects," he began."I'm pleased to announce that Amelia Hale will be leading this initiative under Blackthorne Industries."
A stunned silence fell over the room.
Amelia's mouth went dry.
She hadn't agreed to this.
She hadn't even discussed it.
She turned to Liam, but he didn't meet her gaze.He was already moving forward, commanding the room like the ruthless businessman he was.
"Her recent presentation demonstrated the vision and tenacity required to bring this division to life," Liam continued smoothly."I have full confidence in her abilities. And I expect you all to offer your full support."
There was a murmur of assent from the executives.
Some genuine, some wary.
Amelia sat frozen, her mind racing.
This wasn't a promotion.This was a trap.
By tying her future to his company — to him — Liam was boxing her in, making it nearly impossible for her to back away.
If she accepted, her career would soar.
But she would be tied to Liam Blackthorne at every step.
If she refused…She would risk everything she had built.
And Liam knew it.
After the meeting adjourned, Amelia barely made it into the hallway before Liam caught up with her.
He grasped her elbow, steering her into a smaller, private office.
The door clicked shut behind them.
"What the hell was that?" Amelia hissed, rounding on him.
"My move," Liam said simply.
"You can't just—"
"I can," he interrupted, his voice hardening. "And I did."
Amelia stared at him, fury and something dangerously close to heartbreak warring inside her.
"Why?" she demanded.
His eyes darkened.
"Because I'm done playing games," he said, stepping closer. "You belong with me. You know it. I know it. And I'm tired of pretending otherwise."
Amelia shook her head, backing away.
"This isn't the way, Liam. You can't manipulate me into choosing you."
"I'm not manipulating," he said, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "I'm giving you what you deserve. A future. Power. Respect."
He paused, eyes locking onto hers.
"And me."
Amelia felt the ground shift beneath her.
For a moment, just a moment, she saw something raw and vulnerable flash across his face — something real.
But then it was gone, buried under the ruthless ambition he wore like armor.
"Liam," she said quietly, "you can't force someone to love you."
The words hung in the air like smoke.
For a long moment, Liam said nothing.
Then he stepped back, his face hardening into that familiar mask.
"I'm not forcing anything," he said coldly. "I'm just making sure you see clearly."
He turned and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him with a soft finality.
Leaving Amelia standing there, alone, trembling, her heart in pieces.
She leaned against the wall, closing her eyes.
What was happening to her?
When had her life become a battlefield between two powerful men, each fighting for control over her heart — and her future?
And when had she lost control herself?
She didn't know.
All she knew was that the choice Liam had forced on her wasn't fair.
It wasn't love.
It was control dressed up as opportunity.
And if she wasn't careful, she would lose herself completely.
Outside, the city roared with life — a thousand choices, a thousand paths waiting.
Amelia opened her eyes.
She still had a choice.
She still had herself.
And she wasn't going to let anyone — not even Liam Blackthorne — take that away.
No matter how much it hurt.
No matter how much she still wanted him.