Chapter 77 – The Other Woman Speaks
The first time Amber saw her, she didn't realize who she was.
And somehow—
that made it worse.
—
The Wilson Group's annual charity gala was a war zone disguised as elegance.
Crystal chandeliers.
Gold-rimmed champagne flutes.
Politicians smiling too wide.
Investors pretending to care about "community impact."
Everything polished.
Everything fake.
Perfect.
Amber adjusted the diamond bracelet Camila had forced onto her wrist and studied her reflection in the car window.
Silver dress.
Clean lines.
Backless.
Minimal.
Powerful without trying too hard.
She looked untouchable.
Good.
That was safer.
Beside her, Alex scrolled through his tablet, already reviewing figures like this was just another meeting.
"How long do we have to stay?" she asked.
"Minimum two hours."
She groaned softly. "I hate these things."
"I know."
"You could've gone alone."
"No," he said simply.
She glanced at him. "Optics?"
"Yes."
A beat.
"…and preference."
Her chest did that stupid little thing again.
She immediately killed it.
Professional.
They were being professional.
Nothing else.
After all—
last night had been a mistake.
Right?
Right.
—
The moment they entered the ballroom, cameras exploded.
Flashes.
Whispers.
Phones rising like weapons.
"There they are—"
"That's Amber Blake—"
"Are they already married?"
"They look close—"
Alex's hand settled lightly on the small of her back.
Guiding.
Possessive without looking possessive.
The public version of intimacy.
Amber's body reacted instantly.
Heat.
Awareness.
Damn him.
"Relax," he murmured near her ear.
"I am relaxed."
"You're crushing my sleeve."
She released his arm immediately.
He almost smiled.
Almost.
They moved through the crowd like royalty.
Smile.
Handshake.
Smile.
Donation pledge.
Smile.
Lie.
Amber could do this in her sleep.
Charm was just another weapon.
But then—
She noticed something strange.
People kept looking at her.
Then at Alex.
Then whispering.
Not normal curiosity.
Something else.
Recognition.
Comparison.
Judgment.
Her skin prickled.
"Why does it feel like we're a spectacle tonight?" she muttered.
Alex didn't answer immediately.
That was the first red flag.
When Alex didn't answer something, it meant he already knew the answer.
"…Alex?"
Before he could respond—
A woman's voice cut through the noise.
Soft.
Confident.
Familiar.
"Alex."
He froze.
Not visibly.
Not enough for anyone else to notice.
But Amber felt it.
Because his hand stilled on her waist.
Because his breathing changed.
Because suddenly—
he wasn't in control.
Amber turned.
And saw her.
—
She was beautiful.
Not loud-beautiful.
Not flashy.
The dangerous kind.
Quiet.
Refined.
The type that didn't try because she didn't need to.
Black silk gown.
Minimal jewelry.
Hair swept back.
Eyes sharp and knowing.
Like she'd already measured the entire room and found it lacking.
Amber hated her instantly.
And she didn't even know why.
Until—
"I didn't think you'd come," the woman said gently.
To Alex.
Not to both of them.
To him.
Like Amber wasn't there.
Alex straightened.
"Victoria."
The name landed like glass.
Victoria.
Oh.
Oh.
Amber remembered now.
The board gossip.
Camila's half-finished sentence weeks ago.
His ex isn't just some girl, Amber. She's—
She never finished.
Didn't have to.
Because Amber understood immediately.
This wasn't just an ex.
This was the ex.
The one.
The ghost.
The story no one explained.
The silence Alex never filled.
Victoria's gaze finally shifted to Amber.
Cool.
Assessing.
Polite smile.
"Hi," she said. "You must be Amber."
Must.
Like a replacement.
Like a successor.
Like a position that needed filling.
Amber smiled sweetly.
Corporate perfect.
"Yes. And you are?"
A pause.
A tiny one.
But loaded.
"Victoria Hale," she said.
No explanation.
Because she expected recognition.
And that pissed Amber off more than anything.
"Oh," Amber said lightly. "Nice to meet you."
Liar.
Victoria extended her hand.
Amber shook it.
Her grip was firm.
Warm.
Confident.
Not threatened.
That was the worst part.
She wasn't threatened at all.
Because she didn't see Amber as competition.
She saw her as temporary.
Something inside Amber twisted.
Unfamiliar.
Ugly.
Jealousy.
Ridiculous.
She had no right to feel that.
None.
This was a contract.
A deal.
A performance.
So why did it feel like someone was quietly stepping into her territory?
"We were just talking about you earlier," Victoria said to Alex.
Amber's smile tightened.
"We?"
"The board," Victoria clarified smoothly. "I consult with them sometimes."
Of course she did.
Of course she was still close.
Of course she still belonged in his world.
Amber suddenly felt like an outsider in a life she had been pretending to own.
"You look well," Victoria continued.
"You too," Alex replied.
Short.
Controlled.
Too controlled.
Which meant emotions were buried underneath.
Amber noticed everything.
She always did.
And it scared her.
Because this—
this wasn't some random woman.
This was history.
Real history.
Shared memories.
Shared pain.
Things Amber could never compete with.
Because contracts didn't create history.
Love did.
The thought hit her like a slap.
Love.
Did he…?
Did he love her once?
Still?
Why did that matter?
It shouldn't matter.
It absolutely shouldn't—
"So," Victoria said, eyes flicking between them, "is it true what they're saying?"
Amber stiffened. "What are they saying?"
"That you two are getting married."
Silence.
Camera flashes in the distance.
Music swelling.
The world waiting.
Amber opened her mouth—
But Alex answered first.
"Yes."
Firm.
Certain.
No hesitation.
Victoria blinked.
Just once.
But Amber caught it.
There.
That tiny crack.
That tiny hurt.
So she did care.
Good.
Petty satisfaction bloomed.
Then guilt followed.
God, what was happening to her?
"That's… sudden," Victoria said softly.
"It makes sense," Alex replied.
"For business?"
"For life."
Amber's heart skipped.
Victoria studied him for a long moment.
Then smiled.
Sad.
Understanding.
Too understanding.
"I hope," she said quietly, "you don't repeat old mistakes."
The sentence hung in the air like smoke.
Amber didn't understand it.
But Alex did.
Because his jaw tightened.
And suddenly—
this wasn't a casual reunion.
This was something heavier.
Something unresolved.
Something that still hurt.
Victoria stepped back.
"It was nice meeting you, Amber," she said politely.
Then to Alex—
"Take care of yourself."
Not both of you.
Him.
Only him.
And then she walked away.
Graceful.
Untouchable.
Like she'd never needed to fight for her place.
Because she'd already had it once.
Amber stared after her.
Chest tight.
Something ugly curling inside.
"Don't," Alex said quietly.
"Don't what?"
"Overthink."
Too late.
Way too late.
Because one terrifying thought had already rooted itself deep in her mind.
What if I'm just temporary?
What if I'm just the replacement?
What if… he never really stopped loving her?
And for the first time since this contract started—
Amber didn't feel in control.
She felt small.