Chapter 7
My face was everywhere.
The television blared in the background, showing footage of last night‘ s banquet. Headlines scrolled across the screen: “Long–Lost Smith Heiress Returns!” “Amanda Smith: The Real Daughter of the Smith Dynasty.”
I sat on the plush sofa in my grand room, staring at the screen in disbelief. My face looked foreign to me, too polished, too perfect under the flashing lights. The weight of my new reality pressed down on me. This was my life now, but it still felt
surreal, like I was playing a role in someone else‘ s story.
Just as I sank deeper into my thoughts, a
loud commotion outside shattered the
silence. Raised voices, hurried footsteps.
I sat up, my heart racing. Moments later, one of the maids burst through the door,
75% 11:50
1/8
Chapter 7
her face pale.
“Miss Amanda,” she said, her voice trembling. “It‘ s… it‘ s Mr. Gabriel. He’s outside demanding to see you.”
Gabriel.
My stomach twisted at the name. I‘ d spent days trying to erase him from my life, yet here he was, clawing his way back in.
The maid hesitated. “Should I ask the guards to remove him?”
I stood, smoothing down the fabric of my dress. “No. Let him in. I’ll handle this myself.”
Gabriel looked out of place in the grand foyer. His hair was unkempt, his shirt wrinkled, and there was a desperation in his eyes I’d never seen before. I felt guilty but a part of me doesn‘ t want to believe this. Did he finally realize what he had
done to me… or was this his another
control me?
way
to
75% 11:50
2/8
11:50
77
Chapter 7
“Amanda,” he breathed when he saw me, taking a step forward.
I raised a hand to stop him. “Say what you came to say.”
His shoulders slumped, and he ran a hand through his hair. “I know I messed up. I know I hurt you.” His voice cracked. “But please… I need you to hear me out.”
I crossed my arms, unmoved. “Go on.”
“I know everything, now,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “About the abortion. About you being the real
daughter of the Smith family. I… I didn’t know what to do when I found out. I panicked.”
I narrowed my eyes. “So, what? And now you’re here to? Apologize?”
“Yes!” he exclaimed, falling to his knees. “I’m so sorry, Amanda. I was stupid, blind. I didn’t see what I had right in front of me. I swear, Nadia brainwashed me. It’s you! Please, come back to me.
75% 11:50
3/8
Chapter 7
Two of the estate‘ s guards stepped
forward.
“Take him out of here,” I ordered. “And make sure he never comes back.”
Gabriel’s pleas echoed as the guards dragged him out, but I didn’t flinch. Not this time.
Later that afternoon, I sat in my father‘ s expansive office.
“We need to cut all ties with the Rocco family,” I said, my voice steady and confident. “I don‘ t want Gabriel or his family to benefit from us in any way.”
My father leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled. “Consider it done, Amanda. With everything he and Nadia had done to you, they don‘ t deserve us,” he said with a nod. “We’ll terminate all existing deals immediately.”
Beside him, my mother smiled warmly. “We’ll do anything for you, Amanda. Anything to protect you.”
578
11:50
Chapter 7
77
Their unwavering support was something I hadn’t expected. For the first time, I wasn’t alone in my fight.
“There’s one more thing,” my father added. He exchanged a glance with my mother before turning back to me.
“We’ve been discussing a potential alliance with the Jones family. It should be with Nadia, but since you‘ re our real daughter then you’ll be the one marrying to their family. They‘ re one of the wealthiest families in the country, and we think it’s time to secure our future.”
I blinked. “You‘ re… arranging a marriage for me?”
“It’s tradition,” my mother said gently. “This will solidify your place in society and ensure the Smith legacy continues to thrive.‘
My chest tightened, but I nodded. “I understand.”
After the meeting, I stepped outside for
25 1150
6/8
Chapter 7
handsome, his dark hair falling across his forehead. His expression was frozen in shock, his hands hovering awkwardly
near
my waist as if unsure whether to push me
off or steady me.
Wait, Bryant?
And then it hit me.
My lips. They had brushed against his in the fall.
My face burned as I scrambled to speak, but no words came out. He seemed equally stunned, his wide eyes locked on mine, his lips parted slightly in surprise.
For a long, tense moment, neither of us
moved.
7501 11:50
