Victoria Returns

Chapter 6: Victoria Returns

Amelia had barely begun to adjust to her new life in Lucas's mansion when a storm she hadn't expected arrived in the form of Victoria Collins. The name itself was enough to send whispers through the household. Victoria, Lucas's ex-fiancée, had been away for years, but her return was anything but subtle.

The morning started peacefully enough. Amelia was in the grand dining room, trying to enjoy breakfast. The table, large enough to seat twenty, felt unnecessarily extravagant, and Amelia found the quiet unsettling. But before she could finish her coffee, the sharp click of high heels echoed down the hallway.

The butler entered first, clearing his throat. "Mr. Blackwood, Miss Collins is here to see you."

Amelia looked up from her plate, confused. Lucas, sitting at the head of the table with his usual calm demeanor, merely nodded. He didn't seem surprised, but his jaw tightened ever so slightly.

Victoria swept into the room moments later, her presence as commanding as Lucas's, if not more. She was stunning, with striking green eyes, perfectly styled blonde hair, and an outfit that screamed wealth and sophistication. Her confidence was palpable, and Amelia instantly felt out of place in her modest attire.

"Lucas," Victoria said, her voice smooth and familiar, as if she hadn't been gone a day.

"Victoria," Lucas replied, standing to greet her. There was no warmth in his tone, but there was a history between them that couldn't be ignored.

Amelia's eyes darted between them, trying to piece together the situation. She hadn't heard much about Victoria, but the tension in the room was enough to make her uncomfortable.

"And who is this?" Victoria asked, her gaze settling on Amelia. Her smile didn't reach her eyes.

"This is Amelia," Lucas said, his voice steady. "My wife."

The words hung in the air like a bomb. Victoria's smile faltered for a split second, but she recovered quickly. "Your wife?" she repeated, her tone dripping with disbelief. "Well, isn't that…unexpected."

Amelia forced a polite smile, feeling like she was being sized up. "Nice to meet you," she said, though the words felt hollow.

"Likewise," Victoria said, her tone insincere. She turned back to Lucas. "May I have a word with you? In private?"

Lucas glanced at Amelia briefly. "We'll talk in the study."

Victoria didn't wait for a response. She turned on her heel and strode out of the room, her confidence unshaken. Lucas followed, leaving Amelia alone at the massive dining table.

She tried to focus on finishing her breakfast, but her appetite was gone. Who was Victoria? Why was she here? And why did it feel like she had just walked into a battlefield she didn't understand?

In the study, Victoria didn't waste time with pleasantries. "What are you doing, Lucas?" she demanded, her voice sharp.

Lucas leaned against his desk, his arms crossed. "I could ask you the same thing. You show up unannounced after years of silence. What do you want?"

Victoria's green eyes narrowed. "Don't deflect. You married her?"

"Yes," Lucas said simply.

"Why?" she pressed. "This isn't you, Lucas. Marriage has never been your style."

Lucas smirked, though there was no humor in it. "People change, Victoria."

"Not you," she shot back. "You're as calculated as ever. So tell me—what's the angle? What's this about?"

Lucas's expression hardened. "That's none of your concern."

Victoria let out a bitter laugh. "You think I don't see through this? She's a pawn, isn't she? Another move in your endless game of power and control."

Lucas didn't respond, and his silence only fueled Victoria's anger.

"You're making a mistake," she said finally, her tone quieter but no less intense. "Whatever this is, it won't end well. For either of you."

Lucas straightened, his gaze icy. "Is that a threat?"

"It's a warning," Victoria replied. "You may think you're in control, but trust me, Lucas things have a way of unraveling."

Meanwhile, Amelia wandered the mansion, trying to shake the uneasy feeling Victoria had left behind. She found herself in the library, a massive room filled with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. It was one of the few places in the house that felt comforting, and she often came here to escape the weight of her new reality.

As she ran her fingers along the spines of the books, the sound of approaching footsteps made her pause. She turned to see Lucas standing in the doorway.

"Victoria's gone," he said, his voice unreadable.

Amelia nodded, unsure what to say. "She seems…interesting."

Lucas's lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "That's one way to put it."

"Who is she?" Amelia asked cautiously. "If you don't mind me asking."

Lucas hesitated for a moment before answering. "She's an old…complication."

Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Complication?"

"She's part of my past," he said simply. "And that's where she belongs."

Amelia wasn't convinced. Victoria didn't strike her as the type to stay in the past. "Do I need to be worried?"

Lucas's gaze softened slightly. "No," he said firmly. "You don't."

But Amelia wasn't sure she believed him.

That night, as Amelia lay in her room, she couldn't stop thinking about Victoria. Her confidence, her beauty, the way she spoke to Lucas it all felt like a reminder of how out of place Amelia was in this world.

She rolled over, staring at the ceiling. Lucas had said she didn't need to worry, but the doubt lingered. If Victoria was as determined as she seemed, this was far from over.

And as much as Amelia wanted to trust Lucas's assurances, she couldn't shake the feeling that Victoria's return was only the beginning of a new challenge one that could threaten everything she had just begun to navigate.

Amelia couldn't sleep that night. The image of Victoria's sharp gaze and confident demeanor replayed in her mind like a haunting echo. She had tried to ignore the sinking feeling in her chest, but it was impossible. Victoria wasn't just some visitor; she was a force to be reckoned with, someone who clearly had a strong connection to Lucas. And now, Amelia was stuck in the middle of whatever unresolved history they shared.

In her mind, she replayed the way Victoria had spoken to Lucas, the familiarity in her tone. It wasn't just the words; it was the unspoken tension, the way they looked at each other. They had shared something deep, something that couldn't be erased, no matter how much time had passed.

Amelia sighed, getting up from bed. She wrapped herself in a robe and walked out onto the balcony. The cool night breeze brushed against her skin, offering a brief sense of calm. Below her, the sprawling gardens of the mansion were quiet, illuminated only by the faint glow of the moonlight.

Her thoughts shifted to Lucas. Despite his reassurances, Amelia couldn't help but feel like he was keeping things from her. He had been vague about Victoria, brushing off her questions with half-answers. Did he think she couldn't handle the truth? Or was he protecting something or someone?

The sound of distant footsteps broke her train of thought. She turned to see Lucas approaching her from the shadows of the balcony. His presence was as commanding as ever, and yet, there was a hint of softness in his expression.

"You couldn't sleep," he said, more a statement than a question.

Amelia shook her head. "Too much on my mind."

Lucas leaned against the railing beside her. "Victoria won't cause trouble," he said, as if reading her thoughts.

"Are you sure?" Amelia asked, her voice quiet. "She seems…determined."

Lucas's gaze shifted to the gardens below. "She's used to getting her way, but that doesn't mean she'll succeed. You have nothing to worry about."

Amelia studied his profile, searching for cracks in his confident exterior. "It's not just her, Lucas," she admitted. "It's everything. This life, this house, this…arrangement. It's overwhelming."

For a moment, Lucas said nothing. Then, he turned to face her, his eyes meeting hers. "I know this isn't easy for you, Amelia. But I promise, I won't let anyone or anything hurt you."

His words were firm, and for a moment, Amelia wanted to believe him. But deep down, she knew that promises were easier to make than to keep.

As Lucas walked away, leaving her alone on the balcony, Amelia's resolve hardened. If she was going to survive in this world, she couldn't rely on anyone else to protect her not even Lucas. She would need to find her own strength, no matter what challenges lay ahead.

But just as she turned to re-enter the party, a soft whisper reached her ear. "You think you're in control, but you have no idea what you're about to face."

Amelia froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She spun around, but the balcony was empty.