Page 21

Changing the subject, she glances at me, her lips curling into a faint smile. “This is a nice car.”
“Thanks.” A hint of pride swells in my chest as I run my fingers over the cool leather steering wheel.
“It must be great driving around in something like this every day,” she continues.
“Most days, I have a driver.” I chuckle softly. “But I like to drive myself. It’s a pleasurable distraction from work stress.”
Her gaze drifts back out of the window before she adds casually, “My dad owned an Aston Martin.”
Surprise jolts through me. “Really? Your dad?”
She nods slowly, but her expression tightens at the mention of him.
“What happened?” I ask. If I’m honest, I’m bewildered that a man who drove an Aston Martin would let his daughter sleep on the streets.
“Nothing,” she shrugs quickly. “Just…not part of my life anymore.”
I catch something deeper beneath her words. Like there is a layer that hints at loss or abandonment—and it catches me off guard.
The statement hangs there, and I press, “But how did he afford one?”
Her lips twist into an ironic smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “He was wealthy. At least he was once upon a time.”
“And now you’re homeless.”
“My life is not where I expected it to be.”
As I pull into the parking bay at my home, I’m left wondering what else Amelia hides behind her beautiful smile.
I help her out of the car and lead her to the elevator. Scanning the panel to my penthouse. The doors open.
When the doors close behind us, we ascend in silence, both of us lost in our thoughts.
The elevator opens directly at my penthouse on the top floor.
She looks around openmouthed as she takes in the luxury of my apartment, and the stunning views of the city skyline.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispers, her eyes wide with wonder.
I smile and gesture for her to drop her bag, and then I show her where everything is. Bedrooms, bathrooms, my office, the kitchen, and living areas.
I open the door. “And you can take this bedroom. I know it’s a little masculine—”
“No, it’s beautiful. Thank you for this.” She looks around the white and gray room with black wooden paneling on the walls. “I’m waiting for some replies to my emails. Hopefully, I’ll have a room in an apartment soon.”
“Stop worrying. Get some sleep.”
She gives me a small smile. “Thank you, I will.”
I close the door and head to my office to take care of some work-related matters on the call-out.
But as I sit at my desk, going over the report, my mind keeps drifting back to Amelia. I know she’s hiding something.
There is no doubt in my mind that her hands were trembling, and her eyes were filled with fear. She still intrigues me, and the more I think about her...
I shake off those thoughts and focus on my work once more, but it’s not long before my phone buzzes with a message.
Amelia:Thank you again for letting me stay here.