Secret Love (Julia Kang and Shaw)

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Amelia's birthday arrived.

Ethan rushed back, throwing her a lavish party.

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When Amelia came downstairs, Ethan was waiting. She looked at him, her eyes unnervingly calm.

Her demeanor unnerved him. He'd always known her as vibrant and full of life, not this pale, listless ghost.

He reached for her, but she stepped back, her voice hoarse. "I'm not feeling

well. Don't touch me. I don't want you to catch anything."

Ignoring his outstretched hand, she walked away.

Throughout the party, Amelia remained detached, watching Ethan shower

her with attention, declaring his undying love, just like always.

The grand finale was his gift. Every year, I was something unique,

extravagant.

This year, it was a priceless antique necklace, once belonging to European royalty. Gasps of awe filled the room as he presented it. Amelia lowered her eyes, hiding her contempt. She didn't reach for the

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necklace.

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Ethan, assuming she was still feeling unwell, fastened it around her neck

himself. He ended the party early, wanting her to resEL

As he helped her into the car, his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID,

then apologized. "Baby, something came up. Go home and rest. I'll be back as soon as I can."

She simply nodded.

He kissed her and left. As he drove away, a text from Chloe anived

[Follow him. You're in for a surprise.]

After a long moment, Amelia told the driver to follow Ethan.

His car stopped outside Chloe's apartment building. He burried inside

without even closing the car door properly.

Amelia followed. The apartment door was slightly ajar. She looked inside and froze.

Another birthday party.

Ethan, Chloe, Ethan's friends, even his parents.

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Every instinct screamed at her to leave, but her feet were rooted to the spot. She watched as Ethan placed an identical necklace around Chloe's neck.

His friends hooted. "Looks great on you, Mrs. Carter!"

Ethan shot them a warning look. "Don't call her that. There's only one Mr. Carter."

His friends zipped their lips."Just kidding, bro. Wouldn't want your precious Amelia to find out."

"Our lips are sealed!"

"We've been keeping mum since you introduced us six months ago."

Ethan's mother placed a family heirloom bracelet on Chloe's wrist. "Even though you've had to stay hidden, once the baby's born, you'll be my daughter-in-law too."

Amelia couldn't bear another word. She turned and fled.

She ran blindly, faster and faster, until she tripped and fell. Lightning

cracked across the sky, and the rain came down in torrents, blurring the world around her.