Chapter 12

Wyatt's words shattered any chance Amelia had at pretending to sleep.

She opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was the amusement in his gaze.

That look chased away most of her nerves, and a bashful feeling crept up on her out of nowhere.

Every time Wyatt's eyes lingered on her, she found herself squirming. Instinctively, she pushed herself upright, but the world spun wildly, nearly sending her tumbling out of bed.

Before she could fall, his urgent warning, "Watch out!" reached her ears, and his steady hands caught her just in time.

Helping her settle upright, Wyatt looked at her pale face, concern flickering in his expression.

Reaching for his phone, he said, "Stay still. I'm getting the doctor."

"Don't! That's not necessary!"

Humiliation already burned inside her after everything Wyatt had seen. She couldn't bear for anyone else to witness her like this.

Her urgent words made Wyatt pause, and he set the phone aside without another word.

A hush swept through the room, stretching out between them.

Wyatt settled on the sofa close by, while Amelia, pressed against the headboard, picked up a trace of that clean, familiar scent she'd noticed before.

"You..."

Both Amelia and Wyatt spoke at the same time. Wyatt stopped short and gave her a small nod, signaling her to speak first.

Remembering every foolish detail from earlier, Amelia shrank under his gaze and stared down at the covers. "I'm sorry for everything tonight. If you're having second thoughts about marrying me, l-"

"Mr. Stewart, the soup's done. Should I come in?"

Before Amelia couldfinish, Kurt's voice rang out from outside the door.

Wyatt voiced his permission. Kurt walked in, set the bowl down quietly, and slipped out again, not meeting anyone's eyes.

No one saw the smile stretching across Kurt's face as he closed the door behind him.

Kurt's sudden appearance left Amelia at a loss, her words drying up as Wyatt's face grew serious. She couldn't find the courage to speak again.

Without warning,Wyatt lifted the bowl and gently brought a spoonful of soup close to her lips.

Caught off guard by his gesture, Amelia instinctively tried to take the bowl herself, but he smoothly moved it away from her grasp. "You're still not feeling well. Let me feed you."

Hlis voice was as gentle as ever, yet his tone was firm.

Even as he spoke, he held the spoon steady, waiting for her to comply.

Seeing his resolve, Amelia soon stopped resisting and parted her lips to accept the soup.

With every sip, she noticed her head clearing; whether it was because of the warmth of the soup or her body slowly regaining strength, she didn't know.

As soon as the bowl was empty, Wyatt set it aside, then fixed her with a steady look. "What are you sorry for?"

Whatever calm Amelia had regained vanished, replaced by a rush of anxiety.

There would have been some comfort if he had sounded angry or upset. But the gentleness in his voice rattled her more than a sharp accusation ever could.

If Jaxton had witnessed her in such a state tonight, he would undoubtedly have humiliated her. So, Amelia's first instinct with Wyatt was that he would despise her for this. After all, in high society, people cared about appearances above all else.

However, Wyatt hadn't criticized her once. He simply took care of her, every action careful and considerate.

As the silence stretched between them, Wyatt waited, not rushing her for a response.

After a few moments, Amelia took a slow breath and met his gaze. "Everything that happened today is my fault."

Finishing her admission, she dropped her eyes and fidgeted with her fingers, unable to hide her nerves.

Wyatt caught the anxious fidget, a small smile breaking through his serious face. "There's nothing to apologize for. You didn't do anythig wrong."

He paused briefly. "Even if you do make mistakeslater on, there's no need to apologize. No matter what happens, I'll be there for you."

Though his promise could have sounded too sweet, Wyatt delivered it with the quiet seriousness of a news report.

It was this sincerity that assured Amelia he meant every word.

His words only made her firmer about marrying him.

She believed this man was indeed different from Jaxton.

As their conversation wound its way to this moment, Amelia saw no reason to bring up ending their arrangement anymore.

Since Wyatt had shown his sincerity, she felt it was right to make her stance clear,too.

Fixing her gaze on him, she said with honest resolve, "You don't have to worry. Nothing likethis will happen again. Once we're married, I'll respect your boundaries, do my best to be a proper wife, and make sure your reputation stays intact."

This was the basic principle she held for marrying Wyatt, one she believed she should uphold. Still, something in Wyatt's eyes-those drawn brows and that subtle frown-hinted that he wasn't pleased with her words.

Pausing for a breath, Amelia tried again."And if there's anything else you want from me, just tell me. I'll do everything I can to-"

"There's only one thing I'll ever ask from you," Wyatt said in a low voice before she could finish. "I just want you to be yourself. That's all I ask. Even after we marry, I want you to live the way you want and do whatever makes you happy."

Hearing Wyatt's words, Amelia was taken aback.

From the moment she was engaged to Jaxton, everyone had told her to remember her place, to do nothing that would tarnish the Morrison family name, and never to embarrass Jaxton.

Yet here was a man of higher status than Jaxton, telling her to be herself.

That realization sent a wave of warmth through her chest, and she couldn't help but smile at Wyatt. "Mr.

Stewart, I'll remember what you said."

From now on, she would be herself.

When Wyatt saw the smile on her face,his expression softened.

This, he thought, was the Amelia he knew.