Chapter 62

Curiosity got the better of Amelia, so she asked, "Áren't you put off by these? The food here sits out in the open, with crowds brushing past all evening. Aren't you worried that we might get sick after eating it?"

Wyatt grinned and responded, "Honestly, our bodies are tougher than we think. A little street food now and then won't hurt us."

The sincerity in his answer had Amelia bursting into laughter, despite her best efforts to hold it in.

While Wyatt wasn't sure what had made her laugh, her amusement was contagious and lifted his mood.

After hearing Wyatt's words, Amelia found herself able to relax.

She went from stall to stall, arms soon full with snacks and a few souvenirs for her friends.

Wandering along with arms full, neither Wyatt nor Amelia noticed when the crowds thinned, and they ended up in a quieter alley.

With Wyatt's hand entwined with hers, Amelia strolledonward, her thoughts drifting back to the very first time they had met two years ago.

It was in a similar alleyway. Initially, she hadn't thought of helping Wyatt.

For a moment, she had intended to ignore him and walk away, but everything changed when Wyatt suddenly grabbed her ankle. Instinct kicked in-she gave him a sharp kick. Only after the kick did she realize what was happening...

The memory brought a smile to her lips. Catching Wyatt's confused look, she said, "Funny,you were lying in an alley back then,too."

Wyatt's features softened at her words as he thought about that. "I remember how terrified you looked.What made you decide to save me then?" he asked.

Amelia's cheeks grew warm at the question. How could she admit the truth-that his face alone made her hesitate to leave?

At first, she'd meant to just call the police and ieave, but one look at the handsome stranger lying helpless made her reconsider.

Of course, she couldn't let Wyatt know that, so she switched topics without missing a beaf, asking,what really happened that night? Why were you hurt so badly?"

Wyatt's status meant there were always people shadowing him for protection, anid even now, Amelía spotted a few distant figures tailing them to protect them with practiced subtlety. But back then, Wyatt had been hurt with no one to help him.

Wyatt didn't reply right away, the question giving him pause.

Just as Amelia began to worry she'd crossed a line by asking that, he spoke, his voice suddenly cold."My uncle set me up. He sabotaged the brakes on my car. I was on the highway when the brakes failed."

With just a few words from Wyatt, Amelia realized the danger he had been in at that time.

Losing the brakes on a highway could easily turn deadly.

Amelia wanted to ask why his uncle had done such a thing, but before she could say anything, she realized the answer.

People had always talked about power struggles in wealthy families, and inside the influential Stewart family,the stakes were probably even higher.

What had been a lighthearted mood between them vanished in a blink. Silence lingered until they reached the edge of the alley, when Wyatt finally said, "Amelia, if you marry me, you'll have to face those threats,too. Still, you can believe me when I say I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

His earnest look caught her attention. She met his gaze and responded with certainty, "I believe you."

A mischievous smile appeared as she added, "Even though your family might be dangerous, my family is no better. That means we're on equal ground."

By the time they returned to where they were staying, midnight was close at hand. Davin sat in the living room, patiently awaiting their arrival.

Amelia felt slightly guilty about coming back so late and gave Davin some snacks and trinkets she had bought.

Despite working as Wyatt's assistant and having more money than some business owners, Davin smiled with genuine joy as he accepted the things from Amelia.

However, just as he was about to take a bite of a snack, he noticed Wyatt's icy gaze

He quickly said, "I should go back to my room and get some rest. Goodnight."

Without wasting another moment, Davin retreated to his room, snacks in hand.

Although Amelia had managed the waIk in heels without complaint earlier, exhaustion set in now that the excitement faded.She excused herself,letting Wyatt know she was heading upstairs to rest.

Watching her climb the stairs, Wyatt found himself sulking.

Even Davin had received something from her. What about him?

Unbeknownst to him, Amelia had picked out a gift for him as well. She had just forgotten to give it tohim.Only when she was back in her room that she remembered it.

She had bought Wyatt a small wooden carving, an adorable little rabbit.

Without wasting a moment, she slipped out of her room with the item.

Inside his bedroom, Wyatt had just removed his shirt and was about to slip into a robe when a gentle knock sounded at his door. Amelia called out, "Wyatt, are you still up? If you are, I have something for you.If you're sleeping,then I'll just-"

Before she could finish, he pulled the door open from inside.

He stood before her in a black robe, the sash loosely knotted. The sight of his chest, faintly visible beneath the fabric, caught her off guard.

Heat rushed to her cheeks, and the wooden rabbit slipped from her grasp, landing on the floor.