Chapter five

Summer

“Ethan Lancelot?” Amelia whispered beside me. Her eyes widened the moment she recognized the man standing at the doorway. She looked completely stunned.

“Holy shit,” she breathed. “He looks even better in real life.”

I turned slightly and saw her openly staring at him, completely mesmerized. Her mouth was practically hanging open as she admired him.

“Girl, do you realize how lucky we are right now?” she whispered excitedly. “ Ethan Lancelot is standing right there.” She didn't seem to care whether he could hear her or not.

My eyes met his across the room, the moment they did, every painful memory came rushing back. Hatred, anger and bitterness, those were the only emotions I felt.

This man was the reason my life had been destroyed. Because of the Lancelot family, I had lost everything, my parents were gone, my siblings were gone and now the man responsible stood in front of me looking calm and unaffected.

Not a trace of guilt crossed his face, not a hint of regret, if anything, he looked annoyed to be here. I stared at him, waiting for some sign that he cared about what had happened, there was nothing. His expression remained cold and composed, as if the suffering of the person he hit meant absolutely nothing to him.

To him, this was probably just another obligation. A task that needed to be completed before he could return to his perfect life.

Amelia suddenly nudged my leg. “Why are you looking at him like that?” she whispered nervously. “Elena, seriously,” she continued. “You survived, you are alive. Maybe you should cut the man some slack.”

Slowly, I turned my head and shot her a warning look, she immediately swallowed. “Right,” she muttered. “I will shut up now.”

The room fell silent for a moment, then Ethan cleared his throat. Even though he had come to visit, he still hadn't stepped fully inside the room. He remained standing near the doorway, keeping his distance. It was almost as if entering the room was beneath him. Or perhaps breathing the same air as ordinary people was too much for a man like Ethan Lancelot.

His dark eyes moved toward me. "I am truly sorry about what happened,” he said. His voice was calm and controlled. “Charles tells me you are recovering well.” He gestured toward the doctor standing nearby.

“Not really better,” Amelia suddenly cut in before I could say anything. “She has amnesia,” Amelia continued. “And she lost her baby.”

Her voice became quieter at the last part, but not quiet enough. I stared at her in disbelief. How had Elena managed to put up with this woman all these years? Amelia had no filter. Whatever entered her mind immediately came out of her mouth.

The king's expression changed instantly, the cold, distant look disappeared and was replaced by genuine shock. His eyes widened slightly. “I...” For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words. “I am truly sorry for your loss,” he finally said, his voice was softer than before. “I know there is nothing I can say or do that will change what happened. Nothing I do can bring back what you have lost.”

“Including her memory?” Amelia asked immediately.

I felt my patience snap. “Shut up, bitch!” The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them, the room became deathly silent.

My eyes widened, my hand instantly covered my mouth. Did I really just say that? I had never used such language in my entire life.

Amelia looked just as shocked as everyone else, Doctor Charles nearly choked, even the king looked surprised.

What was wrong with me? Ever since waking up in this body, It was as if traces of the previous owner were still buried somewhere inside me.

Amelia folded her arms and glared. “Well, that was rude.”

“Then stop talking,” I snapped.

She immediately looked away, for once, she remained quiet.

The king cleared his throat. “As I was saying,” he continued. “If there is anything I can do for you, I will do it. Anything that can help make this situation easier for you, I don't mind what it is.”

I stared at him, the anger I had buried deep inside me all these years rose to the surface. It burned through my chest like fire, back then, when I was nothing more than his breeder, he had never looked at me this way. He had never cared whether I was happy or sad. To him, I hadn't existed, I had been invisible. Yet now he stood before me asking what he could do to make things right.

The hypocrisy almost made me laugh, I let out a cold scoff. “You ruined my life, you took everything from me. You took every single thing that mattered to me and now?” I laughed bitterly. “You think showing up here with an apology and a pocket full of money is going to fix everything?”

His expression darkened, my voice rose with every word. “Do you really believe money can replace everything I have lost?”

The king frowned, a look of genuine confusion crossed his face. “Miss, the accident was never inten—”

He stopped abruptly, Doctor Charles subtly shook his head and gave him a warning look. Whatever Ethan had been about to say died on his lips. His eyes narrowed slightly before he looked back at me.

Since he was offering to help, I decided to take advantage of it. “I need a place to stay until I heal completely and can get back on my feet,” I said.

The request seemed reasonable enough, at least until Amelia opened her mouth. “And lots of money to start over,” she added immediately.

I closed my eyes, not again.

“Amelia—”

“No, seriously,” she continued. “Think about it. She lost everything during the accident. Her belongings, her apartment, her savings. The least you can do is give her something substantial to help her start over.” She pointed at Ethan as if she were negotiating a business deal. “You are literally the richest man in the world. A few million won't even make a dent in your account.”

“Amelia.”

She ignored me. “Actually, make it several million.”

“Amelia!”

She finally stopped talking.

I rubbed my forehead in frustration, Ethan, however, didn't seem offended. “I will speak with my personal assistant,” he said calmly. “If you want an apartment, I can arrange one for you anywhere in the world.” His voice carried the confidence of a man who was used to getting whatever he wanted. “I will also have my assistant meet with you and collect your bank details.”

He paused.

“I'll make sure enough money is transferred into your account so that you won't have to worry about anything.”

Of course it didn't cost him anything, what was a luxury apartment to Ethan Lancelot? What was a few million dollars? Probably less than pocket change. Money was his answer to everything. Money was how they convinced themselves they had done enough. But the one thing I wanted was the one thing he could never buy.

I shook my head. “I don't want your money.”

Amelia gasped so loudly that everyone turned to look at her. “What?”

“I don't want your apartment either.”

Her jaw practically hit the floor. “Elena, are you having another memory problem?”

I ignored her, across the room, Ethan's expression hardened slightly. It was probably the first time in years someone had rejected something he offered. I met his gaze.

“I can't remember anything because of the accident,” I said. “I have been told I was thrown out of my apartment. I don't know who my friends are, I don't know who my enemies are. I don't even know who I was before waking up in this hospital.”

“I have nowhere else to go.” I took a slow breath. “And right now, I don't trust anyone enough to live with them. I don't want your money,” I repeated. “I want something else.” I looked directly into Ethan's eyes.“I want to stay with you.”