Suzygold

Adopted into the prestigious Blake family as a child, Amelia grew up feeling safe, loved, and most of all—drawn to her charming older brother, Ethan Blake. But when innocent affection began to grow into secret love, whispers in the mansion halls turned into harsh accusations. Her parents, scandalised by the rumours of her unrequited feelings for her adopted brother, exiled her abroad to study.

Seven years later, Amelia returns—transformed, poised, and distant. Ethan is stunned by the change. But her coldness stings the most.

Unbeknownst to Amelia, her heart is not the only one that’s changed. James Windsor—Ethan’s childhood best friend, now a billionaire CEO, had always harboured quiet affection for her. When she joins his company upon her return, sparks ignite. A steamy kiss in the rain. A slow-burning love. But love doesn’t come easy.

Secrets about Amelia’s real parents emerge. James’s vengeful ex returns, hell-bent on destroying what they’ve built. A painful breakup. A betrayal. And the truth behind why her adoptive parents never wanted her to fall in love.

In the end, love rekindles stronger than ever—but not without loss, sacrifice, and a long journey home.

Falling Hard For The Forbidden

Three days after the poisoning, I stood again.

James hadn't left my side. Not once.

And when I opened my eyes that morning, I saw it in his face — the look of a man who'd made a decision.

"They wanted you dead," he said simply. "Now it's my turn to play the game."

I followed him into his private war room — a space I rarely entered. Dozens of screens lined the walls, all blinking with codes, live surveillance, names of known players in the Windsor empire.

In the center was a live feed of Rhys Alcott, James's former mentor and the man behind the silent coup.

James tapped the screen. "He has no idea I'm back in London."

"I'm going to give him exactly what he wants."

That afternoon, a statement was quietly leaked to the press:

> "James Windsor has stepped down from international leadership to care for fiancée, Amelia Moore, after recent health concerns."

> "Board control will temporarily shift to Rhys Alcott until the next shareholder meeting."

Within hours, Rhys booked a flight to Geneva — where Windsor Industries had a dormant vault, one that required biometric confirmation from the original founder.

James had already re-coded the vault.

And Rhys's attempt to access it would trigger facial recognition traps, encrypted IP logs, and federal alerts.

That night, as we sat in silence, watching the trap close around our enemies, I looked at James.

Not physically. But like the weight of everything had finally caught up to him.

"You know," I said softly, "we used to talk about the future like it was a fantasy."

He turned to me, eyes still storm-dark.

"Now it feels like a war zone," I added.

He reached across the table and took my hand.

"I never wanted to drag you into this," he said. "But I won't let it take you from me."

I smiled faintly. "Then let's win."

> Rhys Alcott Arrested in Geneva on Charges of Corporate Espionage, Identity Fraud, and Conspiracy.

> Federal documents link him to a revived behavioral tech program and unauthorized use of Windsor private funds.

He just stood at the window, hands in his pockets, watching the rain fall like he always did when he was remembering something painful.

But something was still bothering me.

I pulled out Isabelle's flash drive and searched through the code she'd buried deep.

A hidden protocol designed to activate once Rhys was detained.

> Someone else was the hand holding it.

As the realization sank in, the lights flickered.

A voice — low, rasping — filled my ear:

> "Nice trap, Miss Moore. But snakes don't travel alone."

> "It's the last peace you'll ever know."

Chapter 35: The Bait and the Blade