Second Chances and Shattered Lines

Amelia's POV The fallout from that conference room "announcement" hit like a tidal wave crashing over the fragile shores of my carefully constructed world. Lucas's bold claim—engaged? Next month?—had rippled outward with ruthless efficiency, spreading through industry circles by evening like wildfire through dry grass. Whispers in executive lounges morphed into bold headlines splashed across business feeds: Gray Heiress Snags Miller Mogul. My phone became a relentless beast, buzzing nonstop in my purse as I navigated the marble-floored corridors of Gray Holdings. Congratulations poured in from colleagues I'd barely spoken to in months—polite emojis and effusive messages from VPs I'd outmaneuvered in deals. Shocked texts from Sam lit up the screen: "Is this real? Spill everything! When's the dress shopping?" Even my usually stoic board members shot curious glances at the next strategy meeting, their eyes lingering a beat too long over agendas, as if searching for cracks in my professio