Chapter 2 Behind the Glass

He sat inside his sleek black car, the glow of his phone lighting up his face as his eyes followed her every move.

From the moment Amelia stepped out of her modest little house, he couldn't look away.

He saw the quiet tears tracing her soft cheeks - tears that somehow managed to look heartbreakingly beautiful.

His hand tightened around the phone, fury flashing in his dark eyes.

He shoved it into his jacket pocket with a violent motion, whispering to himself through clenched teeth -

"Stella... you'll pay for this."

He knew exactly who was to blame for every ounce of pain Amelia endured.

Moments later, his bodyguard stopped the car in front of the grand glass building -

Black Corporation, a place that screamed wealth and power.

The guard hurried to open the door, bowing slightly.

"Please, sir."

Ethan Black stepped out with an air of authority that made people turn to look.

He loosened the top buttons of his shirt, walking with deliberate arrogance,

the kind that came naturally to him - a man born to command.

He entered the elevator silently, pushing away the storm inside his chest.

Work was his only escape - the only thing that kept his thoughts from drifting back to her.

Meanwhile, across town,

Amelia entered the university gates beside her best friend Emma,

her eyes wide with awe and a bright smile on her lips.

For a brief moment, she forgot everything - her stepmother, the pain, the humiliation.

The sun caught her brown hair, and her natural beauty drew eyes from every direction.

No makeup, no pretense - just pure, effortless grace.

A tall boy approached her with a charming grin.

His name was Edward, and his confidence was almost theatrical.

"You must be new here," he said, extending a hand.

He turned to greet Emma politely before looking back at Amelia.

She smiled politely. "Yes, I am. Are you a senior?"

Edward chuckled, scratching his neck.

"Well, technically yes. This is my third year here... but I keep failing, so I guess I'm still at your level."

Amelia raised a brow, half amused, half unimpressed.

"Then here's some advice - maybe try focusing on your studies, not the girls."

Edward laughed awkwardly while Emma stifled a giggle,

but somewhere far away - sitting behind tinted car windows -

Ethan Black was watching it all unfold on his screen.

A smirk touched his lips, and yet his heart thudded harder.

He knew Edward was one of his men - sent only to observe her.

To see if she would smile at someone, talk to someone,

let another man near her.

The very thought drove him insane.

If she ever dared to love someone else,

he would close that university down and lock her away in her home if he had to.

He had the power - but he didn't want to use it.

No...

He wanted her heart to choose him freely.

To love him - not his power, not his name.

And for a man like Ethan Black,

that was the most dangerous desire of all.

Amelia ended her day utterly exhausted.

The first day of university had been both exciting and draining - a long-awaited dream finally coming true, yet shadowed by the weight of reality.

She walked out of the campus with her best friend, Emma, stopping by the gate to take a deep breath, as if trying to draw strength from the evening air.

Her smile was faint, tired - hiding the truth she didn't want to admit.

She had no money left to get home.

Turning to Emma with shy hesitation, she murmured,

"If you're taking the bus, go ahead. I just need to walk a little... clear my head."

Emma frowned, concern in her voice.

"Are you sure you're okay? Did that witch do something again?"

Amelia lowered her gaze, inhaling deeply before recounting everything that had happened that morning -

the harsh words, the humiliation, and the quiet ache that lingered behind every look.

Emma's heart softened. She took Amelia's hand gently and said,

"Don't worry about it. I still have some money - take it, please."

But Amelia shook her head firmly, forcing a small smile.

"No, Emma. I'll be fine. Really."

After saying goodbye, she began her long walk home.

It was nearly half an hour on foot,

but walking somehow felt easier than depending on anyone else.

By the time she reached her building, her legs ached and her breath came in shallow gasps.

She climbed the stairs slowly, her tired body screaming for rest.

But the moment she opened the door, the sharp, cold voice of Stella cut through the silence.

"Coming home late again, I see," Stella sneered, crossing her arms.

"Where were you? And with who?

You think I don't notice you sneaking around?

I'll have to talk to your father - you're getting out of control!

Such an ill-mannered girl... I don't like your behavior one bit."

Amelia froze, staring in disbelief at the woman in front of her.

She opened her mouth to speak, but her father, Thomas, stepped in quickly, trying to calm things down.

But Stella's glare turned toward him, her tone sharp as ice.

"I'm tired of having her in this house, Thomas.

If she wants to play the independent girl, let her find a job and live on her own."

Thomas's eyes widened in shock.

"No! I won't allow her to work," he said firmly.

Stella's lips curved into a cruel smile.

"Then choose, Thomas - me or your daughter.

And just so you know, my daughter Karina is coming home from her university tomorrow."

The words sliced through the air like a blade.

Amelia stood motionless, feeling her chest tighten.

Karina - Stella and Thomas's daughter, the golden girl who studied abroad with everything money could buy.

While she... was the unwanted one.

The forgotten shadow in her own home.

Karina is Stella and Thomas's daughter-

the spoiled girl who studies abroad, surrounded by luxury and endless money,

while her sister is left behind with nothing but neglect and pain.