THE MAN WHO WAS ONCE MINE

Amelia Soto followed the secretary's instructions until she found Dorian Ferrer's office.

It had been two years since they got married, but it was the first time she had visited her husband's company.

"Mr. Ferrer is still in a meeting, please take a seat and wait a moment."

The secretary was very kind and even served her hot tea.

"Thank you," Amelia received it with courtesy and sat on the couch in the hall, taking in the space - clean and well-lit, decorated with simplicity and a touch of discreet luxury in gray and white tones, just the way Dorian liked it.

The secretary also watched her out of the corner of her eye. Amelia looked young, her wavy hair fell gently over her shoulders, and her bangs parted on the sides naturally framed her face, giving her the air of an innocent and sweet girl. She also didn't talk much. She was still processing that she was Dorian's wife. Or, rather, it shocked her that Dorian, such a cold and distant man who kept everyone at bay, was married.

She couldn't imagine Dorian being tender with a woman.

The noises of people outside brought her out of her thoughts. "It must be that the meeting is over," the secretary hurriedly said. "Wait here a moment, I'll see what's going on." Amelia instinctively turned her gaze toward the door.

A tall figure appeared at the entrance, tilting his head slightly, discussing something with someone next to him. His marked and angular profile stood out among the lights and shadows of the place; his expression was serious and concentrated, looking at the person next to him.

When he saw the girl's smiling and radiant face, Amelia was paralyzed for a moment and stood up without realizing it.

Just then, her husband looked up and saw her in front of the couch, pausing for a moment before frowning. "What are you doing here?" The girl who was discussing the project with him also looked up and when she saw Amelia, she was surprised. Amelia smiled kindly and then turned to Dorian, passing him the briefcase she had in her hand. "You..." I was going to say your mother, but she changed her mind and said. My mother-in-law asked me to bring you this.

Dorian's mother couldn't stand seeing her "doing nothing at home, and since Amelia didn't want to be there with her mother-in-law either, she took the opportunity to bring him the document.

Dorian took it from her hands: "Have you eaten yet?"

She replied: "Not yet."

He closed the briefcase and turned to the others who followed him. "We will continue the meeting in the afternoon, go ahead."

The girl next to him opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she stopped herself under his gaze and toothily said "yes," then turned to the rest who were looking curiously at Amelia and they went together with Dorian to the company restaurant.

While they waited for the food to be served, he remained busy, without taking his eyes off the computer, his fingers typing rapidly, with his usual seriousness and concentration.

Amelia, supporting her cheek with one hand, looked at him in silence.

He was very handsome, with well-defined features and a serious look, his high nose outlined with authority and an imposing coldness as he tilted his head slightly.

He always had that unflappable, distant expression, even in the most intimate moments between them.

Amelia had been secretly in love with him for eight years, from the age of sixteen to twenty-four, but now, she didn't love him anymore.

In her purse, placed on her lap, she carried the draft of the divorce agreement she had prepared.

However, she hesitated with her hand on the paper.

Strictly speaking, Dorian had done nothing wrong. He simply didn't love her.

They hadn't married for love, so maybe not loving her wasn't really a mistake.

"What are you staring at?" Dorian's deep voice interrupted her thoughts.

She looked up at him.

He had not raised his head; he was still focused on his computer screen.

Amelia always thought that watching Dorian work was a joy to behold.

"Hey? When he got no response, he finally looked up, resting his eyes on her face.

She smiled at him: "Nothing."

Then, as if it were a casual conversation, she asked: "How long has Carolina worked at your company?"

Carolina was the girl who was next to him at the end of the meeting. Amelia had shared a class with them for a year as an exchange student, while Dorian and Carolina were classmates throughout high school; both were the most handsome and popular in the class, in addition to being the brainiacs. They were always involved in all the school events and there was a rumor that there was something between them, but it was never known why they didn't end up together. In the end, it turned out that Amelia, who didn't attract much attention, got the best of it.

It's not that she performed poorly as a student; she had also attended prestigious schools and university, but when she arrived, Dorian and Carolina were already shining with their own light and by the time she began to stand out, they were already about to graduate and everyone went their way.

"It was at the beginning of the year," Dorian said, returning his attention to the computer. "I don't remember well, I'm going in for an interview with human resources."

She nodded, but did not continue asking.

The food came quickly, and then they fell into a long, silent lunch period.

That was the norm in their two years of marriage; for them, who preferred tranquility, there was no problem, but he felt that something was missing.

Amelia turned her gaze to the couple at the next table, who were feeding each other and frolicking.

She was envious.

That was a closeness she and Dorian would never have.

For that man, only work and efficiency existed.

His life was like a well-geared patchwork, precise and cold.

He explained what should be done at every moment and what should not be done, in a second and without failure.

That kind of man just wasn't cut out for marriage, She neither.

"Did something happen?" Noticing that she was distracted, Dorian looked up.

Amelia pursed her lips slightly and, meeting his dark eyes, smiled and nodded: "Yes, there is something."

"Ding!" An email entered Dorian's computer, and his attention returned to the screen. She smiled. "Why don't you continue? We'll talk later." "Alright."

By the time her husband finished, an hour had passed.

"What plans do you have for later?" he asked while putting away the computer.

Amelia was surprised for a moment before realizing he was asking her.

"I want to go to the bookstore and then come home," she said.

Dorian nodded. "I'll tell Yael to take you, but don't stay too late." Yael was Dorian's assistant, and Amelia had seen him a few times.

She nodded. "OK."

Lunch ended without flavor or emotion.

After that, she went to the bookstore and didn't return until almost five.

Her mother-in-law, Cintia Ferrer, was still at home, playing with the cat. Seeing Amelia, she said: "Look, they are taking care of you. In everything, you have to eat, drink, and go shopping, but you don't know how to make money. Of course, to spend, if you do it well and without consideration. Furthermore, you are not even good for having children, you are not a princess, but you behave like one, why do we want you, eh?"

Her voice sounded cultured and pleasant, even with a joking tone.

Amelia pretended not to understand and said goodbye before returning to her room. She soon heard the sound of objects colliding and Cintia's anger. She could imagine how furious her mother-in-law would be; she increasingly missed the freedom she had before getting married. To be independent, not expect anything from others, not have to be hypocritical or put up with anyone.

Her mother-in-law had never really accepted her, and Amelia knew it.

She also understood why he despised her, after all, they came from different worlds. She and Dorian were like heaven and earth.

It had all been a mistake.

When they married, Amelia was unaware of Dorian's prominent social position. She thought that he liked her.

If she had known before about the differences between them, she would never have agreed to marry him, since they had only gotten married to have a baby and there was no love involved.

At first, Amelia still had illusions about the future and could tolerate Cintia's hints when Dorian was not present.

But now that she had other plans for the future, she didn't care about her mother-in-law's attitude. Cintia , frustrated by Amelia's lack of response and attention, finally left the house after slamming the door.

She didn't feel like cooking, so she ordered something quick to eat.

Dorian had to work late and had already sent her a message.

The company was still expanding and had a lot of work; overtime was the norm.

Amelia was already used to that pace of life.

It was after eleven at night when Dorian finally returned home, and he was still busy at work in the study.

Dorian had grown accustomed to the hustle and bustle. He first took a shower, and by the time he returned, Amelia had also finished washing herself; she was leaning on the headboard of the bed reading a book. Seeing him approach, she put down the book and turned off the lamp on her side of the bed.

Dorian also got into bed and turned off the light. As soon as he lay down, he turned around, and in an instant, his large body covered her completely. When the fresh masculine aroma filled the room, he kissed her.

Dorian was tender in the dark, but also aggressive.

He left behind all his daytime indifference, and Amelia couldn't imagine how a man who seemed so distant and detached could be so passionate and wild in bed.

The sex between them was almost perfectly harmonious.

After a long while, when the gasps and moans subsided into the night, Dorian continued to hold her in silence.

With their bodies sticky with sweat, Amelia didn't push him; she just hugged him gently and buried her face in his also wet chest. "Dorian," she called softly, still breathing heavily. "Hmm?" His low voice, tinged with desire, was fatally sexy under the cover of night. "We should get divorced."

She spoke in a low voice, noticing how the body he hugged tensed.

He looked down at her, his dark, sharp eyes seemed devoured by darkness, so calm that only a devouring abyss remained.

"Tell me the reason," he said with his usual calm.

"At first we were only together because of the child, but unfortunately, we were not lucky enough to have him. Maybe it was meant to be like this," she said just as calmly, looking directly at him, "I think I prefer the single life. I don't feel much difference between being married or not. Without you, I wouldn't have so many expectations and problems. I guess you feel the same.

Because after the divorce, she wouldn't have to deal with her mother and her extended family; he wouldn't have to deal with his parasitic family either.

Dorian didn't say anything; he just looked at her motionless, the black color in his eyes becoming deeper and more saturated. When Amelia thought that he would not respond, he nodded calmly: "Alright." There were no explanations or questions, just a "very concise, like when you agreed to get married." That was the Dorian she knew.

Amelia smiled at him, feeling a lump in her throat and her eyes wet; although it was what she wanted and everything ended as cleanly as she had hoped, the bitter emotions tangled in her chest. She held back her tears, buried her head in his chest, and hugged him tightly for the last time.

Dorian did not respond to the hug; he simply stayed silent, letting her hug him, and she let him go Gently. "I'm going to wash up a little.

She spoke softly and just as she was about to get out of bed, her arm was grabbed and pulled back, her body was dragged back onto the soft bed. The shadow fell over her, and a storm-laden kiss reached her, stopping as she felt the panic in his eyes.

Dorian's eyes hid a hurricane, dark and heavy, but eventually they calmed into a fathomless stillness. He turned around and lay down next to her. "Sleep," he said, closing his eyes.

The next day, when Amelia woke up, her husband was gone. The house remained the same, as if the episode of the previous night had only been a dream, but Amelia knew that things had changed. She packed her things quickly. She didn't have much, so it was quick.

Before leaving, she took one last look at the apartment where she had lived for two years. She left the keys and the signed divorce agreement on the coffee table, and then sent a message to Dorian: "I already signed the divorce agreement on the coffee table. I have left all the divorce matters in the hands of lawyer César. When you have time, please finish the procedures. I'm leaving; take care of yourself."

Dorian was in a meeting when he received the message. He stared at it lost for a moment. The others had never seen him distracted, especially Carolina, who had known Dorian for many years, had never seen that side of him.

"Mr. Ferrer? Carolina called him with a soft voice, to remind him that they were still in the middle of the meeting.

He took a look at it and calmly put down the cell phone, continued with what he was saying before, and just when everyone thought that nothing was happening, he suddenly blurted out "The meeting is over", grabbed his cell phone with a jerk and bolted out of the room. boardroom, leaving everyone else wondering what was going on?

"Mr. Ferrer, what happened?"

Dorian went straight home.

It was the first time he had returned home during work hours.

The place, which was always spotless, no longer had any trace of Amelia, only the divorce agreement that the wind had messed up on the coffee table.

Dorian grabbed it.

The document was simple; Amelia had not asked for anything, everything was going to remain as before her marriage.

And there was her signature, as elegant and artistic as ever.

He stared at the signature on the paper, not realizing that time was still ticking, until he heard the soft sound of the door opening.

He snapped his head toward the entrance.

Cintia was just entering and she was scared by Dorian's intense look.

"What's wrong?" she asked confused, noticing how the hope on Dorian's face faded, leaving an unbreakable calm. "Nothing," he answered in a neutral voice, "and what are you doing here?" "I came to see if Amelia was okay and to keep her company," Cintia approached smiling, "And you? Why did you come back so early? Did something happen to Amelia?" As she spoke, her concern was evident, she even turned to look at the rooms. "Okay," Dorian looked at her, "Do you come often?" "Not much, just once in a while." Cintia seemed uncomfortable and changed the subject when she saw the papers in Dorian's hand: "And what is that?"

She tried to grab it, but Dorian was faster and pressed it against the table.

"Nothing important," he said, staring at her, "If it's not necessary, you don't have to come. Amelia is busy with her work. When we can, we will come visit you."

His mother started to say, "How busy can she be?" but corrected herself in time, "It's okay."

She couldn't help but remind Dorian: Amelia has been trying to get pregnant for more than a year and nothing, it might be that something was wrong. She should make herself known in case she can't have children.

Dorian responded curtly: "I no longer want a child." Cintia looked at him surprised.

Her son was giving signs that the visit was coming, but he was even more explicit: "Better leave, and don't come back if it's not necessary." Cintia opened her mouth, as if wanting to protest, but before Dorian's cold gaze, she fell silent and left.

He saw the door close, glanced at the place that no longer had any signs of Amelia's life, sighed, and knocked. To his assistant: "Yael, coordinate an appointment with César about the divorce."

"Hey?" Yael was paralyzed, if only yesterday he had seen Amelia and they didn't seem to be fighting. But Dorian had already hung up, threw the papers on the table, and left. Amelia had moved back to her little house in the suburbs.

It was a property she had bought before she got married, small and perfect for herself.

And it was right there, in that tiny house, where she had a one-night stand with Dorian, became pregnant, and that tied them together irrevocably.

That night she couldn't refuse her friend Frida, who convinced her to go to a reunion of former school classmates.

And against all odds, Dorian, who never went to those meetings, was there.

After graduating from school, they had lost all contact, neither taking part in alumni groups nor attending reunions, as if they had only crossed paths for a brief moment before disappearing from each other's lives.

Dorian had even completely disappeared.

No one knew where he had gone or what he had done, and Amelia, although she sometimes tried to get some information from her former companions, never got anything about Dorian.

So when she saw him suddenly after several years, she was surprised and nervous. Feelings that she had never had the courage to express when she was younger now fluttered in her chest. But still, she did not dare to confess her love for him, or even to speak to him without feeling self-conscious, especially since Dorian sat next to her, so close to her that her shyness intensified with every moment.

She was nervous and didn't want it to show, so she hid behind the food and drink to hide her concern, without realizing that she was starting to get drunk.

Probably out of goodwill at having shared a table, Dorian took the initiative to take her home at the end of the meeting.

Amelia lived alone and although she was somewhat drunk, she had not completely lost consciousness, but the alcohol had affected her balance.

As soon as he entered her small one-room apartment, he tripped over the shoes she had left in the entryway. She was about to fall when Dorian, with quick reflexes even without turning on the light, grabbed her and pulled her towards him. Dorian had also drunk something and did not know if it was the effect of the alcohol or the darkness that stimulated that moment, but their gazes collided in the air and under the deep night, being the man she had secretly loved for years, she could not look away. Slowly, as their gazes remained fixed, their breaths came closer.

Amelia wasn't one to let herself go easily, she hadn't even had a boyfriend before, but that night she got lost in Dorian's deep, tender, and focused gaze. It was the look and the man she had dreamed of countless times. That night they gave themselves to each other with an innocent and burning passion.

Little did she know that Dorian likes her, and was also inexperienced in matters of the heart and the flesh.

His looks and family didn't fit someone who didn't have a girlfriend. But after two years of knowing each other, Amelia understood why Dorian had always been single: a man dedicated to his work had no time or energy for love.

A strict upbringing since childhood had also made him remain pure.

That night was a once-in-a-lifetime incident for both of them.

Amelia had already planned her life. She studied architectural design at university, she had talent and excellent skills, so she wanted to continue studying. She was already in the process of applying to the Department of Architecture of the Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich, but that unexpected night upset all her plans.

She didn't expect to get pregnant.

They didn't take precautions that night, and the next day they got up late. She had an interview and couldn't go to the pharmacy to get a morning-after pill. She thought she would be safe on her non-fertile days, but she was not.

When she found out she was pregnant, she didn't know what to do.

But Dorian suggested getting married and having the baby.

Only two weeks had passed since that night and they had not spoken. Amelia had no intention of telling him, but by chance, they met at the hospital where Dorian was visiting his grandfather.

She felt uncomfortable and tried to hide her test results, but it was too late.

He glanced at the hospital report she was trying to hide behind her back and extended his hand toward her. "Let me see." Those two simple and calm words carried an authority that did not allow rejection. Amelia, doubtful, gave him the results.

Dorian looked at the report in silence for a moment and then asked: "What do you plan to do?"

She shook her head, confused. She didn't know what to say, she hadn't planned that pregnancy and her arrival had disrupted all of her life plans.

"I'd suggest we get married and have this baby," Dorian said. "But you have the last word. If you don't want to, I won't force you." "Get married?" Amelia was stunned, she thought Dorian was joking, but he nodded seriously. "I'm serious."

He gave her two days to think about it.

She loved him, she had loved him for many years, but she had never imagined that one day he would say to her: "Let's get married."

After two days of internal struggle between confusion and desire, she met Dorian and said, "Let's get married." Her response was as calm as the day they got divorced, he simply nodded. "Good." On the third day, they got married. It seemed crazy, but everything had its logic.

Only Amelia never imagined that that child would not be born. Her marriage with Dorian also did not last until the third year. It started quickly and ended just as quickly. Those two years were like a dream.

Looking at her house, Amelia felt empty and hurt inside.

That look from that night, when she almost tripped over her shoes and he caught her, staring at her, kept replaying in her mind. She clearly remembered the intensity and emotions flowing in his dark eyes, and even today, her heart pounded when she thought about it. She thought there was love.

Like her, he had loved her for years, so that night there were feelings and passion.

But that's not the case, he was simply drunk. Her heart felt heavy and aching as she realized that.

Amelia remembered days ago when she accompanied him to his house and, passing by the study, she accidentally overheard the argument between his father and him.

"I know that you were very fond of your grandfather, so when he was seriously ill and you wanted him to see you married before he died, you brought Amelia home, and she was also pregnant with your son, so I didn't say anything, to the least my father left peacefully. But two years have passed, and the child did not have the opportunity to be born, are you going to continue like this with her for the rest of your life?" "I have my reasons, don't get involved."

"How can I not get involved? How could I not? They always say that alcohol brings problems, look what happened, because of Amanda Sabin, you refused to have a girlfriend and just to go to a damn alumni reunion, that woman found the opportunity."

"Dad," Dorian interrupted him, with a cold tone, "This is my fault, Amelia has nothing to do with it." "It's okay, I won't talk about her anymore, every time I mention her you just defend her. Just tell me, if Amanda comes back, what are you going to do? Don't forget that you are committed to her." "She will never come back."

Amelia noticed how Dorian's voice softened; it was rare to hear another emotion in his calm voice. He clearly felt a special affection for that girl called "Amanda." It was the first time Amelia had heard that name, and she was stunned for a moment. She didn't know how to feel; she was suddenly confused, but she didn't feel rejection or resistance; she even felt a strange intimacy with that name. She didn't try to find out who Amanda was; it wasn't necessary. The problems between Dorian and her were not due to anything else.

He only appeared at the time when he needed to get married to appease his grandfather. Now that their grandfather was no longer there, and the child who united them was no longer there, there was no reason to remain tied for life.

Amelia knew that if she didn't say anything, Dorian probably wouldn't mention the divorce either, and they would continue together, living uneventful days. But she didn't want to continue. That was not the married life she wanted.

She wanted a husband whom she loved and who loved her, who was not necessarily rich, but who understood difficult and warm moments, who could share with her a daily life full of warmth and satisfaction, not someone who loved another person and saw her as a responsibility. So she suggested divorce, an idea that had surfaced six months ago but that she had hesitated to decide on.

And Dorian, as she expected, quickly agreed. He was probably relieved, Amelia thought.

The pain in her chest continued. With her hand on her heart, she looked around the space that was once filled with her hopes, feeling increasingly distressed but also relieved to let it go. After a while, she grabbed her phone and called the real estate agent who had sold her the house: "Hello, I would like to sell my house in Jardines de la Paz, can you help me with that?" The agent still remembered Amelia, a woman with a soft and beautiful appearance, young and with a good temperament; she had left a deep impression on him.

"Of course, no problem," he responded right off the bat. "Is the beautiful lady thinking of moving to a bigger house?" "No." Amelia smiled, diverting the topic. "Then I thank you."

The news that Amelia was selling her property reached Yael, Dorian's assistant, a couple of days later. He was looking to move somewhere closer to the office and had been looking at properties online.

The complex where Amelia lived was close to Dorian's company, so when looking for nearby properties, hers emerged. He had helped with the move when Dorian and Amelia got married; he remembered perfectly the interior of Amelia's house, decorated with elegance and simplicity, so he recognized it right away.

He was shocked and couldn't help but take a look at Dorian's office. His boss had asked him to help him with the divorce paperwork, so he was aware of the separation. It had always seemed to him that Dorian and Amelia got along well; they weren't one of those saccharine marriages, but they weren't a resentful couple either. It didn't seem like they had enough reasons to divorce. He didn't understand why they had suddenly separated. His boss didn't seem like the typical man despondent over a divorce. Except for that day when he left everyone standing in the meeting room, he had been as usual. If there was anything out of the ordinary, it was that Dorian was spending even more time in the office, practically living there, and had become more demanding about work.

They all walked on thin ice when he was around; the entire building was immersed in an atmosphere of constant tension. suspected that the divorce had affected Dorian, although he did not know if it was just a fight between the couple.

He doubted whether he should tell Dorian that Amelia was selling her house; for him, selling the house was practically running away. As long as the person was there, there was a chance to fix things, but if they left, that chance disappeared.

He didn't want to continue working in such an oppressive environment. Lost in his thoughts, he was snapped out of them when Dorian looked up from the computer screen and looked at him: "What's wrong?" Yael was startled: "Nothing, nothing."

His boss rebuked him: "If it's nothing, why do you look at me for so long?" "I..." Yael was hesitant. Dorian replied, "Speak clearly."

Decidedly, Yael turned the screen of his mobile phone toward Dorian: "It seems that Amelia is going to sell her house, maybe she will –." He watched as Dorian's hand on the mouse stopped, waiting for him to say something, but he coldly returned his gaze to the computer screen.

"And?" was his response, calm and distant.

Yael was speechless.

Dorian asked, "Aren't you busy?" Yael nodded his head quickly, "Yes, very busy." He glanced at the window that was already darkening and couldn't help but remind himself, "Boss, the workday ended a while ago, and I have an appointment with the agent to see a flat, can I go now?" Dorian glanced at the top right corner of the computer; it was after seven. He nodded slightly, "Yes." "Thank you, boss." After hurriedly saying thank you, Yael lightly picked up his things and ran out. As the office door closed, Dorian finally looked up from the computer, his gaze lingering on the closed door for a moment and then moving to the darkness of the night outside. It was the time when all the lights in the houses were on, the lights of the distant neighborhoods were already shining brightly.

Dorian remembered the light that was always on in his house when Amelia, who used to be laying on the couch, arrived. When Amelia's image crossed his mind, Dorian's expression softened. He took his eyes off the window and looked up at the computer screen, his long fingers falling on the keyboard, thinking about continuing to work. He had barely typed a letter when he stopped; The plans and reports that he had once found fascinating now seemed insipid to him. He pushed the keyboard away, stood up, ripped his suit jacket off the coat rack, bent down to grab his car keys from his desk, and left the office. All his excitement slowly stabilized after he got into the car. He let out a sigh and started the engine, slowly beginning to drive. Outside the car window, the bustle of the city shone with life, but Dorian drove aimlessly, unwilling to return home. As his car passed by Amelia's neighborhood, Yael's phrase "Looks like Amelia is going to sell her house" unexpectedly burst into his mind. Dorian involuntarily glanced toward the entrance to the neighborhood. Amelia was just leaving and when she looked up, her gaze collided with Dorian's inside the car, she stopped for a moment.

He saw her too and his gaze passed calmly over her face.

Amelia forced a smile at him. Dorian looked away coldly. She felt a little uncomfortable, laughed wryly, withdrew her gaze, and was about to leave. Suddenly, Dorian called out to her, "Are you going out?" His voice was still the same as always, calm and serene. Amelia looked at him surprised and nodded. "Yes, I'm going to buy some things." Dorian nodded, without saying anything else. That had been his normal for the last two years. So she didn't say anything else either, she smiled apologetically and was about to leave. But Dorian spoke again, "Have you eaten yet?" She nodded, "Yes, I just ate." She got another nod from him, but he showed no intention of leaving.

Amelia didn't know why he was there, however she didn't say anything else, nor did she ask if he had eaten, she just smiled politely before leaving. Dorian didn't say anything else, he didn't follow her, but he didn't leave either. Amelia could see his car still parked in the same place from the reflection of the glass of a store, she frowned in confusion and entered the supermarket on the corner. The bathroom light was out and she had gone to buy a light bulb to replace it. When she left the supermarket with the new light bulb, she realized that Dorian was still there. Inevitably, the two met again.

Amelia and Dorian had not separated because they became enemies, she could not pretend not to see it, but since they already treated each other as strangers even within the marriage, she could not greet him affectionately, so when their eyes met again, she tugged lightly at her lips, like a greeting.

Dorian didn't show any expression, just stared at her, calm but with an oppressive feeling, making even Amelia's breathing become cautious. When she passed Dorian's car, he opened the door and got out, following her. But Dorian didn't speak, he just followed behind her in silence, they went up the building together. When they reached the door of her apartment, she finally couldn't help it, she turned around doubtfully and looked at him, "Do you need anything?" Dorian replied, "No." Amelia didn't say anything. Dorian continued, "Is there any food left at home?" Amelia couldn't help but remind him, "Hey, we're already divorced." He reproached her, "Can't an old classmate come to eat something?"

She was speechless and hesitantly opened the door for him. Dorian noticed the light bulb in his hand and frowned slightly, "Did the light burn out?" Amelia nodded, "Yes, the bathroom lamp burned out." Dorian extended his hand to her, 'Give it to me.' "No need, I can do it." Amelia didn't finish rejecting the offer when Dorian had already taken the spotlight from her hands. He looked up at the bathroom light, grabbed a chair from the hallway, placed it underneath and climbed into it. Since he was tall, all she had to do was stand up. foot on the stool to reach the light with your hand.

Amelia feared a short circuit and said, "I'm going to turn off the electricity first." She turned down the main switch and the room fell into darkness. Amelia turned on the inside of her cell phone and illuminated it. "Can you see well?" "Yes." The calm and deep voice came from above while Dorian was already skillfully removing the focus. Amelia had never seen him change a light bulb, but she supposed that smart people had a natural gift for doing things right, and Dorian's movements were deft and purposeful, with a kind of efficient elegance. Her gaze shifted from his hands to her face and from below, Dorian's clear profile stood out against the shadow of the light, deep and serious. So she was a little stunned looking at him.

Dorian quickly changed the focus and when he got out of the chair, Amelia was still staring at him. Her eyes collided without time to avoid each other and she, uncomfortable, smiled awkwardly and took a step back, putting distance between them. Dorian's gaze moved slowly from her retreating legs to her face, settling on her eyes, but he said nothing. His silence made her feel more uncomfortable. "Well, I'm going to see if the light works now." Just as she turned to leave, he grabbed her wrist, the cell phone fell to the ground and the light exploded, filling the space.

While Amelia felt a shock in her heart, Dorian had already pulled her towards him. She looked up in alarm and his palm slid from her wrist to her back, hugging her tightly around the waist, while his other hand fell behind her head, lifting her face to his, his breath cool and close. Dorian kissed her. Amelia instinctively tried to push him away. The hands around her waist and behind her head suddenly tightened and he deepened the kiss with a force that brooked no rejection. And she didn't want to reject him. Heavy gasps began to sound in the confined space. Dorian pressed her against the wall and kissed her with some ferocity.

Amelia had rarely seen that dominant and aggressive side, with an emotion that seemed urgent to be released. She was confused, but Dorian didn't give her a chance to think, the kiss became more and more intense, and just when it seemed like they were going to lose control, a cell phone rang and the shrill tone broke the intimacy of the moment.

Dorian stopped abruptly, not letting her see his face, he raised his hand to press his face against her collarbone. Amelia could clearly feel her breathing becoming more stable.

Dorian let her go, turned around to pick up the cell phone that was ringing again, and handed it to her. 'Thank you,' Amelia thanked in a low voice, without looking at him, she simply took the cell phone, pressed the answer button and turned around with the phone in her hand, "Hello, who's speaking?" Dorian took one look and headed for the switch on the door.

Amelia also glanced at his back and a female voice speaking English reached her ear, "Shall I speak to Miss Amelia?" She paid attention again, "Yes, it's me, who is it?"

Congratulations, Miss Amelia, you have been admitted to the Department of Architecture of the Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich." She was stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered, joy spreading throughout her being. "Oh really?" The surprised tone made Dorian, who was outside, turn to look at her. Amelia felt a little embarrassed, but she managed to thank him and contain her excitement before hanging up the phone and opening her email on her cell phone. Sure enough, there was her acceptance letter.

The emotion of surprise flowed through her body and Amelia wanted to release it, but when she looked up and saw Dorian watching her, she held back again, embarrassed. "What happened?" he asked, while turning on the light with the switch. She shook her head slightly, "Nothing, just work stuff." "Job?" Dorian frowned, he had never seen her so happy about something related to her work. "You're lying to me." Discovered, Amelia hesitated for a moment, "It's about studies, they accepted me at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich." Dorian frowned even more, "Applying to university is not something that is done overnight, how long have you been preparing?" Amelia pursed her lips. "Half a year." Dorian's face softened, "So, you were already thinking about divorce six months ago?" Amelia remained silent.

Indeed, it was around this time that she began to consider the idea of getting divorced, but it was also then that, with a just-for-the-sake-of-it attitude, she applied to the architecture faculty at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, hoping to resume her life plans that were interrupted by her pregnancy and marriage. She had studied architectural design at university and had always had the idea of perfecting her studies in Switzerland, but her family did not have the resources and her parents could not support her with that, so from the first year of her studies she began to save money with secondary jobs.

During those years, she did quite well in her side businesses and had saved a decent amount of money. If it hadn't been for that night of meeting with former classmates, when she met Dorian again, she got carried away by passion and ended up pregnant. He would now be graduating successfully. But that night changed the course of her life, transforming her from an enthusiastic young professional passionate about life to a weak housewife, questioning her worth daily between domestic tasks and the contempt of her husband's family. She didn't want to continue like this. His silence was a confirmation. Dorian turned his face coldly. "I see," he said. "Wish you all the best." With that, he opened the door to leave. "Dorian," Amelia called out to him instinctively. He stopped, but didn't turn around. "That day at your house, I heard the fight you had with your father in the studio." Amelia spoke softly. After that day, I decided to get divorced." Dorian turned sharply to look at her.