No Sex for Six Years Because of Her? I'm Done novel Chapter 5

**My Heart Waited Too Long and Choosing Freedom**
**The Man in the Maybach**

As twilight descended, the world outside was transformed into a serene white canvas, heavy snowflakes cascading from the sky, muffling all sounds. It was on this quiet evening that both Amelia and Hannah found themselves unavoidably confined within the walls of the Rowe Estate. The atmosphere was thick with an unspoken tension, especially for Amelia, who was now compelled to share a room with Ethan under Fiona’s watchful gaze.

Amelia’s discomfort was palpable, a knot tightening in her stomach as she grappled with the situation. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes at her own feelings. In days gone by, she had cherished his presence, even when Ethan had used the guise of a platonic marriage to keep their intimacy at bay. The warmth of his closeness had once filled her with joy, but that sweetness had evaporated, leaving behind a bitter aftertaste.

Ethan, oblivious to her turmoil, reached out and affectionately patted her head, his voice soft and casual. “You want to shower first?”

Amelia recoiled slightly from his touch, a wave of irritation washing over her. Just as she was about to articulate her thoughts, a sharp knock echoed through the room, shattering the moment.

“Ethan!” Hannah’s voice was urgent as he opened the door. Her eyes glimmered with distress, the redness hinting at unshed tears. “Isla had a nightmare. She’s confused and not feeling well. Can you come check on her?”

Ethan turned his gaze toward Amelia, seeking her approval. A sense of relief washed over her, and she responded with a nonchalant tone, “The child comes first. I’ll explain to Fiona.”

Perfect. She had no desire to share a room with him anyway.

Ethan hesitated for a moment, his loyalty torn, but he ultimately left, promising, “I’ll be back soon.”

As she watched him walk away, a sinking feeling settled in Amelia’s chest. Deep down, she knew he wouldn’t return. Memories flooded her mind of the early days of their marriage when she had struggled to adapt to the new environment, often plagued by nightmares. Ethan had been her anchor then, always by her side, whispering words of comfort when her tears flowed. “Be good. I’m here,” he would say, his voice a balm to her troubled spirit.

But now, those moments felt like distant echoes, sharp thorns lodged in her throat.

The next morning dawned, and the world outside was transformed; snow weighed heavily on the branches, creating a picturesque winter wonderland. She could hear Ethan’s laughter mingling with Isla’s as they played games, a sound that felt both comforting and painful. Soon after, Ethan departed for work, leaving Amelia to prepare for the evening’s festivities—the birthday celebration of David. She had made plans with Lily to select a gift, a small distraction from her tumultuous thoughts.

Before Amelia left, she noticed Isla, who was holding Hannah’s hand and looking at her with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Ethan said he’ll come put me to bed every night and stay with me and Mommy. You’ll be kicked out soon, and then Ethan will be my daddy. A woman like you, who just leeches off men—ugly and mean—without Ethan, you’ll definitely end up miserable!” The six-year-old’s triumphant declaration hung in the air, a taunt that stung.

Hannah merely smiled, her lips curving slightly. “Ms. Harlow, don’t take a child’s words to heart.”

Amelia’s voice was icy as she interjected, “Done pretending?”

Hannah dropped her facade. “Ethan isn’t here. Let’s be honest. You know exactly how he treats you. I have a child. I need someone to depend on.”

The Boyds were in disarray, and without Ethan’s protection, Hannah knew the odds were stacked against her. A woman with a child always faced an uphill battle. What was so wrong about rekindling her romance with Ethan?

“Jack’s barely been dead a week, and does he know you’ve already lined up your next meal ticket?” Amelia shot back, sarcasm dripping from her words.

Hannah’s expression shifted, her composure cracking. “He’s already dead. Am I supposed to be a widow forever?” she replied flatly. “These past few days, Ethan has been with me and Isla constantly. You know how he feels about me. I hope you have some self-awareness.”

“I’m not sure about the rest, but tonight, he won’t be.” Amelia’s confidence was unwavering. She understood Ethan intimately; he was a master of appearances, especially when it came to impressing the elders. No matter what, he wouldn’t miss David’s birthday celebration.

With that, she stepped out of the estate, ready to meet Lily, leaving Hannah to stew in her own thoughts. As she walked away, Hannah’s gaze followed her, lips pressed together, a flicker of resentment dancing in her eyes.

Amelia stood there, feeling the chill of the winter air seep into her bones, the Harlows’ harshness echoing in her mind. They had always treated her poorly, but Ethan had been her shield, and now he had left her vulnerable. The snow continued to fall, blanketing her in a cold solitude as she walked aimlessly, her hands and feet growing numb.

Suddenly, headlights pierced through the darkness behind her. In the luxurious confines of a limited-edition Maybach, a man sat in the backseat, shrouded in shadows. He lowered his gaze, his expression unreadable as he fiddled with a childishly cute pink keychain, the letters “A.H.” worn from repeated handling.

The assistant, glancing out the window, exclaimed in surprise, “Mr. Everett, it’s Ms. Harlow.”

Unease washed over him; everyone knew Amelia was a forbidden subject for Mason. He had once cherished her like a rare gem, only to relinquish her entirely.

Mason peered out into the swirling snow, watching Amelia as she trudged along, her figure appearing fragile and lost in the storm. She looked so small, so vulnerable.

“Drive,” he commanded, his voice flat and devoid of emotion.

The assistant hesitated, concern etched on his face. “Mr. Everett, the snow is so heavy. If Ms. Harlow keeps going like this…”

“Feel sorry for her?” Mason retorted, his tone icy. “You can walk with her.”

The assistant fell silent, realizing there was no point in arguing further. Just as the window began to roll up, a heavy thud echoed outside, cutting through the silence of the night.

Amelia, already numb from the cold, felt her consciousness slipping away. Just as she was about to succumb to the darkness, a familiar scent enveloped her senses, stirring something deep within her.