Bride To Be Not Me (Janice and Simon)

Amelia felt a bit uneasy and quickly reassured Arthur, saying, "Don't worry, Mr. Appleton. As Mrs. Fitzgerald, I have some influence in Greenfield City. I'll make sure Simon gets in touch with the manufacturers and arranges the shipment for your silk order."

Arthur's face brightened with relief. "That would be a huge help! I'll be counting on you, Mrs. Fitzgerald."

As they left Fitzgerald Residence, Elsie muttered, "Dad, Amelia is so lucky. She grew up with everything, and even after her parents passed, she managed to marry someone with such a bright future."

Arthur sighed. "That's just how life goes. Let's hope she can actually come through for us." "Why didn't you go to Janice instead?" Elsie asked.

She had known Janice since childhood; they had grown up in the same neighborhood.

"Between the two, Amelia clearly has more connections," Arthur replied.

"Okay."

Elsie stole one last glance at the grand villa, her eyes filled with longing. She wanted that kind of life too. There were rumors that Amelia and Simon hadn't even gotten legally married.

Catching up to Arthur, Elsie suggested, "Dad, why don't you try to get closer to Mr. Fitzgerald?"

In the study of Fitzgerald Residence, Simon received an email at 7:30 pm. At first, he thought he was mistaken. He straightened up and read it again. It was a confirmed medical diagnosis.

The words on the document sent a wave of dread through his body.

Just then, Amelia walked into the study, carrying a bowl of chicken noodle soup. "Simon, Mr. Appleton was my father's closest friend. He needs silk, but the factories in Greenfield City aren't selling to outsiders. Could you help him out?"

Simon snapped his laptop shut, turning to face her with an icy, emotionless stare.

The abrupt change in his demeanor startled Amelia. "Simon, you—"

Leaning casually against the doorframe, Adam took a bite of his apple. "If you don't want to help, then don't. But why are you taking it out on my sister?"

Simon had spent the entire afternoon dealing with Harry, and the shock of the email only added to his tension. "How is this any of your damn business?" he roared.

Never one to back down, Adam retorted, "Regardless, Amelia is Mrs. Fitzgerald now. Do you really need to treat her like this over something so trivial?"

"Excuse me? Mrs. Fitzgerald?" Simon laughed bitterly.noveldrama

"Did I ever sign any marriage

papers? I only gave her a wedding to fulfill her wish because she was

alone and had nothing. I'm even

giving you money, letting you live here and providing for you. Shouldn't you be grateful instead of trying to control me?"

His words struck at Amelia's pride, leaving her unable to find a response.

"What are you implying, Simon? Everyone knows you're Amelia's husband! Are you really going to ruin her reputation like this?" Adam snapped.

"Her reputation?" Simon replied, his cold gaze sweeping over the two of them.

Amelia had always convinced herself that Simon's actions were motivated by love. She was his first love-his one true love.

Biting her tongue, she finally intervened. "That's enough, Adam! Stop now!"

Despite this, Adam could no longer tolerate Simon's attitude. "So now, you want to jeopardize her

reputation, huh? My sister hasn't et

even married; she's a respectable woman! She's never said anything about you and Janice, yet you're still not content?"

"And what exactly am I supposed to be content with? You two live here, eat my food, use my money, and I'm

the only one working. You get everything handed to you, and now, you're lecturing me?"

With that, Simon pointed toward the door. "Get out! You're not welcome here!"

"Simon, don't—"

"Fine, we're leaving! Who cares about this damn place anyway? Amelia, don't waste any more of your time on him. He never appreciated your love!" Adam shouted.

Simon let out a cold, mocking laugh, his bloodshot eyes brimming with disdain. "Appreciate what? The fact that she's a HIV patient?"

Amelia froze in shock, and even Adam turned around.

How did Simon... find out?

With a sharp motion, Simon swiped the bowl of chicken noodle soup off the table, sending it crashing to the floor.

His glare bore into Amelia as he spat, "Thank God I never touched you! You're absolutely disgusting, Amelia! Were you trying to infect me on purpose?"

"I didn't—" Amelia's voice trembled with panic.

But Simon's fury only intensified, his words slicing like daggers. "Then why the hell did you come to me after getting infected? You even kied about having lung cancer, saying you only had six months to live! Well, it's been six months, so why are you still alive?"

The mere thought of her illness sent a wave of nausea through him, leaving nothing but disgust in its wake.