The Forbidden Heat

The morning sun spilled softly through the tall windows of his room, glinting off the mirror where he stood - adjusting the collar of his crisp white shirt with calm arrogance.

Ethan Black never needed anyone to remind him who he was; confidence was stitched into his very being.

He stared at his reflection for a moment, a faint smirk curving his lips - as if the man in the mirror was the only one worthy of admiration.

A light knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in," he said coolly, his deep voice steady.

The maid entered quietly, head bowed, holding a silver tray with his morning coffee.

She placed it gently on the bedside table before whispering, "Your coffee, sir," and left without another word.

Ethan lifted the cup, inhaling the rich scent, his eyes dark with thoughts unknown.

Today was the day everything would begin - though he didn't know it yet.

⸻

Across the city, the alarm rang loudly in a small apartment.

A young woman stirred beneath the covers, groaning softly before sitting up and brushing strands of chestnut hair from her sleepy eyes.

Amelia Carter had always believed that some dreams were too far to reach - yet somehow, today, she was living one.

It was her first day at university, the same prestigious place she had dreamed of for years.

Still, she couldn't understand how she had gotten in.

She had failed the entrance exam - thanks to her stepmother, who made sure her books were torn, her nights sleepless, and her hopes dim.

But then... the university called.

They said her name was on the accepted list - "We'd be honored to have you join us."

It didn't make sense.

Someone must have interfered - someone powerful enough to change her fate.

But who?

Amelia sighed, shaking off the thought.

Today wasn't the day for questions - it was the day for beginnings.

She jumped out of bed, pulling on her favorite white blouse and jeans, tying her hair quickly before grabbing her phone.

"Emma! Are you awake?" she said through the phone, smiling.

Her best friend's sleepy voice answered, "Barely! But I'll meet you downstairs. Don't be late, princess."

Amelia laughed softly and replied, "Alright, I'll be there soon. Wait for me outside."

She ended the call, slipped her phone into her bag, and hurried toward the door -

Amelia ended the call with Emma and quickly sent her a short message, telling her to wait downstairs - away from her stepmother's sight.

She grabbed her small bag and slipped quietly out of her room, walking on her toes like someone escaping from a ghost she dared not face.

She knew that just one glance from her stepmother could ruin her day and stop her from going to the university.

She hurried toward the stairs, but before her foot touched the first step, a familiar voice stopped her.

Looking up, she found her father standing at the bottom, holding his coffee cup and smiling warmly.

"Good morning, Amelia."

She forced a small smile, trying to sound natural.

"Morning, Dad."

He asked gently,

"Did you have breakfast?"

She shook her head quickly, clutching her bag tighter.

"No, Dad. I'll eat at the university. I need to go before your wife sees me."

She was about to go down the stairs when she suddenly froze.

A sharp realization hit her - she didn't have a single coin in her pocket.

Turning to her father hesitantly, she whispered,

"Dad... I need some money."

Before he could respond, a cold, cutting voice came from behind him - the voice she feared the most.

Her stepmother appeared, still in her robe, hair messy, expression hard and unpleasant.

"There's no money, Amelia," she said flatly.

"Since you've decided to go to university, go find yourself a job.

We won't pay for anything anymore. It's enough that you eat, drink, and sleep here for free."

Amelia froze in place, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at her father -

but all she saw was his silence, the same silence that hurt more than any word ever could.

She knew he would never dare defy his wife.

A hot tear slipped down her cheek as she whispered to herself,

If my mother were still here... she would never have let them treat me this way.