Chapter 10
Chapter 10
The private waited on the tarmac sleek and white against the gray morning sky Amelia paused at the foot of the stairs, her single case leady aded by the efficienc
“Having second thoughts? Lucas asked, appearing at her side.
Amell shook her head. “No. Just… saying goodbye, I guess
She turned to take in the skyline of the city that had been her home for twenty years. The place where she had arved as a young bride, where she had green beth to the children, where she had but that no longer existed.
Each street held memories. The hospital where Julia was born. The park where Ethan look haft steps. The school where i won the spelling bee. The restaurant where Richard had shattered everything.
“feels strange” she admitted to leave without saying goodbye to them”
Lucas’s hand hovered near her back, not quitetouching. Would they have stoned if you tried?
The question stung with its truth, Julia’s cold eyes at the mall. Ethan’s text. “Wire happy for Dad. Please don’t make this difficum Mia’s quiet betrayal “Charlotte is really nice. Maybe you should just let this go
mola said, her voice har
They made their choice”
en to have you?
gestured toward the waiting plane. Switzerland amats
Eva bounded down the stars, extement radiating from her young face. Come on, you two The plot says we need to take off before the weather turns.”
Amelia took one last look at the city skyline Richard was there somewhere, perhaps waking up beside Charlotte, planning their rushed wedding thanking he had won
Tibeback she whispered, too low for Lucas or Eva to hear. And when I return, none of you will recognize what you’ve created.”
She turned and climbed the stairs, each step taking her further from the woman she had been and closer to the woman she would becom
Inside, the jets interior gleamed with understated luxury cream leather seats polished wood tables, discreetlighting
Firsttime on a private jet?” Eva asked, buckling healin
1s that stebox? Amela settled into a seat by the window
Chapter 10
“Your eyes went wide when you stopped in Esa said with a grin
Lucasook the set some from Amelia, nodding to the fight attendant who immediately appeared with a tray of drinks. “Coffee? Or perhaps something stronger?”
“Orange juice for me, Amel told the attendant. 1 want a clear head for what’s ahead.”
The engines hummed to a gentle vibration spreading through the cabin Amela tumed back to the window as the plane taxed down the runway When they lifted off the suddeness of caught her by surprise, the smooth, powerful scents different from the commercial fights she remembered. Thecity sway beneath them, its grid of streets shrinking until it resembled one of Ethan’s childhood toy maps. Somewhere down there was the house she had made into a home. The garden she had planted. The life she had buit and lost.
“Ten hour to unch,” Lucas said, checking his watch. Then a short drive to the will. We should arrive by early evening, local time”
“And your headquarters? Amaka asked, focusing on practical Will we see those right away?”
“Tomorrow, if you’d like. The main European branch is in Zurich’s financial district, just twenty minutes from the vila Lucas opened his laptop can show you the layout, give you a sense of the operations
For the next hout, Lucas walked her through his European business holdings, banking interests, property developments, technology investments Amelia absorbed all with growing fascination. This was a world away from here as Richard’s wife, where her involvement in finances had been limited to budgeting and charity events.
“You have holdings in Richard’s sector?” she asked, noting a familiar dustrygroup.
Anight smile touched his ps. 1 have holdings in most sectors. But yes, there’s some overlap with Richard’s business interests”
“Deliberate overlap?”
Lucas held her gaze. Perhaps. The busness world is smaller than people realize especially at the top”
How long have you been watching him?” Amelia asked quietly.
Eva, who had been pretending to nap across the aisle, opened one eye. Tad keeps tab on all his competitors. It’s just good business”
Richard is hardly a competitor to someone of your father camp
Amelia pointed out.
Lucas closed his laptop. “Let’s just say ve maintained an interest in certain aspects of your life, Amelia. For longer than you might think.”
As the flight progressed, Amelia fether exhaustion caching up with her
“Test” Lucas said, noticing her stifled yawn. “We have hours yet, and you’ll want to be alert when we arrive
Chapter 10
Amelia nodded gratefully, reclining her seat and closing her eyes. Sleep claimed her almost immediately.
When she woke, the light outside had changed, bright morning replaced by late afternoon’s golden glow. Eva was reading a book, Lucas typing on his laptop
“Welcome back, Lucas said. “We’re about an hour from Zurich.”
“Tell me about the villa, “Amelia said. “Will there be staff? Other people around?”
“Minimal staff,” Lucas replied. “A housekeeper who comes daily, a chef three times a week, groundskeeper for the exterior Al discreet, alloyal
“And the location?”
“Private. Secluded. On Lake Geneva, not visible from the main road or neighboring properties. The closest neighbor is half a mile away
“Perfect for reinvention, Eva added. “No prying eyes. No curious questions.”
“I’ve had the study prepared for you, Lucas continued. “Views of the lake, plenty of natural light. I thought you might want a dedicated space for whatever comes next
“Thank you.” The consideration touched her. I’m not sure what that will be yet. Leaming about finance, certainly. Understanding your business operations. But beyond that.” She shrugged,
bad. By the time we’re done, you know more about Richards finances than bedes
“You’ll figure it out,” Eva said confidently. “And we’ll help. Dad’s connections in European banking are unmatched
7s that the plan? To outmaneuver Richard anally?”
“The plan is whatever you want it to be” Lucas said smoothly. “This is your journey, Amelia, Your rebirth. We’re just providing the cocoon
We’re beginning our descent into Zurich the pot announced. Please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts.”
Amelia turned to the window. Below, Switzerland spread out in breathtaking beauty, emerald valleys nestled between snow–capped peals, crystallina lakes reflecting the late afternoon sun. A new world. Alesh start
The landing was smooth
Through
the window, Amel saw another sleek vehicle waiting on the tarmac, black, discreet, clearly expensive
“No customs?” she asked as they prepared to disembark
have been made.”
Seshness that filed Amela’s lungs and cleared her head Mountains looned in the distance, their peaks touched with gold by the setting sun
Chapter 10
The from the field passed in a blur of picturesque villages, winding mountain roads and glimpses of the lake through breaks in the trees.
eLucas said as the car turned onto a narrow road that snaked upward through a wooded area. The approach is deliberately concealed Security measures.
They rounded a finalbend, and the trees opened up to reveal the villa
ght in her treat
Amela’s breath caught int
“Villa“was an understatement. The structure before them was a masterpiece of modern architecture blended with traditional Alpine elements, glass and stone and wood combined in perfect harmony. It perched on the hilside like tural extension of the landscape, its mutiple levels cascading dow
that shimmered below.
“Welcome to Adlerhorst Lucas said quietly Tagle’s Nest“:
“It’s magnificent,” Amela whispered.
“It’s home” Eva corrected, squeezing Amelia’s hand. “For as long as you need it to be
Inside, the villa revealed itself in warm woods, natural stone and wall to wall windows that captured the breathtaking view Mode
en Modern furnishings mixed with antique pieces. Art that probably belonged in museums hung casually on malls
“Your room is this way“Lucas said, leading her through the main living area to a wing that extended toward the lake thought you might appreciate the vast
The suite he showed her into was larger than the rest floor of her house with Richard. A king sized bed faced floor–to–ceiling windows that framed the mounts and lake ikea living painting
This too much.” Amela said, overwhelmed by the houry!
“It’s exactly enough“Luoss countered. The beginning of your new life should feel substantial important”
When they had gone, Amela moved to the windows Night was falling rapidly now, the lake darkening to indigo, lights beginning to twinkle along the distant shore So far from everything she had known. So far from Richard, from her children, from thee that had defined her for twenty years.
She pressed her hand against the cool glass. This time the pastured different. Not a farewel to what she had lost, but a greeting to what lay ahead
Look at me inde
vhispered to her reflection This is day one of the new Amel
The woman who stared back at her from the gass seemed diffe
tready, her posture straighter her gaze deare her expression set with determination.
Late after dinner on the terrace overlooking the lake, Amella returned to her sun. The night pressed against the windowsstand mysterious Sommere across an ocean, Richard slept, unawathathis discarded wife was transforming into something ng Something dangerous
She thought of her children, Jacomissal Ethan’s complicity Ma’s casual betrayal. They thought they knew her. Thought they could discard her without consequences.
Chapter 10
They were wrong
Amelia turned from the window, a new resolve hardening within her. Switzerland was not just an escape it was a forge. A place where she would be remade, strengthened sharpened into a weapon Richard would never coming
One day, she would return to the city she had left behind today Would walk into Richard’s life when he kast expected it, transformed beyond recognition Would show him and her children exactly who she had become in the absence
And they would finally understand what they had lost.
What they had created.
What was coming for them all
