Chapter 4
Chapter
Morning light fiered through cream colored curtains, waking Amelia from a deep sep. For a moment, so everything, the duster at the restaurant, Richard’s cold eyes, her childrens betrayal, the bridge.
Then reality crashed back, stealing her breath
She sat up taking in the unfambar room with its king–sized bed plush carpet, and expensive furniture Lucas County’s quest room.
Akrock at the door charted har
“Yes? Her voice sounded hoarse fimoying
The door opened slightly and Mrs Parker’s head posed in “Goodmaming Miss Amela Mr. County asked me to check if you’re awake, Breakfast in ready whenever you’d like to come down
Thank you be there soon
shuffled to the bathroom,
inding at her puffy eyes and tangled hair in the mirror. The hornom counter held new
toiletries, allegensive brands. Aflutty robe hung on the door.
Shebrushed her teeth, splashed cold water on her face, and put the robe on over her borrowed clothes before heading domesti
The mansion was even more impressive in daylight Sunlight streamed through tall windows, highlighting artwork that belonged in museums. Fresh flowers sain oral vases on antiquetables. She followed the smell of coffee and found here in a bright
köchen with door–to–ring window overloking manicured gardens. Al
At the center island young woman reading something on a rabie
Shalooked up as Amelia anteed, her face breaking into a curious smile. Shehad Lucas’s deep brown eyes, but her face was more delicate. Her dark hair fell in loose was her shoulders
You must be Amelia,thegirl said. Tm va car’s daughter”
Toto meet you.“Amelia tugged self–consciously at the robe moonry about my appa
Exaved daively. Don’t worry about. Dad explained what happened “Her eyes softened. I’m sorry!
These words brought a lump to Ae’s throat. She nodded, unable to speak
Coffee Eva ked, pesturing to a leaning machine
+25
Chapter 4
Eva handed her a steaming mug that motioned to the island. “St. Mrs Pmade mough breakfast to feed an army.”
Amela perched on a stool, watching as Eve uncovered dishes of eggs, bacon, fruits, and pastries. She took some toast and fruit, though the knot in her stomach made esting difficult.
Do you live here year–round?” she asked.
Trend university from home. I’m studying international crossant. “Dad wanted me to go to Harvard campus, but I preferred staying here”
Thara impress
Eugged the flexibility. And honestly after growing up with so many annies, I wanted to spend more time with Dad when he’s actually all played on her lips. Plus online classes mean I can avoid bangus County’s daughter to everyone on campus.”
Amelapped her coffee, studying the young woman. There was quiet confidence about her that made me feel oddly comfortab’s.
“How long have you lived in this house?” Amel asked.
Since wasten. After Monded‘
The statement fell between them, matter–of–fact but weighty.
Torry” Amel softly.
Exnodded, he distant. “Cancer. It was quick, ad moved
11 beautiful” Amalu dila
Beautiful yes. But empty. Dad works condantly. It=
She looked around the kitchen. This place every home though. Too big. Too empty
walajit me and whatever many as cuently employed Exis was conversation, not self–pitying ad tried, he really did. Fiew home for every school play very birthday. But running an empire doesn’t leave much mom for parenting Amedicheart squeezed. She thought of her own children, who deverything she could give them, her time, her energy, her unconditional love, and still chose to throw her away.
Tim sure he did his best,” the murmand.
“He did “Ex’s ty met her. So you and my dad were childhood friends?”
“We were,” Amelia confirmed surprised Lucas had shared even that much. “We grew up next door touch her. Best friends from dentary school through high school
Chapter 4
“And then?”
“Life happened. College. Careers Marriage. The word tasted bitter on her tongue
Exa studied her with unnerving focus. Dad never talks about his past. When he mentioned you this orning, I couldn’t believe it. He never brings peopl
Amelia felt beat rise to her cheeks. The circumstances we
“So I gathered.” Eva’s voice softened. “He said your husband left you. That your kids sided with him.”
The blus statement out through Amelia’s chest like a knife
“Yes,” she managed
Eva reached across the island, her fingers touching Amalia’s wrist, light touch, but comforting That’s really awful of them.
Astarted laugh escaped Amelia’s lips, part amusement, part pain. “Yes. Yes, it in.”
“How old are they?
*Juka in twenty
- ty. Ethan is eighteen. Mu just turned files.” Hei
ramamed steady, though saying their names hurt like pressing on a br
Evd’s eyebrows rose. The older ones are adults. That makes it wor
they were luck, you could blame him, your husband. Mind games, manipulation But at their age?” Eva shook her head. “They made a choice. A terrible one.”
The stark assessment brought fresh tears to Amelia’s ep. Eva was right. Her older children werent nave. They were adults who had knowingly participated in her humilation
Tm sorry” Eva sald quickly shouldn’t have said thaL”
“No, you’re righ
Amalia wiped a
Lather eyes. The spent twenty years making excuses for everyone. Maybettime to stop
smile that transformed her face you Amel. You dont tak melemach
“You’re what, Eighteen
Chapter 4
“No. I will be Eighteen in three months. But most of Dad’s friends stil pinch my checks and
Amela smiled despite horse. “I can magne”
about school like fim in kindergarten Eva rolled her eyes. They’re all calculating how a marriage to their son
would benefit their companies.”
“No, you can’t “Eva’s tone was teasing Dad’s worth is somewhere north of ty Trion, Makes me quite a catch, apparently
Amelia choked on her coffee. “Fity Triin?”
“Give or take a few Trilon “Eva shrugged, as it discussing pocket change “That’s why I prefer taking classes online Fewer people trying to get close to me because of my last name”
1 had no idea Luces was o
Amedailed off.
Tich? Powerful? Intimidating to everyone except you? Exagrinned weeshing. You should have seen his face this morning when he mentioned finding you. I’ve never him so human
Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and Lucas appeared in the doorway, dressed an expensive gray suit
“Good morning “he said, crossing to the coffee machine. 1 see you two have met
“We have Eva confirmed like her Dad Cas we keep her?”
Lucas shot his daughter a warning look, but Amelia found herself laughing, a genuine laugh, the first since everything full apart
Tm not a stay puppy, Eva
“No, but you do need somewhere to stay“Eva’s eyes danced with mischied. “And this place has thirty–two room counted once when I was bored
“Eva“Lucas’son held gentle reproof “Amila has lot to figure out. Don’t pressure her
1minot pressuring
menconging. “Eva sdoff her mool grabbing her tablet. “Anyway Imming friends for lunch. Nice to meet you hope you soll beherewhinger ack
She kissed her father’s cheek and bounced out of the kitchen, leaving a si
behind that fet both awkward and comfortable.
look Eva’s spot at the island apologue for my daughter She can be… died.”
manner cut through the fog of her grief
Ton1 apologize She’s wonderful” Amela meant Eva’s straightforward manter
“She“Lucas agreed, pride evident in havoce “Too man for her own good sometimes Reminds me of you, y
Chapter 4
“The way you used to be Before
in who tossed me aside”
Before Richard.” The name tek foreign in her mouth now. “Before gave up everything for a man
Lucas winced. 1 didn’t mean
“No, you’re right.“She pushed her plate away. Tlost myself somewhere along the way”
“And now?” Lucas asked gently
“Now?” Amela booked at her hands at the pale line where her wedding ring had been for twenty years. Now I have no idea who I amor what I’m supposed to do to
“You don’t have to figure it out today,” Lucas said. Or tomorrow. Or next week.
1 can’t stay here, Lucas
Why not?
Becauart need to stand on my
y own. Get a job, a place to live
“And you will,” Lucas agreed. “But right now, you’re in shock. You’ve lost everything in a ringnight Gree yourself time to breathe
His logic was sound, but something still fat wrong don’t want to be a charty case
Lucas this coffee down, ho gaze intense is that what you think that? Charity?
“What else would you call?”
1 call helping an old friend. I call is doing the decent thing “He paused at making up for time.”
“What does that mean?”
Lucas looked away. Nothing Just say Am. At least you get your bearings. The east wing is practically empty. You’d be doing Eva favor she’s always complaining there the woman besides. Parker” Amela hesitated. The thought of facing the world, finding a job, an apartment, starting over at forty was overwhelming
Chapter 4
“One week,” she said finally. 111 stay one week. Then I need to start figuring out my life.”
Relief washed over Lucas’s face. “One week Although Eva will try to convince you otherwise
“Your daughter is very persuasive”
“You have no idea.” His smile turned wistful. She gets that from her mother.”
“Eva mentioned she died. I’m sorry, Lucas.”
Pain flashed in his eyes. “Ten years ago. Breast cancer. We had the best doctors, but…” He shrugged, the gestum containing volumes of grief. She was gone within six months.
“That must have been awful for both of you.”
“It was. I did my best with Eva, but between running the company and raising a grieving child… I made a lot of mistakes”
“She adores you,“Amelia said softly. That much is obvious.”
“She’s a good kid. Better than I deserve “He cleared
“Thank you, Lucas. For everything.”
d his throat. Lone week. After breakfast, Mrs. Parker wil show you around. Make yourself at home.
His eyes met hers. “You’re not alone anymore, Amela.”
The way he said it, with such quiet certainty, made her throat tighten
“I should get dressed,” she said, uncomfortable with the emotion building in her chest. 1 cant wander around in a bathrobe all day”
“Mrs. Parker ordered some clothes for you. Nothing fancy, just basics. They should be in your room by now
Lucas, you don’t have to…”
Plesse
Let me do this one thing.”
She nodded Winght. Thank you”
As she turned to leave, Lucas called after her Amela?”
Chapter
She paused, boking back
Tor whatsworth, think Richard was a fool. Adamfool”
The words wrapped around here a warm blank, sothing some of the jagged edge of her pain
She nodded and continued out of the kitchen
Walking back through the hallways, mas felt something in her chest, something she had fence the moment ser Richard walked into the restaurant with Charlotte
whappiness. It wasn’t even hope it was smaller, more fragile
The post that maybe the end hole could be the beginning of something Something that belonged to her alone
Asscheroom, Amela caught her reflection in aided mirror. The wor who stared back was stilbroken, stillst still grieving
But for the first time, he did look delete
One week, she had promised. One week to catch her breath before fan the old ga
What she didnt say what they admitted even there was that a part of her ready dreaded leaving the safety of this mansion Leaving Lucas and Eva who had shown her more on day than her own family had in years.
One week. And then she would begin rebuilding her life from the ashes
