Chapter 7
“Maybe trim,” she said cautiously
Exebeamed “There’s a great salon upstairs
She stopped mid sentence. Amela burned to folow her gaze
Two women were approaching. One young, perhaps twenty, with Amelia heart–shaped face and Richards eyes. The other tal blonde, wearing a red dress, the same woman from the restaurant
Juls And Charlie
Arola’s her stutted in her chest,
“Well, look who it is” Charlotte said as they approached Tancy swing you here. Amelia
whispered. “How are you?”
Charred instead. “She’s wonderful We both are Richard too. One big happy family”
The cruelty of those words struck Amelia like a physical
“Jul” Charlotte continued, arent you going introduce me to your mother’s Inend?”
Tim Eva che spoke coolly “And you are?”
Charlotte Milk Richards an
Fince? Amea couldn’t hide her shock. Its been a week
Charlotte laughed. “When you know you know Right, Jula?”
Julianodded. “Dad did want to wat. He says he’s wasted enough time already”
Each word was a knife Amas felt the blood drain from her face
Tth romantic, Charlotte added with a sharp sme “Unlike your marriage, which Richard me was more obligation than love.
That’s enough Eva said firmly
Chapter 7
Charlotte turned to Tws. And who are you to decide what’s enough? Amelia’s charity case? Or is she yours?”
Tm someone who doesn’t enjoy watching adults behave ebullies,” Eva replied
Jula spoke up “You don’t understand. My mother abandoned us. She just left without trying to work things out with Dad.”
To that what he told you? Amela asked
Ts what happened. You didn’t fight for us.”
“Walked away?” Amelia’s voice rose. “Julia, your father told me my things were packed. That the house belonged to Charlotte. The driver waswating to take me whenever I needed to
ded to go “You a
allknew about
You helped plan everything”
“Wedd,” Jula admitted without remorse Dad deserves to be happy, and you two weren’t good together anymore. Charlotte makes him happy
“Let’s not do this here” Charlotte said with false–conc
sconcern. “Ameka is clearly upset.
“Then where is the place, Juka? When would you like to hear the truth about what your father did?
Julas expression hardened. “We know exactly what Dad did. He chose happiness over obligation. He found someone who actually supports ambitions. We all agreed was for the best
Charlotte stepped forward. Richard told us everything, how you controlled him, limited his career, made him feel trapped
when someone younger
younger caught his eye
Something inside Amelia snapped. “You know nothing about my marriage Nothing about the sacrifices made, de, the dreams I gave up, for a man who threw me away whe
Charlotte smirked. “Younger, prettier, more successful Don1 forget those parts”
Amelia’s hand raised involuntary Eva caught
Charice said thumphantly “Violent tendencies too. No wonder Richard wanted out.”
“Mom, how could you?” Jula moved beside Charlotte This is exactly what Dad meant You’re bitter and angry.
Julu Anda whispered. Please let me explain.”
1know what happened” Julia said coldly Dad finally found happiness, and you can’t stand it. Weall agreed it was time for you to go Ethan and Mia feel the same way.”
whispered “My own children agreed to throw me away?
Chapter 7
Charlotte laughed. “They recognized what was best for everyone. Richard needed som someone who understood his potential. Maybe you should ask yourself why your entire family chose me over you”
Eve stood abruptly. That’s it. Whedonehere.”
goon har anniversary, in front of strangers if you bothered to ask her what happened instead of swallowing whatever story made your father look best, yould know that
She turned to Julia. “Your mother didn’t leave you. She was kicked out with nowhere to go, on
Julia blinked, thrown by this stranger’s direct attack.
And you” Eva continued to Charlotte. “Any woman who takes plessure in destroying another woman’s ble and turning chidren against the mother sta
Exaplaced protective hand on Amelia’s shoulder. “We’re leaving!
“Jula,” Amela tried one more time. Please calme
Julia expression remained cold. Thave nothing to say to you.”
Charlottesked. “Comeon were. We still need to pick your bridesmaid dress. The wedding’s only two months away”
They walked away without a backward glance
1 can’t believe she’s marrying him in two months Amel whispered.
Eva’s fingers tightened on her shoulder “Because they’re awful people. And right now, that includes your daughter
Amelia looked up at Eva’s fierce, protective expression, this girl defending her with more loyalty than her own children had shown.
“Thank you” she said simply
Tanta winner. She’s just the next victim in line”
As they walked to the car, Amela caught sight of Julia and Charlotte laughing together across the trium The daughter she had sed had replaced her without a
“She hates me” Amelia whapered. “My own daughter hales me.”
Exa guided her toward the car. She doesn’t know you Just the version Richard created to justly beraya”
“And if she never the truth? Amels asked,
hard glance
Eva met her gaze directly. Then she doesn’t deserve you”
Chapter 7
The words were harsh but delivered with such care that Aceta lek sometlung shili msida har a son of
why should she chase after people who had discarded her?
“You’re right” she said quadly. It they don’t want me, I wont fonce my way ini
That’s the spirit. Now, Shat we wish the salon”
Amelia nodded. “Yes. But we changed my mind about the trimm”
“want something completely different. Something that’s just for me.
As they settled into the car, Amela caught her reflection. The woman who looked back si showed signs of hurt, but there was something new in hun eyes. Determination
“Their wedding is in six weeks,” she said suddenly.
“Are you okay with that?” Eva asked.
Amelia considered the question. “He’s hiding something” she said slowly. “Richard only rushes when he’s trying to stay ahead of bad news!
“What kind of bad news?”
‘I don’t know yet. But after twenty years of marriage, I know his patterns. He’s running from something
Eva studied her with interest. “Dad always says people show their true strategies under pressure.”
The mention of Lucas brought warmth to Amelia’s chest. “Your father is a smart man.
Chapter 8 Chapter 8
Chapter 8
A satin Lucas’s study, her newly cut hair brushing her shoulders. The salon visit had been liberating, watching twenty years of Richard’s preferences fall to the floor in long chestnut strands. The stylist had suggested highlights too, bringing warmth to her face. When she looked in the meone stronger gazed back
Eva
had filed Lucas in on
n their mall encounter, her voice light v
it with controlled fury as she described Charlotte’s taunts and Julia’s betrayal. Now father and daughter sat across from Amells, their expressions marating concern and outrage.
1 should have been there,” Lucas said, his fist clenching on the armrest
To do what?”
Lasked wouldn’t have changed anything. My daughter made!
choice. All my children died. The words tasted bitter on her tongue
Rain pattered against the windows, the evening sky dark with storm clouds. The three of them sat in the warm glow of the study while thunder rolled in the distance, the weather matching Amelia’s turbulent emotions.
t’s more than just choosing sides. Exa said, curled up in al
The way Charlotte spoke to you. I was calculated cruely And Jula encouraged in.”
Amela nodded, the memory straw. Twenty years of motherhood eased in a week. They never even asked for my side of the story”
Lucas rose from his chair and poured three glasses of amber liquid from a crystal decanter. He handed one to Amelia their fingers brushing briefly. The sight contact sent unexpected warmth through her.
Rochard has poisoned them against you,” he said, his voice low with contained anger. He’s rewriting your marriage to justify his betrayal
Ama took a sip of whiskey, letting it burn down her throat. That’s what he does Always has. When we were in college, he convinced mutual friends I was being clingy when questioned him about other women.” She laughed without humor 1 was the probenthen too
Lucas leaned forward, his eyes sense. “Amelia, what do you want? Not what you think you should want, of what would look appropriate, what do you actually want right now?
i directness of the question startled her. What did she want? For so long her wants had been bred beneath the needs of her family. Richard’s care. The children’s actrities. The social obligations of being Mrs. Richard Carter
she began hestantly then stopped. The word that rose to her lips surprised her with its ferocity. 1 want justice”
Lucas nodded as if had expected this answer. And what would justice look like to you?”
Amela closed by allowing herself to imagine want Richard to feel what i
at night, siting in that restaurant having everything taken from him without warning. I want my children to understand what they’ve done.” She opened her eyes, meeting Lucas’s gaze. Twant to stop fe
The silencethat followed felt charged with possibility. Eva glanced at her father, come unspoken communication passing between them.
