Pains of love

CHAPTER 8

Why Is She Here?

James trembled as he put out his phone and said, "Lily, you have to see this."

With my heart racing, I grabbed the gadget out of his grasp. The image on the television was of my estranged sister Amelia, a woman I hadn't seen in years. She stood outside our building and gazed up at the window of our apartment.

"What brings her here?" More to myself than to James, I muttered.

James gave a headshake. "I'm not sure, but we must find out."

Amelia and I hadn't spoken since the funeral for our parents. She left my life after we had a falling out over the inheritance. After all these years, seeing her now evoked a wave of feelings, including sadness, rage, and a profound sense of betrayal.

She had already left when we hurried downstairs and arrived at the street. I glanced around in the hopes of seeing her, but there was nobody on the sidewalk.

James said, "Perhaps she left a note or anything."

When we got back to our apartment, we discovered an envelope hidden beneath the door. When I picked it up and opened it, I saw one sheet of paper with Amelia's handwriting on it:

*We must speak. Tomorrow at 3 PM, meet me in the former café on 5th Street. Come by yourself.

My thoughts were racing as I gazed at the note. After all this time, what could she possibly want? Why now, too?

Nervous, I got to the café early the following day. I looked at the door from a corner table. Amelia arrived at precisely 3 PM, and she looked exactly like I remembered: elegant, composed, and mysterious.

Without saying anything, she walked up to my table and took a seat. After a period of staring, she eventually said something.

"I need your help, Lily, even though I know we disagree."

I arched an eyebrow. Aid? You suddenly appear and seek assistance after all these years?

She gave a nod. "If it weren't vital, I wouldn't be here."

I folded my arms. "Then began speaking."

Amelia inhaled deeply. " I'm having problems. They're after me because I got associated with some bad guys. There is nowhere else for me to go.

I didn't believe it. Amelia had a history of manipulating others to achieve her goals. This time, though, there was panic in her eyes instead.

"What sort of trouble?" I inquired.

She paused before responding. I am unable to say here. It's not secure. But for a few days, I need somewhere to stay. Lily, please. My only hope is you.

I sighed, caught between the enduring ties of family and my better sense. All right. You are welcome to remain with us for a few days only.

Amelia grinned as a wave of relief passed over her face. I'm grateful. You won't be sorry.

I kept thinking I was making a big mistake as we were leaving the café. I also saw a black automobile parked across the street, its tinted windows concealing whoever was inside, as we made our way back to the apartment.

I feared that I was going to have to deal with Amelia's problems.

I was lying in bed that night when I noticed a sound coming from the living room. When I got up to look around, I saw Amelia standing by the window, whispering into her phone.

" Yes, I agree. She fell for the ruse.

My heart fell. What had I allowed into my house just now?

I questioned Amelia about the phone call the following morning. She said I must have misheard, and denied everything. However, when I turned to go, I saw that her purse was half open, exposing an unidentified photo of James and I My blood froze.

For whom was Amelia actually employed? What was it she wanted from us?

I took a snapshot of the picture inside her purse while she wasn't looking, trying not to freak out. I required evidence. I had to know if she was plotting against us.

James came home later that night and saw how silent I was. He said, "Did something happen at the café?"

I nodded slightly. It's Amelia. She is not someone I trust. There's something off about this.

He appeared anxious. "Do you wish for her to go?"

"No, not just yet," I answered. We must ascertain her intentions. We must avoid raising her suspicions.

I watched her closely for the following few days. In the restroom, she placed calls. At strange hours, she went on long walks. She once walked out of the house in the middle of the night and didn't return until the next day.

I investigated her room one evening when she was taking a shower. There was a packet of papers hidden under her garments. I took it open. There were bank statements, court paperwork, and property deeds with James's name on them. And an agreement... with a man named Victor Morelli.

Victor was a well-known business manager, but there were also rumors that he was involved in dubious ventures. Was Amelia also collaborating with him?

I immediately skimmed the contract. There was talk of a "strategic emotional dismantling." My fingers were shaking.

She had come back to ruin James, not just to reestablish contact. And she let me in.

The water shut off, and I heard it. I hurried out of the room after quickly putting everything back.

The following day, I went to see Dina, a journalist and an old friend. I found copies and delivered them to her.

I advised her to go public if something were to happen to me.

She gave a serious nod. "Watch out, Lily."

I heard Amelia on the phone once more that evening.

Yes, I am in possession of the data. However, there is an issue. She is becoming suspicious.

I went cold.

My heart stopped when she whispered those words.

"I'll make sure Liana vanishes as well if necessary."

That night, I hardly slept at all. My skin crawled at every squeak in the flat. I kept thinking about what Amelia had said: * "She grabbed the bait." * What kind of bait? What was it she wanted me to do? From James?

While serving coffee in the morning and trying to act normal, I kept a close eye on her. She was also acting. Too many smiles. Excessively inquiring about James. Regarding our funds. Our daily schedule. Unless they're planning something, nobody asks these questions.

James also took note. “Is she always like this?” he muttered as he moved near to us as we washed the dishes.

"No," I replied in a whisper. "There's a problem."

However, what were we able to do? Throw her out and run the danger of her bringing whatever she's hiding back to us? Or try to figure out what she was actually doing while keeping her close?

She went out that afternoon, and I went with her. She claimed to be out for a stroll. I had to know, even if I didn't know why I did it.

She didn't travel very far. There is a bookstore and café a few blocks away. She didn't enter, though. Outside, she met someone.

A man.

I watched them from behind a post. He wore a cap pulled down and dark glasses. I didn't have to listen to what they were saying. He took something from Amelia, an envelope. In exchange, he handed her a phone.

My heart fell. Whatever was happening, she wasn't merely running away from harm. She participated in it.

Still attempting to process what I had witnessed, I hurried home before she came back. Why would she make deals behind my back after lying to me?

Minutes later, she entered, like nothing had happened.

"Nice stroll?" I inquired.

She gave a nod. "I cleared my head."

I gave a stiff smile. All right. For whatever is ahead, you'll need it clear.

She gave me a weird look. "What do you mean?"

I gave a shrug. "Just a gut instinct."

James and I finally had a private conversation that evening.

I informed him that she was concealing something.

"I understand. I sense it.

Everything I saw at the café, I told him. The envelope. The telephone. The individual.

He got to his feet. " Lily, she's dangerous. We must not allow her to remain.

"I understand. However, we will miss our opportunity to learn the truth about her actions if we press her right now.

James rubbed his face and sat down once again. "This is becoming unmanageable."

"Do you believe your ex is involved?"

He scowled. " I'm not sure... However, I have a feeling that everything is related.

I sneaked into Amelia's room that evening. I had to know the truth, even though I didn't want to.

In her suitcase, I discovered the phone she had previously received from the man. I quickly returned to our room after taking it.

I switched it on with James. It was secured.

However, I tried her old password—our mother's birthday—after making a few guesses. It was successful.

My gut twisted when we discovered what we had done.

Communications. Dozens of them. From someone with the name "M" on it.

They discussed keeping an eye on James. Regarding holding off until "the woman breaks." about not telling me anything.

Then the worst message of all arrived.

**M: Don't be concerned. When she learns about the child, she will lose it. He is not the son of James. You own him. **

I gasped for air as I gazed at the television.

"What does that mean, exactly?" I muttered.

Rereading the message, James reached for the phone.

I trembled when I spoke. "What if, James, what if the boy isn't yours?"

Stunned, he gazed at me. "What are you saying?"

"I believe... I believe your ex-girlfriend lied. Amelia is also aware.

James got to his feet. " We require clarification. Right now.

Amelia's room was empty when we barged in. Her bed was unaltered. She left her luggage behind.

She would flee.

James looked at the cameras. One depicted her disappearing into the night an hour ago while wearing a black outfit.

She was aware that we had located the phone.

She was gone now.

My entire world was spinning when I sat down.

The kid. Could I actually have him?

Were they all concealing that secret?

If so, how?

We didn't have time to sort it out, though. Only a few seconds earlier, a fresh message was received on the phone that was taken.

**M: Plans have changed. Consider the female. Take her to me. We'll find out in another way. **

Amelia was no longer the recipient of the message.

It was for the next person to arrive.

There was a loud knock on our door. It was three sharp pounds. Then there was quiet.

James gave me a frozen gaze.

Once more, the phone buzzed.

**M: "They're there already." **