Worthless Gift

Chapter 4: The Mysterious Invitation

The soft morning sunlight filtered through the window, slipping between the thin curtains. Amelia woke up in William’s small room. She wasn’t yet accustomed to the sense of safety after the chaos of the past days. But that peace wouldn’t last long.

As they were having breakfast, a knock at the door echoed. William set down his coffee cup, his eyes alert. He stepped out to open the door and received an envelope from the mailman.

“What is it?” Amelia asked, noticing William’s tense expression as he opened the letter.

“It’s from Edward,” he replied, his voice dropping in tone.

Amelia furrowed her brows. “Who is Edward?”

William took a deep breath, as if carefully choosing his words. “Edward is someone I worked with in the past. He has power, wealth, and many connections. But he’s also a dangerous man.”

Amelia felt a chill in her palms. “What does he want?”

William finished reading the letter, folded it up, and looked at Amelia. “He knows about Charles, about you, and about you being on the run. He wants to meet us to make an… offer.”

Amelia was stunned. “Do you think I should go?”

William hesitated, then finally said, “We don’t have many options. If Edward can truly help, this could be our only chance for you to escape Charles for good.

. . .

William’s car drove along the quiet dirt roads, leading to a mansion in the peaceful suburbs. The mansion exuded an air of grandeur, with a large iron gate and meticulously trimmed gardens.

Edward, a middle-aged man with a commanding presence, was waiting in the living room. His sharp gaze hid a mysterious undertone.

“William, long time no see,” Edward spoke, his voice calm but full of authority.

“Edward,” William responded, his tone far from friendly. “What do you want?”

Edward looked at Amelia, then turned back to William. “This girl… she doesn’t belong in this world, does she?”

Amelia felt a shiver run down her spine under his scrutinizing gaze. “What do you mean?” she asked, trying to remain composed.

Edward chuckled. “Don’t worry, Amelia. I don’t intend to harm you. In fact, I want to help.”

“Help?” William raised an eyebrow. “On what condition?”

Edward sat down, crossing his arms. “Charles Whitmore is not someone who gives up easily. But I have ways to make him stop. I have connections in high society, and I can provide you with new documents. Amelia, you will become someone entirely different.”

Amelia was stunned. “You mean… change my identity?”

Edward nodded. “Exactly. I’ll have Alex, a man very skilled in this area, create fake documents for you. Passport, ID, everything will be handled.”

William clenched his fists. “In return, what do you want?”

Edward turned to Amelia, his gaze sharper than ever. “I have a project, an expedition to the deep sss jungle. I need someone with survival skills and knowledge of nature. Amelia, you grew up in the countryside, you understand plants and the environment. You’re exactly who I need.”

Amelia was taken aback by the offer. She had never imagined that the skills she learned back home could be this important.

“You don’t have to answer right away,” Edward added. “But if you agree, I will ensure that Charles will never find you again.”

. . .

On the way back, Amelia was silent, lost in her conflicted thoughts. Edward’s offer seemed tempting, but she wasn’t sure if she could trust him.

“What do you think of Edward?” she asked William.

“He’s smart, ruthless, and very good at exploiting others. But I have to admit, if he promises to help, he will deliver.”

“So, should I agree?”

William sighed. “I don’t know. It’s your decision. But if you go, I’ll be with you. I won’t let you face any dangers alone.”

Amelia’s heart warmed. Even though the future was uncertain, she knew that William would always be by her side.

. . .

The night fell, the sky dotted with twinkling stars. William and Amelia sat together in the small room, the soft light of the lamp illuminating the space. This quiet life couldn’t last forever, and both of them knew that. When Edward offered his help, they had no other choice but to carefully consider it.

In the days following their meeting with Edward, William decided to take Amelia to meet Alex, an old friend of his and Edward’s.

Alex was a young man, around 32 years old, with a scholarly appearance and sharp eyes. He had worked alongside William and Edward in past daring missions, where his skills in creating fake documents and his sharp intellect had saved them countless times.

Amelia was surprised when she met Alex. He didn’t match the image she had of someone involved in the underground world. With his polished appearance and friendly demeanor, Alex put her at ease in an odd way.

“William, long time no see!” Alex greeted William with a warm hug. He turned to Amelia and smiled. “And this must be Amelia, the one Edward mentioned.”

Amelia nodded, still a bit cautious.

“Don’t worry,” Alex said, as if reading her thoughts. “I’m here to help, not judge.”

. . .

In Alex’s small office, he began explaining the plan.

“Edward is right. Charles is a threat. But if we do this right, you’ll have a new identity that no one can trace,” Alex said, opening his laptop.

“We need to change everything,” he continued, quickly going through the documents. “New name, birth certificate, passport, even financial history. I’ll create an entirely new persona for you.”

Amelia listened intently, her heart both anxious and excited. “So… who will I become?”

“That’s up to you,” Alex replied. “Where do you want to live? What kind of job do you want? Think about what makes you feel safe and free.”

Amelia thought for a moment. She remembered the days she spent surrounded by nature, the sense of freedom when running through green fields.

“I want a life close to nature,” she said. “Somewhere I can start fresh, far from everything that’s happened.”

Alex nodded, quickly typing on his keyboard. “I’ll make it happen. But remember, every detail must match. If Charles finds any discrepancies, everything will fall apart.”

. . .

While Alex worked, William and Amelia took the opportunity to rest. William looked at Alex, his eyes filled with both gratitude and concern.

“Alex is one of the most trustworthy people I know,” William said to Amelia. “He’s not just skilled, but loyal. Whenever I’ve been in trouble, Alex has always been there.”

“What about Edward?” Amelia asked.

William shook his head. “Edward is different. He’s smart and powerful, but he always puts his own interests first. Alex, on the other hand, does everything for the sake of friendship.”

Amelia smiled softly. “It’s good that you have someone like that.”

. . .

As night approached, Alex completed the first steps of the plan. He turned to William and Amelia, his expression serious.

“I’ve created a new identity for Amelia,” he said. “But there’s one problem.”

“What is it?” William asked.

“Charles isn’t just rich, he’s persistent. If he suspects anything, he won’t stop until he finds her. We need a solid cover story. And I think, she should come with us on Edward’s expedition.”

Amelia was surprised. “Why?”

“That will help her disappear more plausibly. If she joins the project, not only will it be hard for Charles to find her, but she’ll also have the chance to discover what she truly wants in life,” Alex explained.

William nodded in agreement. “I think so too. And I’ll always be there to protect you.”

Amelia looked at both of them, her heart full of emotion. She knew they were doing their best to help her, and she realized this could be her one chance to escape the past.

The next morning, Alex handed Amelia a folder of documents.

“These are everything about your new identity,” he said. “From now on, you’re Emily Carter, born in a small town in Scotland. Here’s your passport, ID, and even your work history.”

Amelia took the folder, feeling as if she were holding her new life in her hands.

“Thank you, Alex,” she said, her voice full of gratitude.

“No need to thank me,” Alex replied, smiling. “Remember, I’m not doing this just for William or Edward. I’m doing it for you. You deserve a second chance.”

As Amelia left Alex’s apartment, she felt lighter than ever before. She knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but with William and Alex by her side, she believed she could overcome any challenge.

“So, where do we go now?” she asked William.

William smiled, his eyes sparkling with confidence. “We’re preparing for a new journey. And this time, you won’t just be running away—you’ll find yourself.”