Through broken walls

chapter two: New beginnings, old shadows

Chapter 2 – New Beginnings, Old Shadows

The golden light of dawn filtered through the long curtains in Amelia’s new room. The bed was softer than anything she’d ever slept on, but she couldn’t shake the cold knot in her stomach. This was supposed to be home, yet it felt like a place she had simply been placed in, like furniture that didn’t quite belong.

At breakfast, she sat quietly at the long dining table. Victoria floated around like a queen overseeing her palace. Her smile seemed flawless, her posture perfect, but Amelia had begun to sense something off about her.

“Eat more, darling,” Victoria said, sliding a plate of eggs toward her. “You’ll need strength for school.”

Amelia lowered her gaze and nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

Her father, Richard Hart, barely looked up from the newspaper. “I’ve spoken with the principal. You’ll be starting tomorrow. Make sure you behave, Amelia. The Hart name has weight. Don’t embarrass us.”

The Hart name. Amelia repeated it in her head. It felt strange, heavy, as if it wasn’t hers to carry. She wanted to ask him why it mattered so much, but the question caught in her throat.

School was a whirlwind of new faces, loud hallways, and unfamiliar rules. On her first day, she sat quietly at the back of the classroom, trying to disappear. That’s when a girl with curly blonde hair and a mischievous grin plopped down next to her.

“You look like you’re planning an escape,” the girl whispered. “I’m Sophie Lane. And you?”

Amelia hesitated. “Amelia. Amelia Hart.”

Sophie’s grin widened. “Well, Amelia Hart, I don’t like boring people, so lucky for you—you seem interesting. Come on, I’ll show you where they hide the good snacks during recess.”

For the first time in weeks, Amelia laughed. Just a small, quiet laugh, but it felt real. Sophie was loud, funny, and unafraid of anything—or anyone. Beside her, Amelia felt a little less invisible.

But the warmth of school life ended the moment she stepped back into her father’s mansion.

One evening, as Amelia tried to finish her homework in the sitting room, Victoria appeared behind her. “You’re clever, aren’t you?” Victoria said softly, almost too softly. “But clever girls must learn their place.”

Amelia looked up, startled. “My place?”

Victoria’s lips curved. “Yes, darling. Some of us are born with crowns. Others… without. You mustn’t forget how fortunate you are that Richard accepted you here at all.”

The words stung, but Amelia wasn’t sure why. Accepted her? Wasn’t she his daughter? She wanted to ask, but the gleam in Victoria’s eyes warned her against it.

Her father was no better. His kindness came in fragments—a pat on the head, a rare smile—but his distance was overwhelming. Once, Amelia overheard him speaking sharply to Victoria late at night.

“She’s my responsibility,” he hissed.

“Your mistake, you mean,” Victoria replied.

Amelia froze outside their door, heart hammering. Mistake. The word sank into her bones.

Weeks blurred into months. Sophie became her anchor at school, the one person who made her laugh, while at home she navigated the strange undercurrents between her father and stepmother.

Just when Amelia thought she was adjusting, Richard made an announcement at dinner one evening.

“You’ll be spending the holiday with your Aunt Catherine in the village,” he said matter-of-factly.

Amelia’s fork clattered onto her plate. “But… why? I have school, I have Sophie—”

“It’s decided,” Richard cut her off.

Victoria dabbed her lips with her napkin, smiling faintly. “Yes, Amelia. It will be good for you. Catherine has always wanted to meet you properly. Think of it as… a test.”

A test. The word chilled her.

That night, Amelia lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Between Victoria’s cryptic remarks and her father’s cold indifference, a question gnawed at her.