Chapter Eight: Gossip, Warnings, and Revelations
1310 Words
Amelia’s phone vibrated relentlessly on the nightstand, the glow of the screen cutting through the dim light of the estate bedroom. She groaned, pulling herself upright against the plush headboard. The fire in the corner of the room had burned down to embers, leaving the faint scent of smoke in the air.
Grabbing the phone, she glanced at the notifications: a flood of missed calls and messages. Lauren. And, as if to emphasize the urgency, Evelyn’s name blinked on an incoming call.
Amelia answered with a tired sigh. “Evelyn, it’s not even 7 AM. What’s going on?”
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe the fact that you’ve practically disappeared into thin air?” Evelyn’s clipped tone came through the line, followed by a sharp exhale. “You didn’t give me anything to work with. Lauren and I are losing it over here.”
“I told you I needed some time away.”
“Time away?” Evelyn’s voice rose an octave. “Amelia, you don’t just take time off. You’re like a machine. Even on vacations, you’re glued to your laptop. Where are you? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Really.” Amelia pressed her fingers against her temple. “I just needed space. It’s not a big deal.”
“Not a big deal?” Evelyn echoed. “Lauren’s convinced you’ve been kidn*pped. She was ready to call the authorities last night. Do you know how much effort it took to calm her down?”
“I’m not kidn*pped,” Amelia said, exasperated. “I promise. I’m safe.”
“Fine,” Evelyn said after a pause, her tone softening. “But you can’t just vanish like this. People are worried, Amelia. I’m worried.”
“I know,” Amelia replied, guilt twisting in her chest. “I’m sorry. Things have just been... complicated.”
Evelyn hesitated. “Does this have anything to do with him?”
Amelia’s stomach tightened. “No,” she said quickly, though the pang of old memories surfaced unbidden. “It’s not about him.”
“Good,” Evelyn said, her voice firm. “Because you deserve better than what he put you through. And if he ever shows up again, I swear I’ll—”
“Evelyn.” Amelia’s voice softened. “It’s fine. Really. I’ll explain everything soon. Just... hold down the fort for me, okay?”
Evelyn sighed. “Fine. But you owe me a proper update when you get back.”
“Deal.”
As Amelia hung up, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Lauren.
---
Lauren’s Wrath
“Finally!” Lauren’s voice burst through the phone as soon as Amelia answered. “Do you have any idea how close I was to sending out a search party? Evelyn barely managed to talk me down.”
“Lauren, I—”
“Don’t you ‘Lauren’ me,” her secretary snapped. “You drop off the grid, send one cryptic text, and then go completely radio silent? Do you have any idea how that looks?”
“I didn’t mean to worry you,” Amelia said, trying to placate her.
“Didn’t mean to worry me?” Lauren scoffed. “Amelia, you’re my boss, but more importantly, you’re my friend. If you’re not okay, I need to know.”
“I am okay,” Amelia said firmly. “I just needed some time to breathe.”
Lauren’s tone shifted, becoming curious. “Okay, fine. You’re breathing. Now tell me where you are and why you sound so... off.”
“I’m staying with the Blackwoods,” Amelia admitted, bracing herself for the reaction.
There was a beat of silence. Then Lauren gasped so loudly Amelia had to pull the phone away from her ear.
“The Blackwoods?” Lauren shrieked. “As in the triplet alphas who look like they belong on the cover of GQ?”
“Lauren, keep your voice down,” Amelia hissed, even though no one was around.
“Oh, this is rich,” Lauren continued, unabated. “You’re hiding out in their estate? Alone? Please tell me they’re shirtless. Are they shirtless?!”
“Lauren!”
“What? I’m just saying, if I were you, I’d be running a temperature from all that testosterone. So... what’s the deal? Spill.”
“There’s no deal,” Amelia said quickly. “They’re just... helping me out.”
Lauren snorted. “Helping you out? With what? Your stress? Your wardrobe? Or are we talking something a little more hands-on?”
“Goodbye, Lauren.”
“Wait, wait!” Lauren said quickly, her voice filled with laughter. “Okay, I’ll stop. But seriously, Amelia. They’re clearly into you, aren’t they?”
Amelia hesitated, her silence speaking volumes.
“Oh my God, they are!” Lauren exclaimed. “This is better than any romance novel I’ve ever read. Three insanely hot guys, one brilliant but emotionally unavailable woman... It’s perfect!”
“Lauren,” Amelia said through gritted teeth, “this isn’t some cheesy love story.”
“No, it’s better,” Lauren quipped. “It’s real. And honestly, after what you’ve been through, you deserve this.”
Amelia’s chest tightened. “What I deserve is some peace and quiet.”
“Peace and quiet?” Lauren said, incredulous. “Amelia, you’re at the center of the hottest gossip I’ve heard all year. Speaking of which...” Her tone turned serious. “I have some news you’re not going to like.”
---
An Unwelcome Surprise
Amelia tensed. “What is it?”
Lauren hesitated. “I heard from a friend in the city... your ex is coming to the state. With his fiancée.”
The air seemed to leave the room. Amelia gripped the phone tightly. “Fiancée?”
“Yeah,” Lauren said, her voice laced with disdain. “The same one he cheated on you with. They’re apparently planning some big wedding, and he’s here to finalize details.”
Amelia’s heart pounded in her chest. She’d worked so hard to bury the pain of that betrayal, but hearing his name again threatened to undo all of it.
“Amelia,” Lauren said softly, sensing her friend’s turmoil, “you don’t owe him anything. You’ve moved on. You’re stronger now.”
“I know,” Amelia said, though her voice wavered.
“And if he even tries to show his face around you, I’ll personally throw a drink at him,” Lauren added fiercely. “Or better yet, I’ll find something sharper.”
Amelia let out a shaky laugh. “Thanks for the support.”
“Anytime,” Lauren said. “But seriously, don’t let this ruin your time with the Blackwoods. They seem like the kind of guys who’d protect you with their lives.”
Amelia swallowed hard, her thoughts drifting to the brothers. Despite her reluctance, they’d managed to break through her walls in ways she hadn’t expected.
---
Reflecting on the Past
After the call ended, Amelia sat by the fire, staring into the dying embers. Lauren’s words echoed in her mind.
Her ex was a part of her past she never wanted to revisit, yet his shadow loomed larger than ever. She thought of all the ways he’d made her doubt herself, the wounds he’d left that still hadn’t fully healed.
But then her thoughts shifted to the Blackwoods—Adrian’s quiet strength, Jasper’s playful charm, Caleb’s unyielding loyalty. They were so different from anyone she’d ever known, and for the first time in years, they made her feel... seen.
Maybe Lauren was right. Maybe it was time to stop running from the past and start embracing the present.
As the clock struck midnight, Amelia made a silent vow to herself: no more looking back.
Because with the Blackwoods by her side, the future looked brighter than ever.
- Writer
