Chapter 8: Cast Out
724 Words
The drive back to Sterling Mansion was painfully silent.
No one spoke.
Not William.
Not Sophia.
Not Aurora.
Amelia leaned against the car window, staring blankly at the passing streets.
The doctor's words echoed repeatedly in her mind.
Someone drugged you.
She slowly clenched her fists.
She wasn't crazy.
She hadn't imagined it.
Someone had deliberately planned everything.
But who?
She already knew the answer.
Aurora.
Unfortunately...
Knowing and proving were two different things.
The convoy stopped before the grand Sterling Mansion.
William stepped out first.
His cold voice echoed across the entrance.
"Everyone to the living room."
The servants immediately lined up.
They knew something terrible was about to happen.
Inside the magnificent living room, the atmosphere was suffocating.
William stood before everyone.
Sophia remained seated quietly.
Aurora stood beside her mother, looking worried.
Only Amelia noticed the tiny smile hidden behind her lowered face.
William finally spoke.
"Last night's incident has already spread."
He threw a newspaper onto the coffee table.
The front page headline read:
STERLING FAMILY'S YOUNGEST DAUGHTER SPENDS THE NIGHT WITH BILLIONAIRE HEIR.
Beneath it were blurry photographs of Amelia leaving the room with Alexander that morning.
Amelia's face turned pale.
"So... this was planned too."
William looked at her coldly.
"The Sterling family's reputation has been destroyed."
Amelia laughed softly.
"Reputation?"
She looked around the luxurious mansion.
"When have I ever been part of the Sterling family's reputation?"
Silence.
The servants lowered their heads.
William ignored her question.
"I've made my decision."
Sophia suddenly stood.
"William."
There was panic in her voice.
"Please..."
William didn't even look at her.
"This matter is no longer negotiable."
Aurora gently held Sophia's hand.
"Mother..."
"Father is only thinking about the family."
She looked as though she was trying to calm everyone.
The perfect daughter.
The loving sister.
The flawless actress.
Amelia almost admired her performance.
William turned toward Amelia.
"From today..."
"You are no longer welcome in this house."
Boom.
The room fell silent.
Sophia's eyes filled with tears.
"William, don't do this."
William remained unmoved.
"I've already decided."
Amelia looked at him quietly.
Then...
She smiled.
Not a happy smile.
Not a bitter smile.
A smile of acceptance.
"I understand."
She turned and walked upstairs.
Twenty minutes later...
She came back carrying one small suitcase.
Everything she owned fit inside it.
She stopped in front of Sophia.
For a moment...
Neither woman spoke.
Sophia's lips trembled.
She desperately wanted to hug her daughter.
To tell her the truth.
To beg for forgiveness.
But Eleanor Sterling, who had been silently watching from the staircase, slowly shook her head.
A tiny movement.
Almost impossible to notice.
Sophia closed her eyes.
Her hands slowly dropped.
Amelia noticed everything.
Her heart hurt.
But she simply smiled sadly.
"Take care of yourself... Mother."
She walked toward the front door.
Just as she reached it—
Aurora called after her.
"Sister."
Amelia stopped but didn't turn around.
Aurora walked over carrying an envelope.
"I know you're angry."
"So... I packed a little money for you."
She held out the envelope with a gentle smile.
The servants looked touched.
"Miss Aurora is so kind."
"Even after everything, she's still helping her sister."
Amelia slowly turned.
She looked at the envelope.
Then at Aurora.
Finally...
She smiled.
"Keep it."
Aurora blinked.
"What?"
"I don't want charity from the person who destroyed my life."
Boom.
The living room fell silent.
Aurora's eyes widened just enough to appear hurt.
"I... I don't understand what you mean."
Amelia looked directly into her eyes.
"You understand perfectly."
Without another word, Amelia opened the door.
Heavy rain poured outside.
She stepped into the storm without looking back.
Across the street...
A black Rolls-Royce remained parked beneath the trees.
Inside, Rachel glanced at Alexander.
"Sir."
"She's leaving."
Alexander watched Amelia walk alone through the rain with nothing but a suitcase.
After a long silence, he spoke.
"Follow her."
Rachel looked surprised.
"Secretly?"
Alexander nodded.
"I want to know where she goes."
"Don't let her see you."
Rachel started the engine.
The Rolls-Royce quietly pulled away.
Neither of them noticed...
A black motorcycle had been waiting farther down the road since morning.
The rider wore a black helmet.
As Amelia reached the empty sidewalk, the motorcycle suddenly roared to life.
Its engine thundered through the rain.
And it accelerated...
Straight toward her.
To be continued...
- Writer
