CHAPTER 3
714 Words
CHAPTER 3
THE SAME FACES SHE HAD MOURNED
The silence felt endless.
Amelia sat curled by the bathroom wall, the silver locket still firmly in her hands.
Her fingers brushed once more over the picture inside.
The same faces she had mourned.
For years, that picture had been the only thing she had left.
But now, it wasn’t just a memory.
It was real.
Her husband.
Her daughter.
Alive.
Amelia’s head fell back as she drew another heavy breath.
All this time she had lived without knowing whether they had survived.
Or if she would ever see them again.
And here they were.
Together.
But the relief didn’t last.
What were they doing in a place like Sebastian Manor?
Her brows dipped into a frown.
It didn’t make any sense.
Derek had never been wealthy.
The last thing she remembered was Meridian Ventures turning down the project he had believed would change their lives.
How had he gone from struggling to provide for his family to living in one of the grandest estates she had ever seen?
So many questions crowded her mind.
Then another memory flashed.
A voice.
Dark and threatening.
“Run.”
“And never come back.”
Amelia forced her eyes shut.
When she opened them again, all doubt was gone.
They were alive.
They were safe.
They looked happy.
And that was enough.
A single tear shed down her cheek before she could stop it.
She couldn’t break her promise now.
Not after finding them again.
Not after learning they had survived.
Amelia gently closed the locket and tucked it back under the neck of her dress.
Her decision was final.
She was leaving.
She pushed herself to her feet and unlocked the bathroom door.
Without a second thought, she walked straight to the wardrobe, reaching for her suitcase.
“Amelia!”
Lily’s cheerful voice came through the bedroom door.
Amelia’s hand stopped halfway.
“Can you help me?”
“I need another hand.”
Amelia wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, double-checking infront of the mirror before she opened the door.
Lily stood outside, struggling with a breakfast tray almost half her size.
Warm baguettes, scrambled eggs.
A steaming mug of tea.
“I’ve got it,” Amelia chuckled.
She carefully took the tray from Lily’s hands.
“And who is all this for?”
Lily beamed. “You.”
“For me?”
“Mhm.”
“I brought it all by myself.” She looked incredibly proud.
A small grin tugged at Amelia’s lips. “Well… thank you.”
Lily danced happily on her heels. “Daddy says sad people still need to eat.”
The smile on Amelia’s face faded.
For a few seconds, she couldn’t breathe.
“You can cry if you want,” Derek had once whispered while cradling her, a boyish smile on his face. “But you’re still eating first.”
The memory dashed through her mind and disappeared just as quickly.
No.
She wasn’t doing this.
Not anymore.
She crouched until she was eye level with Lily.
Then, with a playful smile, she lightly tapped the little girl’s nose. “Thank you.”
Lily giggled. “You’re welcome!”
She spun around, stretched both her arms out like an airplane and zoomed down the hallway.
Amelia watched her disappear.
The smile on her face lasted a second longer before it gradually faded.
She closed the door and carried the tray to bed.
Still firm in her resolve, she returned to the wardrobe, grabbing the suitcase and the rest of her things.
Stuffing her clothes in, she couldn’t help but glance back at the tray.
Something white caught her eye beneath the plate.
Curious, she lifted it to find a small folded card.
It was filled with large, uneven letters, written in what looked like yellow crayon.
Sorry I made you fall.
From Lily ❤
Something in Amelia ached.
Subconsciously, she held the note to her chest and blinked rapidly, refusing to let the tears return.
“Stop it.” She cautioned herself.
But she couldn’t stop staring at the note.
Her first ever gift from her daughter.
No matter what, she knew she had to leave.
But maybe for now… she’d stay just a little longer.
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