Ashes of Hourglass

Chapter 3

A beautiful Monday morning at the Montague’s mansion. A long table stretched across the room, set with silver cutlery and steaming breakfast dishes that smelled of rosemary and fresh bread.

Alex and his father Freddie Montague, the president of the Montague Real Estate Group.

Both father and son on the dining table digging in their breakfast, a fresh bread with a bowl of hot soup and hot tea on the dining table. Across them Alex’s mother, Florence Montague, regal and elegant, sipped her tea with the unhurried grace of a queen.

“Your proposal for the northern wing project was well-received,” freddie said without looking up from his own paper. “The board meets on Friday. If it passes, Montague Estate will double its reach in the next two years.”

“Yes it will pass ” Alexander nodded as he read through his phone as he was calm, unreadable, the kind of man whose silence carried weight.

Before his mother could say anything the heavy door slammed open and his sister rushed in.

“Sophie” Florence said as she lowered her cup of tea down “it’s too early for this”

Sophie Montague, Alex’s troublesome elder sister rushed into the room with heels that clicked like a gunshot. Her expression was murderous.

“Good morning to you too big sister” Alex said as he looked up to his sister.

“Don’t you dare good morning me” she snapped back at her brother in the dining hall. “ you did this,didn’t you? This is your fault”

“My fault? What are you saying?” Alex raised his eyebrows as he settled down his folks on the dining table.

My husband,” her hand slammed the dining table “was supposed to be named CEO of Montague Real Estate this quarter. But somehow, magically, the board is ‘reconsidering. And whose fault is that?”

Alexander looked up to her and smiled.“Perhaps they reconsidered because he’s not qualified.”

“You influenced them, didn’t you? You and Father, whispering in corners and making decisions behind my back.” Sophie’s eyes blazed.

Freddie folded his newspaper with a soft snap. “Sophie,” he said in that quiet tone that could silence entire boardrooms, “your husband is a competent manager, but CEO? That requires vision. It requires leadership.”

“Father!” She shouted with a full force

“You know he is not like that, Smiths is the perfect man for the CEO position father” her eyes melted as she moved closer to her father and leaned closer to him “ Father, why don’t you give him a second chance to prove he is worthy of the position and i promise you father he won’t let you down”

Freddie look down to his paper and said “No more chances for unqualified men”

Sophie’s eyes were open and looks dangerously as she leaned closer to her father “ I am also your daughter,Father!”

No response from Freddie as he continued reading his paper.

Sophie’s gaze swung back to her brother. “You’ve always had everything handed to you, the praise, the power, the future of this family. But I won’t let you steal his chance too.”

Alexander leaned back in his chair, utterly unbothered. “Then tell him to earn it.”

Sophie glared and stormed out as dramatically as she entered, her perfume lingering long after she was gone.

Silence fell again over the table. Florence sighed softly, pouring more tea. “Your daughter will never stop fighting for what she wants. At least give her husband a second chance”

Alexander gave a half-smile. “Neither will I.”

His father chuckled under his breath. “That’s why you’re my son. If she wants that position badly for her husband they should both work for it”

Florence walked out from the dining table leaving both her husband and son.

“I will take my leave now father” Alex said with his calm soothing voice.

“Have a great day, my son” Freddie replied.

Amelia still couldn’t believe she went back in time, five years back before her wedding with James Whitman. Now this is her time to make things right and put those people in their place.

“Dad, I want the red Lamborghini and some cash. I’m taking my girl out for her birthday you know I have been a good son to you” Theo said while eating his breakfast.

Amelia burst out laughing while walking down the stairs “Good son? Don’t make me tear up with laughter please Theo” she said while cleaning up the little tears in her eyes.

George Carter sighed heavily “Theo, that car isn’t a toy. And I gave you a generous allowance last month.”

Theo rolled his eyes and groaned dramatically “ come on,dad What’s the point of having money and cars if I can’t enjoy them?

“Because they are mine,you fool!” Amelia said.

Theo eyes widened as he looked at Amelia and turn his head to George Carter and smiled “ can we not mind her please? So dad please I promise I won’t even scratch it this time.”

Amelia burst out laughing with her hands clapping together as she rubs her tummy “This time? Please Theo we all know you don’t keep to your promise so don’t use that words. I have never laughed like this in my life”

Genevieve smile hiding the venom in her. “Darling, let the boy have his fun,” she said. “It’s just one night. He’s worked so hard to…..”

“To what?” Amelia’s voice sliced through the air.

All heads turned toward Amelia

“Amelia, Come and have your breakfast” George said.

“I lost my Appetite when I heard Theo begging for a car he doesn’t deserve and money he hasn’t earned.”

Theo scoffed, rolling his eyes. “No one asked for your opinion.”

“And yet,” Amelia replied “I’m giving it anyway.”

She turned to her father with an expression of perfect innocence. “Actually, Father, I’ve been thinking… I’d like to take the red Lamborghini out myself. Tonight. You know My boyfriend James and I are going out on a date and the car will fit perfectly Dad”

The room went still.

Theo said upright. “What? No, I asked first!”

“You begged first,” Amelia corrected calmly. “Big difference. And I am his Daughter, so his Daughter First before some bastard” she said with a smirk.

Genevieve’s eyes narrowed. “Amelia!!!”

“Did I say anything wrong, Step…Mother!” Amelia said as her smile cracked.

Genevieve smiled gently “Amelia dear, are you sure a flashy car like that suits you? It’s more Theo’s style.”

“Oh, I’m very sure,” Amelia said with unbothered smile. “I think it’s time I enjoyed a little fun too. And unlike Theo, I promise I won’t crash it into a fence this time” said jokingly.

Harper finally looked up with a scoff. “Ugh, you don’t even like cars, Amelia. You’re just doing this to annoy us.”

“And it’s working beautifully.” Amelia’s eyes glinting with amusement.

Her father chuckled softly. “If Amelia wants the Lamborghini, she can have it. It’s hers tonight.”

Theo’s mouth fell open. “What? Dad, that’s not fair!”

“Life isn’t fair,” Amelia said sweetly, brushing past him with a smile that made his jaw tighten. “But then, you’d know all about getting things you haven’t earned, wouldn’t you?”

She left the room with her head held high, the hourglass pendant warm against her heart and returned.

“Are you all coming for the proposal tonight? I think James is going to propose to me tonight” she said with a smile.

“And how do you know that?” Genevieve asked.

She walks towards Genevieve and leaned over to her and whispered “ I know everything step mother and things you don’t know i could know” she left.

Genevieve eyes wide open as Amelia’s words got into her skin.

They didn’t know it yet, but this Amelia’s sharp, fearless, was not the same woman they had once manipulated. And with every move she made, their carefully built plans would begin to crumble.

The door slammed behind Genevieve as she picked up her phone to call James Whitman.

“ Good morning, My precious Lady.” James soothing voice came through the phone.

“Are you going to propose to her tonight?” Genevieve asked without greetings.

“Who? Oh you mean your step daughter, of course I’m going to. And how do you know about that, i didn’t remember telling you that.” He replied surprisingly.

“She knows about it”

“What do you mean she knows?”

“ I should be asking you that fool.”

“But I didn’t say anything to her about the proposal so I’m surprised that she knows”

“Maybe her instincts”

“Her instincts?” James asked.

Genevieve slowly sat on her bed and crossed her legs together while she checked her new Nails.

“ there is something about her this morning” she continued.

“What do you mean by that” curious James asked.

“She looks more fearless and more bold unlike her usual self”

“ hmmm…. That’s weird”

Genevieve rolled her eyes as she stood up “ Since she invited us to the proposal party, we will be coming and see what is making her all bold and fearless”

She ended the call before James could say anything.