Amelia sat on the couch in the living room, her hands clutched tightly in her lap as she faced her sister’s cold glare.
From the hallway, her parents’ voices echoed, raised, sharp, and furious.
“She’s not staying in my house. She should go back to her Alpha husband!” her father, Greg, growled.
“She’s not leaving!” her mother fired back. “She’s my daughter, and I won’t let her go in this condition. If you insist on throwing her out, I’ll leave with her.”
Suddenly, silence. The argument stopped. Only the ticking of the clock filled the heavy air.
“This is your fault,” Gloria spat from across the room, arms crossed tightly. “The only time Mom and Dad ever fought like this was when you chose to marry Aiden.”
Amelia looked down, guilt clenching her chest. “I… I didn’t have anywhere else to go,” she whispered.
“You should’ve slept on the street.”
“Gloria!” their mother’s voice cut like a whip.
Gloria’s eyes flared, but she stayed silent.
“You shouldn’t be harsh to your sister. She’s family,” Evelyn said gently as she entered the room.
Gloria scoffed, stood, and left the room, leaving Amelia and her mother alone.
Evelyn moved closer and sat beside her, the soft concern in her eyes making Amelia’s heart ache.
“Amelia, honey… how are you feeling?”
Amelia glanced at her mother. She remembered how she’d defied her to marry Aiden.
She’d expected anger… resentment. But instead, there was only warmth.
Mothers never stop loving. No matter how broken, no matter the mistakes.
“I feel better, Mom,” she lied. Her voice was soft, barely audible.
Evelyn didn’t press. She only gave a small smile and brushed a hand gently through Amelia’s hair.
“Are you hungry, honey?”
“No… I’m fine.” Amelia dropped her gaze, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her dress.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I made you and Dad argue. I’ll leave tomorrow morning.”
Her mother’s hand stilled. “Honey, your father loves you. He’s just angry. You can stay as long as you need to.”
Amelia nodded. A long silence passed before her mother gently asked, “What happened, sweetheart? How’s Eva?”
At the mention of her daughter, Amelia’s heart shattered all over again. Pain clutched her chest.
Eva’s laughter, her tiny hands, gone.
Her mother didn’t know.
“Eva is dead.”
Evelyn froze. Her eyes widened in horror.
“What? How? What happened?”
“She was poisoned.”
“What?” Evelyn gasped. “What’s Aiden doing? Is he trying to find out who poisoned her?”
Amelia didn’t speak. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Her throat closed in. She swallowed hard, trying to force down the sobs.
“He thinks I poisoned her,” she finally whispered. “He broke the bond. Rejected me. We’re divorced because of Sofia.”
Evelyn’s heart sank. Her arms wrapped around her daughter without hesitation.
Sofia.
“She’s back? His ex?”
Amelia nodded.
Evelyn exhaled. Her voice wavered with sadness. “He left Sofia for you… I suppose it shouldn’t be a surprise that he’d leave you for her.” She paused, then shook her head.
This isn’t the time to talk about what could’ve been. All her daughter needed at this moment was comfort.
She pulled Amelia into a deep embrace, holding her tightly as her daughter cried.
After a long time, Amelia’s breathing softened. Her mother helped her upstairs, drew her a warm bath, and tucked her into bed.
The next morning, Amelia woke up feeling heavy and weak. The scent of her childhood home comforted her.
She looked around the familiar room, once her safe haven. She remembered nights curled in bed next to her mother, afraid of storms or nightmares, how the fear would vanish in her arms.
She slipped out of bed, took a bath, and dressed simply.
Just as she was tying her hair, the door opened.
Her mother walked in with a tray of food, smiling gently.
“Good morning, Mom,” Amelia said quietly.
“Good morning, honey. I hope you’re feeling better?” Evelyn placed the tray on the bed.
Amelia gave a small nod and began eating.
She hadn’t realized how hungry she was. She hadn’t
eaten since leaving the hospital after Eva’s death.
Her mother sat beside her, watching.
“Amelia… are you pregnant?”
Amelia froze. Slowly, she looked up and nodded.
Evelyn’s shoulders dropped in a soft sigh. She’d suspected. And she knew her husband would never allow Amelia to stay now. Especially not with Aiden’s child. And if Aiden found out where she was…
She had to protect her daughter.
“I know your father is angry. But don’t worry I’ve made arrangements,” she said gently. “A friend of mine in Ocean Moon Pack has helped you get a place. Once you’re settled, she’ll help you find a job too.”
Amelia looked at her mother with teary eyes. “Thank you…”
But as she said it, the warmth in her chest faded, replaced by a growing unease.
Ocean Moon Pack is ruled by one of the deadliest alphas alive and they are rivals with Aiden. Going there was like a death sentence.
Her heart sank.
TBC