Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Morning light filtered through cream-colored curtains, waking Amelia from a deep sleep. For a moment, she forgot everything, the disaster at the restaurant, Richard's cold eyes, her children's betrayal, the bridge.

Then reality crashed back, stealing her breath.

She sat up, taking in the unfamiliar room with its king-sized bed, plush carpet, and expensive furniture. Lucas County's guest room.

A knock at the door startled her.

"Yes?" Her voice sounded hoarse from crying.

The door opened slightly, and Mrs. Parker's head poked in. "Good morning, Miss Amelia. Mr. County asked me to check if you're awake. Breakfast is ready whenever you'd like to come down."

"Thank you. I'll be there soon."

Amelia shuffled to the bathroom, wincing at her puffy eyes and tangled hair in the mirror. The bathroom counter held new toiletries, all expensive brands. A fluffy robe hung on the door.

She brushed her teeth, splashed cold water on her face, and put the robe on over her borrowed clothes before heading downstairs.

The mansion was even more impressive in daylight. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, highlighting artwork that belonged in museums. Fresh flowers sat in crystal vases on antique tables.

She followed the smell of coffee and found herself in a bright kitchen with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking manicured gardens. At the center island sat a young woman reading something on a tablet.

She looked up as Amelia entered, her face breaking into a curious smile. She had Lucas's deep brown eyes, but her face was finer, more delicate. Her dark hair fell in loose waves past her shoulders.

"You must be Amelia," the girl said. "I'm Eva. Lucas's daughter."

"Hello, Eva. It's nice to meet you." Amelia tugged self-consciously at the robe. "I'm sorry about my appearance."

Eva waved dismissively. "Don't worry about it. Dad explained what happened." Her eyes softened. "I'm sorry."

The simple words brought a lump to Amelia's throat. She nodded, unable to speak.

"Coffee?" Eva asked, gesturing to a gleaming machine.

"Please."

Eva handed her a steaming mug, then motioned to the island. "Sit. Mrs. P made enough breakfast to feed an army."

Amelia perched on a stool, watching as Eva uncovered dishes of eggs, bacon, fruits, and pastries. She took some toast and fruit, though the knot in her stomach made eating difficult.

"Do you live here year-round?" she asked.

"I attend university from home. I'm studying International Relations." Eva bit into a croissant. "Dad wanted me to go to Harvard's campus, but I preferred staying here."

"That's impressive."

Eva shrugged. "I like the flexibility. And honestly, after growing up with so many nannies, I wanted to spend more time with Dad when he's actually home." A small smile played on her lips. "Plus online classes mean I can avoid being 'Lucas County's daughter' to everyone on campus."

Amelia sipped her coffee, studying the young woman. There was a quiet confidence about her that made Amelia feel oddly comfortable.

"How long have you lived in this house?" Amelia asked.

"Since I was ten. After Mom died."

The statement fell between them, matter-of-fact but weighty.

"I'm so sorry," Amelia said softly.

Eva nodded, her eyes distant. "Cancer. It was quick, at least. Dad moved us here afterward." She looked around the kitchen. "This place never really felt like home, though. Too big. Too empty."

"It's beautiful," Amelia offered.

"Beautiful, yes. But empty. Dad works constantly. It was always just me and whatever nanny was currently employed." Eva's tone was conversational, not self-pitying. "Dad tried, he really did. Flew home for every school play, every birthday. But running an empire doesn't leave much room for parenting."

Amelia's heart squeezed. She thought of her own children, who had everything she could give them, her time, her energy, her unconditional love, and still chose to throw her away.

"I'm sure he did his best," she murmured.

"He did." Eva's eyes met hers. "So you and my dad were childhood friends?"

"We were," Amelia confirmed, surprised Lucas had shared even that much. "We grew up next door to each other. Best friends from elementary school through high school."

"And then?"

"Life happened. College. Careers. Marriage." The word tasted bitter on her tongue.

Eva studied her with unnerving focus. "Dad never talks about his past. When he mentioned you this morning, I couldn't believe it. He never brings people here."

Amelia felt heat rise to her cheeks. "The circumstances were unusual."

"So I gathered." Eva's voice softened. "He said your husband left you. That your kids sided with him."

The blunt statement cut through Amelia's chest like a knife.

"Yes," she managed.

Eva reached across the island, her slim fingers touching Amelia's wrist, a light touch, but comforting. "That's really awful of them."

A startled laugh escaped Amelia's lips, part amusement, part pain. "Yes. Yes, it is."

"How old are they? Your kids?"

"Julia is twenty. Ethan is eighteen. Mia just turned fifteen." Her voice remained steady, though saying their names hurt like pressing on a bruise.

Eva's eyebrows rose. "The older ones are adults. That makes it worse."

"Worse?"

"If they were little, you could blame him, your husband. Mind games, manipulation. But at their age?" Eva shook her head. "They made a choice. A terrible one."

The stark assessment brought fresh tears to Amelia's eyes. Eva was right. Her older children weren't naive. They were adults who had knowingly participated in her humiliation.

"I'm sorry," Eva said quickly. "I shouldn't have said that."

"No, you're right." Amelia wiped at her eyes. "I've spent twenty years making excuses for everyone. Maybe it's time to stop."

Eva smiled, a real smile that transformed her face. "I like you, Amelia. You don't talk to me like I'm a child."

"You're what, Eighteen?"

"No, I will be Eighteen in three months. But most of Dad's friends still pinch my cheeks and ask about school like I'm in kindergarten." Eva rolled her eyes. "They're all calculating how a marriage to their son would benefit their companies."

Amelia smiled despite herself. "I can imagine."

"No, you can't." Eva's tone was teasing. "Dad's worth is somewhere north of fifty Trillion. Makes me quite a catch, apparently."

Amelia choked on her coffee. "Fifty Trillion?"

"Give or take a few Trillion." Eva shrugged, as if discussing pocket change. "That's why I prefer taking classes online. Fewer people trying to get close to me because of my last name."

"I had no idea Lucas was so..." Amelia trailed off.

"Rich? Powerful? Intimidating to everyone except you?" Eva grinned. "It's refreshing. You should have seen his face this morning when he mentioned finding you. I've never seen him so... human."

Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and Lucas appeared in the doorway, dressed in an expensive gray suit.

"Good morning," he said, crossing to the coffee machine. "I see you two have met."

"We have," Eva confirmed. "I like her, Dad. Can we keep her?"

Lucas shot his daughter a warning look, but Amelia found herself laughing, a genuine laugh, the first since everything fell apart.

"I'm not a stray puppy, Eva."

"No, but you do need somewhere to stay." Eva's eyes danced with mischief. "And this place has thirty-two rooms. I counted once when I was bored."

"Eva," Lucas's tone held gentle reproof. "Amelia has a lot to figure out. Don't pressure her."

"I'm not pressuring. I'm encouraging." Eva slid off her stool, grabbing her tablet. "Anyway, I'm meeting friends for lunch. Nice to meet you, Amelia. I hope you'll still be here when I get back."

She kissed her father's cheek and bounced out of the kitchen, leaving a silence behind that felt both awkward and comfortable.

Lucas took Eva's spot at the island. "I apologize for my daughter. She can be... direct."

"Don't apologize. She's wonderful." Amelia meant it. Eva's straightforward manner cut through the fog of her grief.

"She is," Lucas agreed, pride evident in his voice. "Too smart for her own good sometimes. Reminds me of you, actually."

"Me?"

"The way you used to be. Before..."

"Before Richard." The name felt foreign in her mouth now. "Before I gave up everything for a man who tossed me aside."

Lucas winced. "I didn't mean..."

"No, you're right." She pushed her plate away. "I lost myself somewhere along the way."

"And now?" Lucas asked gently.

"Now?" Amelia looked at her hands, at the pale line where her wedding ring had been for twenty years. "Now I have no idea who I am or what I'm supposed to do next."

"You don't have to figure it out today," Lucas said. "Or tomorrow. Or next week."

"I can't stay here, Lucas."

"Why not?"

"Because I need to stand on my own. Get a job, a place to live."

"And you will," Lucas agreed. "But right now, you're in shock. You've lost everything in a single night. Give yourself time to breathe."

His logic was sound, but something still felt wrong. "I don't want to be a charity case."

Lucas set his coffee down, his gaze intense. "Is that what you think this is? Charity?"

"What else would you call it?"

"I call it helping an old friend. I call it doing the decent thing." He paused. "I call it making up for lost time."

"What does that mean?"

Lucas looked away. "Nothing. Just... stay, Amelia. At least until you get your bearings. The east wing is practically empty. You'd be doing Eva a favor, she's always complaining there are no other women here besides Mrs. Parker."

Amelia hesitated. The thought of facing the world, finding a job, an apartment, starting over at forty was overwhelming.

"One week," she said finally. "I'll stay one week. Then I need to start figuring out my life."

Relief washed over Lucas's face. "One week. Although Eva will try to convince you otherwise."

"Your daughter is very persuasive."

"You have no idea." His smile turned wistful. "She gets that from her mother."

"Eva mentioned she died. I'm sorry, Lucas."

Pain flashed in his eyes. "Ten years ago. Breast cancer. We had the best doctors, but..." He shrugged, the gesture containing volumes of grief. "She was gone within six months."

"That must have been awful for both of you."

"It was. I did my best with Eva, but between running the company and raising a grieving child... I made a lot of mistakes."

"She adores you," Amelia said softly. "That much is obvious."

"She's a good kid. Better than I deserve." He cleared his throat. "So, one week. After breakfast, Mrs. Parker will show you around. Make yourself at home."

"Thank you, Lucas. For everything."

His eyes met hers. "You're not alone anymore, Amelia."

The way he said it, with such quiet certainty, made her throat tighten.

"I should get dressed," she said, uncomfortable with the emotion building in her chest. "I can't wander around in a bathrobe all day."

"Mrs. Parker ordered some clothes for you. Nothing fancy, just basics. They should be in your room by now."

"Lucas, you don't have to..."

"Please. Let me do this one thing."

She nodded. "Alright. Thank you."

As she turned to leave, Lucas called after her. "Amelia?"

She paused, looking back.

"For what it's worth, I think Richard was a fool. A damn fool."

The words wrapped around her like a warm blanket, soothing some of the jagged edges of her pain. She nodded and continued out of the kitchen.

Walking back through the hallways, Amelia felt something stir in her chest, something she hadn't felt since the moment Richard walked into the restaurant with Charlotte.

It wasn't happiness. It wasn't even hope. It was smaller, more fragile.

It was possibility.

The possibility that maybe the end of her old life could be the beginning of something new. Something that belonged to her alone.

As she reached her room, Amelia caught her reflection in a gilded mirror. The woman who stared back was still broken, still lost, still grieving.

But for the first time, she didn't look defeated.

One week, she had promised. One week to catch her breath before facing the world again.

What she didn't say, what she barely admitted even to herself, was that a part of her already dreaded leaving the safety of this mansion. Leaving Lucas and Eva, who had shown her more kindness in one day than her own family had in years.

One week. And then she would begin rebuilding her life from the ashes.