Aldric's gaze swept over Amelia the moment she reached the bottom of the stairs.
His voice was calm. "Where are you going?"
Amelia adjusted the strap of her bag. "To the hospital."
Irelia, who'd been sprawled on the couch, sat up straight. "Hospital? Are you sick?" Her small voice shook with worry.
Amelia managed a soft smile. "No, sweetheart. I'm okay. I just need to check on something."
Before she could say more, her eyes flicked to the woman clinging to Aldric's arm. The woman tightened her hold, her perfume drifting through the air like a challenge. Something in Amelia tightened in response. Her hands curled into fists at her sides.
Aldric noticed. His mouth curved into a slow smile.
Without acknowledging the woman on his arm, he snapped his fingers at a nearby guard. "Take her to the hospital. Wait for her. Bring her back when she's done."
"Yes, Master " the guard replied instantly.
Aldric didn't look at Amelia again. He turned away, disappearing into his room with the woman glued to his side. The door closed behind them with a soft click.
Amelia exhaled, steadying herself, then turned to Irelia. "I'll be back soon, okay?"
"Okay…" Irelia nodded, but her smile was tight and forced.
Amelia's chest ached, but she didn't want to make things heavier for the girl. She gave her one last gentle smile before stepping outside and getting into the waiting car.
The moment Amelia was out of sight, Irelia's expression shifted. Her eyes hardened as they drifted toward her father's room. Her tiny fists clenched, mirroring Amelia's from moments earlier.
But then she swallowed it all down, forced on a bright, fake smile, and settled back onto the couch.
She turned up the volume of her show and pretended nothing was wrong.
Even though everything was.
Amelia stared out the window as the car sped down the road.Her reflection in the glass looked distant like she wasn't fully in her own body.
Who was that woman?
The way she clung to Aldric…And worse, the way he let her.
And they went into his room.His room.The same room he forbade her from entering.The same room he once said was off-limits to everyone…including her.
A dull pressure spread across Amelia's chest. She pressed a hand there, confused.What is this feeling? Why does it hurt?
"Miss Amelia, we've arrived" the guard said.
She blinked herself back to reality and nodded. "Thank you."
Inside the hospital, she hurried through the corridors, nearly running to Zoe's doctor's office. She sat down, hands clasped so tightly her fingers trembled.
The doctor sighed. "Miss Amelia… Zoe will need surgery to remove the tumor in her brain."
Amelia's eyes widened. She leaned forward. "Is it the money? If it's the money, I'll find it. Just tell me how much"
The doctor's expression softened with a pity that made her stomach twist.
"Miss Amelia… what your aunt needs right now isn't money. She needs you. She's been here for months. We'll discharge her for a week. Please take her home, stay with her, then bring her back."
Amelia swallowed hard. "Can she be discharged tomorrow?"
"Of course" the doctor replied gently.
She stood to leave, but her steps felt heavy.
When she reached Zoe's ward and saw her aunt sleeping peacefully, something in her loosened painfully, like a crack spreading through her chest. She stood silently at the doorway, fighting the burn behind her eyes.
She turned to leave before she broke completely.
"Amelia…?"
Zoe's weak voice pulled her back. Amelia froze, quickly wiping her eyes before turning.
Zoe was already struggling to sit up.
Amelia rushed over. "Don't move. Let me help."
Zoe settled back against the pillows and studied her face. "Why were you crying?"
Amelia forced a smile. "I wasn't."
"You can't lie to me" Zoe murmured. "I may be sick, but I'm not blind."
Her gaze flicked to Amelia's bag. "Where's the food you brought last time?"
Amelia blinked. "Ah… I didn't stop at the shop. I came straight here."
Zoe sighed, then asked the question she already knew the answer to. "The doctor told you, didn't he?"
Amelia's lips trembled. "Yes."
Her voice cracked, and the tears broke free again.
"Don't worry, Zoe" she whispered, gripping her hand. "You'll be fine. The surgery will be successful. Everything will be alright. I swear."
Zoe watched her quietly before smiling.
"You know… you look really ugly when you cry."
Amelia let out a laugh and grabbed a tissue, wiping her face.
"The doctor said you'll be discharged for a week" she said. "You're coming home with me. I'll pick you up tomorrow."
Zoe nodded. "Alright."
Amelia squeezed her hand one more time, then stood. "Rest well. I'll see you tomorrow."
Outside the ward, she took a long breath, trying to gather herself before returning to the car waiting for her.
Her heart still felt unbearably heavy… and she wasn't sure if it was just because of Zoe or because of Aldric.
On the way home, Amelia kept her face cap pulled low, hiding her face as silent tears slipped down her cheeks. She angled her head toward the window, using the brim to shield her expression so the guard wouldn't notice.
She pressed her lips together, trying to steady her uneven breaths.
Why does everything feel so heavy today…?
As the car neared the estate gate, she rummaged through her bag and pulled out a small wiper. She dabbed her eyes carefully, erasing every trace of tears. Then she inhaled deeply, forcing herself to look composed.
When the car stopped, she pushed the door open and stepped out.
The compound was unusually quiet.
No Irelia running around.No guards patrolling.No voices.No footsteps.
Just stillness.
Amelia's chest tightened. "Where is everyone…?" she whispered.
She walked into the house, her soft footsteps echoing through the empty living room. The silence felt cold, almost suffocating.
She exhaled slowly and headed upstairs, each step feeling heavier.
When she reached Aldric's study, her hand hovered in the air. She stared at the door, uncertainty curling up her spine.
Should I knock? Should I even face him after everything?
But her knuckles still rose.
Tok. Tok. Tok.
Her heart thudded painfully as she waited, not knowing what or who might be on the other side.