Amelia knocked softly on the study door.
Silence.
She tried again. Still nothing.
Her fingers tightened around the handle, and she slowly pushed the door open.
The sight inside made her freeze.
Irelia stood in front of Aldric, her face red, she looks furious while Aldric leaned back in his chair, calm and unreadable.
"WHY ARE YOU TREATING AMELIA LIKE THAT?!" Irelia screamed.
Before Amelia could react, Irelia snatched the lamp beside her and hurled it at Aldric. It crashed against his desk, making Amelia gasp.
"Irelia?!" Amelia cried.
But the girl didn't even look at her.
"I accepted her as my mom!" Irelia shouted, voice trembling. "So why did you bring another woman here?!"
Aldric's jaw clenched, but he remained silent.
"You embarrassed me this morning!" she continued, tears gathering. "I told her she was the first woman you ever brought home and then you bring a second one? Amelia is my only mother. Don't ever… EVER… introduce another woman to me."
She spun around, ready to storm out, only to stop dead in her tracks.
Her eyes landed on Amelia at the doorway.
Irelia stiffened. "M-Mom… how long have you been there?"
Before Amelia could answer, Aldric said dryly, "Long enough to watch you throw a lamp at me."
Irelia's cheeks flamed. You couldn't even warn me? she cursed silently.
Trying to recover, she forced a stiff smile. "I… I was angry."
Amelia walked over and gently touched her shoulder. "It's okay. I understand."
Then she smiled warmly at her. "And… thank you for standing up for me."
Amelia opened her mouth, wanting to clarify that she wasn't in any relationship with Aldric but when she met Irelia's hopeful eyes, she swallowed the explanation.
Better she doesn't know…
Aldric crossed his arms, studying Amelia. "Did you need something?"
"Yes" she said softly.
Irelia turned to leave, but Amelia gently stopped her. "Wait. Stay. You need to hear this too."
Irelia blinked, then stayed by her side.
Amelia drew a breath. "I'll be away for a week."
Irelia's eyes widened. "Is it because of the incident that happened this morning?"
"No" Amelia said quickly. "It has nothing to do with that. Something urgent came up. Something I have to take care of."
Irelia frowned but nodded slowly. "Okay…"
Amelia started to turn, intending to walk out with her. But Aldric's voice cut through the room.
"Irelia. Close the door. I want to speak with your mom alone."
Amelia froze.
Mom?
Did he… just call her that?
Irelia looked confused but obeyed, slipping out and closing the door behind her.
Silence settled.
Aldric stood and walked toward Amelia, stopping only inches away.
"Come here" he said quietly.
Amelia swallowed and stepped closer.
He reached out and held her cheeks, lifting her face toward his.
"Are you trying to run?" he asked, soft voice, sharp eyes.
"N-No" Amelia whispered. "My aunt… she's being discharged tomorrow. I have to take care of her for a week before her surgery."
Aldric searched her face, unreadable. The silence between them felt tight, heavy.
At last, he released her and stepped back.
"Fine" he said. "But your pay will be deducted."
Amelia blinked. "Deducted…?"
"And" Aldric continued, voice low and firm, "you will do anything I tell you to do. Anything."
Amelia lowered her gaze. "Okay."
She didn't argue. She didn't have the strength to.
Without another word, she turned and left the room. Her footsteps were slow, heavy, her heart beating unevenly as she made her way back to her room.
Amelia folded her clothes neatly into her suitcase, each movement slow and heavy. Her mind kept replaying everything from earlier, Aldric, Irelia, Zoe. She exhaled shakily and tugged the zipper halfway closed.
Knock. Knock.
She paused, turning toward the door.
When she opened it, Irelia stood there hugging a soft pillow, her hair sticking out in all directions.
"Mom… can I come in?" she asked quietly, eyes wide and hopeful.
Amelia's heart melted. "Of course."
Irelia stepped inside, clutching the pillow like it was her lifeline. "Mom" she whispered, "can I sleep with you tonight? Please?"
Amelia parted her lips, ready to gently say no, but then Irelia tilted her head just slightly, those puppy eyes shining up at her.
Amelia sighed in defeat. "Alright. Come in."
Irelia's entire face lit up. "Yay!" She hugged Amelia tightly before hopping onto the bed and burrowing under the blankets with her pillow.
Amelia switched off the light and lay down beside her.
They rested there in the soft glow of the night lamp, eyes closed but not sleepy.
After a moment, Amelia whispered, "You can't sleep?"
"No" Irelia replied immediately. "What about you?"
Amelia let out a small laugh. "Me neither."
Irelia turned toward her. "Mom… I'm sorry about earlier."
Amelia blinked. "Sorry? Why?"
"For shouting at Dad." Irelia lowered her gaze. "But I couldn't let anyone treat you like that."
Amelia's chest tightened, touched. "Thank you" she said softly. "It means a lot."
Irelia scooted closer and wrapped her arms around her. "Anything for you, Mommy."
Amelia smiled and hugged her back. "Go to sleep."
"Mmhm" Irelia murmured, already smiling into her shoulder.
Eventually, they drifted off.
The next morning
When Amelia woke, the space beside her was empty. Irelia was already gone.
She got up, washed, dressed, and checked her suitcase one last time. She needed to clean Zoe's house before picking her up from the hospital.
Dragging her suitcase quietly downstairs, she reached the door when…
"Mommy!!"
Amelia froze.
Irelia came rushing toward her, nearly tripping over her slippers, and hugged her waist tightly.
"You were going to leave without telling me!" she accused, lips pushed out in the cutest pout.
Amelia laughed nervously. "No, I just didn't know where you were."
Irelia huffed, then thrust a warm takeout box into her hands. "Eat this on your way. If it gets cold, it won't taste nice."
Amelia accepted it with both hands. "Yes, ma'am."
Irelia quickly unlocked her phone. "Mom, I don't have your number."
"Oh!" Amelia took the phone and typed it in. "There."
Irelia saved it immediately, smiling proudly. "Now you must answer my calls."
"I will" Amelia promised.
She glanced around, no sign of Aldric, not even nearby guards except the one by the car.
She turned back to Irelia. "Goodbye, sweetheart."
"Come back soon!" Irelia waved, bouncing on her toes.
Amelia got into the car.
"Where to, Miss?" the guard asked.
"Please drop me at the nearest bus stop."
"Yes, Miss."
As the car moved, Amelia opened the takeout box. Warm steam drifted up, and she took a small bite.
Her chest tightened.
She's too sweet…
Amelia looked out the window, chewing slowly as the mansion disappeared behind her.