Chapter 7

Amelia's POV

I wasn't sure of what to do. I didn't know where to turn to, I could only go to my father. The only home left for me. 

I got to the front gate of the house I had once called home, I was exhausted. Every step felt heavy, my heart weighed down by confusion and dread. 

Every bit of me, and every part of me, it all looked like I absorbed some filthy possession that isn't mine and it became a burden. 

I had been gone for a while, yes, but I thought they would at least welcome me back. I could feature somewhere if not everywhere. If they killed my family and took away everything I owned, then they should provide one for me.

I took my chances to knock on the door, there was no response and I knocked harder, Matilda opened the door. 

Her expression was cold, her lips a thin line as if she had been waiting for the moment to send me away. The moment to run my pain with salt. 

“Please… I want to come in” I said, giving the fact that she didn't move like she wanted me to be inside.

“You can’t come in,” she said firmly, blocking the entrance with her body.

I frowned. “What are you talking about? This is my home. You can't just send me away, let me talk to my dad ”

“It was,” she replied, her tone sharp. “Your father doesn’t want you here anymore.”

Her words cut through me like a knife. I gripped the doorframe for support. “What? Where is he? I need to talk to him.”

“He has left,” she said flatly, not even sparing me a look of sympathy. “He said you’re on your own now.”

I couldn’t believe it. My father, the man I had always counted on, had abandoned me? My mind raced with questions, but I could see from Matilda’s expression that there was no use arguing.

I turned away, tears stinging my eyes as I tried to make sense of what was happening.  

But there was one person who might have the answers, the person that betrayed me without thinking twice. 

“I'd go to him” I thought, he needed to explain to me why he did that to me. Why he cheated on me, betrayed me and left me miserable.

It was late when I arrived at Damien’s estate. The towering stone walls loomed over me as I marched toward his chambers.

I didn’t care about decorum or the guards who gave me strange looks. I needed to know why he had done this to me.

Why had he pushed me out of his life and humiliated me in front of everyone?  Even if he wanted to, he could have told me why. 

When I reached his chamber door, I didn’t knock. I shoved it open, my chest heaving with anger and heartbreak.  

“Damien, I need to…..”  

The words died in my throat as I took in the scene before me.  

There he was, sitting casually on the edge of his bed. And next to him was Freya. Her laughter filled the room, soft and mocking, as if she had won some unspoken game. She leaned close to him, her hand resting on his shoulder.  

My heart stopped. Jealousy and rage bubbled up inside me, burning through the sadness I had felt just moments ago.  

Freya stood up slowly, her eyes narrowing as she saw me. “What are you doing here? Do you think you can just walk in the way you want?” she yelled,  her voice dripping with disdain.  

“I’m here to talk to Damien,” I said, barely able to keep my voice steady. “This has nothing to do with you, Freya. So, stay out of it.”  

She scoffed, stepping toward me. “Nothing to do with me? Everything about you has been my problem since the day I arrived. Did you forget? I had to be the second one because of you. Even if I finally earned my father's love and has now preceeded yours, I could do whatever I want to you. So, you keep your mouth shut! ”  

Before I could respond, she lunged at me. Her hand shot out, aiming for my face, but I dodged her just in time.  

“You’re insane!” I shouted, grabbing her wrist to stop her next attack. She snarled, her free hand clawing at my arm. “You don’t belong here, Amelia! You never did!”  

The fight escalated quickly. Freya was vicious, but I had spent too much time letting people push me around. Not today. I shoved her back, and she stumbled, her eyes blazing with fury.  

She came at me again, but this time, I was ready. I grabbed her arm and twisted, forcing her to cry out in pain. She tried to kick me, but I sidestepped and used her momentum to throw her to the ground.  

“Enough!” Damien’s voice boomed across the room as he rushed toward us. He grabbed my arm, pulling me away from Freya.  

But as he held me back, Freya’s eyes darted to the sword hanging on the wall.  

“No!” I shouted, realizing what she was about to do.  

She grabbed the blade, her movements quick and determined. Before I could react, she turned and drove it into my side.  

“Freya, don't!” Damien stopped her, but it was too late. Blood was dripping from my stomach. 

I felt really weak, it looked like the whole of my existence had vanished immediately I felt that sharp blade slide into me. 

The pain was slow and excruciating. I gasped, stumbling backward as the room spun around me. 

My hands clutched at the wound, warm blood seeping through my fingers.  

“Why?” I whispered, my voice weak and trembling. I looked at Freya, struggling to stay on my feet. “Why did you do this?”  

Her expression was cold, devoid of any remorse. “Because you ruin everything and you're trying to ruin it more by coming here. You killed yourself, Amelia,” she spat.  

I felt my knees give way, and I collapsed to the floor. The last thing I saw was Damien’s horrified face as he shouted my name, but his voice seemed so far away.  

“Why, Freya?” I whispered one last time, my vision fading to black.