Amelia’s POVBlair squeezed my hand. "You're not being foolish, Amelia. It's natural to let your guard down when you connect with someone. But this whole situation with Jenna… yeah, it's a major curveball.""Exactly," I said, wiping away a stray tear with the back of my hand. "I don't even know what to think.""He did apologize, right?" Blair pressed gently."Yes," I admitted. "He said he messed up."Blair squeezed my shoulder gently. "You know, you don't have to rush into anything," she said. "Take your time to process this. Talk to Eddie when you're ready, but don't let him pressure you."I nodded again, a wave of gratitude washing over me for having Blair by my side. "I know," I said. "It's just… I thought things were going so well with him. We just confessed our feelings for each other, and now this.""Yeah, it's definitely a curveball," Blair agreed. "But listen Amelia," she said, her voice firm now, "you deserve someone who is honest with you, someone who respects you. And if Ed
Amelia’s POV"How did you...?"The door to the room swung open before I could finish my question, revealing a tall figure with a tired but relieved smile on his face. It was Dad. He looked older, his face etched with worry lines that hadn't been there before. But his eyes, when they met mine, held a warmth that instantly calmed my racing heart."Hey, sweetheart," he said, his voice gruff with emotion. He crossed the room in a few long strides and pulled me into a tight hug. The familiar scent of his aftershave and the calloused strength of his arms brought back a flood of childhood memories."Dad," I mumbled, burying my face in his shirt. Seeing him, after weeks of being on a business trip, brought a fresh wave of relief. He was here now, back by my side and Mom's.He squeezed me tight, his voice thick with emotion. "I just got back this morning. They told me you were here, so I rushed straight up."Pulling back slightly, I looked up at him, a million questions swirling in my head. "B
Amelia's POVI laughed, a genuine sound that filled the sterile hospital room. Despite the tension of the conversation, it was comforting to know Dad still had my back, ready to step in like a knight in shining armor if needed.Just then, a knock on the door interrupted our moment. It creaked open to reveal a tall man in a crisp white coat, his face etched with a mixture of seriousness and professional optimism. It was Dr. Davies, Mom's new oncologist."Amelia, Mr. Johnson," he greeted us with a warm smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "May I come in?""Of course, Doctor," Dad said, gesturing him inside.Dr. Davies pulled up a chair and settled in, his gaze moving between us in a way that suggested he knew about our recent conversation, or at least sensed the emotional undercurrent in the room."I have some news," he began, his voice gentle yet firm. "We've been closely monitoring Mrs. Johnson's response to the new treatment plan, and I'm happy to report that there are some posi
Amelia’s POV"It's understandable," Dad said, putting an arm around my shoulder. "It's been a lot to process for all of us."He was right. The positive news about Mom's treatment, coupled with the conversation about Eddie, had left me feeling emotionally drained."That was… good news," Dad finally said, his voice tinged with awe."It was," I agreed, a smile stretching across my face. "The best news we could have hoped for."We walked for a few moments in companionable silence before Dad spoke again. "So," he began hesitantly, "about what you were saying earlier…"My smile faltered slightly. I knew what he was referring to – Eddie and the whole ex-wife situation."Yeah," I mumbled, kicking a pebble down the sidewalk."Look," Dad continued, his voice gentle, "I'm not going to tell you what to do. But whatever you decide, just make sure you're making the decision for the right reasons. Don't settle for something less than you deserve, Amelia. You're strong and independent, and you have a
Jenna’s POVMy eyes narrowed at James' accusation. He was right, of course. Her sudden appearance, the calculated sweetness towards Chloe – it was all a carefully crafted performance aimed at worming her way back into Eddie's life. But to have it called out so blatantly by a mere assistant irked me.A sharp laugh escaped my lips, tinged with a bitterness that surprised even me. "Worm my way back in? Please, James. Like Eddie ever truly left?"His jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he might actually take a swing at me. His loyalty to Eddie was admirable, even if it was a little misplaced."That's a matter of opinion," he finally growled, his voice strained."Oh, honey," I drawled, stepping closer to him and lowering my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Let's not pretend we both don't know the truth. The business, the stress, the constant travel – it all took its toll. Eddie needed an escape, a release, and that's where I came in."His fists tightened at his sides, and I knew I
Eddie’s POVI also noticed the sugary drink staining Chloe's pajamas – something that would never have happened under Amelia's watchful eye.A wave of anger washed over me, replacing the initial flicker of hope. This wasn't bedtime storytelling; it was a sugar-fueled sugar rush before bedtime, a recipe for a restless night and a cranky morning.Clearing my throat, I stepped into the room. Both Chloe and Jenna jumped, startled. The book clattered to the floor, scattering colorful pages across the carpet."Daddy!" Chloe exclaimed, a wide smile spreading across her face."Hey, princess," I said, forcing a smile. My gaze flicked to Jenna, who stood there looking flustered, a strand of hair clinging to her brightly painted lips."Eddie," she said, her voice strained. "You're back.""That's clear," I replied, my tone clipped. "What's going on here?""I was just reading Chloe a story," Jenna stammered, picking up the book and dusting it off."A story about princesses and unicorns with q
Jenna’s POVAfter cleaning up Chloe’s room, I tiredly made my way downstairs. Nothing could have ever prepared me for how energetic a child could be and how exhausting it is trying to keep up with them.The house was quiet now, an unsettling silence that contrasted the earlier whirlwind of bedtime stories and sugar highs.Following a sliver of light emanating from beneath the closed study door, I found Eddie slumped over his desk, a half-empty bottle of whiskey keeping him company. A flicker of concern warred with a surge of anger. Here he was, drowning his sorrows with alcohol, while I, the responsible one, had been the one putting Chloe to bed.Pushing the door open a crack, I called out hesitantly, "Eddie?"My voice echoed in the stillness of the room, but he didn't stir. He looked awful, his usually neatly styled hair mussed, his tie loosened, and his face etched with a combination of fatigue and despair. There was something in his hand. It was an old picture, an extremely old one
Jenna’s POVA wave of exhaustion washed over me. Tonight had been emotionally draining, a complex web of manipulation, genuine concern, and a healthy dose of self-preservation.Reaching down, I picked up the empty whiskey bottle and tucked it discreetly behind a stack of books on the nightstand. One last glance at Eddie's sleeping form, and I turned to leave.A shrill ringtone shattered the silence, jolting me back. Startled, I glanced at the bedside table – Eddie's phone was flashing on silent, the name "Amelia" glowing accusingly on the screen.A cold dread slithered down my spine. Amelia calling at this hour? It couldn't be good. My mind raced, a whirlwind of possibilities flickering through my head. Was she calling to apologize? To check on him? Or worse, did she suspect something was amiss?For a fleeting moment, I considered letting the call go to voicemail. But the actress in me, the one who thrived on drama and manipulation, took over. This was an opportunity, a chance to furt