Chapter 2

Amelia left the hospital feeling a renewed sense of purpose after her talk with Martha. 

The wise woman's counsel had set her thinking clearly again. 

She would not run or make any rash moves. 

For now, Amelia would pretend to go along with her family's schemes, biding her time until the moment was right to break free on her own terms. 

Arriving back at the imposing Davidson estate, Amelia steeled herself before entering the house.

She found her parents lounging in the study, doubtlessly congratulating themselves on their maneuvers to control her fate. 

Schooling her features into an expression of acquiescence, Amelia addressed them. 

"Mother, Father, I wish to apologize for my outburst earlier. It was foolish of me. I understand now that you only want what is best, and I will respect your arrangements."

Her parents exchanged startled looks, clearly not having expected such ready agreement. 

Her father recovered quickly, giving a smug smile. 

"Well, I'm glad you've come to your senses, daughter. I'll call the Caldwells tonight to finalize the engagement. The wedding can be in a month's time."

Amelia nodded demurely. "As you wish, Father. I only want to make you and Mother proud." 

Inside she felt sick at the charade, but she forced herself to maintain the facade. 

...

After speaking with her parents, Amelia retreated upstairs to her bedroom in a daze. 

As she passed her sister's room, she heard noises coming from within. Her heart dropped more as she figured out what was going on. 

She was with him, Alexander, and they weren't just having a talk.

She quickly rushed to her room and closed the door shut.

Though she had agreed to their plans for her engagement and marriage, inside she was churning with resentment and resistance. 

Sitting heavily on the edge of her bed, Amelia allowed the mask of acquiescence to fall away, tears burning her eyes. 

She felt trapped, a sacrificial pawn offered up to salvage her family's reputation. 

Looking around her opulent, luxurious room, she suddenly felt suffocated by the life of privilege she'd always known. 

For the first time, Amelia realized the gilded cage surrounding her, dictating her choices.

She shook her head bitterly. 

No, she would not be controlled. Amelia vowed to herself that she would only pretend to go along with this farce of an engagement and marriage until the time was right to escape. 

She would endure it with quiet patience on the outside, while secretly plotting her liberation.

Amelia stood and crossed to her window, gazing out over the sprawling grounds of the estate without really seeing them. 

Out there lay a whole world of possibility she had yet to discover, once she could claim her independence.

For now, though, she had to bide her time. Changing into a nightgown, Amelia crawled under the luxurious covers of her bed. 

Staring up at the ornate ceiling, she attempted to calm her whirling mind and racing heart, trying to find some small measure of peace. 

Tomorrow she could continue her plans, but for now she simply needed rest. 

Finally Amelia's eyes drifted shut into a fitful sleep, the image of freedom still flickering like a distant dream behind her closed lids.

...

Morning sunlight filtered into Amelia's room as she awoke from the restless sleep. 

For a moment she forgot where she was, the events of the previous night feeling almost like a terrible dream. 

But as wakefulness settled in, the reality and weight of it all came crashing back down on her. 

Tomorrow, she was expected to meet Harrison Caldwell, the eldest son of the destitute billionaire family her own parents had hastily betrothed her to.

The thought of going through with the charade of a marriage, even temporarily, made Amelia's stomach turn. 

Throwing back the silken covers, she dragged herself out of bed. 

She took extra time getting ready, moving slowly through her normal morning routine as her mind churned. 

Amelia realized just how little she actually knew about her supposed fiancé. 

Harrison was like a phantom - his family notorious but his personal life shrouded in mystery.

She wondered what kind of man he really was. 

Perhaps arrogant and entitled like the rest of the Caldwells, or maybe more humble considering their fall from grace.

Amelia wasn't sure what would be worse - an insufferable braggart or some timid mouse. Neither appealed to her in the least. 

Her phone rang just as she was washing her face. Glancing at it, her stomach knotted when she saw Alexander's name. 

Of all people to call now! After the way he had betrayed her, she never wanted to speak with him again. 

Rejecting the call, she dropped the phone onto the shelf.

Yet just a minute later it rang persistently once more. 

Frustrated but deciding she may as well confront him one last time, Amelia answered the call coldly. 

"What do you want, Alexander?"

He started rambling apologies and excuses. 

Amelia cut him off. "Enough. I don't want to hear it. You made your choice clear." 

Finally he got to the point, Alexander pleaded to meet her at least once more for closure. 

Much as she wished to avoid him entirely, Amelia concluded that final meeting could provide her own needed closure too. 

Through gritted teeth she agreed to see him at a cafe.

After the way he had betrayed her, she had no desire to see him again. 

But some small part of her felt meeting could provide closure, as much as she wished to avoid him entirely. 

Finishing breakfast, she steeled herself as she drove to the Petal Cafe where they had agreed to meet. 

The quaint cafe brought back a rush of memories from happier times with Alexander, now soured by his deception. 

Weaving among the tables, she spotted him right away, leg bouncing nervously. 

Taking a deep breath, she approached and sat down across from him.

Alexander immediately launched into a rambling stream of apologies and excuses. 

Amelia held up a hand to stop him. 

"Enough. Nothing you say can justify what you did. You made your choice clear."

He looked pained by her cold words. "You're right, nothing can justify it," he conceded. 

"I just wanted to apologize in person, for whatever it's worth."

Amelia remained detached and terse as they spoke. 

It was soon clear Alexander merely wanted absolution, but she would not grant it. 

She stood calmly. "Don't contact me again. Consider this the closure you wanted."

With relief, she left the cafe, determined not to see Alexander again. 

The wound still stung deep, but closing that chapter even slightly lifted one burden from Amelia's shoulders. 

Tomorrow she would have to meet Harrison, though she knew little of him beyond his notorious family name. 

Shaking thoughts of them both from her mind, Amelia drove home to resume planning for the future.

...