Chapter 5

The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Amelia awoke to her phone chiming with an incoming text. 

Still bleary eyed, she reached for it and saw a message from Harrison that said simply, "Good morning, I hope you slept well." 

Despite herself, a little smile turned up the corners of her mouth. 

She texted back, "Good morning to you too. I did sleep quite well, thanks." 

After getting ready for the day, her phone rang. Seeing it was Harrison, she felt a now familiar flutter of nerves. 

"Hello Harrison," she greeted him.

"Good morning again," he replied, sounding cheerful. 

"How does meeting for coffee this morning sound?"

"That would be nice," Amelia said. "Why don't we go to the cafe from yesterday? I quite enjoyed it there."

"Excellent idea," Harrison agreed readily. "Shall we say 10 am?" 

They finalized the plans and Amelia couldn't deny she felt lighthearted at the prospect of seeing him again. 

Though hesitant to open up too quickly, she was drawn to continue their engaging conversations.

At the cafe, Harrison stood to pull her chair out as she approached the little table tucked in the corner.

 "It's good to see you again," he said with a smile as they sat.

"You as well," Amelia replied. 

Their easy rapport from the day before picked right up as they settled in with their coffees.

Harrison regarded her thoughtfully. "I feel as though we only scratched the surface yesterday. I'd love to know more about what really makes you who you are."

Buoyed by his genuine interest, Amelia opened up a little. "Well, I enjoy literature, art, fashion design..." She described her hobbies and passions, which Harrison listened to intently, asking thoughtful questions.

After discussing lighter topics for a while, the conversation drifted to deeper matters. 

Sensing her earlier reservations, Harrison gently prompted, "Forgive me if this is too forward, but I'm curious what led to this..." he gestured vaguely, "unconventional situation we now find ourselves in."

Amelia hesitated, but something about his compassionate expression made her want to open up. 

She took a steadying breath. "If I tell you, please know I don't want your pity. Only to shed light on how we arrived here."

Harrison nodded. "Of course. I would never view you as anything less than a strong, intelligent woman, regardless of what happened." 

Reassured by his sincerity, Amelia explained, "Not long ago, I was happily involved with a man named Alexander."

"Our families ran in similar social circles and I thought we were in love." She shook her head ruefully. 

"But I caught him cheating with my own stepsister Isabelle. It completely shattered me."

"I'm so sorry," Harrison said sympathetically. "What an awful betrayal, especially by those close to you."

"It gets worse," Amelia continued grimly.

"After they broke my heart, my parents informed me they were handing control of the family company to Isabelle instead of me, the eldest daughter."

"And then came the pronouncement of this arranged marriage. It felt like everything was ripped away all at once."

Harrison's brow furrowed in concern. "I cannot imagine how devastating that must have been for you."

"Your family should have supported you in that painful time, not heaped on more hurt."

His insight meant more than empty platitudes. "Thank you for understanding," Amelia said quietly. 

"I felt so alone, but I'm realizing I have more strength in me than I knew."

"You certainly do," Harrison agreed. "And though we barely know one another, I hope you'll also consider me an ally, if you wish." He smiled tentatively.  

Amelia returned the smile, cheered by his support.

She was intrigued to get to know this kind, perceptive man more. They continued chatting for another hour about lighter topics before reluctantly parting.

Driving home, Amelia marveled at how comfortable she felt opening up to Harrison. 

Still, she was not ready to disclose her main motive of financial gain for Martha's care. 

Trust would have to be built further before revealing something so vulnerable. 

But the seeds of genuine friendship had been planted. Amelia felt cautiously hopeful about what lay ahead.

...

The late afternoon sun was dipping low as Amelia pulled back up to the imposing Davidson family estate. 

She felt lighter after opening up to Harrison at the cafe. 

It was still difficult to trust after so much betrayal, but something in his gentle demeanor made her want to take the risk.

Entering the grand foyer, Amelia was surprised to find it empty except for Isabella hovering near the staircase. 

She tensed instinctively, guard going up around the stepsister who had played a role in her downfall. 

"Oh, hello Amelia," Isabella said lightly, though her eyes were sharp. 

"How are you doing lately?"

"I'm fine, thank you," Amelia replied politely if not warmly. She moved to ascend the stairs, but Isabella sidled over to impede her.

"Just fine? Not too broken up about dear Alexander anymore?" she probed with faux concern. 

When Amelia didn't take the bait, she switched tactics. "I do wonder sometimes...how it must feel to have lost your man to your own beloved sister?" 

Amelia froze, the callous words hitting their mark. 

Still, she refused to satisfy Isabella's cruelty by reacting openly. "If you'll excuse me, I should be going," she said evenly, attempting again to step past.

But Isabella only pressed further, emboldened by the flicker of pain on Amelia's face. 

"You know, Alexander is quite skilled in bed. The things we did..." she moved closer with a wicked grin.

"Enough!" Amelia interrupted in a pained voice, unable to mask it anymore. She felt laid bare by this assault, all her healing wounds torn open again, second after second.

Sensing victory, Isabella twisted the knife deeper. "Don't worry, soon you'll be out of our lives. Married off to that bankrupt nobody. While I take over everything that should have been yours." She leaned in, smile venomous. 

"Have a lovely life, dear sister."

With that, Isabella breezed past a stunned Amelia and disappeared down the hall. 

...