Amelie gawked, confusion written all over her face.Did she just hear right?"W-wait, I'm sorry, but what did you just say?" Amelie questioned, needing to clarify if what she heard was correct.Florence grinned brightly and said. "You're our team leader. Or did you not know?""Huh?""I knew you were a genius and all, but not the type to be air-headed." Florence turned around and picked up the attendant roster from the table, handing it to Amelie so that she could see what position each person occupied. And she was indeed listed as the team leader...the head doctor."Or did Director Arthur not inform you of this?" Florence questioned further when realizing the sheer surprise on Amelie's face."Uh...not exactly." Amelie responded with a light chuckle.From the corner of the room, the vice captain, Diana, scoffed in disbelief, muttering underneath her breath. "I knew those f*cking rumors were too good to be true."Amelie who had caught on, immediately felt the mood around her dampen, cau
Amelie shook her head and scoffed. The so called 'information' that Diana had claimed to have gathered was nothing more than untrue rumors put together by only God knows Who."Where did you hear such baseless claims?" Amelie asked, tilting her head to the side to size up the girl who had her chest puffed out in an arrogant manner."Baseless? It's true and you know it.""Do I? After all, this news to me." Amelie retorted."Oh, now you're playing dumb, aren't you? What a great way to defend yourself." Diana spat, her eyes glued into a hard glare, the edges of her mouth curved downwards in a deep frown.Amelie inhaled to calm her nerves and not succumb to the temptation to slap the hell out of this rude brat. "You're lying and I know it!""Listen, whatever it is that you've heard, you can choose to believe or not, but I can *ssure you that none of them are true."Diana's eyes widened in pure anger and she was ready to go off at Amelie when the conference room door opened and in stepped F
Amelie stared at the screen of her phone as it rang with a call from an unknown number. Although the number wasn't saved on her phone, she knew who was calling. This was because she had found and installed on her phone an app that showed the caller's registered information even if the number isn't saved on her phone.Thanks to this, she knew exactly who was calling.Chloe Arnuad. The wicked witch of the south west.After staring at the phone for a few seconds, her lips curved into a frown and she pressed the green icon, answering the call."What do You want?" She asked in a rather bored manner, not wanting to entertain any sort of conversation with someone like Chloe."Now is that anyway to greet your dearest stepsister, Amelie?""Cut the crap. Get to the point." Amelie spat and sighed in annoyance, pinching the bridge of her nose."Fine, fine." Chloe responded and giggled. "I want us to meet up."Amelie scoffed. "Yeah, right, so that this time around you guys are going to what? Sell
The weekend had breezed by rather quickly.Amelie returned to work on Monday feeling surprisingly tired.Florence who was just coming back from the lab, spotted her and greeted. "Morning Doc, how was you weekend?""Oh, hi Florence." Amelie greeted back. "My weekend was okay, what about yours?""Just there. And oh, I've ran the test on the blood samples as you requested." She informed."That's great. Have the results sent to my office." Amelie instructed."Sure thing, Doc." Florence said. "By the way, are you okay?""Yeah, I'm fine." Amelie said."Are you sure? Because you seem a little off." Florence pointed out and Amelie shook her head."Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine.""Okay, well, then, have a nice day.""You too." Amelie responded and headed towards the director's office, as he wanted to see her."Good morning, Director." She greeted after stepping in."Ah, Ms. Arnaud. Please, sit."Amelie nodded her head and sat down."How's the new team treating you? You must have been surpris
Benjamin was the one who suggested that they grab a bite to eat, as a result, Amelie led him towards her favorite restaurant.They chatted on the way, Amelie telling him everything she had experienced while working at Kurenia international hospital and Benjamin talking about his adventures in Germany.They arrived at the restaurant and each settled down in their chairs, ordering delicacies that catered to their needs. While their food was being prepared, Benjamin initiated yet another chat."So, this is where you've decided on settling down in?" He asked, glancing around the surrounding environment to prove his point."Yeah. The people are nice, the environment is pleasant, and the work is rewarding.""So, it's your dreamland, huh."Amelie paused for a moment before nodding her head. "Yeah, I guess you can say that." She mused."Guess?" Benjamin asked, concern etched in his face. He suddenly reached forward and placed his hand over Amelie's. "Amy, you don't have to force yourself to s
Amelie walked beside Benjamin as the two made their way back towards the hospital.As they walked, Amelie talked and talked and talked, telling her friend everything that had happened and how her life was going, while Benjamin listened.When they finally arrived, Amelie led her friend up to her office, and Benjamin settled down on the sofa, waiting for Amelie to return from work.While waiting for her, his eyes took a look at his surroundings and a small smile tugged his lips.'This is where Amy spends most of her time huh. It's quite a beautiful place.' He thought and stood up, deciding to take a better look at his friend’s workspace.As he was checking out her bookshelf, the door suddenly opened and Amelie walked in, followed by Florence."Hello," Florence gave a little wave at him."Oh, hello." Benjamin returned her greeting."Florence here has to pick up some test results, she'd be gone as soon as she has them." Amelie informed Benjamin, but he instantly objected."No, there's no
Odette stalked along the halls of Zacharie's house with her fingernails caught in between her teeth. She had quietly snuck away after hearing Eric's conversation.Eric's words were still echoing in her head, causing a whirlwind of thoughts to form inside her mind.'If it was her blood, then that would explain a lot of things.' She thought. 'That would also explain why Zacharie has been frequenting the hospital but he said he hadn't seen another. He lied? Why did he lie? Is it because he tasted her blood and realized it has the same effect as the bagged ones I feed him? Does that mean he no longer has any need for me? Does that mean he's going to soon throw me away?' The thought brought her walk to a halt.A shiver ran down her spine, the thought of losing Zacharie to someone else, made her sick.'No,' She thought. 'That can't happen, it can't, I won't let that happen.'Amelie might be the one with the special blood, but she was his fiancee! His future wife! The position of Mrs. LaCroi
"You're... you're leaving?" Odette questioned as Zacharie threw on his coat and began walking towards the door.She quickly got in his way, blocking his path from leaving."What are you doing, Odette?" Zacharie asked impatiently."Where are you going?""I've got a pressing matter to attend to. Get out of my way." He ordered, trying to move her aside.However, Odette did not budge, she just stared at him, her eyes begging him to stay.He however, ignored the look in her eyes and shoved her out of the way, causing her to stagger a bit, but fortunately not losing her balance."I've participated in the dinner you fooled my grandmother to arrange. My job here's done, so I best not see you here when I get back."He said and without another word, or so much as looking back at her, he left.Odette who was left alone, tasted bitterness in her mouth that she was forced to swallow while blinking back the tears that pricked at the corners of her eyes."This isn't fair." She muttered to herself, c
Florida was a place more comfortable than Amelie could have expected. It had sunny beaches and humble neighbors and fresh air.Although it could not hold a candle when being compared to the beauty of Paris, she was growing to love it here and it was growing on her children as much as it was growing on her.Two years, Amelie and the twins has been living in Florida for the past two years, and in these two years, she had managed to find a job and earn a lot of money and even opened her own hospital.The children were enrolled in a private elementary school each in their final years of elementary and they were having a blast.It was perfect and Amelie couldn't be more happier.At least, that's what she wanted to believe.She had a feeling her happiness was yet to come, but for now, this would have to do."Mommy, when's dinner?" Miguel asked as he stepped into the living area, Marco following closely behind.Marco was the German shepherd they had adopted upon moving to Florida. Amelie had
The week following the whole disastrous event was unnaturally peaceful.Amelie didn't complain as it gave her enough time to secretly look for a new place for she and the twins without them knowing anything about it and it also gave her enough time to gather her things and once again, secretly some of their.The reason why she was doing things in secret from them was because the last time they had moved from England back to France, the twins had thrown a fit, refusing to leave after just settling down perfectly in their new school.And right now, it was a silly case of Deja Vu.“Not gonna go around and say your farewells." Florence asked as she slipped Into Amelie office while she was packing the last of her things."I'd rather not." Amelie replied, glancing around."Well, at least bid me goodbye." Florence said and opened her arm for a hug.Amelie chuckled and went in, encasing the younger female in a p*ssionate hug for a few seconds before dressing back."You'll make an amazing team
Amelie arrived home later than day with a puffy face and red eyes.The lights were off and the house was quiet.It was obvious that Miguel and Michelle were fast asleep. Gently tip toeing over to their room, she cracked the door open slightly and stepped inside, seating at the edge of their bed and stroking their head gently, not wanting to wake them."Michelle, Miguel, mommy won't be able to make your wish come true. You won't be able to have Zacharie LaCroix as your new daddy." She whispered."Mommy will be the only one to be there for you from now on." She promised, the words leaving a sour taste in her mouth.She didn't want to be the only one, she wanted Miguel and Michelle to have a happy family. Just like the dream she had of them all being in one big happy house."I'm sorry, guys."As she apologized, a tear rolled down her cheek and landed on the bedsheet, staining the fabric.Wiping the remaining tears, Amelie leaned forward and kissed her children's forehead, smiling slightl
Zacharie was stunned to hear what she was saying.Eight years ago?He had forced himself on her? Had they met the first time back in the scan room?That didn’t make sense.He hadn’t even been in any woman ever since that night and that woman had committed suicide, had she not?“what the h*ll are you talking about, Amelie?” He finally asked, his brows deepen in confusion.“Don’t play innocent with me, Zacharie. I saw the tape. I know it was you.” She said, taking a step forward and jabbing her index finger into his chest.Zacharie’s eye twitched and he grabbed her hand. “Look, I don’t know what kind of nonsense you’re spewing, I haven’t slept with any woman in eight years, not even Odette.”“Liar.” She sneered and ripped her hand out of his grip. “You’re a lying scumbag. I’m not the only one that knows the truth.”“The truth?”“That you tainted an innocent girl, Zacharie. That night, I begged you to stop. I knew nothing of my step mother and sister’s plot and I begged you, I tried reas
"Zacharie LaCroix." Amelie uttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Zacharie LaCroix..."As the video continued, and showed the two of them leaving the hotel, Amelie remained speechless, her mind a mess and her body unmoving.Her thoughts were jumbled and she felt the need to throw up.How could she not have seen it?It was obvious from the beginning.Now that she thought hard about it, Miguel was similar to Zacharie in some ways. The mole underneath his eyes, the same eye colors and even Michelle had some similarities to him.They both shared the same blood diseases.Like father like daughter.Just the thought of that alone almost made Amelie throw up."Oh my God." She breathed, finally standing up.Her legs were shaking, her hands trembling and she was sure her heart was beating fast."Calm down." She whispered to herself. "Calm down, it's not real. There has to be an explanation for all of this." She re*ssured herself and stood up, stumbling ever so slightly in her steps and nea
Zacharie kept true to his words, because two days after the entire incident, he showed up at the hospital, ready to begin or at least finalize the procedure of his new treatment plan."So, how is this going to work?" Zacharie asked, leaning back in the chair as he stared at Amelie."Well, the plan is very simple and straightforward, and very easy to execute." Amelie explained. "We'll have you come here and inject a serum I will prepare. This will be a one time process and will only last about thirty minutes.""One time?""Yes." She confirmed. "The serum is simply to cleanse your inner system. After that, a blood transfusion would follow.""I see. And then?""After the transfusion, there will be a period of recovery and rehabilitation, but it's not really necessary. We can skip that step. I'll provide you with some tablets that will help with the process and that will be all." She concluded."However, there is just one problem.""What is it?" Zacharie asked, sensing the worry in her vo
"This is all your fault." Odette accused, turning to glare at Amelie. "I hope you're happy now. You ruined everything. Not only did you cost me my engagement, you also had the guts to show up in such a revealing dress and try to seduce my fiance. What a shameful b*tch.""Odette that's enough!" Zacharie fiercely demanded. "Haven't you done enough?""You're right. I have. And I'm sorry. It was just... vitamins I slipped in. I went to the doctors the other day and they recommended some vitamins for you. But I knew you wouldn't take anything that has not been prescribed by your doctor so I tried to slip it in. I'm really sorry." Odette begged."Just vitamins, huh?" Zacharie asked and snapped his finger. Instantly, Eric appeared with the gl*ss of wine and handed it to Zacharie. "If you say so, then drink it.""W-what?""Drink it." Zacharie repeated."I-""I'm sure there's no harm if it's just a few vitamins.""Zach, are you kidding? It's a full gl*ss.""It is. But if it's just vitamins, li
"This drink is contaminated?" Zacharie questioned. "What do you mean by that?""Well the thing is..." Amelie began, looking like she was hesitant to speak. "The thing is..."Before she could complete her word this time around, Odette quickly took her hand and dragged her away."What are you doing? Let go." Amelie demanded, trying to pull her hand free.Odette did not comply until they were separated from the crowd, standing someplace near the balcony."What are you doing?" Amelie asked once more."I could say the same for you." Odette challenged, folding her hand over her chest."What?" Amelie blinked twice, not understanding."Why did you say that the drink is contaminated? What's your purpose for lying?""I didn't lie." Amelie retorted, clearly remembering what she has seen when she stepped out of the balcony.Odette had dropped something into the wine gl*ss, and although Amelie couldn't figure out what exactly it was, she wasn't about to just let Zacharie drink whatever concoction
Over the weekend and until she was discharged, Amelie continuously told herself not to misunderstand Zacharie's words.He had only said all that in a bid to calm the rowdy twins down and it meant nothing.She continued to tell herself that, dissuading both her heart and head from growing any sort of attachment to the words that meant nothing. That reality however, was smacked even harder in her face as the day she got discharged and went home, she was met with an invitation letter from Odette.Her birthday was tomorrow and Zacharie was holding a banquet for her and she had been invited.Staring at the letter in her hand, Amelie felt sore. She had nearly forgotten the fact that Zacharie had a fiancée who loved him very much.Not only that, she was pretty and kind and everything in all that could make a perfect wife. Unlike her, an already spoilt product.Amelie gritted her teeth at the comparison. Why was it angering her so much?Why did it have to do with her if Odette was a perfect w