"Mr... Mr LaCroix? W-why are you here?" Amelie asked, pulling the towel around her body tighter. "Close...close your eyes." She ordered, trying to sound confident, but failing miserably.Zacharie looked at her weirdly. "Why should I?" He asked."I-it's inappropriate." She answered, her face a bright shade of pink."Is that so?""Yes. You shouldn't even be in my room? Why are you here?"Zacharie gestured with his hand towards the necklace he had dropped on her night stand. "That belongs to you right? I found it on the floor." He answered.Amelie glanced at the piece of jewelry and her eyes widened. She touched the space around her neck and realized that it had been missing. But upon seeing it resting peaceful on her drawer, she sighed in relief. "T-thank you, but couldn't you have given it to me later? It's not right for a man and woman who are not a couple to be in the same room.""Why?" Zacharie tilted his head to the side as he questioned. "It's not like we're doing anything inappro
The kitchen suddenly became silent after Amelie's blatant action at requesting Zacharie to leave her house. In the background, the sound of bubbling water as the rice cooked could be heard all while the two adults stared wordlessly at each other.Suddenly, the sound of the kitchen door squeaking open broke the silence. Michelle stuck her head through, glancing between her mother and Zacharie."Mommy? Uncle Handsome? Are you guys fighting?" She asked, a worried expression on her face.Upon hearing her daughter's voice, Amelie immediately turned towards her, the look of anger that had been on her face fading and a look of guilt and shame replacing it."No darling," She began, approaching the smaller girl. "We...we were just talking.""But you were yelling." Michelle continued on.Amelie opened her mouth to speak, but suddenly she was at lose of words. How could she explain the situation to her eight year old daughter?"Michelle, your mommy and I aren't fighting." Zacharie began. "We wer
The next day, birds peacefully chipped outside the window, announcing the wake of day as morning light gently basked into Amelie's room.All seemed peaceful, safe for her mind as she stared up at her ceiling, mind replaying the dream she had just had.A dream where she was married to Zacharie and they were living in a big house with the twins.A dream that had her heart beating faster and her chest feeling lighter.Sitting up from her bed, Amelie ran a hand through her hair and shook the dream out of her head. As she got off and got ready for the day, she convinced herself that the dream had only occurred because of what Michelle had said and how worried their behavior had left her feeling last night.She got into the shower and washed off the previous days residue, sighing out loudly at the relaxing feeling of water cascading down her skin.As soon as she stepped out, she got dressed, did her make up and brushed her hair, tying it up in a neat bun and throwing the necklace underneath
After work that day, Amelie rushed to the elementary entrance to pick up Michelle and Miguel. They were both waiting for her at the gate with folded arms."Mommy." Michelle whined. "You're late.""I'm sorry guys, I got held up in the hospital." Amelie explained and patted their heads. "Did you two wait long?" She asked as she held her hand out for a taxi."Not really." Michelle responded plainly and turned her gaze away, looking anywhere but her mother's face.Amelie could tell that this was her way of expressing that she was still angry."Michelle?" She gently bent down to the younger girl's level. "Are you still mad at mommy?" She questioned."No." Michelle answered with a shake of her head and pout."I know you're lying." Amelie chuckled. "Michelle, are you mad because of what I said last night?" She asked, but received no response."Michelle," She tried again, this time, the young girl slowly turned her gaze towards her mother and Amelie was met with watery eyes and tears rolling
Amelie was stunned upon hearing what her daughter had just said."W-what are you talking about, Michelle?" She questioned. "This necklace would turn me into a vegetative state if continued to wear it?"Michelle wordlessly nodded her head.Amelie quickly scooted near her daughter. "How do you know this, Michelle?" She asked, looking into her daughter's eyes."I..." Michelle opened her mouth to explain the situation to her mother, but upon realizing that her brother's secret would also be exposed, she clammed her mouth shut and shook her head."Elle, please talk to mommy." Amelie coaxed, gently rubbing Michelle's head.The younger girl once again shook her head, making sure to keep her mouth shut so that she doesn't spill the beans."Michelle...""I can't!" She quickly interrupted her mother. "If I talk Miguel would hate me!" She said and tears suddenly began streaming down her cheek surprising Amelie.Amelie panicked and quickly tried to calm the child down. "Elle, please don't cry."M
Amelie's sudden instruction caught Zacharie completely off guard and he stood rooted to the ground with narrowed eyes, staring at the woman."What did you just say?" He questioned.Amelie instantly noticed how suggestive her words had sounded and her eyes grew.Her mind had been too occupied with what Chloe had said that she hadn’t bothered expressing her words right.Clamming her eyes shut, Amelie cursed in her head. ‘Stupid Chloe! This is all your fault!’She opened her eyes to find Zacharie still staring at her with a sharp gaze that made her once again, want to crawl underneath the floor."Mr. LaCroix, please don’t misunderstand...I...I didn't mean it that way." She quickly defended, watching as Zacharie folded his arms and continued to stare at her.He knew Amelie didn’t mean it that way, but for some reason, he found her honest reaction entertaining. Watching at her checks turned red and the tips of her ears pink while she stumbled in her wordings was more fun than any paper wor
Odette’s introduction left a heavy feeling in the air. It felt like the atmosphere had suddenly tensed up after her words. But of course she didn’t take notice of this, because she currently had one goal in mind.To establish her position to Amelie.However, she couldn’t tell if her tactics were working because the expression on her face remained neutral, much to both her and Zacharie’s dismay.But contrary to her expression, Amelie was wrapped up in her own thoughts at that moment.‘Odette Aubert, Zacharie’s fiancee. So this is her?’She thought as she stared blankly at Odette's outstretched hand, manicured fingernails glimmering under the hospital’s white light.As Amelie’s mind took in the word 'fiancee', she felt her mood suddenly drop. It was a very slight drop but did not go unnoticed by her.A rather brief emotion that Amelie quickly shooed away after scolding herself.'Don't be stupid. There's no need to feel upset over something like this.' She thought as she stretched out he
Amelie plopped down on the chair in her office with a displeased huff escaping her lips.Zacharie LaCroix was just too much. And treating him was even worse! What was she thinking when she decided to join his medical team?'Oh right,' Amelie sighed out as she was reminded of the reason why she had decided to join.It was all for Michelle. This was the only way to know more about her disease and thankfully, it was working.Through treating Zacharie, she had learnt a few new things about the rare blood disease, now all she needed to do was carry out another scan on Michelle and compare her blood structures to that of Zacharie's. If they match for the better part, she'd then know where to start on treatment base.Amelie sighed and closed her eyes. Her head was beginning to ache and the stress of everything was finally getting to her.She had spent the last eight years of her life focusing mostly on her career and the medical field, but not once had she felt this amount of pressure and un
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