Chapter 20

Amelia awoke the next day feeling a heaviness that transcended her pregnancy. The unsettling phone call from the previous night replayed in her mind like a record stuck on repeat. Sleep had been elusive, and when she finally managed to drift off, nightmares filled with faceless threats and shadowy forms invaded her rest.

Nevertheless, the sun had risen, and the day’s responsibilities beckoned. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she rubbed her temples, mentally noting that she needed to discuss the call with Jake. She would require his guidance on how to approach this, although she felt apprehensive about his likely overprotective response.

As she got dressed, she noticed the slightest hint of a bump forming on her abdomen. Gently resting a hand there, she murmured softly, “I’ll keep you safe. No matter what.”

Upon arriving at Wellington Holdings, the building hummed with its usual vitality. Jake was already in his office, poring over documents with his assistant, Mason. Amelia hesitated briefly outside his office before stepping in.

Jake looked up when she entered, his keen eyes immediately scanning her expression. “You look like you didn’t get any rest,” he remarked, his tone tinged with concern.

Amelia waved her hand dismissively. “Just a tough night.”

Mason, a young man with a friendly vibe, glanced between them before clearing his throat. “I’ll get the reports and let you two have some time,” he said before leaving the room, leaving Amelia and Jake alone.

“What’s happening?” Jake inquired, leaning back in his chair.

Amelia faltered, uncertain of how to begin. “I received a call last night. From someone... threatening me.”

Jake’s expression darkened, his usual confidence replaced by icy rage. “What did they say?”

“They warned me to back off. That I’m probing into matters I don’t understand.” Her voice trembled slightly, but she continued. “And when I glanced out the window, a car was parked across the street. It drove away as soon as I noticed it.”

Jake stood up abruptly, pacing the room. “This can’t be a coincidence. Someone’s keeping tabs on you—and they know too much.”

“Jake, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions,” Amelia replied, though her tone lacked certainty.

He turned to face her, his eyes aflame. “Amelia, you’re pregnant. This extends beyond just you now. Whoever this is, they pose a threat to both of you.”

She swallowed hard, instinctively placing her hand on her belly. “What do we do now?”

Jake took a slow breath, his thoughts already racing. “First, we enhance security. I’ll have Mason get in touch with a private firm. Next, we need to uncover who’s behind this.”

Amelia nodded, though the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her. Despite loathing the feeling of being powerless, she trusted Jake’s decisions.

Meanwhile, at the Wellington estate, Catherine lounged on the chaise in the sunroom, her laptop perched on her lap. She was going over the guest list for the upcoming charity gala when Beatrice barged in, her face twisted in frustration.

“We have an issue,” Beatrice declared, flinging a manila folder onto the coffee table.

Catherine raised an eyebrow. “Good morning to you too, Mother.”

Beatrice disregarded the sarcasm, opening the folder to reveal a collection of photographs. Amelia. At the office. With Jake.

Catherine’s expression turned grim as she flipped through the images. “So, she’s planning to stick around,” she muttered.

“She’s a risk,” Beatrice snapped. “And Ronald’s reaction to her attending the wedding party confirms it. We cannot afford for her to interfere with our plans.”

Catherine reclined, a gradual grin spreading across her lips. “No need to fret, Mother. Amelia may believe she’s clever, but she’s in over her head. We’ll ensure that.”

“And what’s your plan for that?” Beatrice inquired, her voice laced with doubt.

“Patience,” Catherine responded, her gaze sparkling with spite. “Amelia will self-destruct. All we need to do is provide her with the means.”

Later that afternoon, Amelia came home early, unable to shake the feeling of unease from the morning. She was midway through organizing a pile of letters when a sharp knock echoed at her door.

Upon opening it, she found Mrs. Beatrice standing there, her face a mix of contempt and resolve.

“Mrs. Beatrice,” Amelia greeted her carefully. “What brings you here?”

Without waiting for an invitation, Beatrice strode into the house. “We need to have a word,” she asserted bluntly.

Amelia shut the door, crossing her arms as she turned to confront her stepmother. “About what?”

Beatrice got straight to the point. “You’ve stirred enough trouble, Amelia. First, by appearing at the company with Jake. Then, by causing a scene at the wedding party. Now, you’re poking around Ronald and Catherine’s lives as though you belong there.”

Amelia’s expression hardened. “If I’m causing turmoil, it’s because the truth has a way of exposing falsehoods. Perhaps that’s what you’re truly frightened of.”

Beatrice moved closer, her voice lowered to a toxic whisper. “Listen closely, Amelia. You’re merely a remnant of Ronald’s history—a history he’s worked diligently to leave behind. Don’t you dare think you can return to his life and sabotage everything that Catherine and I have established.”

Amelia felt her anger bubbling beneath her composed surface. “Established on what? Deceit? Manipulation? You may believe you have Ronald under your control, but sooner or later, people see past the illusion.”

Beatrice’s eyes burned with rage. “Keep away from us, Amelia. That’s the only warning you’ll receive.”

Without another word, she stormed out, leaving Amelia standing in the hallway, her hands clenched into fists.

At the hospital, Ronald sat in the waiting area, a rare smile lighting up his face. Catherine was inside with the doctor, and the thought of becoming a father filled him with a quiet joy he hadn’t felt in years.

When Catherine came out, holding an ultrasound image, Ronald stood, his smile growing wider. “How did everything go?”

“Perfect,” Catherine answered, giving him the image. “The doctor said everything is progressing wonderfully.”

Ronald gazed at the black-and-white photo, his heart swelling with joy. “I can hardly believe it,” he murmured. “I’ve always dreamed of this—a family of my own.”

Catherine placed a hand on his arm, her expression softening. “And now it will be ours. We will have it together.”

As they left the hospital, Ronald’s thoughts shifted to Amelia. He couldn’t ignore the bittersweet ache that accompanied the happiness of impending fatherhood. For so long, he had envisioned this moment with her. But life had taken a different direction.

He pushed the thought aside, determined to concentrate on the future. Catherine and their child deserved his full devotion.

That night, Amelia sat on the sofa, absentmindedly caressing her stomach. She had informed Jake about the altercation with Beatrice earlier, and as expected, he had been furious.

“I’m not comfortable with this,” Jake said, sitting next to her. “First the phone call, now Beatrice showing up at your place. It’s too coincidental.”

“She’s in a panic,” Amelia replied. “They’re all struggling. Catherine and Beatrice understand their grip on Ronald isn’t as strong as they’d prefer.”

Jake let out a sigh, running his fingers through his hair. “You shouldn’t have to handle this while pregnant.”

Amelia offered him a faint smile. “I’ve dealt with tougher situations.”

He paused before speaking again. “Have you considered what your plans are once the baby arrives?”

She looked at him, taken aback by the inquiry. “What do you mean?”

“I mean... do you intend to stay in the city? Raise the baby here?”

Amelia’s expression softened. “I haven’t thought that far ahead. Everything feels so unpredictable right now.”

Jake reached out, placing a comforting hand over hers. “No matter what, you’re not in this alone. I’ll be here for you and the baby.”

********

As the night progressed, Amelia finally permitted herself to unwind. She had made it halfway through a book when her phone buzzed. Anticipating it was Jake, she answered without glancing.

“Hello?”

There was a brief silence on the line before the same eerie voice from earlier spoke.

“You didn’t listen, Amelia. Now it’s too late.”

The call ended, sending a chill down her spine. Seconds later, the doorbell rang.

With her heart racing, she approached the door cautiously, looking through the peephole. No one was in sight.

When she opened the door, she discovered a small package waiting on the porch. Inside was a single piece of paper with one alarming word hastily written on it:

“Run!”