Chapter Seven

Amelia stepped into the hospital room, her heart heavy with concern and love for her ailing mother. The sterile scent of disinfectant hung in the air as she made her way to the bed where her mother lay, her strength waning but her spirit unwavering.

"Hey, Mom," Amelia greeted softly, her voice laced with both tenderness and sadness.

Her mother's face lit up with a gentle smile as she reached out a frail hand, beckoning Amelia closer. "My dear, it's so good to see you," she whispered, her voice filled with warmth despite the fatigue evident in her eyes.

Amelia settled into the chair by her mother's side, taking her hand into her own, the weight of their connection providing solace in the face of adversity. They spoke softly, sharing stories and memories that spanned a lifetime.

"How was your day, dear?" her mother asked, concern etched on her face as she gazed into her daughter's eyes.

Amelia sighed, her voice tinged with weariness. "It's been a challenging day, Mom. But I'm trying to stay strong for you."

Her mother's gaze softened, a mix of pride and gratitude shining through. "You've always been such a pillar of strength, my dear. I'm so proud of you."

Amelia's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her emotions threatening to spill over. She took a deep breath, gathering her composure. "Mom, I'm doing everything I can to make things better for us. I know it's been tough, but I won't give up."

Her mother's fingers tightened around Amelia's, a silent reassurance of their unbreakable bond. "I believe in you, my love. You are resilient and capable of weathering any storm that comes your way."

They sat in silence for a while, finding solace in the presence of one another. Amelia cherished these moments, treasuring the strength and wisdom her mother imparted with every word.

As the visit drew to a close, Amelia leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss on her mother's forehead. "I love you, Mom. We'll get through this together."

Her mother's eyes brimmed with love and gratitude. "I love you too, Amelia. Take care of yourself, and remember, I'll always be with you."

Amelia excused herself from her mother's room, gently closing the door behind her. Her heart skipped a beat as she reached for her phone and saw Sarah's name flashing on the screen. With a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, she answered the call.

"Hey, Sarah! What's up?" Amelia greeted, her voice filled with warmth.

"Hey, Amelia! I've been meaning to catch up with you. How about meeting for lunch today? There's this lovely café near your mom's hospital. We can grab a bite and chat," Sarah suggested, her voice brimming with excitement.

Amelia's face lit up with a smile. It had been a while since she had some quality time with her best friend, and the idea of a lunch date was a welcome respite from the stress and worry that had been weighing her down. "That sounds wonderful, Sarah. I could use a break. Let's meet there in an hour?"

Sarah agreed enthusiastically, and they exchanged details about the café and confirmed the time. Just as Amelia was about to hang up, a pang of guilt washed over her. Ethan had given strict instructions to the driver to take her directly to the hospital and back without any detours.

"Sarah, I'll have to find a way to sneak out without the driver noticing. Ethan's given strict instructions about going straight to the hospital and back," Amelia confessed, her voice tinged with apprehension.

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, and then Sarah chuckled mischievously. "Leave that to me, Amelia. I'll create a distraction, and you can slip away unnoticed. Just be ready at the appointed time, and we'll make it happen."

Amelia's worry eased, replaced by a gratitude for her resourceful and supportive friend. "Thank you, Sarah. I appreciate your help. See you in an hour."

As the clock ticked closer to their planned meeting time, Amelia waited anxiously for the distraction that Sarah had promised. Just as she was beginning to doubt whether it would work, a commotion broke out in the hospital corridor. Nurses hurried past, doctors exchanged hurried words, and visitors gathered in curiosity.

Curiosity piqued, and Amelia peeked through the window of her mother's room to see what was happening. Down the hallway, she saw Sarah, wearing an over-the-top disguise, pretending to faint dramatically in the middle of the hallway. Nurses rushed to her aid, creating a buzz of activity.

Amelia couldn't help but chuckle at Sarah's audacity. It was a classic move from their mischievous childhood days. Seizing the opportunity, Amelia swiftly slipped out of her mother's room, careful not to attract any attention. She moved through the hospital corridors, navigating the maze of bustling healthcare professionals and concerned visitors.

With each step, Amelia's excitement grew. She felt a newfound sense of liberation and adventure. As she approached the hospital exit.

She finally made her way outside, her heart raced with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. The sun kissed her face and a gentle breeze lifted her spirits. With each step she took, she felt a growing sense of freedom, liberated from the confines of her responsibilities.

Amelia spotted Sarah a short distance away, flashing a triumphant smile as she waved her friend over. The two embraced, their laughter filling the air as they shared the exhilaration of their successful plan. Together, they embarked on their lunch date.

As Amelia and Sarah savored their lunch and relished their stolen moment of freedom, they were interrupted by the unexpected arrival of the driver. He stood near their table, an air of urgency emanating from his demeanor.

"Excuse me, ladies," the driver said politely, his voice tinged with a sense of duty. "I apologize for the interruption, but I've been instructed to bring Amelia back home immediately."

Amelia exchanged a glance with Sarah, a mixture of disappointment and determination reflecting in their eyes. Sarah, ever the quick thinker, took a deep breath and put on her best persuasive smile.

"Could you give us just a few more minutes, please?" Sarah implored, her tone laced with charm. "We haven't seen each other in ages, and Amelia needs this break. I promise we'll be back before you know it."

The driver hesitated, glancing at his watch and then back at Amelia. He understood the weight of his instructions and the consequences that awaited if he deviated from them.

"I'm sorry, Miss," he replied, his voice apologetic yet firm. "I understand the importance of this moment, but I'm afraid I must adhere to my instructions. Your husband specifically asked that I bring you home without delay."

Amelia sighed, her shoulders slumping with resignation. Deep down, she knew that defying Ethan's orders would only lead to more conflict and tension.

"I understand," she replied softly, her voice tinged with disappointment. "Thank you for your understanding, driver. Let's not keep him waiting any longer."

Amelia rose from her seat, exchanging a sympathetic look with Sarah. They bid each other a quick farewell, promising to catch up again soon before she reluctantly followed the driver back to the waiting car.

As the car pulled up to the grand entrance of the Sterlings mansion, Amelia's heart sank as she noticed Ethan waiting outside. His features were contorted with anger, his eyes burning with fury. The driver came to a halt, and Amelia hesitated for a moment, gathering her courage before opening the car door.