Chapter 57

Amelia didn't respond, didn't even move. Andrew took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. He had never been good with words, especially when it came to matters of the heart.

"I didn't mean to hurt you," he said finally. "I was just...frustrated. With myself, mostly. I didn't mean to take it out on you."

Still, Amelia didn't say anything. Andrew could feel the tension between them, the hurt and the anger and the frustration.

"I know I messed up," he continued. "And I'm sorry."

He waited for her response, his heart beating faster with every passing second.

Andrew took a deep breath, trying to summon the courage to speak. He had never been good at this kind of thing.

Since Catherine had died, he had kept his emotions bottled up, never letting anyone get close enough to hurt him.

But Amelia was different. She had somehow broken down his defenses, and now he was feeling things he had never felt before.

He felt a lump form in his throat. He had never been good at apologizing, and