Hannah watched her retreating figure, pressing her lips together, a flash of unwillingness in her eyes.
Amelia didn’t give much thought to Hannah’s scheming.
The essence of the problem was that something had gone wrong between her and Ethan.
Without Hannah, there would be someone else.
It made no difference.
She and Lily went to several antique shops downtown and picked out collectibles that David would like.
That evening, Ethan came as promised to pick up Amelia for the celebration.
David’s birthday party was being held at a classic garden estate in the suburbs. Last night’s heavy snow had left deep drifts.
Halfway through the drive, Ethan’s phone kept ringing.
He pulled over and answered.
Two minutes later, his brow furrowed deeply.
“Isla fell off the slide and hit her head. Amelia, I need to go to the hospital. Hannah is alone and probably can’t handle it by herself.”
Ethan’s eyes grew even darker.
Amelia couldn’t read what was in those depths, but she only felt desolate inside.
Thinking of the Harlows, she still tried to fight for herself once. “Can’t you have Kevin go with her?”
“Hannah is terrified. She’s been crying.” Ethan pressed his lips together. “Jack is gone. I can’t just abandon her.”
“Fine.”
This time, Amelia said nothing more and simply agreed softly.
She knew in her heart it had nothing to do with Jack.
Even as his wife, she meant nothing.
She pulled the door handle and got straight out of the car.
“I’ll have Kevin come pick you up. He’ll be here soon. Once I take care of Isla’s injury, I’ll come right away.”
Ethan gave her a deep look and drove off.
The wilderness was deserted, and the midwinter snow had frozen into thin sheets.
Amelia stood there quietly, watching Ethan drive away.
All these years, the Harlows had been harsh with her.
They’d only held back because of the Everetts and Ethan.
He knew perfectly well she’d be given a hard time going to the celebration alone, but he still left.
The cold winter snow fell on her.
Amelia didn’t know how long she’d been walking. Her hands and feet were so cold they were nearly numb.
Behind her, headlights appeared.
In the limited-edition Maybach, the man in the back seat was hidden in the shifting light and shadow. He lowered his eyes, his expression indifferent as he toyed with a childishly cute pink keychain in his hand.
The letters “A.H.” on the keychain were already frayed, as if someone had touched them many times.
The assistant looked over in surprise and suddenly spoke. “Mr. Everett, it’s Ms. Harlow.”
After saying this, he felt uneasy.
Everyone close to Mason knew that Amelia was forbidden territory for him.
He had once treasured her like a precious gem but in the end had completely given her up.
Mason glanced out the window.
The snow was falling heavily. She was dressed very lightly but seemed numb, walking blankly through the snow.
She looked thin and pitiful.
Just like years ago when he’d found her.
“Drive.”
Mason looked away and gave a flat order.
The assistant hesitated. “Mr. Everett, the snow is so heavy. If Ms. Harlow keeps going like this … “
“Feel sorry for her?” Mason said flatly. “You can walk with her.”
After he said this, the assistant immediately fell silent.
Just as the window was rolling up, suddenly, the sound of something heavy hitting the ground came from outside the car.
The cold cut to the bone.
Amelia was already so cold she’d gone numb.
Just as her consciousness grew increasingly hazy, a familiar scent rushed into her nose.
When Amelia collapsed, her face was ghostly pale, her lips completely drained of color, leaving her looking fragile and broken.
The face he’d pictured countless times in his mind was now right before him, making Mason’s lips curl into a hint of self-mockery.
Even after repeatedly telling himself he should remain indifferent, his protective instinct when she was in danger had seeped into his very bones, even knowing this might just be an illusion. And she wasn’t innocent either.
“Mr. Everett, should we take Ms. Harlow to the hospital immediately?” the assistant asked carefully.
Mason’s lips pressed into a tight line. After a long silence, he finally removed his scarf and said flatly, “Have someone take her to the Harlow Estate.”
…
When Amelia woke up, she found herself lying in a cold, damp storage room tucked
No Sex for Six Years Because of Her? I’m Done!away in a remote corner.
Around her neck was a gray cashmere scarf with a warm woody scent.
As she tried to recall who had brought her here, countless sharp, mocking voices reached her ears.
“Such bad luck. Grandpa’s birthday is supposed to be a celebration, but she had to collapse and get carried in. She must have done it on purpose just to ruin everyone’s mood.
“Who brought her back anyway?”
Someone laughed mockingly. “What, you think some hero swooped in to save her? Someone probably just found her lying around like a stray dog and didn’t want her dying outside.”
“Keep it down. She might hear you. Her husband is still the Rowe heir after all.”
The voices only got louder.
“So what? Ethan and that widow and her kid are the only thing anyone’s talking about. He didn’t even show up for Grandpa’s birthday. Who knows when he’ll kick her to the curb.”
After getting up, Amelia carefully folded the scarf and put it in her bag.
She didn’t take these vicious words to heart, allowing only a cold smile to play at her lips.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.