CHAPTER 3 She Has Grown Wings

Amelia froze immediately, her blood turning cold. It's Jenny’s voice!

Her brain went blank, she could still recognize her voice after all these years.

“...Put Alex on the phone!” Her tone was cold, but she tried as much as she could not to tremble. She pinched the hem of her sleeve unconsciously and fiercely. 

Amelia could tell she was surprised by the way she spoke to her, she paused for a moment before speaking up. “Alex is having his bath, I'll have him call you later!”

Amelia was surprised she didn't recognize her voice, and she could swear that if she hung up the call, she could never take the initiative to let Alex call back. 

Amelia really didn't want to back down, she really had an urgent matter for them to discuss. 

Fortunately, his cold and impatient voice came across the phone.

“What’s wrong? 

Amelia's breath hitched, it's been a while since she heard his voice. 

He remained cold and reticent, making her heart tremble uncontrollably.

She's calling not just to remind him to visit Grandpa tomorrow, but also for her selfishness.

“You… When are you coming home? 

He paused for a few seconds before speaking up mockingly. “I've only been away for a few days and you're feeling lonely already? 

Amelia felt bad. How could he say something like that to her in such a manner, even in her presence? He has been away for three days now, she took a deep breath pretending not to hear the mockery in his words.

“We promised to pay grandpa a visit tomorrow, do you still remember?”

“Who are you to teach me how to go about things!” His voice made her shift the phone from her ear slightly. 

Amelia tried to explain herself, not until Jenny spoke up from the background.

“Baby, would you love me to prepare some milk before you go to bed? 

Alex's attention was shifted immediately to her, “No baby, you can just make some for yourself okay? His voice was gentle and soothing, unlike the way he spoke to her a few seconds ago. 

Amelia already hung up the call, I don't think he even realized it, she had never hung up the call on him before. She felt really bad with the way he gave her so much attention and affection. 

“This is the first time she ever hung up the call on me.” Alex paused for a few seconds, and laughed out mockingly.

“She has grown wings, I only left for a few days and she has gotten so bold.” Alex thought to himself.

“Alex, is it because I came back that makes Amelia unhappy? When she spoke to me on the phone she sounded so mean to me. Jenny sounded soft and concerned as if she were truly worried.

“Do you have to worry now my love? He puts his arm around her, and whispers in her ear.

“We're going to get a divorce soon, she's just a stranger, don't let her destroy your good mood. I'm glad you're back, and now you're the one I want to marry. He said while he played with her hair.

Jenny smiled shyly, lowering her head, and burrowed restlessly into Alex's arm like a cat. 

In that case, can I be your woman tonight? Jenny held his bathrobe romantically trying to loosen it when Alex seized her hand with a frown.

“Baby, I and Amelia aren't divorced yet, this isn't fair to you as a woman. 

She frowned slightly, upset with his reaction, but she immediately changed her facial expression. “It's fine then, I'll wait till whenever you're ready." 

********

Amelia stood at the balcony of her room for a while unable to think of anything, Her hands and feet were cold. It was when she tasted the bloody rust in her mouth that she realized she had bitten her bottom lip open. 

With a wry smile she sighed heavily and entered her room. She has always anticipated the situation that once Jenny is back, Alex will run back to her, he was always patient and gentle towards her.

“Maybe no matter how you try, in the eyes of a man that doesn't love you, you were just a big clown…” she sighed bitterly, covering herself with the duvet.

Amelia was hoping Alex would return the next day, but he didn't. She swallowed her sadness, and told the driver to take her to the family house. 

The Hall’s family house was around the villa area, not far from the city. Just as she entered, a middle aged woman stopped her.

“Hey, isn't this our bride, how come you're here all alone by yourself? Her mocking voice echoed through the garden.

She looked at Amelia and laughed so hard, “I thought you were so desperate to marry Alex, to be among the Hall’s family, but now it seems like you are having a bad time with Alex. After three years of marriage, the chickens should be flocked, but you can't even lay an egg. No wonder Alex didn't agree to come back with you. Oh poor thing! If I were you I'd have packed my things and disappeared!”

Alex's Aunt, Grandpa Brian Hall’s youngest daughter, Ava Hall. She was abducted as a child, and grew up in the countryside for many years. Even after she returned home, her surliness remained unchanged.

Amelia was raised by the Cole’s family, and has received a good education, and her beauty, grace, and elegance have been engraved in her bones. 

Ava can't stand her elegance and grace, and she ends up behaving ignorant and mean to her. Or maybe because Ava fell in love with Amelia's father, Raymond Cole, at first sight when she was young, but instead he chose the beautiful, kind and gentle Eva Cole, Amelia’s mother. 

Years later, Amelia fell in love with her nephew Alex, which made her jealousy and deceptive attitude grow worse towards Amelia and her family. 

Amelia never took her to heart, but she was no push over either. 

Amelia replied calmly, “It's not like I don't know my way around, why do I need company? Moreover I'm still young, and I will have children sooner or later, on the contrary, you're now of age Auntie, why don't you find a man of your own? Are you not approaching menopause? 

“Amelia! She let out a shrill cry through the silence of the cottage.

“What? Don't you know getting angry can make you age faster? Amelia replied without haste.

“Who do you think you are to talk to me in such a manner? You're such an ingrate! Do you want me to report you to Alex and have him repudiate you immediately? Go back to Cole's family” Ava said, pointing fingers at Isabella and cursing.

Amelia felt uncomfortable while she got out of the car, and now the cursing and scolding from Auntie Ava is beginning to make her more uncomfortable. 

She rubbed her temple, and didn't bother replying to her, she went straight upstairs to see Grandfather Brian Hall. As if she hadn't had enough,she met face to face with someone she didn't want to see.

“Arrrrgh…” she muttered inwardly.