Chapter 5

Amelia," Catherine said softly, almost regretfully, extending her hand. "We didn't mean for it to happen. but it has, and there's no way to change that.

Amelia whipped around, her eyes ablaze. "What? Are you out of your mind, Catherine!?

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry." Catherine held her hands up in mock surrender. "I never intended to fall in love with Ronald. Please don't be mad-

"Don't you dare touch me!" Amelia hissed, slapping Catherine's outstretched hand away. "You slut!"

Catherine screamed dramatically, stumbling backward until her backside hit the floor with a resounding thud, as if Amelia had shouted at her with all the strength in her body.

"Catherine!" Ronald's voice boomed, as he stormed into the room and pulled her to her feet. His face contorted in rage as he whirled to Amelia. "What in the name of all that is holy are you doing here? And why in God's name did you push her?"

"I didn't push her!" Amelia shot back, her chest circling up and down in anger. "She—"

"Don't lie!" Ronald cut her off, his tone dripping with contempt. "I saw it. Is this what you've become Amelia, dangerous, unhinged? The woman who tried to hurt her own sister?" His face contorted in disgust. "I thought you were kind. I was wrong about you. You've turned into a ruthless woman."

Amelia's blood boiled. "And I didn't realize until today how big of a coward you really are Ronald-stupid, spineless, and weak.".

"What did you just say?!" His voice shot up an octave as his face turned beet red.

"I said I made you realize what you truly are!" said Amelia with venom, her tone icy cold. "I give you my blessings. But let me remind you-no one eats from a bowl that's already been filled with rotten food." And with that, she stabbed into the tension, words flung like daggers.

"You have taken this too far, Amelia; it is time you stopped all this fighting and got yourself a decent life once," Ronald shouted, his voice trembling in exasperation.

Amelia smiled wryly, unfazed. "I'm not here to fight with you, Ronald. I'm done with you. I just came to collect my stuff." Then, she spun on her heel and went upstairs, her steps full of purpose.

As Amelia was packing, the door creaked open behind her. Catherine stood in the threshold, a really annoying tugging of a smile on her lips.

"I win, sister." Catherine sneered triumphantly. "You lost—again."

Amelia froze, her hands still resting on her clothes. More slowly still, she turned to face Catherine.

"I'm pregnant," Catherine said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "And guess what? The baby is Ronald's."

Amelia's heart lurched, but she didn't flinch. She wouldn't give a rat's ass to Catherine. "And what does that have to do with me?" she said icily. "I'm not the one who fcked* you."

For a flash of a second, the smile faltered on Catherine's lips, but she regained her composure far too readily. "I'm telling you because you never could-after three years with him, you never gave him a child. But I did. And we're getting married soon, sister. Isn't that wonderful?

Amelia clenched her fists so hard that her fingernails were digging into the backsides of her hands. "That's it?" she asked, in a voice as smooth as concrete on the surface and churning with Page 148ahrenheit currents of rage, hard below.

Catherine's eyes glinted. "Nein. Ronald loves me. He is so happy with me-so relaxed, so free. Not like with you. Frankly, you were a bore to him. Even your presence irritated him.

Amelia laughed—a cold, hollow sound. "You are wrong, Catherine, I am not angry for having lost. You see, you inherited from your mother the only talent she ever had. That is all."

Catherine's face contorted with anger. "How dare you—

"Enough," Amelia cut her off sharply. "I don't have time for your nonsense. Don't provoke me again. You'll regret it." She grabbed her bags and brushed past Catherine, not waiting for any response.

She sat out in her car, her hands shaking slightly as she clutched the steering wheel. Her phone buzzed with Jake's name across the screen; she answered and drove to meet him.

He gazed up at her with concern in his eyes as she approached. "Amelia, are you okay? Did he touch you?"

"She's with him…." Amelia stammered, refusing to meet his gaze. "Ronald… he's not mine anymore."

Jake's face relaxed, and wordless, she slumped against him, her tears welling up and sopping into his shirt. He sat down with her in his arms and let her cry.

"Catherine's always wanted to take everything away from me," she sobbed. "But I never thought she'd take my husband. I still love him Jake. Even after everything… I still love him."

"I know," Jake whispered, stroking her back calmly. "But there are times when we will need to make some tough decisions to make us happy." He leaned back a bit as he faced her. "That's why I have a proposition for you. A deal that will be favorable for both of us.

Amelia wrinkled her brow, confusion etched on her face. "What are you talking about?"

Jake didn't say a word for about a minute, then said with determination, "Let's get married, Amelia."

"What?" She wrung herself free, staring up at him as if he'd spoken a foreign language. "You can't be serious. Married. To you?

"You're divorced now. Let's make a fresh start," Jake replied with an even tone.

Amelia laughed bitterly. "This should be the joke of the century, Jake.

"I am not kidding," he said, his voice extemely serious. "I want to help you."

Amelia narrowed her eyes. "Help me? Or mock me?

"I want to protect you. And the baby," Jake whispered. "I am not playing games, Amelia."

She blinked. "The baby?" Jake nodded. "Throughout your life, your reputation, your safety… all this we can work out together. This doesn't need to be a real marriage-it's a contract. Because we've known each other forever, this would be easy.

Amelia looked away, her eyes stinging with fresh tears. "Jake, I don't know if I can… Amelia," he said, his voice soft but firm.

"You are a businesswoman. You know how deals work. We both get something out of this. Let me take care of you and your baby. Amelia's throat closed over.

"And what do you want out of this, Jake? Revenge? Jake's face hardened a little.

"Revenge is part of it, but more so, I want to save you from falling through the seams because this is too much to go through alone. He leaned forward and passed her a handkerchief.

"Think about it, Amelia Rodriguez." Amelia wiped her tears away. Her head was a mess, but Jake was right: she could not turn back to the life she had, and Ronald and Catherine had to pay for what they'd done.

I'm ready," she said in a soft but firm voice. "Let's get this done.”