Chapter 10: The Truth Behind the Engagement

Chapter 10: The Truth Behind the Engagement

Amelia stood frozen, unable to process what Alexander had just told her.

"Your father was supposed to marry my mother?"

Alexander nodded slowly.

"I didn't know about it until tonight. I swear."

Amelia looked away, trying to hold back her emotions.

"How could our families hide something like this?"

"I don't know, Amelia. But I'm going to find out."

She gave a bitter laugh.

"That's what everyone keeps saying. Your mother, your father, and now you. Everyone knows something except me."

Alexander stepped closer.

"Look at me."

She didn't.

"Amelia, whatever happened between our families, you aren't responsible for it."

"Then why does it feel like my entire life has been a lie?"

He had no answer.

For a moment, they stood silently beneath the lights outside the mansion.

Finally, Amelia took a deep breath.

"I need to go home."

Alexander offered to drive her, but she refused.

"I need some time alone."

He reluctantly stepped aside, watching as she got into a taxi.

---

The following morning, Amelia woke up to several missed calls from an unknown number.

Before she could call back, her phone rang again.

She answered cautiously.

"Hello?"

A woman's voice spoke softly.

"Amelia Laurent?"

"Yes. Who is this?"

"My name is Catherine. I was a close friend of your mother."

Amelia immediately sat up.

"You knew my mother?"

"Very well. And I believe it's time someone told you what really happened."

Amelia's heart began racing.

"Can you tell me where to meet you?"

There was a brief silence.

"Come to the little café on Riverside Street at noon. And Amelia, please don't tell the Blackwoods."

The call ended.

---

At exactly twelve, Amelia entered the café.

An older woman wearing a cream-colored coat sat near the window. When she noticed Amelia, she stood up.

"You look so much like Isabelle."

Amelia sat across from her.

"Please, tell me everything."

Catherine opened her handbag and removed a small photograph.

It showed Isabelle standing beside Victoria Blackwood.

Amelia studied it carefully.

"I've seen pictures of my mother with Mr. Blackwood, but why was she with Victoria?"

Catherine took a deep breath.

"Because they were once best friends."

Amelia frowned.

"What?"

"Before everything happened, Isabelle and Victoria were inseparable. They both loved the same man, but only one of them knew the truth."

"Who?"

Catherine looked directly into Amelia's eyes.

"Your father."

Amelia felt her breath catch.

"My father? I was told he left before I was born."

Catherine shook her head.

"That's not what happened."

She reached into her handbag again and placed a sealed envelope on the table.

"Your mother wanted you to have this when the time was right."

Amelia stared at the envelope.

Her name was written across the front in her mother's handwriting.

With trembling fingers, she opened it.

Inside was a short letter.

The first sentence made her eyes fill with tears.

"My dearest Amelia, if you're reading this, it means the truth has finally found its way to you."

She continued reading.

Then she reached the final line.

"Your father is closer to you than you think."

Amelia slowly lowered the letter.

"What does that mean?"

Catherine looked toward the café entrance.

Before she could answer, her expression changed.

A familiar black car had just pulled up outside.

Alexander was getting out.

But he wasn't alone.

His father was standing beside him.

End of Chapter 10 💗