Her Empire, His Terms.
When his eyes met mine, he didn't look terrified or remorseful.
He looked... annoyed.
Like a man whose afternoon nap had been interrupted by a persistent salesman.
"Amelia," he said, his voice entirely devoid of emotion. "You're back."
"Amelia?" Natalie gasped, though the theatricality of it was sickeningly fake. "Oh my god, we thought you were dead!"
"Get out," I whispered, the words trembling on my lips before exploding into a scream. "GET OUT! BOTH OF YOU, GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE!"