hapter 96

bChapter /bb96 /b

“Why?” Amelia’s heart skipped a beat. She thought, ‘Is he trying to make me stay? Oscar has said my actions didn’t count as a crime.

b86/bbi% /i/b

The officer interrupted her thoughts. “Someone from the Foster family wants to see you.” Amelia didn’t want to see anyone right now. All she wanted was to go home, back to Gloria and Landon, the only ones who could make her feel safe.

“Mrs. Kingsley, they’re here.” The officer opened the door, and Pam’s shrill voice echoed in. “Amelia, you wretched woman. You killed my son. You should pay for it.”

Losing her son, Pam was devastated, her cries piercing the air as grief consumed her. But despite her heartbreak, she still had the energy tosh out. If it hadn’t been for the two men holding Pam back, she would have charged at Amelia in a fit of rage.

Amelia had nned to show respect to the grieving family, but Pam’s behavior made sympathy impossible. In her previous life, Pam had always acted superior, unting her so–called cultured background.

Since Amelia married Zachary, Pam had constantly criticized and humiliated her, pushing her self–esteem into the dirt. But now, with a second chance at life, everything had changed. The once lofty Foster family now seemed utterly insignificant to her, like dust beneath her feet.

Amelia’s gaze shifted to the two men restraining Pam. The older one was Zachary’s father, Robert, and the younger os as Matthew. Compared to

Zachary, Matthew bore a stronger resemnce to Robert.

Robert had lost a son in middle age, yet his face showed no trace of sorrow. Instead, he scolded Pam sharply, “She didn’t pull the trigger. You’re ming the wrong person.”

“It’s her fault. If it hadn’t been for her, how would Zachary have been shot?” Pam wailed, her voice hoarse. Just like in the past, Pam still hated

Amelia. Even a strand of hair falling out would somehow be Amelia’s fault.

“You’re being unreasonable. Mrs. Kingsley didn’t fire the gun,” Robert barked before turning to Amelia. “Mrs. Kingsley, you and Zachary were close. Da you have any idea who he might have provoked?”

“I’ve already told the police everything I know,” Amelia replied calmly.

She didn’t know Robert well. In her past life, their interactions were limited to her wedding and the asional holiday gathering. Most of the time, Robert was out of town managing his business and rarely returned to Norava.

“Well. Mrs. Kingsley, you have a rough day. Please go home and rest,” Robert said, his tone polite and measured. Out of respect for the deceased, Amelia gave Robert a small inod /ibefore leaving.

As she turned to leave, her eyes lingered on Matthew. With his arched brows and bright eyes, Matthew exuded a quiet charisma. The once timid Matthewb, /bcrushed under the weight of Zachary and Pam’s oppressionb, /bhad grown into someone with undeniable authority.

Amelia thought, ‘Good. We have all broken free from the Foster family’s control and forged our paths.‘

Matthew caught her gaze and couldn’t help feeling puzzled. He wondered, ‘Why is she looking at me such ba /bpeculiar bexpression/bb?/b‘

“This way, Amelia,” Wesley said, guiding her through a private passage to avoid the press. Amelia finally rxed when she stepped bthrough /bbthe /bbdoor /bbof /b

her home.

“Amyb, /byou’re back.b” /bGloria rushed over, wrapping her arms baround /bAmelia in a warm hug. “My dearb, /byou must have bbeen /bterrified btoday/bb. /b

“I’m fine.” Amelia forced ba /bsmile, though her heart was far from calm.

bShe /bthought, ‘Terrified? That bdidn’t /beven begin bto /bbcover /bbit/b. All bI’d /bbwanted /bwas bto /bretrieve a keepsake bmy /bbmother /bbhad /bbleft /bbbehind/b. bWho /bbcould /bhave forva the dangers lurking ahead?‘

b“/bHere, wear this bfor /bgood luckb,/bb” /bGloria saidb, /bbslipping /bba /bblucky /bbracelet bonto /bbAmelia’s /bbwrist/b.

b1/3 /b

08:26 Tue, b10 /bJun bT /b

The touch of the bracelet stirred a faint memory. Debra had once given Amelia a simr one when she was a child. Tears welled bup /bbin /bAmelia’s beyes/b. “Gloria…”

8691

“I’m here, sweetheart. Don’t be afraid. No matter what happens, the Kingsley family will always protect you.” Gloria’s voice was tender band /breassuring. For someone like Amelia, who had long craved maternal love, thisfort was worth more than a thousand words.

Even if Amelia had to leave this family one day and face the world alone, she would always carry this warmth in her heart. b“/bYou’re backb?/bb” /bLandon’s voice was deep and maic. Amelia wiped her tears and nodded at him. “Yes.”

“Come here.” Landon was sitting on the sofa, and his usual stern expression had softened into something almost approachable.

Amelia walked over. “I’m sorry. I didn’t expect…”

“The predator bes the prey,” Landon said, taking her hand. “The hospital should’ve treated this injury.” bIt /bwas only then Amelia noticed the faint cut on the back of her hand.

The wound, caused by shards of ss propelled by the bullet’s impact, had gone unnoticed until now. “Emmab, /bbring the first aid kitb,/bb” /bLandon instructed.

“Okay, Mr. Kingsley.” Not only did Emma fetch the kit, but she also opened it, ready to tend to Amelia’s wound.

Landon stopped her. “I’ll do it.” Emma froze, shocked. Amelia also stared at himb, /bstunned. Landon carefully cleaned and dressed the wound with preciseb, /bgentle movements.

As Amelia lowered her gaze to watch him, a subtle, indescribable emotion stirred within her, as though a hidden string in her heart had been plucked.

“All done. Keep it dry.” After finishing, Landon immediately called Wesley, “What kind of doctor are you? Amelia got injured, and you didn’t take care bof /b

it?”

in

an instant, the warmth in Landon’s tone vanished as he snapped back into his usualmanding demeanor. The stark contrast was almostical. Amelia couldn’t help but smile faintly. She thought, ‘Do men always change moods this quickly?‘

“Amy, Landon was so worried about you,” Gloria chimed in with a mischievous wink. “While you were gone, he made countless calls checking on you.b” /bWhat started as Amelia feeling touched quickly turned into embarrassment under Gloria’s teasing. A blush crept across her faceb. /b

“Mom, don’t you have something better to do?” Landon said sharply. He thought, ‘Momb, /bcan’t you see you’re making my already shaken wife ufortable?‘

“Oh, I’m very busy,” Gloria replied with a knowing smile as she leftb, /bleaving the two alone.

Landon wheeled himself to the kitchen, heated up a cup of milk, and handed it to Amelia. “Drink this.”

“Thank you.” Amelia cradled the bcup/b, avoiding his gaze. She thought, ‘This is just a partnership can’t let him sense my feelings toward bhim/b. Otherwise, he’d mock me for sure.‘

“I’ve told youb, /bthere’s bno /bneed for thanks between us,” Landon sighed and gently ruffled her hair, an unusual disy bof /bsoftnessb. /bb“/bbYou /bbck /bbexperience/b. You’re btoo /beasily scared.”

“bHave /byou faced bullets bto /bgain experienceb?/b” Amelia blurted out.

Landon nodded casually. “I haveb./bb” /bAmelia was dumbfounded.

“You’ve seen bthe /bthings in my safeb, /bhaven’t you? That gun is one of bmy /bbtrophies/bb,/bb” /bbLandon /bbsaid /bbwith /bba /bbfaint /bbsmile/b.

b“/bbLandon/bb, /baren’t byou /bba /bbusinessmanb?/bb” /bAmelia askedb, /bbutterly /bbconfused/b. Owning firearms was billegal/b, bnot /bbto /bbmention /bhis safe was stocked w bclearly /bbdesigned /bbto /bbharm/b.

bAmelia /bbthought/bb, /bb‘/bbWho /bbbut /bba /bprofessional bwould /bface bbullets /bregrly? bHas /bbhe /bbbeen /bbhunted /bbbefore /bbhis /bcar ident?” blooked /bbat /bbLandon /bbwith /bba /bmix bof /bbsympathy /bband /bbconcern/bb, /bthinking. bLife /bbmust /bbhave /bbbeen /banything but beasy /bbfor /bbhint /b

Tthought

08:26 Tue, 10 Jun bT /b

“Don’t worry. Everything I own is legal,” Landon said, his gaze softening as he patted her head again.

b$/bb86/bb%/b1

b+38 /b

Amelia brushed his hand away lightly, muttering, “Stop patting me. I’m not a puppy.” Landon froze and thought, ‘There’s a phrase online–head pats of love. Does she not know that? Or was I doing it wrong?‘

“Landon, I might be a liability for you. Maybe you should think about filing for divorce tomorrowi,/ii” /iAmelia said, her voice low as she avoided his

eyes.