I moved through the house like a ghost, my footsteps silent, the echoes of yesterday's confrontation with Alexander still reverberating in my mind. Every corner of my home, once a sanctuary, now felt like a prison of my own making. I focused on the mundane tasks—folding clothes, organising the children's toys, anything to keep my hands busy and my mind from spiralling into the dark pit that threatened to swallow me whole.
The twins were playing in their room, their laughter filtering through the door like a distant memory of happiness. I paused at the sound, letting it wash over me, reminding me why I had to stay strong. For them. Always for them.
I moved to the kitchen, my eyes catching sight of the envelope sitting on the counter.
The DNA results. Unopened. It felt like a ticking time bomb, something that could change everything, or nothing at all. My hand hovered over it, but I couldn't bring myself to pick it up. Not yet.
Not today.
The knock at the door startled me, pulling me from my thoughts. My heart skipped a beat, half-expecting Alexander to be standing on the other side, but it wasn't him. Instead, it was Tom. His face was drawn, worry etched into every line.
"Amelia," he began, his voice thick with emotion, "I need to talk to you. It's important."
I narrowed my eyes at him, crossing my arms over my chest. "What could you possibly have to say to me, Tom? Haven't you done enough?"
His gaze dropped to the ground, shame evident in the way his shoulders slumped. "Please, just hear me out. It's about Ariana."
The mention of her name sent a cold shiver down my spine. "What about her?"
Tom looked up, his eyes pleading. "She's planning something, Amelia. Something that could hurt you—hurt your children. You have to be careful."
I hesitated, my anger battling with the unease creeping up my spine. I didn't want to trust him, but the fear in his voice was real. Against my better judgement, I stepped aside, letting him into the house.
"Talk," I said, closing the door behind him.
He didn't waste any time. "Ariana is more dangerous than you think. She's not just after you—she wants to destroy you. I overheard her talking to someone, planning to leak information about you and Alexander to the press. She's going to make your life hell."
My pulse quickened, the walls of the room closing in as his words sank in. "And why should I believe you, Tom? After everything you've done?"
His face twisted with guilt. "Because I'm trying to make it right. I know I messed up, but I can't stand by and let her do this to you. You have to believe me."
"Believe you?" My voice rose, sharp with bitterness. "How can I believe anything you say? You betrayed me, Tom. You sold me out to her for what? Money? Fame? Whatever it was, it wasn't worth it. Nothing is worth this."
Tom took a step closer, his eyes desperate. "I know. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm telling you the truth now. Ariana won't stop until she gets what she wants. You need to protect yourself."
I stared at him, torn between the urge to throw him out and the gnawing fear that he might be right. The thought of Ariana coming after me, after my children, sent a wave of nausea crashing over me. But trusting Tom felt like stepping off a cliff.
Before I could respond, another knock echoed through the house, more insistent this time. My heart leapt into my throat as I moved to the door, opening it to find Alexander standing there. His face was a mask of tension, his eyes locking onto Tom's the moment he saw him.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Alexander's voice was low, dangerous.
I glanced between them, the tension in the room thickening like fog. "He says he has information about Ariana. That she's planning something."
Alexander stepped inside, his presence overwhelming the small space. He didn't take his eyes off Tom. "And you believe him?"
I crossed my arms, feeling the weight of their gazes on me. "I don't know what to believe anymore."
Tom took a breath, clearly struggling to keep his composure. "I'm telling the truth, Alexander. Ariana is planning to destroy Amelia. She's already set things in motion."
"And how do we know this isn't just another one of your schemes?" Alexander shot back, his voice dripping with suspicion. "You've already proven you can't be trusted."
Tom's face hardened, but there was a flash of something else in his eyes—regret. "Because I don't want to be a part of this anymore. I didn't realise how far she would go. But now... now I'm trying to stop her."
"Trying to redeem yourself?" Alexander's tone was biting, and I could see the tension coiling in his frame, ready to snap. "Or just trying to save your own skin?"
"Enough!" I shouted, the word tearing out of me before I could stop it. Both men turned to look at me, their arguments falling silent in the wake of my outburst. My chest heaved with the force of my emotions, my voice trembling as I continued. "I can't do this. I can't stand here and listen to you both tear each other apart while my life—my children's lives—are on the line."
They were both silent, guilt and something close to shame etched into their features.
"This isn't about you two," I said, my voice quieter now, but no less intense. "This is about keeping my family safe. If what Tom is saying is true, then we need to figure out how to stop Ariana. And if it's not... then I'll deal with that too. But right now, we need to be focused on the real threat."
Alexander's gaze softened as he looked at me, the anger slowly bleeding out of him. "You're right, Amelia. I'm sorry. This isn't about us. It's about you—and the kids."
Tom nodded, relief flooding his face. "I'm here to help, Amelia. I know I don't deserve your trust, but please... let me help."
I took a deep breath, my mind racing with the implications of everything that was happening. My life had become a twisted game, with Ariana pulling the strings. But I wouldn't let her win. I wouldn't let her destroy the life I'd built, the children I'd sworn to protect.
"Okay," I said finally, the word heavy with the weight of the decision I was making. "We need to figure out our next move."
The relief in Tom's eyes was almost painful to see, and I forced myself to meet his gaze. One step at a time, I reminded myself. I could figure out the rest later.
Alexander moved closer, his hand reaching out for mine. The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through me, but I didn't pull away. Instead, I held on, drawing strength from it, even as the questions and doubts swirled in my mind.
"We'll protect you, Amelia," Alexander said, his voice steady. "I promise you that."
But the promise felt like a fragile thing, easily broken. And as I looked between the two men standing in my living room, I couldn't help but wonder how much more I would have to endure before this was all over.
The uneasy alliance formed, we spent the next hour discussing strategies, trying to piece together a plan that could protect me and the twins. But the air was thick with tension, and every word felt like it could be our last.
As the conversation came to a close, Tom stood to leave. He hesitated at the door, his gaze lingering on me. "Thank you, Amelia. For giving me a chance to make this right."
I nodded, unable to trust myself to speak. There was too much at stake, too much fear and uncertainty crowding my mind.
After he was gone, Alexander and I were left in the quiet of the living room, the weight of the situation pressing down on us.
"I'm sorry," he said, breaking the silence. "For everything."
I shook my head, feeling the exhaustion creeping into my bones. "We don't have time for apologies right now, Alexander. We have to stay focused."
His eyes searched mine, a mixture of regret and longing in their depths. "I just want you to know that I'm here. I'll be here, no matter what happens."
I nodded, the words falling heavy between us. There was so much left unsaid, so much that needed to be resolved. But that would have to wait. Right now, there were more immediate dangers to face.
"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. The gesture was tender, almost achingly so. For a moment, I let myself lean into it, let myself feel the comfort he offered.
But only for a moment.
"I should go," he said softly, pulling back. "You need rest."
I didn't argue. I was too tired to fight him on it, too drained to do anything but nod in agreement. As he turned to leave, I called out to him, stopping him at the door.
"Alexander," I began, my voice shaky, "please... just be careful. Ariana won't stop until she gets what she wants."
He looked back at me, a shadow of determination passing over his features. "I will be. And I'll make sure she doesn't hurt you."
The door closed behind him with a soft click, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The house felt too quiet, too empty, the shadows growing longer as the day turned into evening. I sat back down at the kitchen table, staring at the envelope once more.
I reached for it, my fingers brushing the edge. But then I stopped, pulling my hand back. Not today. The decision could wait. Everything else was more important right now.
I pushed the envelope to the side, standing up and moving to the living room where the twins were still playing, oblivious to the storm gathering around them. I watched them for a long moment, a sense of calm settling over me despite the chaos.