Morning came softly.
The room was dark, quiet, peaceful, as Amelia woke before the sun.
Damien lay beside her, his breathing slow and even, his hand close to hers but not touching.
She watched him sleeping.
His face’s hard lines had softened in sleep, the tension he always carried was gone.
He looked younger.
Almost tranquil.
Her heart hurt, but not from pain this time.
From something else.
Something hot.
Slowly she reached out and touched his hand.
He stirred and his eyes opened, immediately finding hers.
“Morning.
He was speaking in a rough, sleepy, human voice.
She smiled.
“Morning.
He didn’t move, just looked.
“You’re up early.” “Couldn’t sleep.”
He brushed his thumb across her hand.
“Scared?”
She shook her head.
‘Thinking.
‘ ‘About what?
She stopped.
“Pretty much everything.
He sat up slowly and rubbed his face, then looked at her.
Tell me.
She sat up as well, pulling the blanket around herself.
My father is in jail.
The evidence is open to the public.
The board has acted.
She halted.
“Everything I wanted, it’s happening.”
He waited.
But I am not happy.
“That’s expected,” he said.
“Is it?
He held her hand.
“You’ve been fighting him for years. Years waiting for him to change.” His thumb stroked her knuckles.
Now he’s lost.
And you are left holding the loss.”
Her throat grew tight.
I shouldn’t feel loss.
He was terrible.”
‘Well, he was still your dad.
She turned her eyes away.
Part of me still, wants to ring him.
Wants to listen to his voice.Her voice cracked.
“Wants to hear an apology from him.
His fingers tightened on her.
That’s not weakness.
That’s grief.
She laughed softly.
“I don’t know how to grieve someone who hurt me.”
“Yes you do.
He glanced at her.
“You’re doing it right now.
Tears came quietly and she didn’t fight them.
He held her tight, arms wrapped around her and she cried into his chest-for the father she never had, for the childhood she never had, for all the love she never had.
He held her.
He said nothing.
Held her only.
Finally she drew away, wiping her eyes.
‘Thank you,’ she said.
His hand lightly touched her face.
“Always.”
You know, I don’t know what I’d do without you.
His face changed, softened, became vulnerable.
“You don’t have to know.” The words hit home.
“Damien…
“I ain’t going nowhere.
He took her other hand in his.
“We face whatever comes after, together.”
“Together,” she said.
A gentle rapping interrupted them.
“Amelia? You awake?” Sophia’s voice.
Amelia pulled back a little.
‘Come in,’ he said.
Sophia opened the door, her face a mask of worry.
“What’s happening? said Amelia. ”
Sophia held up the phone.
Edward Kane was just interviewed.
Amelia felt her stomach knot.
“What him say? He’s blaming you,” Sophia said, her face darkening.
You meddled in the matter, he says.
That you destroyed his reputation.”
Amelia got up in a hurry.
“Well I’ll see. Sophia passed her the phone and Amelia stared at Edward on the screen, his face flushed with anger, his voice clipped. She had me in stitches. She used Damien Vale to destroy her father’s empire. And now she’s trying to destroy me as well.” He continued on.
I won’t let her get away with this.
I’ll fight back.
I will speak the truth.”
The video finished.
Amelia returned the phone.
‘He’s lying.
Damien walked over to stand beside her.
“I know it.”
“How do you want us to do it?”
His expression stiffened.
“We fight back.” “How?”
He grabbed for his phone.
“I got contacts.
Attorneys.
Media Inquiries.
His eyes found her.
We expose his lies.
To the people.
Her heart rate increased.
Will that suffice?
He smiled coldly, confidently.
Edward Kane is an arrogant man.
Arrogant people make mistakes.
“What sort of mistakes?”
He was already on the phone.
He threatened you.
in public.
That’s harassment.” “Luca,” he said into the phone.
“I want everything you know about Edward Kane.” A pause.
Financial statement.
Business transactions Personal history.
More silence.
“Get us something to use.
He ended the call.
Amelia glanced at him.
“Have you got people who can do that? I got people who can do anything.”
Sophia looked impressed.
“That’s frightening.
Damien gave a weak smile.
That is the point.
Amelia went to the window and looked out at the city.
Edward Kane.
Her dad.
The media.
Enemies all around.
But she was not alone any longer. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Damien came to stand beside her.
“Edward won’t get away with this.
“How do you know?
I will not allow him.
The certainty in his voice steadied her, and she reached for his hand.
“I believe you.”
He squeezed it gently.
“Good.”
Sophia cleared her throat.
“I’ll leave you two alone.” She headed for the door.
“Sophia.”
She turned.
Amelia smiled gently.
Thanks.
Sophia’s face grew soft.
“Forever.” And then she was gone.
Amelia glanced at Damien.
“What happens now?
“We are ready.” “For what?” “For the next fight.” “Edward?” “Yes.” “And the press?” “Yes.” “And my father’s lawyers?”
Them in particular.
She inhaled.
“I’m ready.”
He stroked her face.
“I do.”
She leaned into his hand and warmth blossomed in her chest again.
Whatever came next, she would deal with it, because Damien was by her side, and together they could survive anything.
Before it lay the morning, bright and new and full of hope.
She looked out the window again, and now the city below looked different.
Less menacing.
More.
She faced Damien.
“Let’s start.” “Together,” he said.
They walked into the office.
It was going to be a hard day, but for the first time in her life Amelia felt like she could actually fight.
And win.
” Because she was not fighting alone anymore.
The hours dragged on.
Wicked plans, wicked plans, wicked plans were made, strategies developed.
Damien worked alongside her, and Sophia stayed close, supporting, encouraging.
Something was moving inside Amelia’s chest, hope, the real kind, not the desperate kind she’d been living on for years.
The regular kind.
The kind that comes when you know, at last, that you can.
She turned to Damien.
“I want to see the evidence again.
He blinked at that.
Now?
“Yeah.
He pulled out the folder and she gingerly opened it – photographs, documents, statements, everything that her father had hidden away for years.
She read each page slowly, then closed the book.
“I want to testify.
He gazed at her face.
“You sure?”
“I want to share my story.
Officially, “So everyone knows the truth. He held her hand. Then I’ll be right next to you.”
She smiled, the first real smile in days.
“Thank you.
He squeezed her hand.
“Always,”
And for the first time, Amelia really felt she was ready.
Ready to rumble.
Ready to heal.
Ready to heal.
Prepared to live.
The world outside kept on spinning.
But there were changes happening inside the mansion.
And this time the change was good.