Chapter 2

I spun around and bolted toward home.

My mom looked up in surprise when I burst in. "Amelia? Shouldn't you be in class right now?"

She was lounging in the backyard, totally relaxed with a cup of coffee in hand, when I suddenly showed up.

With tears welling up in my eyes, I threw myself into her arms and hugged her tight.

In the last timeline, everything my parents had worked for was ruined in a heartbeat. Gerald, the kid they'd treated like family, ended up driving them out of Kladon City. I never even got to say goodbye before they passed.

"You're already so grown up, still such a mama's girl. How will you cope when you get married?" My mom teased softly from above, her voice gentle.

But that word "married" sent a chill down my spine. I hugged her even tighter.

I said, "I'm never getting married. I'm not going anywhere. I'm just gonna stay home, look after you and Dad, and keep our family business going. I'll just be a spoiled rich kid who does nothing but loaf around."

My mom put on a helpless act, but her smile just got even brighter.

She said, "Well then, I guess we'll just have to let you mooch off us forever, you little freeloader."

After spending the whole night getting my emotions in check, I showed up at school the next day, acting like everything was totally normal.

The driver dropped me off at the school gate.

As I stepped out of the car, I spotted Gerald and Isabella hanging out at the corner up ahead, laughing and chatting.

That was our go-to spot to meet up. They were obviously waiting for me.

Not wanting them to notice me, I buried my face in my backpack and rushed straight into school.

We'd walk that school path together, the three of us side by side. But while I couldn't take my eyes off Gerald, he only ever had eyes for Isabella.

This crush of mine should've been over long ago.

But I was too young to know better, always secretly happy just to steal another look at Gerald as we walked that path.

After school, I dragged my feet, hoping to avoid them. But there they were, waiting for me at the school gate.

There was no way out, so I just had to grit my teeth and walk over.

Isabella didn't bring up how I'd run off yesterday when I saw them. She just linked arms with me, acting as if nothing had changed between us.

She said, "Amelia! We waited for you at the corner for so long today. Why didn't you come?"

I held back as long as I could, but finally couldn't take it anymore. I gently pulled my hand away from Isabella's, trying to keep it casual.

Isabella froze for a moment, but then quickly went back to her usual self.

She asked, "It's my birthday today, Amelia! Aren't you going to stay with me?"

My heart skipped a beat.

In the previous timeline, Isabella got tipsy on her birthday night. Her eyes were red from crying, and she poured her heart out to me.

She accidentally told me how her stepdad had done something terrible to her when she was just a kid.

This time, I wouldn't dare to listen to her secrets again.

I avoided looking at Gerald beside her, keeping my gaze fixed on the ground as I dodged the question.

I said, "I... Something came up at home, so I can't make it. Happy birthday."

I didn't stick around to see Isabella's eyes tear up. I just turned and hurried away.

Out of nowhere, I heard someone rushing up behind me. "Amelia."

It was Gerald calling out.

My heart jumped, and I kept my head down, speeding up my steps.

Gerald caught up to me in just a few quick steps, blocking my path and looming over me, his shadow casting down from above.

"Why are you running?" he asked.

For the first time in this timeline, I looked up at the eighteen-year-old Gerald.

He was dressed in that familiar school uniform, his features sharp and striking. But the cold, detached look in his eyes, which was so out of place for someone his age, was just like the Gerald from the last timeline.

Suddenly, it dawned on me. Gerald at eighteen wouldn't have that look in his eyes when he saw me.

My nerves went haywire, and I instinctively stumbled back a few steps, nearly tripping over myself.

But Gerald just kept coming, his shadow swallowing mine with every step.

Gerald raised an eyebrow. "Amelia, are you afraid of me?"

The next second, Gerald's expression softened. He reached out and ruffled my hair, just like he always did.

He asked, "Amelia, are you not feeling well? Why do you keep dodging me and Bella?

"It's Bella's birthday today. If you don't come, she'll feel really bad. Come on, let's go celebrate with her, okay?"

Gerald was smiling, but there was something probing in his eyes. I could tell he was sizing me up.

After all, ever since yesterday, I'd been dodging both of them every chance I got, and I wasn't clinging to Gerald like I used to in the last timeline.

If Gerald wasn't really just an eighteen-year-old kid, he'd probably start questioning if I was still the same seventeen-year-old Amelia he used to know.

After three years of being married to Gerald, whatever feelings I once had for him were completely destroyed by all that mental torment.

Now, I hated Gerald, but I was also scared of him too.

"I... I..." I managed a weak smile, trying to play it cool.

But Gerald jumped in before I could say anything, turning to Oliver Shepard, my driver waiting by the curb. "Mr. Shepard, it's Bella's birthday today. We're heading to the party. I'll bring Amelia back home later."

Oliver knew the Dawsons and Herberts were tight, so he just grinned, nodded, and drove off.

I just tagged along behind them, keeping quiet.