Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Edmund’s face again, his narrowed gaze, the sharp edge of his questions, the way he studied me as if peeling away layers I’d worked so hard to build. Even when I drifted into shallow sleep, my dreams twisted into courtrooms, judges, and the sound of Scarlett crying for me while hands pulled her away.
By the time dawn crept in, my body felt like lead, heavy with dread.
“Mommy?”
Her voice tugged me from the half–sleep I’d fallen into. I opened my eyes to see Scarlett standing at the edge of my bed, her hair a tangled mess, her small hands clutching her stuffed rabbit. She looked so impossibly sweet and fragile in her pajamas, her eyes still swollen from the ordeal of last night.
“Good morning, sunshine,” I whispered, forcing a smile. My voice cracked from exhaustion.
She crawled into bed beside me, tucking herself against my side. Her warmth seeped into me, grounding me for a moment.
“Why were you crying yesterday?” she asked softly, her little voice muffled against my arm.
The question pierced through me like a knife. I swallowed hard, smoothing her hair. “I wasn’t crying, baby. I was just… tired.”
She tilted her head, looking at me with that unnerving clarity children seemed to have. “You looked sad. Did I make you sad?”
“Oh, Scarlett.” My throat tightened. I pulled her closer, kissing the crown of her head. “No. You could never make me sad. You’re the only reason I smile every day.”
She seemed satisfied with that, settling against me again. But her next words twisted the knife deeper.
“Are you gonna leave me, Mommy?”
My chest constricted. I pulled back enough to meet her wide, worried eyes. “Never. I will never leave you. Do you understand me? Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.”
She nodded slowly, but I could see the uncertainty still flickering in her gaze. Children felt things, more than we gave them credit for. She must have picked up on my fear, my tension. I forced myself to keep smiling, even as my insides felt like they were unraveling.
“Alright,” I said, tickling her lightly until she giggled. “Let’s go get some breakfast. Pancakes?”
“Pancakes!” she cheered, springing out of bed with all the boundless energy I wished I had.
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I dragged myself up, following her to the kitchen. The morning light spilled through the curtains, golden and soft, but it did nothing to ease the weight pressing down on me. As I cracked eggs into a bowl, I caught myself glancing at the window, half–expecting to see Edmund’s car parked outside again.
It was ridiculous. Paranoid. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was out there somewhere, circling, waiting.
“Mommy, can I stir?” Scarlett asked, bouncing on her toes.
“Of course,” I said, handing her the whisk. She stirred with all her might, splattering flour onto the counter. For a moment, I let myself laugh with her. It was easier to pretend everything was normal when her laughter filled the air.
But as the morning wore on, the laughter faded, and reality pressed in again. Every sound of my phone buzzing made my heart lurch. Every knock or car door outside sent a jolt of panic through me.
I was unraveling.
And I knew it was only a matter of time before Edmund forced the truth out of me.
After breakfast, I sent her off to play and tried to clean the kitchen, but my hands shook as I washed the dishes. I could feel the tension humming in my veins, like a storm about to break.
“Amelia?”
I jumped at the sound of my leyla’s voice. She was standing in the doorway, her eyes searching mine.
“You didn’t sleep much, did you?” she asked gently.
I sighed, setting down the plate I was scrubbing. “Not really.”
She stepped closer, lowering her voice.“Edmund, what did he want?”
“he kept asking questions. About Scarlett.”
“And what did you say?”
“I lied.” The word tasted bitter in my mouth. “I told him she was my niece. But he didn’t believe me. I could see it in his eyes. He knows something’s off. He’s putting the pieces together.”
“You know you’re going to have to tell him, right?” leyla said, her tone gentle. “The sooner, the better.”
I sighed, pressing my palm against the kitchen counter like it could steady the storm inside me. “I know.”
The truth was, after our conversation the previous night, I’d made up my mind. I was going to tell Edmund today. No more running, no more hiding behind half–truths. Since we’d been working together, I usually went to his office Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The rest of the week, I was buried at the hospital.
And today… Unfortunately, today was Wednesday,
Which meant no excuses.
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“Arent you supposed to be at work by nine?” leyla asked, arching an eyebrow as she rinsed a cup in the sink.
I nodded distractedly. “Yeah. Why?”
She tilted her wrist toward me. “Well, it’s eight forty–five, that’s why.”
My eyes widened. “Shoot!”
Adrenaline shot through me. I practically flew up the stairs two at a time, heart pounding. A record–breaking shower later, I stood in front of my closet, staring like my entire future depended on what I wore. And maybe, in a way, it did. If I was going to tell Edmund the truth, the least I could do was not look like a frazzled mess.
So I took extra care that morning, choosing a blouse that hugged me, trousers that gave me just enough confidence, a spritz of perfume that always made me feel like I belonged in any room. One last look in the mirror. My reflection looked back, polished and terrified.
Grabbing my bag and keys, I bolted out of the room. By the time I hit the driveway and slid into my car, my chest was tight with nerves.
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Chapter 39
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
