Chapter 7
Amelia POV
I shut the car door with a soft thud and slung my bag over my shoulder, already feeling the weight of the day pressing doom on me. All I wanted was a hot shower, something warm to eat, and maybe just maybe, five minutes of peace.
“Hey. Amelia!”
I froze mid–step, my shoulders tightening. That voice. Of course. I didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was
Gerard.
Forcing myself not to groan, I plastered on a polite smile before looking over my shoulder. There he was, my ever–too- friendly neighbor, waving at me like we were long–lost friends.
“Oh, hey Gerard,” I greeted, my voice flat but laced with just enough courtesy, “You’re home early today.”
“Yeah,” he said, strolling over like he had all the time in the world. “I decided to take the afternoon off. Needed some rest
“That’s good,” I replied, inching toward my front door. “Well, I just got back myself, so I need to go in and rest too. See you later.”
My fingers curled around the handle, ready to make my escape.
“Hold on!”
I closed my eyes for a brief second, biting back the irritation that was bubbling in my chest. Slowly, I turned to him with the most neutral expression I could manage. “Yes, Gerard?”
“I was wondering if I could talk to you for a moment,” he said, leaning casually against the fence as if this was some kind of social hour.
Hell. No.
“I’m really tired, Gerard,” I answered firmly, my patience thinning. “And like I said, I need to rest. Maybe some other time, okay?”
He blinked, then suddenly blurted, “Wait, you haven’t even given me your number.”
That was it. I forced a tight smile, reached for the door again, and said, “Bye, Gerard.” Then I shut the door firmly behind me, the click of the lock more satisfying than it should have been.
Dropping my bag on the couch, I took off my shoes and sighed in relief. “Baby! I’m home!” I called out as I padded into the hallway.
Silence.
I frowned. “Scarlett?”
No answer. The living room was empty too, the throw pillows still neatly in place.
“Mum!?” I called louder, already moving toward the kitchen.
“Kitchen!” her voice rang back.
1/4
3:53 pm p P M M
Chapter 7
I followed the sound, pushing the door open “Mum, I can’t seem to find-” The words caught in my throat as my eyes landed on someone who wasn’t supposed to be here.
“Leyla”
She grinned at me like a cat caught in the cream, fork in hand, happily devouring the last slice of my leftover pie in the
flesh”
Shock jolted through me. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in Denver for a week.”
She nodded, leaning back in her chair. “Well, I figured you were missing me too much, so I decided to save you from your misery and come back.”
I snorted and walked to the fridge, pulling out a chilled bottle of water. “Yeah, right.” I twisted the cap and took a sip. “Although I won’t deny the fact that I actually missed you.”
She flashed me a playful grin. “I know you did.”
I settled beside her, pressing the cool bottle against my temple. i sighed.”Yeah.”
She tilted her head, studying me the way only Leyla could. “Okay, something’s up. What’s wrong? Did something happen at work today?”
I let out a slow breath, my lips twisting into a half–smile. “Well, it’s not about what happened… more like who happened. And it wasn’t exactly today.”
Her brows knitted together. “What are you talking about?”
I rested the bottle on my lap, my chest tightening at the thought. “Guess who I saw at the hospital.”
Her eyes narrowed, suspicion flashing. “Uhmm… I don’t know, one of your many suitors you keep running away from?”
I shook my head. “Nope.”
“A blind date you ghosted?” she teased.
A small laugh escaped me. “Wrong again. And wow, you’re terrible at guessing.”
She rolled her eyes dramatically. “Fine. Then… your sexy neighbor, Gerard?”
I nearly choked on my water. “Why the hell would I see Gerard at the hospital?”
She shrugged, feigning innocence. “I don’t know, maybe he finally worked up the courage to show up at your workplace and confess his undying love. Honestly, Amelia, you should give that guy a chance.”
I gave her a flat look. “He’s my neighbor.”
“So? Who cares?” she shot back, a sly smirk playing on her lips.
I ignored her, taking another sip before setting the bottle down with a small thud. Then I drew in a breath, steadying myself. “I saw Edmund.”
The spoon slipped from her hand and clattered against the plate with a loud clang. Her eyes snapped to mine, wide, like she had just heard the most unspeakable thing ever. “Edmund, Edmund?”
“Yup,” I said quietly, my chest tightening as the memory replayed. “In the flesh.”
2/4
3:53 pm
Chapter 7
PEMEM
“Wow.” Leyla’s brows lifted, but she quickly turned back to her plate like she needed the distraction. “It’s been.. what? Years.
“Yeah.” I twisted the cap of my water bottle, trying to keep my voice even. “Well, he got into an accident, and the CFO assigned me to his case.”
Her fork froze mid–air. “Wow. Well, that’s something.”
I nodded, my fingers tightening around the bottle. “And then his wife-”
Her head snapped up. “His wife?”
“Yes,” I said, forcing the word out. “His wife. He’s married.”
“Well, this just keeps getting worse,” she muttered.
I swallowed, my throat dry. “And then… Lewis showed up too.”
Her eyes softened instantly. “Okay, finally some good news. How’s he?”
“Good,” I said, allowing a faint smile. “He’s fine.”
She leaned forward, eyes searching mine. “Alright, now for the real question, are you okay?”
I blinked at her, caught off guard. “I’m sorry… am I okay?”
“Yes,” she said. “You can tell me anything, Amelia. You know I don’t judge.”
“I know that.” I hesitated, confused. “I just… don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
She sighed and set her fork down, turning her body fully toward me. Her hand reached across the table and closed over mine. “I’m asking if you’re okay after seeing Edmund after all these years. We both know how much the divorce shattered you.”
The words hit me like a slap. My stomach tightened. I pulled my hand free, staring at the floor. “Oh.”
“Yeah,” she said softly. “Oh.”
I straightened in my chair, forcing my voice to sound calm. “It’s nothing like that. He’s just my patient.”
Her eyes narrowed, suspicious. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, Leyla,” I said firmly, meeting her gaze. “Everything is professional between us. It’s been seven years. Whatever I felt for him… that’s long gone.”
Her lips curved into a knowing smile. “Is that really what it is, Amelia? Or is that what you’re trying to make yourself believe?”
“Everything is professional between us,” I repeated, like a quiet chant. “He’s my patient. I’m his doctor. That’s all there is to
it.”
Her voice softened, almost breaking through my walls. “You know I know you better than anyone else, right? You can tell me the truth-”
“Can we just drop it, please?” I snapped, the words flying out before I could stop them. I pushed my chair back and stood.
“Chill, Amelia.” She held her hands up, defensive. “I didn’t mean to-”
3/4
3:57 pmm p p
Chapter 7
wd
Is the Tom is off, shaking my head. I pist get home, I’m exhumed I need wren What a scarlet
she’s reating with your mum. Layla said quietly
“Alrigh. I’ll see her when I wake up then. I grabbed my bag and started toward the door
“Amelia”
I paused midstep, my heart beating harder than it should. Turning slowly. I met her gaze. “Yeah”
Her expression softened, her voice more gentle now. “You know I’m always here for you, right? You can talk to me anytime. No judgment.”
I felt my shoulders drop. I could feel a fraction of my frustration melting away. A small smile tugged at my lips. “I know”
I pushed my bedroom door open and dropped the bag by the dresser, sinking onto the bed with a long sigh. My chest felt heavy, like I’d been holding my breath since I left the hospital.
Edmund.
Seven years was a long time. Too long. And yet, seeing him again today had unraveled everything I thought I’d buried. The calm, the strength, the distance I had built–it all cracked the second his eyes met mine.
I told Leyla I was fine. I told her it was nothing. But as I lay back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling, I knew I was lying Not to her, but to myself.
Because in that moment at the hospital, when his hand brushed mine, I had felt it again.
The butterflies.
And that terrified me more than anything..
4/4
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.
