she jogged from the local bakery, clutching a brown paper bag of discounted bread. Her backpack, worn and patc

ue designer suit. He looked wealthy. Untouchable. He stepped into his car, but

didn't

lse had seen it. Her feet moved

picking up the bag

ere steely gray and sharp - calculating. Yet in that moment, a

ing the briefcase. "Most peo

" Amelia replied, her

ur name, y

lia

ing to remember something. "You're not related to...

ool. I'm... trying

ckwood University. I happen

"Wait... you're...

e. "I reward honesty. Yo

unaware that she had just stepped onto

p, the front door creaking on its hinges as she flew inside barefoot,

just happened!" she shouted, nearly t

r, peeling some watermelon with gloves worn on her

u shouting like a littl

pun around in the middle of the shop,

l, and I helped him pick it up-and you won't believe it. He's Richar

her hands, b

to go to, and when I told him Blackwood, he smiled and said

in the room

tered onto the metal tray. Her eyes, wide and dazed, loc

is name was?" she asked slo

ssed so simple, Mom. You'd never guess he's that rich or powerfu

le

in from her mother's face. Maria backed up slowly and

e softened, worried

ds on her apron, her eyes clouded with

ispered. "So the devil still

linked,

do you

lked slowly to the old plastic chair an

ght of old wounds. "They grew up like brothers. Shared everything. Until Richard took

frozen, her h

, Mom? Betrayed how? Why ha

r's lips

ness in your heart. Because I wanted you to chase

t M

r that man. I don't want you depending on him or his school. He may smile like an an

ard, her joy twist

versity is my drea

who destroy others to build their empires." Maria 's voice cracke

t followed was

wly fading. Just an hour ago, the world had felt fu

who stared blankly at the flo

e said softly, "but I want to

slowly, her v

. Because once you hear it, Amelia...