Chapter 12: Best Friend

Amelia's POV:

"I'm sorry," he said after asking to speak with me privately. "I was wrong about last night."

"Did you have someone investigate me?" I asked, more resigned than angry.

He had the grace to look embarrassed. "Yes. I know now that you really did just run into Adam at the bookstore." His expression hardened. "But remember who you are now - Mrs. Carter. Keep your distance from him."

"You could have just trusted me."

"Trust is earned, Amelia." His voice carried a warning. "Don't forget our arrangement."

Before he could continue, my phone rang. My mother's name on the screen made me sigh.

"Mom?"

"Amelia..." Her voice was weak and trembling. "I think I'm very sick. Please come..."

I hesitated. For a moment, I was twelve again, watching Mom patch up my scraped knee after a bike fall, humming softly as she worked. Before the gambling consumed her, before every conversation became a transaction. The memory made my chest ache.

"I'll be right there." The babysitter had assured me she'd stay late if needed. My son was safe at home, playing with his favorite dinosaur toys, blissfully unaware of the constant tension between his mother and grandmother.

The door opened to reveal Mom sprawled on her couch, looking perfectly healthy. My concern evaporated instantly.

"So it's true then?" she demanded, sitting up straight. "Your father saw you with that rich man from Cypress Central. Said you're living in some fancy apartment now. When were you planning to tell me?"

"You faked being sick to ambush me about this?"

"Don't you take that tone with me, young lady!" She stood up, her earlier act of frailty completely forgotten. "I'm your mother. I have a right to know when my daughter suddenly marries into money. That place must be huge – why haven't you invited me to stay? After everything I sacrificed for you..."

I thought of the endless nights I'd spent as a teenager, listening to her sob over gambling debts while Dad drank himself into a stupor. Of the college fund that disappeared overnight. Of how she'd turned her back when I needed her most five years ago.

"Mom," I cut in, my voice steady despite the trembling in my hands. "There was a time when you used to bake chocolate chip cookies every Sunday. Remember? You'd let me lick the spoon and tell me stories about your childhood in Boston. What happened to that mother?"

Her expression flickered for a moment, something vulnerable passing across her face. Then her eyes hardened. "Don't try to change the subject. Does he know about your past? About what you did? Maybe I should pay him a visit, tell him everything..."

The threat hung in the air between us. She didn't know about the fake marriage, so she thought she had me over a barrel because of that thing that happened at the hotel five years ago.

"Go ahead," I said quietly, surprised by how calm I felt. "Tell him whatever you want. I'm not that scared little girl anymore."

I turned and walked away, her angry words following me. The tears I'd been holding back finally spilled over as I pulled into a quiet side street. My phone buzzed again – but this time it was a message from Alexis: "Finally back from my business trip! God, I miss you so much. Lunch today? Need my bestie time!"

A smile broke through my tears. Just seeing her message lifted some of the weight from my shoulders. We quickly arranged to meet at our favorite restaurant in Maple Heights – the one where we'd spent countless hours sharing dreams and heartaches over plates of pasta.

First, I headed home to pick up Lucas. The babysitter reported he'd been perfect as always, proudly showing me the dinosaur drawing he'd made. "We're going to see Alexis," I told him, and his whole face lit up.

When we arrived at the restaurant's private room, Alexis was already there. The moment she saw us, she let out a squeal and rushed forward, wrapping both Lucas and me in a tight hug. "My favorite people in the whole world!"

"Alex!" Lucas chirped excitedly, showing her his drawing. She made all the right appreciative noises before turning to me with knowing eyes.

"Hey sweetie, why don't you go play with your toys while mommy and I talk?" She'd thoughtfully brought some of his favorite dinosaurs. Once Lucas was happily occupied in the corner, Alexis' expression turned serious.

"Okay, spill. I leave for two weeks and come back to hear you're married?" She lowered her voice. "What's really going on, Amelia? This isn't like you."

I hesitated, searching for words. Alexis had held me through my darkest moments without judgment.

"I need you to trust me on this," I said softly. "It's... complicated."

"Complicated?" Alexis' eyes flashed. "Honey, you're the strongest person I know. What I can't figure out is why someone like you would suddenly marry a man you barely know." She reached across the table to grab my hand. "You're worth so much more than whatever he's offering. No man deserves you – especially not some rich guy who probably thinks he can buy happiness."

"It's not like that," I protested weakly, though my throat tightened at her fierce loyalty.

"Then what is it like? Because the Amelia I know would never rush into marriage unless..." She paused, her eyes widening. "Is this about Lucas's medical bills? Because you know I can help-"

"No," I cut her off quickly. "I can't take any more from you, Alexis. You've done enough."

"That's what sisters are for," she said firmly. "If it were not for you, I'd be six feet under."