Chapter 8: The Friend Who Signed My Betrayal
For a moment, nobody moved.
Not Ethan.
Not Jessamine.
Not me.
The attorney's words hung in the air like smoke.
*The document was filed using Jessamine Vale's authorization.*
I looked at her.
The woman who had pinned my hair that morning.
The woman who had held my hand while I cried over wedding stress.
The woman who knew every insecurity I had ever carried.
My best friend.
My betrayer.
"Jessamine.""
Her face changed.
Not shock.
Not confusion.
Pain.
Like she had been waiting for this moment but still wasn't ready for it.
"Amelia...""
"No.""
My voice was quiet.
That scared me more than yelling.
"Don't say my name like you're worried about me.""
She looked down.
"I can explain.""
I laughed softly.
Everyone had an explanation.
Everyone.
"Of course you can.""
I looked at Ethan.
Then back at her.
"Apparently, everyone can explain except the person who was lied to.""
The attorney was still on the phone.
"Ms. Carter?""
I forced myself to focus.
"Yes. I'm here.""
"I need you to be careful with the people around you.""
I looked at Ethan.
Then Jessamine.
Too late.
"I understand.""
"Do not sign anything. Do not agree to any meeting without legal representation.""
"Okay.""
"And Amelia?""
"Yes?""
A pause.
"Your father left instructions regarding this situation.""
My heart stopped.
"What instructions?""
"I can't discuss that over the phone.""
"Why not?""
"Because he specifically requested that the information only be released if you personally came to my office.""
I looked around.
My father's name had followed me into this nightmare.
Even after five years.
Even after everyone told me to move on.
He had left something behind.
Something he knew I might need.
"When can I come?""
"Tomorrow morning.""
"Thank you.""
I ended the call.
Nobody spoke.
Then Ethan said:
"You can't believe everything he tells you.""
I turned slowly.
"What?""
"He doesn't know the whole situation.""
"And you do?""
"Yes.""
The confidence in his voice made my skin crawl.
"You always say that.""
"Because I was there.""
"Exactly.""
I stepped closer.
"You were always there.""
His expression shifted.
"You were there when I signed things I didn't understand.""
Silence.
"You were there when I forgot six months of my life.""
Silence.
"You were there when everyone decided what I could handle.""
Silence.
"And somehow, every time I look deeper, you're standing in the middle of it.""
"Amelia—"
"No.""
I shook my head.
"I need the truth from someone who doesn't benefit from me staying confused.""
His face hardened.
"Do you really think I wanted this?""
I stared at him.
"I think you wanted something.""
"What?""
"The company.""
His jaw tightened.
"No.""
"Then why marry me?""
His answer came immediately.
"Because I love you.""
"Then why did you need a contract?""
No answer.
That was the first time he had nothing.
Not an excuse.
Not a reason.
Nothing.
I turned toward Jessamine.
"Did you file the agreement?""
She didn't speak.
"Jessamine.""
Her eyes filled.
"Yes.""
The honesty hurt more than another lie would have.
I nodded slowly.
"Why?""
She swallowed.
"Because I thought it would protect you.""
I stared at her.
"Protect me?""
"Yes.""
"You filed a document that gave Ethan control over my company.""
"I know how it looks.""
"No.""
My voice sharpened.
"You don't get to use that phrase.""
She looked away.
"I was trying to stop something worse.""
I felt a cold wave move through me.
"Worse than stealing my company?""
She didn't answer.
"Worse than destroying my wedding?""
Still nothing.
"What could possibly be worse?""
Jessamine looked at Ethan.
And that look told me everything.
They weren't on the same side.
Not anymore.
"Tell her," Jessamine whispered.
Ethan's face darkened.
"Don't.""
"You don't get to hide behind her anymore.""
"Jessamine.""
"Tell her what happened.""
I looked between them.
"What are you talking about?""
Ethan stepped forward.
"She's manipulating you.""
Jessamine laughed bitterly.
"That's rich.""
"You know what you did.""
"And you know what you did.""
My heart pounded.
"What did you both do?""
Neither answered.
Then Jessamine said:
"Two years ago, after the accident, Ethan didn't just convince you to give him control.""
She looked at him.
"He convinced you to erase your own investigation.""
My blood ran cold.
"What?""
Ethan immediately said:
"That's not true.""
But he said it too quickly.
Jessamine continued.
"You found proof that someone inside the company was moving money.""
I looked at Ethan.
"Who?""
She shook her head.
"You never found out.""
"Why?""
"Because before you could expose it, the accident happened.""
I remembered the note.
The fear.
The warning.
"If anything happens to me...""
I whispered:
"I thought it wasn't an accident.""
Jessamine looked down.
"I didn't know.""
"You don't know?""
"No.""
She looked at me.
"I thought you were trying to leave.""
"Leave who?""
Her eyes moved to Ethan.
Him.
The answer was him.
I turned.
"Ethan.""
He looked exhausted.
"Amelia.""
"Did you know about the accident before it happened?""
His face changed.
And that tiny movement destroyed whatever trust I had left.
"Answer me.""
"No.""
"Did you know I was investigating the company?""
Silence.
"Ethan.""
Finally:
"Yes.""
My chest tightened.
"How?""
"Because you told me.""
"When?""
"Before you confronted me.""
I shook my head.
"No.""
"You did.""
"I would remember.""
His voice softened.
"That's what scares me.""
I hated that sentence.
Because it sounded caring.
But I had heard that tone before.
The tone someone uses when they want you to doubt yourself.
"You really know how to do that.""
"What?""
"Make me question my own mind.""
His face fell.
"I never wanted that.""
"But you did it.""
Silence.
I looked at Jessamine.
"Why did you help him?""
Her expression broke.
"Because I was scared.""
"Of what?""
She took a breath.
"Because after your accident, I found out Ethan wasn't just hiding the affair.""
"What was he hiding?""
She looked at him.
"His connection to the missing money.""
The room went silent.
I stared at Ethan.
"No.""
"Amelia—"
"No.""
I backed away.
"You told me you were helping investigate.""
"I was.""
"While you were involved?""
"I wasn't.""
"Then why are you scared?""
He didn't answer.
Because he was.
I could see it.
The perfect man.
The supportive fiancé.
The person everyone trusted.
Cracking.
My phone buzzed.
Another message.
From Daniel Reeves.
This time, there was an attachment.
I opened it.
A scanned document.
A letter.
My father's handwriting.
My hands shook.
Because I recognized it.
I had seen it my entire childhood.
The slant of the letters.
The way he crossed his t's.
The way he wrote my name.
*Amelia,*
*If you are reading this, it means I was right to worry.*
I stopped breathing.
I read the next line.
*Do not trust anyone who tells you Ethan Carter saved you.*
My eyes lifted.
Ethan went pale.
Jessamine covered her mouth.
The letter continued.
*He did not enter your life by accident.*
My hands trembled.
*He entered because he knew what you would inherit.*
I looked at Ethan.
He looked away.
Then I read the final sentence on the page.
And the world stopped.
*The person who caused your accident was not trying to kill you.*
A cold feeling moved through my body.
The next line appeared.
*They were trying to make sure you forgot.*
I lowered the phone.
"What does this mean?""
Nobody answered.
Then Ethan whispered:
"Your father knew.""
I looked at him.
"Knew what?""
His face was full of fear.
Not fake fear.
Real fear.
Because whatever came next was something even he couldn't control.
"That someone inside your family was involved.""
My phone buzzed again.
A new message.
From Daniel.
May you like
Only four words.
*Ask your mother first.*
