Chapter 10 The loud ringing of Amelias phone jarred her awake, pulling her from the comforting depths of sleep.
She blinked, squinting at the screen through bleary eyes.
The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number.
With a sigh, she picked up, wondering who could be calling at this hour.
Hello? she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.
Amelia.
The voice was unmistakable, even through the static.
Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized itRyan.
Every muscle in her body tensed, her finger hovering over the screen to end the call.
She was ready to cut him off without a second thought, but his next words stopped her cold.

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Please, dont hang up, he said, his voice softer than she remembered.
I just… I just wanted to say Im sorry.
She froze, the unexpected apology throwing her off balance.
Her pulse quickened as his words sank in.
She could hear the strain in his voice, the weight of something real and vulnerable.
But could she trust it? Amelia, I know Ive hurt you, he continued, his voice barely a whisper.
More than I can even imagine.
Ive been a fool, and I see that now.
I dont expect things to be perfect, but… Id like a chance to make things right.
Ill do anything.
A tense silence followed his words.
Amelias mind raced, flooded with memories of their life together, the good moments mixed with the bitterness of betrayal.
She wanted to say something, anything, but the words were stuck, lodged somewhere between her heart and throat.
Amelia? he prompted gently.
Are you there? Yes, she replied, her voice barely audible.
I just… I just want a chance to make things right, he pleaded.
Maybe we could meet and talk? The question hung in the air, heavy with expectation.
Amelia closed her eyes, taking a steadying breath, and then spoke, her voice colder than she intended.
No, Ryan.
Absolutely not.
Before he could reply, she ended the call, letting her phone fall back onto the pillow.
She lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to calm the storm of emotions that his call had stirred.
Just then, a loud, insistent knock on the front door shattered the silence.
Her heart leaped, and she sat up, her senses on high alert.
Ryan.
It had to be him.
Maybe he hadnt taken no for an answer and had come to her house.
The knocking continued, growing more urgent, each rap making her pulse race.
She groaned, throwing back the covers, and made her way to the door.
Persistent, arent we? she thought, irritation building as she crossed the hallway.
She paused just before opening it, taking a moment to collect herself.
She was ready to unleash a torrent of words at Ryan, to tell him to leave her alone once and for all.
But as she pulled the door open, the words died on her lips.
Standing in the doorway, with her back turned to Amelia, was a woman.
The strangers silhouette was slender and poised, her figure unmistakably familiar, even though Amelia couldnt see her face.
Excuse me, Amelia said, her voice sharp.
Who are you? The woman turned slowly, her face coming into view under the dim porch light.
Amelias breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of the woman she had hoped never to see face-to-face.
It was Brendathe woman her husband had left her for, standing there, staring at her with a look of desperation.
Amelias heart dropped, a surge of shock and anger bubbling to the surface.
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