THE week rolled by in a strange, almost suspicious kind of peace.
No threats.
No sudden confrontations.
No dramatic surprises waiting behind every corner.
For Amelia, that alone felt like a victory.
Work flowed smoothly, the boys were cheerful, Hazel was doing well, and the small circle of people she trusted stayed close.
Even Charles had been… manageable. Which was exactly why the calm felt temporary.
By the middle of the week, Wednesday evening to be exact, Charles had just dropped Amelia off at her house after a brief hangout in town. Nothing extravagant— just coffee, light food, and casual conversation.
And he paid!
The night air was cool when the car rolled to a stop in front of her gate.
Charles quickly stepped out and walked around the car, opening the passenger door for
