Chapter 109: take a break

Chapter 109: Chapter 109: take a break

Kate finally lowered her phone, scrolling through the shots with a critical eye.

"You’re terrible at taking pictures, you know that? With a face that pretty, you should at least know how to work an angle."

Amelia leaned back against the seat, unimpressed.

"You talking as if you did any better than me."

Kate laughed. "Fair enough. So where are we going first?"

"I don’t know." Amelia glanced toward the front. "Skye?"

"Wherever you want to go."

Amelia hesitated. "I don’t really know anywhere."

Kate waved a dismissive hand.

"Don’t worry about that. I know a ton of places—expensive ones, perfect ones. We start where any rich girl starts." She grinned. "The mall."

Amelia nodded. "The mall, then."

Skye didn’t argue. "No problem."

The driver simply inclined his head and adjusted course.

Kate shifted in her seat, suddenly remembering something.

"That reminds me—you were trending a few days ago." She unlocked her phone again, scrolled, and turned the screen toward Amelia. "Look."

Amelia stared at the photos. She remembered that day clearly: the brothers had shown up at campus, and she had ended up feeding them in full view of half the student body.

Kate’s voice softened a little. "Those men are definitely into you. So why are you still sitting here debating your feelings?"

"It’s not that simple."

"They literally told you to go have fun and spend as much of their money as you want. A man who doesn’t like you doesn’t do that."

Amelia knew she was right. The quiet truth of it settled uncomfortably in her chest.

From the front seat, Skye let out a short, dry laugh. "Don’t let your friend deceive you."

Kate’s head snapped up.

"My name is Kate. And what exactly do you mean by that?"

"You know how it works," Skye said, still watching the road. "Celebrities online put on whole performances of romance because the public wants to see it. The brothers have legitimate reasons to act the way they do in public. It doesn’t automatically mean they have real feelings for her."

Kate’s jaw tightened.

"That’s true enough. But how do you explain them acting the same way at home? Amelia isn’t about to fall for some actors. She’s already been through that once—she knows the difference between fake and real."

"I’m not sure i know the difference Kate.

Kate turned fully toward her. "Then list it for me. Has there been any cold treatment from them lately? Anything that feels the same as what you had with Dylan?"

Amelia didn’t need long to answer.

"No."

Kate reached over and took her hand, holding it firmly.

"It’s completely normal that you’re questioning what you’re feeling right now, especially after what you went through before. When you’re used to toxic relationships, peace can feel foreign—almost like something is missing because the chaos is gone. But your partners aren’t making you feel sunk. Your head and your heart are finally on the same page. That fear you’re feeling isn’t a warning sign about them—it’s just the ghost of your past trying to protect you from something that finally feels good."

Silence filled the car for a few long seconds.

Then Skye spoke. "That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard."

"And what do you know about true love? Or are you just projecting whatever mess you’re currently in?" Kate retorted.

Something shifted right across Skye’s face, the sharp edge in her eyes dulling down. She turned her head toward the window and stayed there, completely silent.

Amelia watched her. She knew just how deeply Skye loved Rue. The heavy truth of it sat uncomfortably in her chest, but looking at her, she couldn’t bring herself to judge.

Kate wasn’t finished. "Can’t talk anymore? I’d like to see this partner of yours. He’s probably not even spending time with you—only showing up when it benefits him, tell you sweet words to make you forgive him for things you have mentioned countless times. "

Skye’s voice came out low and tight, still facing the glass.

"Amelia. Shut your friend up before I do."

Kate rolled her eyes and leaned back against the seat. Amelia was unsure of what to say, the tension pressing against her ribs. Neither of them noticed the way Skye’s jaw had locked, the way she was carefully holding back whatever expression threatened to break through.

Over an hour drifted by. The scenery outside slowly shifted, trading small-town streets and thick patches of forest for towering glass buildings and sleek, polished storefronts. Amelia finally tore her eyes away from her lap to look outside, her eyes widening as the city skyline opened up ahead.

"I’ve never been anywhere except Blacksmith Territory. This place is so different."

Kate nodded, following her gaze. "Yeah. It’s owned by the Moonfist Territory. They control a lot of it, thanks to your partners’ influence."

Amelia already knew that, but seeing it in person was different. Everything looked more expensive. The vehicle eventually slowed and parked. Doors opened. They stepped out one after another.

Amelia could only stare.

The building in front of them rose in clean lines of glass and pale stone, massive and gleaming under the afternoon light. Photos and videos had never captured the scale of it. Standing here, looking up, it felt almost unreal.

Kate hooked her arm through Amelia’s and tugged her forward, eyes bright with excitement.

"I never thought I’d actually walk in here and spend money. You’re the one doing all of it today—aren’t you even a little excited?"

Amelia offered a smile that never quite reached her eyes and gave a small shrug.

Kate didn’t wait for a better answer. "Come on, let’s go."

She dragged Amelia through the wide glass entrance. Skye followed a few steps behind, expression unreadable.

They passed through a discreet security checkpoint—bags scanned, quiet nods exchanged—before the full interior opened up around them. Multiple floors stretched upward in elegant tiers.

Women in carefully curated outfits moved between displays. Some had servants or husbands or young men trailing behind them, arms loaded with shopping bags. Other groups of friends walked together with smiles that looked practiced and slightly brittle.

"Let’s start at the clothing section." Kate spoke.

She pulled Amelia toward one of the high-end boutiques without waiting for agreement. Skye remained a short distance behind them. As they walked, she slipped her phone from her pocket and typed a short message to Rue:

The plan is now in motion.

A second message followed, sent to Claire:

Get here immediately. I’m waiting.