Forbidden Attraction

1. Eighteen

Amelia's POV:

"Well, God, today's the day!" I thought, grinning to myself as I twirled around the empty room. Eighteen years. That's how long I'd waited to be a part of the world beyond these walls.

"I mean, it's about time, right?" I continued, imagining God was listening, sitting on some cloud, probably amused by my excitement. Today, I get to leave. Finally. I could almost hear Him chuckling. If He even does that.

"Do you think it'll be everything I've dreamed about?" I asked, leaning against my window and gazing out at the horizon, where the city shimmered in the distance like a promise. "Or is it one of those 'be careful what you wish for' things?" I tilted my head up to the ceiling. I hope not. I've been dreaming of this day for so long—stepping out into the real world, seeing people, places, things beyond this mansion and my family's guarded secrets.

"But you've got my back, right?" I whispered, as if striking a deal with the divine. "You wouldn't let me fall flat on my face the first time I step out there, would you?" A small laugh escaped me. "I'd like to think we're cool like that."

My heart fluttered as I replayed Dad's words in my mind from the night before:

"Tomorrow, Amelia, you'll finally see the world. Your training is over. You're ready."

I had imagined this moment a thousand times—what it would feel like to step out into a world full of color, sound, and life, where people didn't look over their shoulders or whisper secrets into dark corners. A place where I could be free.

"Can you believe it? After all those years of being cooped up, I get to step outside! Do you think people will notice me? Or will I just be some random girl in the crowd?" I smiled, biting my lip. "Do you think they'll like me?"

Not that it matters, I told myself quickly. "I'm not going out there to make friends." No, today marked the start of something much bigger—my mission.

Still, as I pressed my forehead against the cool glass, staring out at the world I'd been denied for so long, a flicker of doubt crept in.

"Do you think I'm ready?" I whispered. "What if I'm not... what if I mess it up? What if I get caught?"

But then, just as quickly, I shook the thought away. "No, no. I can do this. You and I both know that. Right?" Right.

I pushed away from the window, excitement bubbling up in my chest again. "Happy birthday to me!" I whispered into the empty room, glancing up once more as if God was there, nodding along, saying, "You've got this, Amelia. It's your time."

As I was lost in my thoughts, the gentle knock on the door jolted me back to reality.

"Yes, come in, Mom!" I called, trying to smooth my hair back into some semblance of order.

The door opened, and in walked my mother, her warm smile lighting up the room like sunshine breaking through clouds. She always had that effect on me.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart!" she exclaimed, enveloping me in a warm embrace. Her soft, floral scent wrapped around me, and I melted into her arms, feeling the weight of my excitement transform into pure joy.

"Thanks, Mom!" I said, pulling back to look at her. Her eyes sparkled with pride.

"I can't believe my baby is officially an adult today!" she cooed, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "It feels like just yesterday you were a little girl running around the house with wild hair and a big imagination."

I chuckled, recalling those carefree days, where my biggest worries were whether my dolls would come to life or if the fairy tales were true. "I still have a big imagination!"