THEIR DEVOTION |18+| ⚠️🔞⚠️

48. Trust

Author POV

The tension between them crackled like a live wire. "Amelia, you don’t understand," Edward said, his tone low but firm. "I’m only trying to protect you."

"Protect me from what, Edward? From my friends?" she shot back, her voice tinged with frustration. "Or is this just about Rafael? Why do you hate him so much?"

Edward clenched his fists, trying to rein in his temper. "I don’t trust him. That’s reason enough," he said curtly.

"You don’t trust him, or you don’t trust me?" Amelia challenged, her voice trembling. "Edward, this controlling behavior of yours, it becomes suffocating for me sometime!!"

"Amelia" he said, his voice softening for a moment "you know I care for you. I just-" He stopped himself, realizing that saying more might only escalate things.

But Amelia didn’t let it go. "If you care for me, then also trust me, am i that untrustworthy? Stop treating me like I can’t make my own decisions," she said, her eyes welling up. "I left that kind of control behind when I left my uncle’s house, Edward. I don’t want to feel that way again."

Edward’s jaw tightened at her words, took a pause since it's rare for her to mention her uncle.. he said nothing. He knew if he continued, his anger might hurt her, and that was the last thing he wanted.

Amelia turned her back to him, her thoughts spiraled as Edward’s controlling nature reminded her too much of Nick’s taunting words, the way he used to demean her and make her feel powerless. A wave of unease washed over her, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that the shadows of her past were creeping into her present.

Edward stepped closer, his hand hold hers, pulling up the long sleeve of the shirt and holding her palm, leaning his chin on her shoulder. He grabbed her tighter to a back hug and then without another word, Edward turned and walked out, heading back to the company, leaving Amelia standing there with her heavy heart.

The clock struck ten, and the mansion grew quiet as the staff retired for the night. Edward’s parents were in their bedroom, unaware of the growing turmoil. Edward still hadn’t returned from work, and Amelia taking advantage of it and slipping out into the garden, she ran as fast as she could, the cool night air biting her cheeks. She was almost at the mansion gates when Edward’s men intercepted her.

"If you dare lay a hand on me, I’ll make sure Edward hears about this," she warned sharply, her voice firm despite the racing of her heart. The men froze and in that brief moment of hesitation, she darted past them. "Sorry," she muttered, more to herself than them, as she continued running.

Amelia found herself on a dimly lit road, her breaths coming in short gasps. She slowed down, her eyes darting around nervously as an eerie noise reached her ears. Before she could react, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back firmly. She didn’t need to look to know who it was.

"Edward, let me go!" she protested, struggling against his grip.

"Never," he replied, his voice calm yet unyielding. Without giving her a chance to argue further, he scooped her up into his arms and began walking back toward the mansion.

"Shh," he whispered as they approached the house. "Don’t wake up Mom and Dad."

Amelia stayed quiet, her frustration simmering silently as he carried her inside and up to their bedroom. Only when the door clicked shut behind them did she finally look at him, her emotions swirling between anger and helplessness.

"Don’t you know it’s dangerous to go out at night?" Edward asked, his voice firm and stern. 
"Like you let me go out in the daytime," Amelia shot back, her eyes blazing with frustration. 
"Where were you running off to?" he demanded.