Falling For The True Heiress

Mr. Clifford stood near the entrance of the garden, watching Sylvia run from one path to another, calling Amelia’s name into the empty air. He didn’t need to be told this was serious. He pulled out his phone and sent a quick message to his master.

The evening breeze rustled the flowers around him, carrying the sweet scent of blooming roses through the air.

Sylvia eventually sank onto a wooden bench, crying until her eyes were swollen and raw. She pulled out her phone out of her bag and dialed Amelia’s number.

It was unavailable.

Mr. Clifford’s phone buzzed a moment later with a message notification. He opened the message and read it.

Take Sylvia to the Everton daughter’s apartment.

He looked up from the screen, found Sylvia still hunched on the bench, and walked toward her.

"Second Miss," he said gently, stopping in front of her.

She didn’t lift her head. Her eyes stayed fixed on the grass beneath her shoes.

"I know where you can find Miss Amelia," he said.

That got her attention, and she stood so fast she nearly stumbled, turning to face him directly.

"Where?" Her voice came out hoarse from crying.

"At Miss Camila’s apartment," he replied.

"Camila’s apartment?" She repeated slowly, furrowing her eyebrows.

He just nodded. Sylvia didn’t ask anything again. She turned and walked straight to the car.

"Let’s go." She said, already pulling the door open.

Mr. Clifford slid into the driver’s seat without a word, started the engine,

The engine started with a low rumble, and the car pulled away. The garden shrank in the side mirror until it disappeared completely.

Sylvia stared out the window. Trees, buildings, and passing cars blurred together as they drove.

She is finally turning slightly. "How did you know where she was?"

Mr. Clifford glanced at her through the rearview mirror. I’m sorry, Miss. I had to inform the master. He’s the one who told me where to find her."

Sylvia lowered her eyes and nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Clifford." She murmured, turning back to the window, watching the streetlights smear past in the gathering dusk.

The rest of the ride passed in silence.

They reached Camila’s apartment a few minutes later.

Before the car had fully stopped, Sylvia pushed open the door and got out. She hurried to the door and pressed the bell with more force.

~~~~~ Amelia’s POV ~~~~~

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

The bell cut through the apartment. Camila turned toward me.

"It looks like they’re here," she said as she stood up and walked toward the door.

I picked up the empty glasses and carried them to the kitchen.

The cool water splashed softly against my fingers as I washed them.

I placed them back inside the cabinet.

"What are you doing here?"

I heard Camila ask someone. Probably whoever had just rung the bell.

I frowned.

Who was that?

Drying my hands on a kitchen towel, I walked toward the entrance.

"Cam, who’s—"

The words died in my throat as I approached the door; I looked past Camila’s shoulder and froze.

Sylvia.

How does she know I’m here?

I looked past her outside and spotted Mr. Clifford standing beside the car.

Actually, Mr. Clifford knew this place because he was the one who often brought me here.

But there was no way he would have brought Sylvia here without someone telling him where I was.

I turned to Camila. "Did you send my location to my parents?" I asked.

She was the only person who knew I was here.

She looked at me, then dropped her gaze to the floor. "I’m sorry, Lia." Her eyes lifted again. "Your father texted me directly. I couldn’t just ignore him." She said quietly.

I let out a slow breath. Part of me wanted to be annoyed.

I rubbed my forehead and looked past her at Sylvia, whose eyes were red and swollen from crying, before turning and walking back inside without another word.

Camila glanced at Sylvia for a moment before stepping aside to let her in. Sylvia followed quickly; the door shut behind her with a soft click.

I walked over to the hanging chair near the window and dropped into it, tipped my head back, and closed my eyes; the chair swayed softly underneath me. I told myself I didn’t want to think about Sylvia right now.

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop.

Sylvia slowly walked into the living room. She looked at me for a moment before sitting beside Camila on the sofa.

I opened my eyes, walked to the freezer, scooped ice into a small bag, and carried it back into the living room. I crossed to where Sylvia sat and held it out toward her.

"Your eyes are swollen," I said. "Use it."

She stared at the bag, then up at me, and immediately started crying all over again.

I shook my head and sat down beside her.

"Come here."

She immediately turned toward me. I cupped her face in both hands, brushed her tears away with my thumbs, and pressed the ice gently against her eyes.

She reached out and grabbed the edge of my skirt. Her fingers curling into the fabric like she needed something to hold onto.

I glanced down at them, then back up at her face, and finally let myself smile.

Across from us, Camila leaned back against the sofa. Her arms were crossed and she looked annoyed.

"Lia, why are you still being so good to her?"

"She’s still my sister." I replied with a smile.

"And what am I?" She shot back, arms crossed tight, her expression suddenly dead serious.

"What kind of question is that?" I asked.

Camila didn’t answer.

I smiled a little. "You’re my best friend."

Camila lowered her eyes for a second before looking away. For some reason, that didn’t seem to make her happy.

"Ouch!" Sylvia yelped.

I glanced down and realized I had pressed the ice bag too hard against her eyes.

"Sorry," I muttered, quickly easing the pressure before turning back to Camila.

"Be nice, Cam," I said, smiling.

She just shrugged and stared at me for a second. She stood up and walked out without another word.

I watched her leave.

What’s wrong with her? Why has she been acting so strange since Sylvia showed up? Maybe she’s still annoyed about what happened earlier today at school.

I shook the thought away.

Just then, the doorbell rang again.

"Looks like they’re already here," I muttered, glancing at Sylvia. "Here. Hold this yourself." I said, pressing the ice bag into her hand.

I stood and walked towards the door.

When I opened it, my teammates were standing outside.

"Wow. This place never changes," Caleb said as he walked in.

"Looks like we’ve got an extra," Sasha said, spotting Sylvia immediately.

Danny collapsed onto the couch with a groan of relief.

"Please tell me Camila bought my favorite snacks." Sasha said, already making a beeline for the fridge.

"Bring mine too," Danny called after her without lifting her head.

I looked around the room. Camila still hadn’t come back out.

"Where’s my mommy, Amelia?" Caleb asked, looking around for Camila.

"I’ll get her," I said, already turning to follow the path she had disappeared down earlier.

I found her in the gaming room, exactly where she always went when something was bothering her. I leaned against the doorframe and watched her for a second, the soft blue glow from the monitor washing over her where she sat with her forehead resting against the keyboard.

"Who upset my baby?" I asked, smiling.

She lifted her head just enough to glance at me, then let it drop again. I pushed off the doorframe and crossed the room, crouching beside her chair, gently lifting her chin until her eyes met mine.

"Did I make you angry?" I asked, tilting my head.

She shook her head, just a little.

I rested one hand against her knee and tangled the other loosely in her hair. "Then tell me what’s actually wrong."

"Do you love me?" She asked, looking straight into my eyes.

I smiled and nodded immediately. "Mmm. I do. You’re the only one who really understands me." I said, running my fingers slowly through her hair.

She smiled then and pulled me into a tight hug, her arms wrapping around me like she was afraid I’d disappear if she let go too soon.

"I thought someone else wanted to take you away from me." She admitted quietly against my shoulder.

I smiled, patting the back of her head.

"Weren’t you the one who called me a little kitten?" I poked her forehead.

"I think that title belongs to you right now." I said, leaning in closer.

Camila let out a soft, surprised laugh, then bit me lightly on the ear before pulling away and ran straight out of the room.

"Ouch!" I yelped, one hand rubbing my ear.

Then I stood up and chased after her.

"Camila!" I shouted.

Her laughter echoed down the hallway.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!