Falling For The True Heiress

Daniela was leaning against Amelia’s car, absentmindedly scrolling through her phone. Every now and then, she glanced up.

Camila was still standing close to Amelia, who remained leaning against her with her eyes closed, almost as if the rest of the world had disappeared around them.

Daniela smiled to herself. She had known about those two for years and their closeness wasn’t new to her. If anything, it was as natural to her as her breathing in air.

Camila had always been Amelia’s safe place, ever since they were children. So seeing them this close didn’t stir even a bit of jealousy inside her.

It simply felt... normal to her.

"Amelia." Sylvia’s voice cut through the quiet evening as she strode across the parking lot.

Before she could say anything else, Daniela lifted a finger to her own lips. "Shhh..."

She nodded toward Amelia. "Don’t wake her."

Only then did Sylvia notice Amelia properly. Amelia wasn’t talking. She was asleep and looked exhausted.

The anger burning inside Sylvia suddenly faltered. She became confused. She hadn’t even noticed herself getting so worked up until she saw Amelia resting against someone else.

Someone who wasn’t her. And that realization alone only made her feelings worse.

Why had seeing Amelia with Camila made her chest tighten like that?

She didn’t understand herself.

Camila glanced at Sylvia without saying anything and she reached into Amelia’s pocket, took out her car keys, and tossed them gently toward Sylvia.

Sylvia caught them and stared down at the keys. Only now was she beginning to realize how furious she had been.

Camila gently rubbed Amelia’s back. "Lia," she called softly, but there was no response.

She smiled and, leaning closer, she whispered beside Amelia’s ear. "It’s time to go home, little kitten."

Amelia shifted a little. Instead of lifting her head, she unconsciously turned toward Camila, that their faces ended up only inches apart.

Her warm breath brushed lightly across Camila’s cheek. Slowly, Amelia opened her eyes.

"...Cam." Her voice came out hoarse with sleep.

Camila’s heartbeat skipped before she smiled. "I’m here."

Amelia rubbed one eye with the back of her hand and blinked lazily. "Where’s Sylvia? Has she come out yet?"

Camila glanced toward Sylvia before looking back at Amelia. "Mhm. She’s here."

Then she smiled again. "Still sleepy, little kitten?"

Amelia gave a tiny nod without arguing.

Camila laughed softly. Without saying another word, she slipped one arm beneath Amelia’s knees and the other around her back.

Before Amelia even realized what was happening, she was already in Camila’s arms. She didn’t resist. Instead, she instinctively wrapped her arms around Camila’s neck.

Her head fell against Camila’s chest with a sleepy sigh. And she was asleep again within seconds.

Sylvia watched everything unfold in silence. Her grip around the car keys tightened until the metal dug into her palm.

Daniela hurried around the car and opened the passenger-side door. "Careful." She said.

Camila nodded and lowered Amelia gently into the seat as though she were made of glass. She adjusted Amelia’s position before reaching over to fasten her seat belt.

Click.

A loose strand of hair fell across Amelia’s face, and Camila carefully brushed it behind her ear. For a few seconds, she simply looked at Amelia. A small smile appeared on her face. "Sleep well, little kitten."

She lightly brushed her thumb across Amelia’s cheek and across her lips before lowering her hand. She then stepped back and closed the door.

Daniela watched the scene with an amused smile. She shook her head. "You really spoil her."

Camila only laughed. "I know."

Daniela waved toward Sylvia. "Bye, Sylvia."

Then the two of them turned and walked back toward their own car parked a short distance away. Sylvia remained where she was.

Her grip around the keys hadn’t loosened. Her eyes never left Amelia. Her chest tightened again. And only this time did she finally understand why.

Sylvia lowered her head and let out a slow, shaky breath before walking around the car. She stood still beside the driver’s door for a moment, the cool evening air doing nothing to settle the ache in her chest. Then she opened the driver’s door and quietly got in.

The soft thud of the door shutting seemed unusually loud in the evening silence. For a moment, she didn’t move. She sat there, staring at Amelia.

Amelia was still asleep, her breathing slow and steady, completely unaware of the storm raging inside Sylvia. Soft strands of hair had fallen across Amelia’s forehead. Her face, relaxed in sleep, carried none of the weight the day had placed on her shoulders.

Sylvia watched her quietly. She wondered if this was what peace looked like. After a while, Sylvia slowly lifted a trembling hand and gently cupped Amelia’s cheek. Her thumb brushed lightly across her soft skin.

The warmth beneath her palm made her heart tighten as a sad smile curved her lips. "I’m sorry, Amelia," she whispered.

Her voice was so soft it barely disturbed the silence. "I think... I should stop sleeping beside you."

She laughed under her breath, though there wasn’t an ounce of humor in it. "I can’t keep pretending I don’t know what’s happening to me."

Her thumb traced the edge of Amelia’s cheek before falling still. "I don’t want these feelings."

"I don’t even want to admit they exist."

She closed her eyes for a moment. "So I’ll bury them. I’ll forget they were ever there."

Another painful smile crossed her face. "Because you’re my sister."

The words lingered between them like a promise she wasn’t sure she could keep. She slowly withdrew her hand. Then toward the windshield, she blinked rapidly, but the tears escaped anyway, slipping silently down her cheeks.

She wiped them away with the heel of her hand before taking in a long, steadying breath. When she looked at Amelia again, she memorized her sleeping face for just a second longer as a faint, heartbreaking smile touched her lips.

"...Sleep well."

She started the engine. The low rumble of the car filled the silence. Without looking back again, Sylvia slowly drove out of the hospital parking lot and disappeared into the quiet night.

By the time they reached the mansion, the sky had already darkened. Sylvia drove through the gates in silence and parked beneath the front porch.

For a few seconds, neither of them moved. She kept both hands on the steering wheel, staring straight ahead through the windshield.

Beside her, Amelia slowly lifted her head from the headrest, rubbing one eye lazily before blinking several times.

"Sylvia," Amelia called softly.

"We’re home," Sylvia replied quietly, her gaze still fixed ahead.

She tightened her fingers around the steering wheel. "You’re not sleepy anymore... are you?"

A small yawn escaped Amelia before she smiled. "No. I’m awake now."

She reached for her seat belt and pressed the buckle.

Click.

But it didn’t open. She frowned and pressed it again.

Click.

But it still didn’t open.

"Seriously?" She tugged at it once more before sighing.

"Hey, Sylvia."

Sylvia had already opened her door halfway but stopped.

"Can you help me? My seat belt is stuck."

Sylvia closed her eyes for a second. Just when she had finally decided to keep her distance. She quietly bit the inside of her cheek.

"Damn it..."

"Sylvia?" Amelia called again.

There was no escaping it. Sylvia slowly turned around and leaned back into the car.

Her eyes immediately dropped to the jammed buckle.

"Hold still."

She leaned closer. Amelia shifted slightly, giving Sylvia enough room to reach the buckle.

Sylvia’s left hand rested against the edge of Amelia’s seat while the other reached for the buckle.

The moment she entered Amelia’s space, her familiar scent wrapped around her. English Pear & Freesia. Fresh. Soft. Delicate.

It clung to Amelia’s skin like a second layer, filling Sylvia’s senses until it became impossible to think about anything else. It was unfair. Amelia always smelled so nice.

She swallowed hard and forced herself to focus on the buckle. Her heartbeat pounded loudly inside her chest. Too loud. Too fast. She could hear it echoing in her ears.

Don’t look at her.

Just unbuckle the seat belt.

She kept her eyes fixed on the buckle. Her fingers finally pressed the release.

Click.

The belt sprang free.

"There."

She straightened almost immediately.

"I’ll—"

She had barely taken a step back when warm fingers suddenly wrapped around her wrist.

Sylvia froze. She slowly looked back.

"Sylvia." Amelia was watching her closely. Her brows were slightly furrowed.

"Why are you acting..." Amelia paused. Her eyes slowly moved over Sylvia’s face.

"...Weird?"

Sylvia’s heart skipped, and she quickly looked away. "Who’s acting weird?"

She forced out a small scoff. "I’m perfectly fine."

"Really?" Amelia asked and tilted her head. Her grip around Sylvia’s wrist tightened just slightly. "Then why won’t you look at me?"

"I am." Sylvia forced herself to look at Amelia for a second before looking away again.

"You’ve been staring at the dashboard for the past minute."

Sylvia’s lips parted. And nothing came out.

Amelia leaned closer.

"So..." she smiled. "Are you angry about something?"

"I’m not," Sylvia answered almost immediately. Still refusing to meet her eyes again.

Sylvia tried to pull her hand free. But Amelia refused to let go.

"If you’re angry..." Amelia’s voice softened.

"...tell me."

"I’m not angry, Amelia," Sylvia said, reaching for the door with her other hand. Because if she kept staying here...

She wasn’t sure she would be able to stop herself.

"Oh... I get it," Amelia said immediately.

Sylvia’s heart skipped a beat. "What?"

Amelia squinted at her. "If you’re not angry..."

A mischievous smile slowly spread across her lips. She leaned in a little closer. So close Sylvia could feel Amelia’s warm breath brushing lightly across her face.

"Then..."

Amelia’s voice dropped into a whisper, and her eyes widened.

"...kiss me."

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