Crowned by the Man They Feared (Amelia and Jeremy) novel Chapter 656

At that point, Ursula and Thea knew they couldn't say much more without pushing too hard. They both knew Amelia was set in her ways, and arguing with her would only make things worse.

They finished dinner, chatted for a while, and then Amelia headed back to work. She'd barely sat at her desk when her phone rang.

"Amelia, it's Mom. Am I bothering you?" The voice on the other end sounded painfully familiar, as if it carried the echo of her childhood.

But it wasn't the same sharp, superior voice that used to come blazing in, ready to scold. This one had hesitation in it. Careful edges. Almost timid.

"I'm not busy," Amelia said. "What is it?"

Even though Emery was speaking to her, Amelia still didn't know how to respond. She didn't know what tone to use, what distance to maintain, or how to respond without sounding cold or soft.

In that way, they were alike. They both got awkward and stiffened when things got too close. At least Amelia wasn't doing what she used to do, blocking every number and cutting off every call. Maybe that counted as progress.

There was a short silence. Emery seemed to be choosing her words carefully. When she finally spoke again, her voice trembled slightly. "I heard from your grandmother," she said slowly, testing every syllable. "She said you and Jeremy are planning to get engaged?" It was as if she were afraid of stepping on a wire.

Amelia's fingers tightened around her phone. Leaning back in her chair, she looked out at the skyline beyond the window. Her voice was steady and flat. "Yes, that's the plan."

"Then … do you need help with anything?" Emery sounded eager and a little too careful now, like she was trying to earn permission. "An engagement is a big deal. I know I didn't do things right before, but at a time like this, I still want to help you.

"Venue, arrangements, the guest list. If you trust me, I can handle things. I can worry about it so you don't have to."

Amelia knew Jeremy. Given how much he cared about her, he'd make sure everything was done properly. The Currans had the people and resources to make it effortless. All she had to do was show up and be taken care of.

She would be involved, too. She wanted a wedding that felt like them—something they both loved—something they could look back on as the start of their life together.

Now, Emery wanted to be part of it, too.

Amelia opened her mouth to refuse, but the words got stuck in her throat.

In the end, she softened just a little. "Okay," she said. "You can."

Three simple words, and on the other end of the line, it sounded like a door had cracked open.

Hearing Emery sound so careful and hopeful made Amelia feel a pinch of something. She didn't like that feeling, but she couldn't ignore it, either. So she gave her an answer she could hold on to.

Before Gianna showed up and turned everything toxic, their home had been warm. Happy, even. Maybe they'd never get back there. But Amelia couldn't pretend she felt nothing.

"Good," Emery breathed, as if she'd finally relaxed. "That's good."

They exchanged a few more words and ended the call.

Amelia set her phone down, leaned back in her chair, and let out a quiet sigh.

She wasn't sure if Emery's change was real. Only time would tell. But Emery had called—her proud, stubborn mother. She'd spoken with a humility so uncharacteristic that it almost didn't fit.

Emery was still an elder. She didn't have the right to lord it over Amelia or lecture her. But she also didn't need to put herself down like this. Maybe this was a chance. A narrow one, but real, to repair something.

News never stayed contained for long. Word that Amelia was engaged to Jeremy had already leaked through their circles. First one person heard it, then a few more, and then it became a chain reaction until it wasn't a secret at all.