Ran Away Pregnant Came Back Alpha Heiress (Amelia and Damien) novel Chapter 284

**Night Whispers Forgotten Names – Colin Shah 284**

**Chapter 284**

**Damien’s POV**

The decision to meet with Annette was, without a doubt, a reckless one, especially in the wake of Jake’s ominous threats. I was acutely aware of the potential dangers, and yet, I found myself unable to resist the pull that drew me to her.

I had repeatedly cautioned myself against this rendezvous, yet, here I was, moving forward regardless.

We had settled on a neutral meeting spot, a location that would offer us a semblance of safety. Both of our pack territories bordered a generally tranquil area governed by Alpha Grey. To ensure we remained undetected, we chose a secluded part of the forest where the three pack lands converged.

There, a weathered plaque stood, marking the intersection, surrounded by a small, unfrequented park. Its remoteness meant that it was rarely visited, a perfect hideaway for our discreet encounter.

Today, however, it would host at least two visitors.

As I approached, I spotted Annette already waiting. She wore a lovely sunflower sundress that accentuated her figure beautifully, the fabric catching the light and swaying gently with the breeze. Her hair was elegantly styled in a bun, which showcased her long, graceful neck—an inviting sight that made my heart race.

To avoid startling her, I intentionally made some noise, rustling the underbrush as I drew nearer. I wanted her to be aware of my approach, to ensure I wasn’t an unexpected apparition.

When she heard the sounds and turned to look at me, her expression transformed instantly from tension to relief. Had she genuinely doubted my arrival?

I felt a surge of satisfaction at her reaction, especially as her relief morphed into something akin to joy. The sight of her smiling face was intoxicating, and I couldn’t help but drink in her beauty.

For the first time, I allowed myself to openly compare her to Amelia without the guilt that had previously plagued me. The similarities were undeniable, and while there were differences that should have raised alarm bells, a flicker of hope ignited within me. Perhaps Annette could truly embody the essence of Amelia.

“Hello,” Annette greeted softly, her voice a soothing balm in the quiet forest.

I halted a few feet from her, the plaque standing as a silent barrier between us. It was a large, circular disk, etched with lines that depicted the convergence of our territories.

“Hello,” I replied, my voice steady, though my heart raced.

A tentative smile began to form on her lips, but she quickly suppressed it, her gaze dropping to the ground. “I need to confess something. I lied to you about having Jake’s approval for you to enter the pack lands. I was worried about Stacy, and… I don’t agree with Jake’s decision. It’s unfair to make a child suffer because of his personal feelings.”

“I know,” I said, my voice low and empathetic.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “You do?”

“He called me as soon as I stepped back into my office,” I explained, recalling the venomous words he had hurled at me. “I’m well aware of what he thinks of me.”

“Oh.” Her frown deepened, and I felt an urge to dispel the gloom that had settled over her. I preferred it when she wore a smile, and I would do anything to see that joy return.

“I’m accustomed to it,” I reassured her, attempting to soften the impact of her words.

But my words fell flat. “I don’t care what he thinks. Denying a child her treatment for any reason is simply unjust.”

“I won’t let Stacy go without care,” I vowed. “I’ll find someone else to help her.”

She nodded, but the way she chewed on her bottom lip suggested there was more on her mind, something she was hesitant to voice.

I sensed that she was gearing up to say something significant, but before I could encourage her, she blurted out, “I’m just an apprentice, but I want to help. I could perform the checkups myself, but we’d have to keep it a secret from Jake.”

It seemed strange that Jake hadn’t already arranged this for her. It felt as if her family was intent on keeping her past shrouded in darkness.

A swell of suspicion rose within me, the thought that Annette might be Amelia creeping back into my mind, but I kept those thoughts tightly locked away. There was no benefit in sharing that with her.

Annette pondered my suggestion, her expression thoughtful, before she nodded. “I would like to remember. I would talk to someone.”

“Then perhaps I can arrange that as a gesture of gratitude for everything you’ve done for me,” I offered, my heart swelling with hope.

Her gaze met mine again, and I saw a flicker of hope reflected in her eyes. She smiled, and my heart leapt, skipping several beats in response.

“Thank you, Damien,” she said, her voice laced with gratitude.

I could only stare, captivated by her beauty, until I realized I was expected to respond. “You’re welcome, Annette.”

**Amelia’s POV**

After Damien and I exchanged our farewells, we parted ways, and I began my journey back through the forest toward my family’s estate.

The trek home felt significantly easier than the path I had taken to meet him. The weight of anxiety that had burdened me—fearful that Damien would outright reject my proposal, reject me—was gone. Now, I understood that our aspirations aligned, and we were planning to see each other again.

A smile crept across my face as I anticipated our next meeting.

But then, a voice resonated in my mind, steady and low, as clear as if it were echoing from within my own thoughts.

“It is time for us to finally speak.”