"Welcome back", Stella greeted Amy with a hug, her face pulled into a frown. "You scared me dear."
"I'm fine", Amy replied. She was released to be engulfed in another hug from Victoria.
"Hey kiddo", Richard had his turn to hug her. "Don't scare us like that."
Amy only chuckled as she basked in his embrace before Henry pulled her into one. He whispered into her ear. "That was very brave of you. I'm proud of you."
Amy chuckled, "Thank you."
"But don't do it again", he warned making Amy chuckle further and nod into the hug.
Edmund rushed past the family with maids carrying their bags going to the couple's room. He was busy instructing them to be careful especially with Roserie's bag.
"What did the doctors say?" Victoria asked.
"He said she's in the clear but she still needs lots of rest", Zach answered.
"Mm", Victoria and Stella agreed, humming in unison.
"Okay, go up and rest", Richard suggested.
"Have you guys eaten? Shall I make something for you?" Stella asked.
"Maybe just a snack", Amy replied.
"Is she asleep? Let me take her", Victoria held out her arms. She had missed her grandchild so much.
Zach handed over the little one before taking Amy's hand and going up to their room. Amy took a deep breath in as soon as she stepped into their room, she was back home. It felt like forever for her.
"Shower?" He asked and she nodded. They went in immediately not trusting how long they had until Roserie was brought up.
Not long after, they changed into some comfortable clothes. Amy quickly got in bed and sighed in relaxation. She stayed with her eyes closed basking in the comfort that was their bed.
"You missed this", he commented as he lay next to her.
"So much", she replied, opening her eyes and gave him a smile.
But it wasn't the brightest smile he was used to. He furrowed his brows at this. "What's going on with you? Is what Dylan said still bothering you?"
She moved to lie on top of him, resting her head on his chest. Zach happily accommodated her, wrapping his arms around her. "I don't know what to do."
"Is the fact that she's not a good person making it harder for you?" He probbed, guessing her thoughts.
"I think it is." She briefly fell quiet before letting out a sad chuckle. "But we don't choose our family, do we?"
"I chose you", he replied making her lift her head to look at him with a smile.
"You did", she agreed before moving up to kiss his lips gingerly. When she broke the kiss, he gently tucked away the strands of her hair. He watched her eyes as determination slowly surfaced in them. "I want... I don't want to have regrets."
"I'll make the call."
The Next day
Amy let out a deep breath, trying to calm down her nerves while security used waved a wand all over her. The lady put away the wand and went in to pat her down. Amy's lips spasmed feeling how thorough and diligent the security lady was doing her job.
"Sorry, it's basic protocol", Rider apologized with a sheepish smile which Amy returned with a small one.
"Alright", the lady said, stepping away from her. "We just need your fingerprint and eye scanned and we'll do a quick mouth swab and you'll be good to go."
Amy gave Rider an accusatory glare, there was nothing basic about this security protocol. He gave her another sheepish grin. Once she fulfilled all of the requirements, she was finally led in with Rider.
She wore sweats with a matching hoodie, her hair worn up in a low ponytail and a black cap. Rider could not help but steal a few glances at her. She could feel his eyes on her as she busied away on her phone.
He raised a finger to his ear to have a listen. "Yes I am, why?" As he listened further, he slowly looked up at the cameras before returning his gaze to her with his jaw dropped. "There seems to be some sort of interruption? Mainly on this floor?"
Amy put away her phone and her lips rose in amusement. He shook his head and replied into his earpiece. "Yes, everything is alright here but keep trying until you get the feed back."
He disconnected the communication and continued, "Do you hate leaving traces that much? I can assure you, it's safe here. But then again, you don't know who's watching especially after shaking things up in the underworld."
She chuckled, "Didn't you just say it's safe here?"
"I promise it is."
She only chuckled and walked in silence alongside him. They finally arrived in front of an interrogation room. Amy almost got a scare seeing Esmeralda staring at her with souless eyes through the one way mirror. She had on a numb expression, sitting with cuffed hands resting on the table, and very relaxed in her seat.
"She's been like that ever since we brought her in. Spooky, isn't it?" Rider commented.
Amy quietly stared back, her heart was thumping a little too fast despite her calm demeanor. Seeing as he was ready, she looked up at him but he nodded before she could speak.
"I know. He told me", he said while nodding.
She gave him a grateful smile. Zach had put in a request for her that her conversation with Esmeralda be confidential with only him (Rider, if he wanted) to be the only one listening in.
"Go on", he said. He sat down to put on headphones while she walked to the door. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Finally feeling ready, she twisted the knob and walked in.
Esmeralda's gaze went to her and her souless eyes lit up without her expression changing. The two locked eyes, none giving away how they truly felt. She quietly watched Amy walk over and take a seat in front of her.
Silence. A pair of piercing blues stared into another. Tension between the two was so thick even Rider could not breath too loudly though he was outside.
"Wow", he muttered as he looked between the two.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢