Chapter 16
They had barely stepped into the Cosgrove mansion when Mason Cosgrove's voice thundered angrily.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Amelia?!"
Amelia barely spared him a glance as she stepped inside, her composure untouched by the storm brewing around her. She gracefully removed her earrings and necklace, placing them on the nearest table before turning to face him.
"You'll have to be more specific, Father," she said smoothly. "Are you referring to my refusal to be humiliated any further or my decision to spare our family's name from further disgrace?"
Mason's face twisted in anger, becoming extremely red. "Don't play games with me!" he roared. "You humiliated me—your family! What nonsense were you spouting in front of everyone? Canceling the engagement? Have you lost your mind?!"
Amelia met his angry gaze with an unreadable smile. "I simply came to my senses, Father."
"You—!"
"Father, please," Lilac said with a soft, trembling voice. She stepped forward, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Sister, I never wanted this. I never wanted to come between you and Ace... but love is unpredictable." She clutched her hands to her chest as if in distress. "I begged Ace to stay with you, but... he loves me. What was I supposed to do?"
Amelia tilted her head slightly, as if considering her words. "You could have, perhaps, refused to meet him in secret. Refused to sleep with him. Refused to wear matching outfits with him to Grandfather's birthday party while I was still engaged to him," she mused. "But, I suppose, you're right. Love is unpredictable."
Lilac flinched and whimpered, "Sister, I..." Tears began to pour down her cheeks, drawing sympathy from the onlookers, causing any rational thought that was about to take place to vanish.
"Stop twisting things, Amelia!" Mason barked.