Crap. Amelia could only curse in her head. This had to be some sort of joke!
She didn’t want to be dragged into this family trip― not only was her father’s lack of invitation a slight towards her, but she simply didn’t have enough time to waste on a three-week vacation when she needed to focus on raising funds for her charity.
Of course, even if she had time to spare, she would never willingly waste it on a trip with Emmeline and Annalise. She could think of several more engaging activities to do instead, such as slowly plucking out every single one of her teeth and toenails while watching paint dry.
Now, she simply had to convince Horace to go without her.
Amelia texted Matteo with a sigh.
Amelia: Do you think we can get out of this?
Matteo: If you have a way, please let me know. I claimed that I was busy, but they refused to take that as an excuse. Maybe Horace Hawthorne will listen if you speak to him personally.
Matteo had a point. As such, Amelia decided she would pay the Hawthorne mansion a visit after she had tidied loose ends. Matteo had agreed to send her there.
"Daniella, can you send me all the information you have about the children? Their interests, skills, and abilities," Amelia asked. "I might be called away soon, but I’ll make sure to have something for you by the time I return."
"Sure, of course," Daniella nodded quickly, "I can’t thank you enough for doing so much for us."
"No, it’s nothing," Amelia said as Daniella led her to the door to send her out.
The door swung open to reveal Carlo, who didn’t seem to feel any remorse for eavesdropping on a private conversation. He stared disdainfully at Amelia, and for a brief moment, Amelia wondered if this was how Caleb looked like as a teen, bitter and betrayed by the world around him.
"Carlo! What are you doing here?" Daniella exclaimed.
"I’m telling you not to get fooled," Carlo’s voice was snide, "Don’t thank her just yet. Didn’t you hear that she might be ’called away soon’? That’s just rich people talk for dumping your ass!"
"Carlo, language!" Daniella scolded, but he scoffed disrespectfully.
"That’s what they all do― dangle hope in front of us and make us jump for it, like we’re their pets," Carlo continued. "I refuse to play their games any longer. Even if I have to beg on the streets, I won’t accept their help!"
"Then you’ll be ruining your life for nothing," Amelia said wryly."Isn’t that stupid?"
Carlo’s eyes flashed, upset. He never expected her to interject. "Shut up! I wasn’t talking to you!"
"Take it from someone that has been burnt by a Walton― they would lose no sleep over your suffering," Amelia said. "Hell, they would even kick you when you are down, just because it makes them happy. You’re a smart kid― don’t give them that chance. Get angry, get upset. But get revenge."
Carlo paused, still seething with anger. But he was considering her words, the animosity from earlier was starting to turn into confusion. "Revenge? But aren’t you just..."
"I got my revenge by living well, living better than I did with my scumbag of an ex-husband," Amelia said. "I am free of his manipulative ways, and I found a much better husband-to-be. You can take revenge, by becoming someone so talented that they can only curse themselves for letting you go."
"Just some food for thought," Amelia concluded. Carlo was a smart child, it would be a waste if all his potential went buried due to his need to spite the Waltons. "Daniella, I’ll speak to you soon."
"Yes, I look forward to hearing from you," Daniella said, eagerly shaking her hand. "Carlo, say goodbye to Miss Amelia."
But Carlo merely whirled around and ran down the corridor without looking back. Daniella sighed, aggrieved.
"It’s alright," Amelia said. "I’ve given him something to think about. Hopefully, it’ll help set him on the right path. The Waltons aren’t worth his future."
"I hope so..." Daniella chewed her lip nervously. "But I hope he doesn’t make trouble for the Waltons. We can’t afford a lawsuit."
"It’ll be fine," Amelia promised, "I’ll bail him out if it comes down to it. And I need to go now." Matteo had left a new message, letting her know he was already waiting in the car. "We’ll talk more when I get back!"
***
Matteo hummed thoughtfully in his car as he saw a group of teenage boys run past, one of them scowling the moment he caught sight of his car. Were these the kind of children Amelia was supposed to be helping?
No wonder Emmeline had been so eager to wash her hands of them. But Matteo knew Amelia would never give up on them― she had always been kind, ever since she was a child, while Emmeline believed that the world owed her a living.
That was why he could never bring himself to marry Emmeline, even with Amelia out of the way. Without Amelia in the picture, he wouldn’t marry at all.
"Sorry for the trouble," Amelia said as she entered his car. Matteo chanced a quick look at her― her hair was in a mess, with flyaway strands plastered to her forehead. Instinctively, he reached out to gather the loose strands and tuck them behind her ear.
Amelia let out a tiny squeak of surprise, the shell of her ears reddening at his sudden sweet gesture.
"You don’t have to do that," Amelia said, her heart beating so loudly she was sure Matteo could hear it within the close confines of the car. "There’s no one watching us now."
"I wanted to," Matteo said simply, then he leaned closer to help her adjust her seatbelt as though it was nothing out of the ordinary. It felt so domestic that Amelia couldn’t help but wonder if she had actually married Matteo for years and simply forgot about it.
"I would treat you like you deserve, whether or not we have an audience."