The Dark Side of Fate

160 One Day To Go

-Amelia-

For six days, we dedicated ourselves to preparing for the blue moon. Tamia took charge of all the arrangements, ensuring everything was in order. Almost everyone was present except for Vino, Claudia, and the triplets. They had been away in Lucland, only returning this morning. Little did we know, Vino had specifically asked Kappa Levi to send the triplets to his home in Lucland, where he and Claudia later joined them after Tamia's lounge party.

That explained why we didn't see the triplets when Bryce brought the children. It would have been nice if Vino had allowed us to meet them, but I'm sure he had his reasons for sending them away. I understood that they needed some time alone after their recent ordeal. Now, they were back and getting ready for the wedding scheduled for tomorrow.

Leo and Susan's parents had been flown in for the wedding, and at that moment, it struck me with a sudden realisation.

I excused myself from the bustling banquet hall where Tamia, Linda, and Nicole diligently arranged the seating. Unbeknownst to me, my nerves quietly crept up until I entered my bedroom.

As I settled down, I took a few deep breaths, seeking solace and attempting to calm my jitters. This was it-the moment I had been eagerly awaiting. I counted my blessings and felt profound gratitude welling up within me. If someone had told me this extraordinary life would be mine, I would have dismissed it as a fanciful lie. I could have never imagined such a marvellous outcome for myself.

My mind wandered back to the serendipitous way Leo and I had met and all the remarkable events that had unfolded to bring us to this point.

Indeed, I was blessed beyond measure. Not only had I found my soulmate in Leo, I had also gained a loving family and found my rightful place in this vast world. Every fibre of my being overflowed with gratitude as I eagerly anticipated the future with a renewed sense of hope.

Lost in my contemplation, a gentle knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. Curiosity piqued, I rose from my seat and approached the door to discover who sought my attention.

"Who is it?' I asked, and my mother's voice responded. She had been absent for two days, so I was relieved to see her return. Welcoming her inside, I could tell from her appearance that she had just arrived. My curiosity was piqued about her activities with Erik. Still, I chose to withhold my inquiries and respect her need for privacy. Perhaps one day, she would willingly share the details.

I ushered her in and offered her a seat.

"Where is Leo?" she inquired, to which I shrugged.

Since the lounge party, he had been occupied with the sentencing and execution of punishments. It wasn't solely his responsibility; all the men were busy. He had left early in the morning and was yet to come home.

"Somewhere," I replied, and she chuckled.

"Erik and I travelled to Gad to reclaim the properties and wealth Yuri stole from me," she explained, and I felt genuinely happy for her.

"So you have everything now?" I asked, elated on her behalf.

She nodded, smiling.

"I have what remains of it," she admitted, but her nonchalant demeanour assured me she was content.

"I'm glad for you. You no longer have to dwell in the shadows," I conveyed, and she acknowledged my words with misty eyes.

"Amelia," she began, holding my hand and gazing at me intently.

"I'm proud of you," she stated.

"I'm proud of the woman you've become. I know it hasn't been easy for you, and I admire your strength. Please know that there hasn't been a day when you weren't on my mind,” she confessed, her voice trembling with the threat of tears. Wanting to spare her further emotional strain, I intervened.

"Let's leave the past behind, Mother, and focus on the future," I reassured her, and she nodded, attempting to blink away her tears.

box from her bag. I wondered if she had

it to Alexei's mother, who returned it after their divorce. I never let on that I knew so as not to spoil the moment," she explained, and we laughed. 2 "Anyway, tomorrow is the night of the blue moon. Although you and Leo don't need it, you've chosen to commemorate it together. I want you to have this so you can pass it on to your daughter as a

a beautiful silver charm bracelet adorned with delicate charms shaped like the Stepanov

I inquired, realising my initial assumption of it being silver

She said, and I admired the jewellery,

ethereal radiance that instantly captivated me. Its surface

its smoothness. The metal's cool, silky surface felt like liquid silk under my fingertips. I was awestruck by the craftsmanship that had transformed this raw material into a work of art. Its lustrous beauty seemed to transcend the boundaries

I said and looked

perfect on your wrist," she

aside the box and

she believed the answer she would give would make me uncomfortable, but she was wrong. As long

Mountain if you do not mind. I do not want to lose touch with you and your brothers. I also want to be a part of my grandchildren's lives. Your children, Alexei's and hopefully Clay's,' she said, and I beamed at

I said, and

would also want to be there for Alexei and Clay. She had taken them as hers even before I was born, even though they were not with her and our father. I was glad she would fill

My mother was excited about the wedding, and she was

yet to decide who would give me away at the altar, but hopefully, that would be solved before the

decided we wanted the wedding to be private, with only friends, family,

it was going

decided to check on Susan and Claudia. On my way to

he was supposed to be with the men, but

execution ground today?" I inquired, noticing his unease.

I pressed, and he hesitated before shaking

me," I probed further,

you," he pleaded earnestly. Understanding the urgency, I

hurriedly dressed and was out the door before I could ask questions.

you

way to the estate,' he said, and my

I started, and he

month. We are fated, so we do not need the Blue Moon ceremony," he said, and I nodded. I wasn't going to ask

you," I said, and he

he was in a

eager to see

why Leo wasn't that way with me when we met, and it took him a while to come around.

let me in. She was

asked me, and there was no point lying,

after," she said, and I smiled in response. I had nothing to say. I

bracelet caught Susan's eyes, and she lifted my

has taste," She said, and I smiled and pulled my hand away

mother gave it to me. It was a gift to her from

are connecting," she

happy for you," she said, and I thanked

will we be doing tonight?" She

She talked a lot about her dress. Susan had never been the chatty kind, but