Chapter 13
In the recording studio, Amelia was trying to prep her song for the ‘Voice of Heaven‘ live premiere, but nothing felt right. After struggling for an hour, she gave up and changed into workout clothes to practice some basic choreography in the dance studio next door.[]
‘Voice of Heaven‘ was primarily a singing competition, but adding some movement would definitely help her performance.
The practice facility was part of Cavendish Entertainment’s complex–dance studios, vocal booths, multipurpose spaces with makeup rooms, a café, changing areas, and storage. Cavendish was one of the biggest entertainment companies in the city, with top–tier equipment that attracted artists from all over, not just their own talent.[]
Since marrying Nathan, Amelia’s daily life had revolved around three main responsibilities:[]
First, caring for his grandparents–regular visits, keeping them company.
Second, managing Nathan’s personal affairs and even handling some classified Harrison Industries documents alongside his executive assistants. When the Visconti family collapsed, Harrison Industries had absorbed all their assets. Even now, there was an entire department dedicated to managing what used to be Visconti holdings.
Even though most of the original staff and resources were long gone, Amelia still handled those files effortlessly.
Third, regular practice sessions at this Cavendish facility, officially described as pursuing her longtime musical interests.
But really, this was where she’d been recording demos under the name “Amor.” So her presence here wasn’t unusual.[]
Since she was rehearsing choreography, her hair was pulled back and she was wearing her old practice clothes–not much different from before. What she didn’t notice were the eyes watching her from outside the studio.
Amelia tried several different routines, but nothing clicked. Something felt off today–both with the music and the movement. A weird restlessness kept creeping in, like something bad was about to happen. The anxiety was fucking with her concentration.[]
She took deep breaths, closed her eyes, tried to center herself. After another failed attempt, she scrapped everything.[]
It was already 9 PM. Amelia shook her head, wiped sweat from her forehead, and decided to call it a night. Too much had happened today–she was exhausted. Without bothering to change clothes or shoes, she just grabbed her jacket and headed for the parking garage.
April in New York was warming up, and at 9 PM the nightlife was just getting started. Traffic flowed endlessly outside, creating the exhausted but vibrant energy that defined the city.
Amelia took the elevator down from the practice building to the underground garage. She hadn’t even reached her car when a sudden wave of panic hit her–no logical reason, just her heart hammering like a drum, adrenaline spiking. She immediately dove toward a landscaped planter.[]
A black car roared past, missing her by inches. The wind from its passage whipped her jacket around violently.
Cold sweat poured down her back.]
If she hadn’t jumped into that planter, the car would have hit her dead–on.
Before she could even process what had happened, the black sedan was already turning around, heading straight back toward her hiding spot. The planter had knee–high concrete barriers, and the car was aiming directly for it.]
Someone was trying to kill her.[]
Who? Why? How long had they been waiting? Had they been watching her in the dance studio? Were there multiple people–one inside the building, one in the garage, coordinating to hunt her down? How was she going to get out of this?]
All of this flashed through her mind in half a second. Then she made her decision.[]
As the black car charged toward the planter, she rolled sideways just as it crashed into the concrete barrier.]
CRASH
Chapter 13
The engine revved wildly as the car got stuck. Amelia sprinted toward her own vehicle.[]
Going back to the practice building might mean running into an accomplice. The nearest crowded area was too far–she’d be an easy target running across open pavement. Her best bet was reaching her car and driving to the police station.[]
Luckily, she wasn’t far from her BMW. Running on pure survival instinct, she covered the distance in seconds and dove into the driver’s seat.
The moment she slammed the door-
WHAM.
The black car rammed into her side, sending her entire vehicle rocking violently. The impact made her head spin and her vision blur.[]
“Fuck…” She felt sick.
VROOM.
The black car backed up, then came at her again. Amelia fought down the nausea and gunned her engine.[]
CRASH.]
She shot forward just as the attacker slammed into the car next to hers. Without hesitation, she yanked the steering wheel and floored it toward the street, weaving erratically but fast. In her rearview mirror, the black sedan was already following.
She grabbed her phone and dialed 911.
“911, what’s your emergency?“]
“There’s a black Honda, license plate Charlie–Delta–7-4-9-1, currently chasing me. The driver just tried to ram my car. I’m on First Avenue heading toward the East Side precinct. I need police protection!“]
Amelia rattled off the license plate from her mirror, giving the dispatcher all the essential details. They immediately connected her to the nearest patrol units.
On First Avenue, she floored the gas pedal, racing toward the police station.]
Everything had happened so fast. Her mind was chaos.
Who the hell would want to hurt her? Nathan? Vivian? Something related to the Harrison family? Her father’s death? Too many possibilities, no way to narrow it down.
She kept checking her mirrors. At the next intersection, the black Honda seemed to realize where she was headed and turned down a side street.
Watching her attacker disappear, Amelia finally exhaled. She stayed on the line with dispatch.
Following their directions, she continued toward the East Side precinct. Only when she saw the station and the officers waiting outside did she truly relax.
She parked where they indicated, finally allowing herself to decompress. That’s when all the adrenaline–suppressed symptoms hit her at once.
“Oh God…” The nausea was overwhelming, and sharp pain shot through her abdomen.[]
