Chapter 19

Amelia Johnson feigned a look of utter panic. "What? How did that happen? What should we do?" Ethan Collins grabbed her arm, his grip tight. "We're leaving. Now. Through the back." Amelia wrenched her arm free. "I'm not going anywhere." "Amelia, please," Sabrina Johnson interjected, her face a mask of feigned concern. "I know you're used to having your way, but this isn't the time to be stubborn. You'll ruin the reputation of both our families." "That's precisely why I'm staying," Amelia countered, her voice firming. "Running away is what would cause trouble. I need to face this." Ethan shot her a sharp, disgusted look. "Can you ever stop being difficult? Is causing scandals all you're good for?" "So in your eyes, I'm just a problem," Amelia's voice wavered slightly, the hurt this time feeling less like an act and more like a ghost of an old wound. "Yes. Every single incident leads back to you. When will you grow up?" Ethan scoffed, gesturing toward Sabrina. "Look at your own sister. T