MTLNOVEL Chapter 297: Received a package
Flora hurried down the stairs, her eyes immediately landing on Amelie and Gabriel seated in the living room.
"Mom, isn't Dad home?" Amelie asked.
"He's at work," Samyra replied with a gentle smile. "He just started a new position here, so he's focusing on settling in and making a good impression."
She motioned toward the seating area.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable."
Flora stepped forward, her face lighting up with a cheerful smile.
"Amelie, welcome to our new home!"
She wrapped her arms around her elder sister in a warm, genuine hug. Amelie responded with the same affection, the moment brief but meaningful.
Turning to their guest, Samyra offered her politest tone.
"Prince Gabriel, what would you like to drink?"
"Just some plain water, thank you," Gabriel replied with a small nod.
"Amelie, sit here," Gabriel said, motioning to the spot beside him.
Amelie nodded and sat down next to him, while Flora settled into the nearby armchair.
Samyra turned to the maid and gave a quick instruction. "Bring two glasses of water, please," she said, then took her seat with a bright smile.
"I'm so happy you came. Do you like the house? Flora will give you a full tour later," she added, her voice bubbling with excitement.
"Sure, Mom," Amelie replied with a soft smile.
"Amelie suddenly missed you," Gabriel said, glancing at Samyra. "So we decided to come."
Samyra's heart fluttered at the words, her eyes softening with joy.
Just then, the maid returned with a tray carrying two glasses of water. Gabriel took both, handing one to Amelie before sipping from his own. Once finished, he set the glass down gently on the table.
"I'll return in the evening to pick up Amelie," he said as he rose from his seat.
Samyra blinked, a hint of disappointment crossing her face.
" I-I thought you'd stay and have lunch with us," she said, standing up as well. Flora, too, left her seat.
"Well, maybe next time, Mrs. Conley," Gabriel said with a polite smile.
He glanced at Amelie, who stood up beside him. Leaning in, he pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek, his arm slipping around her back with possessiveness.
"I'll see you later," he whispered.
Amelie gave a small hum of acknowledgment.
Gabriel turned to Samyra and Flora. "Please take care of my wife while I'm gone. I'm entrusting her to both of you," he said.
"Gabriel, don't scare them," Amelie said with a soft laugh, lightly nudging him.
"I'm not scaring them," he replied, his violet eyes locking onto hers once more.
Then he gave a respectful nod to Samyra, who returned it with a humble bow. The three of them watched in silence as he made his way out.
Once he left, Samyra turned to Amelie with a warm smile.
"What would you like for lunch, dear? I'll make whatever you feel like eating."
"I'll eat anything," Amelie said gently.
"Come on, let's go to my room," Flora chimed in, her voice bright. "I'll bring you some healthy snacks in the meantime."
Samyra smiled at the sight of her daughters together.
"Yes, go to your sister's room and relax. I'll start on lunch, and I'll call your father, see if he can come home early. It'd be nice to have lunch together, all of us."
Amelie walked slowly toward the staircase, but Flora was quick to reach her side, gently taking her arm.
"I'll help you," she said with a soft smile.
"Thanks."
The two sisters made their way upstairs together, moving at a careful pace. Once they reached Flora's room, Amelie glanced around, her brow lifting in surprise.
"You used to love pink," she remarked. "Why the white shade now?"
"Umm… I felt like I should go with something different in the new house," Flora replied with a slight shrug.
She guided Amelie over to the bed and helped her settle onto the soft mattress.
"I'll be back soon with snacks," she said brightly, then dashed out of the room.
Left alone, Amelie let her eyes wander around the space. Her gaze soon landed on a strange-looking locket placed on the nearby table, a folded note sitting beside it.
"What's this?" she murmured, curiosity piqued.
She reached out and picked up the locket.
"Ahhh!"
A sharp, electric jolt surged through her fingers, making her cry out in shock. The locket slipped from her grasp and hit the floor with a loud clink. Its delicate frame had broken apart on impact.
Gasping, Amelie bent down and carefully picked up the now-broken pendant. She eased herself back onto the bed, staring at it in disbelief.
"It looks antique… and now it's broken. Flora's going to be upset," she whispered, chewing her lip in worry. She didn't even notice the folded note still resting on the table, her full attention was on the locket.
Moments later, Flora returned, carrying a tray with two small bowls, one filled with fruit salad, the other with dry fruits.
"Amelie, I brought the snacks," she said cheerfully, until her eyes fell on the locket in Amelie's hand.
"Ah… this," Amelie began, standing awkwardly. "I saw it on the table and got curious. But when I touched it, I felt this… shock, like a current running through me. It slipped off my hand and broke. I'm really sorry."
Flora placed the tray down on the bed and walked over, taking the broken locket from her hands.
"It's not mine," she said calmly. "So, you don't have to apologize to me."
"What?" Amelie blinked. "Then… whose locket is it? I should at least apologize to the person it belongs to."
"Umm... I don't know. I received a package in the morning. Then, I even went to meet a lady in a café," Flora truthfully told her.
"What!? You also received a package!" Amelie shockingly said, her eyes ceased to blink as she started connecting the dots. "Whom did you meet, Flora? And why did she send this to you? She didn't do anything to you, did she!?" Amelie quickly grabbed her sister's arms, checking her.
"I'm fine. Why are you panicking?" Flora questioned, looking at her with confusion.