Chapter 842

One of the capital guards immediately dashed off to find a torch. Violet noticed Amelia had closed her eyes. She looked utterly exhausted and freezing, her whole body shaking.

“Amelia, don’t fall asleep! You wanted to see Carissa, right? She’s on her way! Please, stay awake!” Violet shouted.

Amelia opened her eyes, gazing at the raging river below. She had always been timid, and fear gripped her now, but standing there felt somehow better than being at Valor Estate. All she had to do was jump, and it would all be over.

She couldn’t even remember why she had come here. Her mind felt numb, void of any sensation other than the cold. She still clutched the pawn ticket in her hand, which she intended to give to Carissa. She wanted to apologize and thank her.

The apology was for the time when Barrett had wanted to divorce Carissa, and Amelia had been too much of a coward to say a word. Then, she wanted to thank Carissa for the genuine kindness she had shown her while she was still part of the Warren family.

Amelia would never be able to redeem the jewelry she had pawned, but perhaps Carissa could get it back. It was originally Carissa’s, but sadly, Amelia had spent all the money from pawning it. She hoped her former sister-in-law wouldn’t hold it against her.

The sound of hooves broke through the howling wind as horses charged towards the bridge. Carissa arrived first. Violet stepped out to block her path, and Carissa quickly pulled on the reins, stopping her horse before jumping down.

It was already dark. Two capital guards held torches, but the flames couldn’t reach Amelia’s position. They called for more torches.

In the dim light, Carissa could barely make out Amelia’s figure. In the darkness, she looked even more fragile, as if she were just a pole standing upright. Her cloak billowed in the cold wind like a flag hanging from a post.

“Amelia, it’s me, Carissa.”

Facing her former sister-in-law, especially now that she was contemplating suicide, Carissa found it hard to call her “Madam Amelia” or “Mrs. Warren.” Perhaps those terms of address felt too distant. Amelia pulled tightly on her fluttering cloak. She didn’t say anything but just cried loudly. She hadn’t cried until Carissa arrived—that was when the dam broke.

Barrett arrived as well. He dismounted quickly and rushed towards her. “Amelia, what are you doing?” “Don’t come any closer!” Amelia shrieked, one foot slipping dangerously as she almost lost her balance. A gasp went through the crowd, and everyone’s hearts raced in panic.

Barrett halted, realizing the gravity of the situation. He stood there and frantically shouted, “Amelia, please come down! Don’t do this. You’ll scare everyone! I’ve sent someone to fetch my brother. You need to come down—Mom will be furious if she finds out!”

“I don’t want to see him! I don’t want to go back!” Amelia’s voice was a mournful roar in the darkness. “Leave! I don’t want to see you either!”

“Amelia, let’s talk this out. If I’ve upset you, I apologize.”

Before Barrett could finish, Violet stepped in front of him, anger flashing in her eyes. “Don’t get too close! Step back! You’ll scare her!”

Barrett took a few steps back, his gaze fixed anxiously on Amelia’s feet. He was terrified she might slip.

“Didn’t you want to see me? I’m coming to you, so you can say whatever you want to me!” Carissa shouted against the wind.

Amelia just cried, her sobs growing more subdued. She remained silent for a long time, ignoring Carissa’s words.

Standing at the bridge’s edge, Carissa felt the cold seeping through her cloak. Amelia was only wearing a nightgown underneath her cloak, which meant she had truly ventured out in the middle of the night.

Just as Carissa thought she might not respond, Amelia spoke up, “Carissa, I’m sorry.”

The quivering voice was wrapped in wind, making it hard to hear, but both Carissa and Violet caught every word.

“Why are you apologizing? You haven’t done anything to me,” Carissa replied, carefully inching forward. With a distance of 18 to 20 meters between them, she moved slowly, wary of making any sudden movements that might draw attention. As she continued to advance, she kept talking to distract Amelia.

“I understand your grievances. Believe me, I know better than anyone. You took care of Rebecca when she was sick, just as I did for half a year. You stayed by her side daily, just as I did. I know how difficult her temperament can be, and she often lashes out…”

“She hit me!” Amelia’s voice cracked with exhaustion and rage as she jumped up and waved her arms. “I served her day and night, sleeping only two or three hours each day, and they still hit me!”

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as they watched Amelia sway precariously, almost toppling over the edge.