If you need a refresher or haven’t read Chapter 9.24 of Noble Doubt (it didn’t show up in the reader and was released last Saturday), please click HERE.
From the Diary of Sophie Woodbury-Noble:
Dear Diary, my life has been agony since Gerrard told Amy about our past and who she really is. For the past two weeks, Amy has avoided me except to throw a glare at me whenever she can. When I speak to her, she acts like she didn’t hear anything, and she goes on her merry way.
I think there is a problem between her and Harlow now, too. I can’t imagine what they fought over, but when I suggested Harlow spend the weekend with us, Amy throws a death stare my way.
I’ve seen Amy speaking with Gerrard and it infuriates me. He had no business telling Amy anything since he knew how I felt about it. I may not be her biological mother, but I am her aunt and raised her after my sister died.
This morning, I decided I’d had enough. The sun hadn’t come up yet, and Sebastian was already at work. Yet it was time Amy and I talked about this. So, after breakfast, I made her stay at the table.
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
She said it so bluntly, I was taken aback.
“Look, I know what you’ve learned is shocking, but that is no reason to treat me the way you have. Whatever I’ve done was only to protect you so you could live a happy, normal life like your mother wanted.”
Her jaw shook, and there was a tightness in her mouth. “You can just sit there and talk about my mother, who is dead and buried? I realize this happened a long time ago, but for me, it’s brand new. You can’t imagine how pissed I am about all of this.”
“Amy-“
“-No!” she interrupted. “You don’t get to talk right now! I want to know everything Grandfather might have left out, and I want the family diary to read!”
And there it was, what I’d been dreading all these years. Amy had no idea what kind of rabbit hole she was trying to fall into.
“If only you could trust me to know what is best for you. I love you every bit as much as a biological mother could, and there is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you.”
“You keep saying that- that you’re protecting me- but really, you’re just looking out for yourself. You thought you could erase my entire history, and I’d be none the wiser!” Tears filled her eyes, but she looked too angry to actually cry. “I don’t understand how you could do that to me!”
“You’re not being fair to me, Amy! I’ve tried so hard to give you the life you deserve.” With that, I couldn’t stop the tears that rolled out of my eyes and down my cheeks.
“What I deserve,” she said, her voice carefully controlled, “is the entire truth. Nothing less.”
I stood up from my chair so fast, it tipped backward, crashing to the floor. My intention was to get away from her so I could cry by myself in peace without an audience. But she followed me to the foyer like the stubborn girl she was.
“Well? Aren’t you going to give me the diary?”
“T-there are things in there you shouldn’t know.”
“No, no, no!” she screamed, grabbing her hair in her fists.
I was astounded as the image she struck reminded me so much of her mother in those end days. Instead of arguing with her, I tried a calmer approach.
Wiping the tears from my face, I took a deep breath and said, “Amy, honey, you are the heir and you’ll get the book when it is time.”
“That’s not good enough!”
That sent me over the edge. “You listen here, young lady. I don’t care what is happening. You can calm down and speak to me in a normal tone or we aren’t going to get anywhere.”
I hadn’t even put my finger away when she said, “You’re right, this isn’t going anywhere. Why can’t you just listen?” She stood up straight, smoothing out her shirt, the fire still in her eyes. “I’m moving in with Grandfather, since he’s the only one who will be truthful with me. When you decide you can be that honest with me, too, I’ll be back.”
“You listen here,” I called after her as she ran out the door.
I didn’t even close it but crumpled to the floor like a puddle, tears freely flowing once again.
How could I make her understand? Oh, if only Sebastian had been home. I should have waited to talk to her when he was here, too. He would have known how to handle this. It was unwise of me to jump in this mess the way I’d done.
One thing was certain, though, I would have Seb pick Amy up from Gerrard’s after he got off work. The very thought of her spending more time with him made my skin crawl.
“Oh, Amy,” I sobbed, my heart completely broken. Would anything ever be the same after this? I couldn’t go through it again, not after everything we’d been through to get to this point.
From the Diary of Amy Noble:
Dear Diary, after the fight with my mom, I rode away as fast as I could on my horse Duchess. It was stupid to have done this in flip-flops, but it was better than standing around getting yelled at. As the wind whipped my hair back and I followed with Duchess’s movements across a field, I tried to forget about the argument and how unfair and awful I felt mom was being.
How could she have done this to me? It stung my heart to think I was the only one in the family besides Gil (who didn’t count because this all happened way before he was even born) that didn’t know who I was and where I came from.
I applied gentle pressure with my right leg, letting Duchess move into my left leg, but to my horror, she stepped into a prairie dog hole and spilled forward with a loud grunt. As she fell, I, of course, did, too, but I was unhurt.
Duchess was breathing hard and grunting, so I crawled to her. It was obvious the leg that had walked into the hole was broken. Tears filled my eyes until I couldn’t even see as I leaned over her, sobbing my guts out.
“No, no, no,” was all I could say with a tight throat and chest.
I heard someone say something, but I didn’t comprehend what he said or who it was. All I thought about was how my only companion that had never let me down was dying right in front of me.
“Amy, I’m so sorry. I’ll get my gun and make sure it’s quick.”
It was Tom. Tom Wexler.
“Nooooooo,” I screamed. “You are not shooting her, you are not!”
“Amy, her leg is broken really bad-“
“No!”
Sitting up, I held my hands above Duchess, palms down, and in my overwhelming grief, it felt like nature had taken control. Unfamiliar words fell from my mouth. I didn’t know what I was saying or why. In between phrases, I sobbed.
Then I sat up even straighter, lifting my face and closing my eyes until the words tumbled from me with a force I didn’t know I possessed.
Then suddenly, as if nothing had been wrong at all, Duchess was breathing normally and she rose to her feet!
“What the…” I heard Tom say.
Throwing my arms around Duchess’s neck, tears still streaming down my cheeks, I buried my grateful face in her coat, grasping her mane with my fingers.
Whatever had happened, Duchess was fine once again, and I was the reason. How could I be the reason? I’d spent my entire life thinking I was just as normal as the next person, no one special. But my whole body shook hard as the power I’d had no control over began ebbing out of me. I could feel it sliding away like the tendrils of an octopus.
I was left feeling drained and nauseous.
Leaning on Duchess to support my shaking legs, I told Tom he was mistaken about what he saw.
“No, your horse’s leg was busted up bad,” he insisted.
My insides felt like jello as I feverishly tried to come up with some excuse or way of convincing him otherwise.
“I can’t talk about this right now,” I finally said, grasping Duchess’s halter, and leading her away.
Duchess and I walked the rest of the way to grandfather’s house, my mind racing with thoughts about things I had yet to learn. Like who or what was I really? What powers did my parents possess?
Grandfather would have the answers I needed…
Special thanks to Bee (Stories by Bee / Poses by Bee) for the poses used in this chapter: Family Fighting-Updated!, Just Standing – Males, and the Dead Horse poses.
Thank you so much for reading, liking, lurking, and commenting!
Other Credits:
World: Winchester Farming Community
Lot: Woodland Cottage, Crystal Lake Farm
Honestly, it’s a good thing Gerard warned her about her abilities before this happened. She would’ve freaked out so much more if she knew nothing.
Something about Tom doesn’t sit right with me. He might not be so cool about what he witnessed.
I know what you mean about Tom. Hopefully, it will all turn out. I agree that it’s a good thing Gerrard warned her about her abilities. She has a lot to learn now.
Poor Amy and poor Sophie (and also poor Dutchess, that was a close call). I feel bad that Amy doesn’t feel that Sophie is listening to her, that’s got to be rough. Sophie is so set in protecting Amy in the way that Sophie thinks is best, that she isn’t willing to give Amy anything; it’s very all or nothing, and because of that Amy left home. Technically, Sophie could get the police involved and have them bring Amy home as a runaway, but that wouldn’t prevent Amy from doing it again, or furthering the strife between her and Sophie. What a pickle to be in, for sure. I hope Sophie realizes the damage has been done (Gerald told Amy, afterall), and to give Amy the benefit of the doubt about who she is and her background. Otherwise, she might lose Amy :\
Thank you so much. You are right in everything you say. It’s a pickle, for sure. That’s a good point about getting the police involved. But you’re right that that would only serve to make Amy and Sophie’s relationship harder. I’m sure Sophie feels like everyone is against her and she has lost control quite suddenly over the situation. Hopefully, Amy will get what she needs to help her figure out her powers. Otherwise Sophie might want to steer clear lest she be smited by some rogue magic. LOL
Hahaha, yeah Soph, watch out. Curious to see what happens in the next chapters. I’m behind, but hopefully can catch up soon <3
I can’t wait till you see what happens! 😀 It’s good to see you. ❤❤
Thank goodness Amy’s power came when she needed it. I hope there isn’t a steep price to pay for changing fate, though.
Thank you, Jacquie. That is an excellent point. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if there is.
Happy for Amy’s horse but uh oh! I foresee unforseen consequences.
Thank you, Mama Dragon. I bet you are right! 🙂
What a wonderfully happy ending to this chapter.
Thank you, Jacqui. 💕💕
Oh, I’ve missed so much!
That was intense. And, I always wonder why if a horse breaks a leg, he has to be put down.
It’s good to see you, Jina! 💕
I don’t think the horse has to be put down in every circumstance. My understanding is that compound fractures (when broken bone penetrates the skin), for instance, have a much poorer prognosis and are less likely to heal successfully without complication. It also depends on if blood supply in the leg has been compromised. I don’t think it’s up to a teenage boy to decide that. If it was my horse, I’d call the vet and have them determine that. I don’t think Amy would have let Tom shoot Duchess if it came down to it.
Ah, I didn’t know that. Thanks for explaining. And it was obvious Amy wouldn’t have let anyone touch the horse.
Yes, you are definitely right about that. 💕
I’m glad you’re feeling better, Kymber! Gripping story and intensely real argument. I’m looking forward to reading more! Have a wonderful week 💕🙂
Thank you so much, Harmony! 💕 I’m so glad you like the story. I hope you have a fabulous week, too. 💕
Thank you for sharing!!.. glad the Duchess survived!!.. thinking that at this time Amy it a bit short of patience as she has suddenly discovered something about herself and perhaps Sophie is being a bit over protective in an effort to protect Amy from rushing in and perhaps doing something wrong or taking the wrong path… hopefully the family will, in the near future, have a Sunday tea and sit down and share the knowledge in a calm manner… 🙂
Hope you are feeling better and until we meet again..
May your day be touched
by a bit of Irish luck,
Brightened by a song
in your heart,
And warmed by the smiles
of people you love.
(Irish Saying)
Thank you so much! Yes, you’ve hit the nail right on the head! 😀 That’s exactly the problem. I really appreciate your input. I think a Sunday tea sounds like a splended plan! 🙂
I forgot to say that I’m feeling much better. Thank you again.
Amy is such a beautiful Sim, wow. I couldn’t help but admire her when I looked at the close-ups.
Her running away to Gerrard’s is almost like Blue running away to Winchester.
I love how she saved the horse. Thank goodness for magic abilities!
I agree with D. Wallace, I love how you wrote their argument, and it was indeed really intense. I think now, after Amy learned the truth, Sophie should just give up the diaries. What she needs right now, is integrity and straightforwardness. What she doesn’t know at the moment could make her potentially more dangerous to herself and the others instead of protecting her like Sophie thinks. She needs to learn how to control her powers, and reading Gigi’s diary will surely help give her some perspective. Sophie refusing to give her diaries is doing nothing but making things even more worse and their relationship more strained. After Amy learned so much from Gerrard, there is no point in keeping things away from her. Even more so than it was before. Before she was curious, now that she’s had a taste of those secrets she is determined to get answers any way she can, and she will. Not to mention her getting angry might potentially make her do harm to Sophie… We’ve seen twice now what she can do when she’s feeling intense emotions.
Thank you, Jowita. I think Amy is beautiful, too, and I can’t take any credit for that since she was born in game. I don’t remember changing anything on her except makeup and hair. I love her dark eyes and curly hair.
I can see why you agree with Diana (I’m about to start a new supernatural book she wrote, btw, so excited!). And I agree with you about Amy and diary. Sophie is trying to maintain what she thinks is the control she has left to protect Amy and it’s just not right. I agree that Amy needs the book now more than ever, and her desire to read it now is probably amplified, too.
Gerrard isn’t the only one with answers, the diary (and Gigi) holds the key, too. As you know, it details her father’s death and the great pain that caused, meeting Laris and how he found her and everything after that.
I believe you’re also right about the fact that Amy could mistakenly hurt Sophie if she gets too angry.
Sophie needs to act, and fast!
Oh, this is so cool! I’ll enjoy watching her discover more about herself and her legacy!
Thank you, Cathy. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the story and where it’s leading Amy. 🙂
I really hope Gerrard can help Amy. Poor Duchess! But thank goodness for the literal magic of healing! <3 I thought she was gonna….. cries I’m glad Duchess is okay.
Thank you, Hilly. Thankfully, Duchess is fine. Hopefully Gerrard can help Amy figure with her powers and the questions she has.
That was an intense argument, Kymber. I could feel the frustration they were both struggling with. And I’m so glad Duchess ends up being fine. What a powerful ability to heal and great way to end the installement! Happy Writing!
Thank you so much, Diana! 🙂 I’m so glad you could feel the argument. As for the power Amy possesses, we’ll find out the extent of that soon. Happy writing to you, too.
🙂