My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 1175

Kevin let out a sharp snort, flicking his newspaper open with a snap. “Do you honestly think those little tricks of yours can fool anyone? We have cameras all over the yard. The second there’s any movement at night, they catch it. You were seen leaving. And now you dare ask me how I found out? Maybe you should be asking yourself what kind of dumb things you’ve gotten into.”

His voice was low, heavy with sarcasm. He hadn’t so much as raised a hand, but Amelia could still feel the sting on her cheek, as if he’d actually slapped her.

She pressed her lips together and fidgeted with her fingers. “Grandpa, I’ve just been stuck at home forever. I only wanted to get out for a bit, clear my head. I came right back. I wasn’t gone long. I didn’t do anything.”

Kevin gave her a sidelong look. His eyes were clouded with age, but she could feel them cutting right through her.

“Out for some air, huh? Where did you go?”

Amelia faked a smile. “Tanner and I just drove around a nearby city, that’s all. Really, nothing happened. You don’t need to worry…”

Kevin let out another cold laugh. “You think just because I’m old, I must be stupid too?”

Amelia’s fingers curled into her palms. She dropped her gaze. “I didn’t—”

“Tell me the truth,” he cut her off, his tone as hard as ice. “Where did you go?”

Of course she couldn’t let him find out. “Grandpa, I really didn’t go anywhere special.”

“You’re still lying,” he replied, voice quiet but sharp enough to make her flinch.

He stared her down. “Just tell the truth.”

Amelia’s jaw tightened. She looked up, meeting his eyes with stubbornness. “I swear, Grandpa, I just walked around the neighborhood. I didn’t go anywhere else. Why don’t you believe me? I was just out with Tanner, that’s all.”

Kevin set the newspaper down on his lap and studied her, his eyes colder than before. “Still refusing to be honest.”

She grumbled, “I am telling the truth. You just don’t want to believe me.”

He leaned back. “You really think I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours?”

Amelia froze for a second. “What could I possibly be thinking?”

Kevin’s mouth curled, almost like a smile. “You’re still thinking about Isabella Austin, aren’t you? You want to help her. You’ve been pestering me about it for days. You still haven’t let it go.”

Amelia’s heart pounded. His stare was so sharp, it felt like he could see right through her, straight to everything she was trying to hide.

She looked away, still trying to deny it. “No, I’m not. After what she did, why would I help her? Maybe I was a little reckless before, but I’ve figured things out now. I’m not thinking about her anymore. Please, Grandpa, stop guessing.”

Kevin picked up the newspaper again. “You better not be. And you better not have gone all the way to the capital to find Isabella.”

Amelia’s hand tightened around the fabric of her dress as she tried to keep her voice steady. “Of course I didn’t. I just went on a date with Tanner.”

Kevin didn’t say anything else. The room fell silent. After a few moments, he glanced up at the clock on the wall. “It’s almost time. I’ll have the driver take you to the restaurant.”

The woman turned back. “Do you need something, Ms. Gomez?”

Amelia glanced warily toward the living room. Kevin hadn’t moved.

The maid seemed to guess what she wanted. “Ms. Gomez, Dennis is inside.”

Amelia’s eyebrows lifted, but she kept her tone soft. “I know. Just… don’t tell anyone I was here, alright?”

The woman hesitated. “Why not?”

Amelia shot another nervous glance downstairs. “Just do what I say. Don’t ask.”

The maid paused, then nodded quickly. “Alright, I understand.” She hurried off, practically running with her mop and bucket like she was escaping a wild animal.

Amelia slowly eased the door open. Inside, she heard the rustle of bedsheets. She stepped in and saw Dennis spring up from the bed. His eyes were puffy and red, but when he saw her, tears immediately welled up again. He leaped off the bed, arms wide, and rushed straight into her.

“Auntie!” he choked out.

Amelia quickly closed the door behind her and crouched down, putting a finger to her lips. “Shh. Don’t let Grandpa hear you.”

Dennis’s lip trembled as he buried his face in her arms, his voice a muffled sob. “Auntie, you lied to me. Grandpa wouldn’t help, and now he’s locked me in here…”