Hiding in the Devil's Bed (by Malea Cox) novel Chapter 21

Donna flung a stack of photos onto the table, each one capturing Amelia and Zachary during their sweet time together.

But the real bombshell came when she played a recording. Zachary’s voice oozed through the speaker. “Amy, just hang in there for now. Once we’ve gotten enough out of this, you can divorce Landon. I don’t care if you’ve been married before. I’ll still marry you just like we planned…”

The room fell deadly silent. Even Gloria, Amelia’s biggest supporter, hesitated with doubt in her eyes. ‘Could Amy really not be as innocent as she seems? Is this all some elaborate scheine?‘

“Amy… is it true?” Gloria’s voice trembled, laced with pain.

“It’s not true,” Amelia replied firmly.

Gloria let out a shaky breath, relief softening her expression. She said to Donna, “Amy said it’s not true.”

“Are you an idiot? You’re just going to take her word for it?” Donna snapped, slamming her cane against the marble floor with a loud crack.

Kenneth, who had been sitting quietly until now, decided it was his moment to chime in. “Aunt Gloria, don’t underestimate people’s desire for money. You’ve been tricked, plain and simple

“Listen to Donna, Gloria,” Cynthia, Henry’s wife, cooed as she sidled up to Gloria, linking arms in an overly familiar way. “We’re all just looking out for you. Don’t let your husband’s legacy fall into the wrong hands.”

Henry, meanwhile, smirked, practically radiating smug satisfaction. He scoffed inwardly, ‘Hmph, serves her right for trying to go up against me. By the end of today, she’ll be out of this house and out of the Kingsley family for good.

“File for divorce immediately.” Donna barked. “Get her out of the Kingsley family.”

The ultimatum hung heavy in the air. With Donna backing the accusations, it seemed Amelia had only two options: walk out or be thrown out.

“Donna, there must be some misunderstanding,” Gloria said hesitantly.

After inner struggles, Gloria still chose to give Amelia another chance. She thought Amelia had a spark–romantic yet level- headed in ways that belied her age. Gloria genuinely liked her.

More importantly, she was the only person Landon had opened up to. If Amelia left, no one could be there to kill time with

him.

“Misunderstanding?” Donna’s eyes blazed with contempt. “That recording is Zachary’s voice. You think he faked it? Use your brain, woman!”

“Exactly,” Henry chimed in. “Gloria, don’t be so naive.”

Cynthia nodded along, eager to fan the flames. “There are Amelia doesn’t belong in this family.”

plenty of women out there better suited to be Landon’s wife.

Henry and his family waited gleefully for Amelia to break down imagining her being kicked out of the house in tears.

Gloria was desperate to prove Amelia’s innocence, and she urged “Amy, say something.”

Amelia calmly said, “Uncle Henry, how exactly did you get that recording?”

It was indeed Zachary’s voice, and he said that personally, but not to her. Amelia took the Stonefield project away from Zachary, and he held a grudge against Amelia. Thus, he recorded this and gave it to Henry, eager to see Amelia be kicked out

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Chapter 21

of the Kingsley family.

Henry sneered, “What does it matter? Someone overheard you scheming with your ex and recorded it.”

“When and where?” Amelia pressed, her voice steady but sharp.

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Henry’s confidence wavered, and he snapped, “No more questions, okay? The evidence is right there. Just pack your bags and leave.”

“Yeah, you’re not fit to be part of the Kingsley family. Leave now Cynthia echoed.

Amelia’s expression turned icy. “So, you’re allowed to present evidence, but I’m not allowed to defend myself? That recording only has Zachary’s voice. How can you say I was involved?”

Her words hit like a lightning bolt. Gloria’s eyes widened as realization dawned. ‘That’s right. The recording is just Zachary talking. There’s no evidence Amelia even has anything to do with it. He must’ve set this up to ruin Amy!

Gloria shoved Cynthia aside and stepped up to Amelia, her expression firm. “Amy, I believe in you.”

Amelia’s voice was steady but sharp as she declared, “That recording is a setup. Uncle Henry and Zachary are working together to frame me.”

Amelia’s face remained calm, her tone icy. “Then why not make it clear? Tell me when and where this recording was made. Shouldn’t be too hard if the evidence is so solid, huh?”

Henry’s face paled. He was too outdated to know the latest technologies, so he turned to Kenneth. “Is that true? Can they check?”

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