**Chapter 6: Amalia's Past**

Amalia sat in the safe house, her eyes fixed on Elias as he tended to her wounds. She had never seen him so worried, so desperate. The attack on their estate had left her shaken, but she was determined to help her father in any way she could. "I'm sorry, Amalia," Elias said, his voice low and soothing. "I never meant for you to be involved in this. Your mother and I, we wanted to protect you, to keep you safe from Lucien's cruelty." Amalia looked up at him, her eyes searching for answers. "Why did you keep me hidden away, Father? Why did you leave me with Lorenzo?" Elias's expression turned somber. "I was afraid of Lucien, of what he might do to you if he found out about you. Your mother and I, we wanted to give you a chance at a normal life, away from the villainy and the cruelty. But we also knew that we couldn't keep you safe forever." Amalia's thoughts drifted back to her brother, Lorenzo. He had abandoned her and Elias, leaving them to fend for themselves. She had always thought that he had turned against them, but a part of her still held onto the hope that he would make things right. "Lorenzo," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "What happened to him, Father? Why did he leave us?" Elias's eyes clouded over, and he looked away, his jaw clenched. "I'm not sure, Amalia. He was young and idealistic, and he got caught up in Lucien's web of deceit. He thought he was doing the right thing, but... I fear he may have made a grave mistake." Amalia's heart ached at the thought of her brother. She had always loved him, despite his betrayal. He was her Amy bunny, her protector, her confidant. She hoped that he would make things right, that he would come back to them and help them defeat Lucien. As Elias continued to tend to her wounds, Amalia couldn't help but think of James, the son of Lucien. She had seen him, tall and imposing, with his piercing eyes and chiseled features. He had been a formidable opponent, and she had felt a spark of attraction that she quickly suppressed. But James was different. He was Lucien's son, and Amalia knew that she couldn't trust him. Not yet, anyway. The night air was filled with the sound of crickets and the distant hum of a car engine. Amalia's eyes drifted shut, her mind reeling with thoughts of James and her own uncertain future. She remembered the way he had looked at her, the way he had fought her. There was something in his eyes, something that made her feel like he wasn't just a villain, but a complex person with his own motivations and desires. And then there was the way he had dragged her to his father, Lucien. Amalia shuddered at the thought, her heart racing with fear. She knew that she had to be careful, that she couldn't let her guard down. But as she drifted off to sleep, she couldn't shake off the feeling that James was different, that he was more than just a villain's son. She wondered what his story was, what had driven him to be a part of Lucien's plans. Little did she know, James was thinking about her too, his mind consumed by thoughts of her striking features and her bravery in the face of danger. He was torn between his loyalty to his father and his growing attraction to Amalia, the daughter of his arch-nemesis. The battle between good and evil was about to intensify, and Amalia was caught right in the middle. She knew that she had to be careful, that she couldn't let her guard down. But as she drifted off to sleep, she couldn't help but wonder what the future held, and whether she would ever see James again. As the sun rose the next morning, Amalia knew that she had to be prepared for what was to come. She had to face James again, and this time, she wouldn't be so easy to defeat. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, and she knew that she was in for a wild ride.