Chapter 9 Amelia was finally saved . When she opened her eyes , the room was empty except for the steady beep of the heart monitor . A nurse , who was watching her , quickly came over and tried to get her to rest for a while . But Amelia just pulled the IV out of her hand and got up unsteadily , " Ms. Ackrea ! You're not cleared to leave yet ! " the nurse said in a panic , rushing to stop her . " Thank you ... But I'm dying . I just don't want to die here . " Her voice was soft , like a whisper , but full of determination . The nurse flinched at the emptiness in her eyes and took a small step back without thinking . So , step by step , Amelia dragged her wounded body out of the hospital . When she pushed open the door to the house , Kyler and Matthew were sitting on the couch . At the sound of her entering , they didn't even look up . " Back so soon ? " Kyler sneered . " Done playing dead ? " Matthew flipped through the documents in his hand , his voice dripping with sarcasm . " So you actually made up some wild story about almost dying just to get us to let you off the hook ? " Kyler finally looked up , his gaze was as cold as ice . " Even if you really died , we wouldn't have felt the least bit of guilt . " Chapter 9 Amelia stood in the doorway , sunlight pouring in behind her , casting a long , thin shadow across the floor . She didn't say a word , didn't cry or argue . She just looked at them quietly , then turned and walked back to her room . In the days that followed , Amelia stayed locked in her room , silent as a ghost . Kyler and Matthew hardly bothered her , and even though maybe she had finally come to her senses . On the day of her birthday , Kyler knocked on her door , holding a beautiful dress . " It's your birthday today . We've got something special planned . " Matthew stood behind him , showing a rare , gentle smile . " Put on the dress , and we'll take you out . " Amelia looked at their fake smiles and suddenly found it ridiculous . She already knew what kind of " surprise " they had in store . They were going to tell her today that her parents and Emily weren't really dead . That it had all been an act , And they'd probably say , in the nicest way possible , that as long as she left Emily alone from now on , everything could go back to normal . But ... Things could never go back . Nothing could ever be the same . " I need a few minutes to get ready , " she said quietly . " You guys go ahead . " Matthew frowned but finally nodded . " Just don't take too long and hurry up . Chapter 9 After they left , Amelia slipped on the dress . It was a long white dress , almost like a wedding gown . But instead of heading to the hotel , she walked alone toward the Golden Gate Bridge . The night wind caught the edge of her dress , lifting it slightly as the river rushed on below . She stood on the bridge , staring at the distant city lights , and suddenly found herself remembering things from years ago . Her dad used to carry her on his shoulders to watch the fireworks . Her mom would gently brush her hair . Matthew would run all over town to buy her candy just because she said she wanted some . Under the same starry sky , Kyler once said to her with a blushing face , " Lia , I'll always be there for you . " Now , those memories felt like a dream - beautiful , but far away , impossible to reach . Her phone suddenly rang . It was Kyler calling . " Lia , where are you ? We're still waiting to surprise you . " Amelia looked down at the water and mumbled , " You've got a surprise for me ... and I've got one for you too . " " You don't need to prepare anything ! " Matthew grabbed the phone . " Lia , just hurry up and get over here . We've got something important to tell you ! " " I can't . " " What ? " Chapter 9 She stared down at the dark river below . " Come to the Golden Gate Bridge . The surprise I've got for you is right here . " She hung up . She placed the cancer diagnosis report and the necklace that held Emily's true nature on the bridge railing . The night wind blew through her long hair , and her heart felt strangely peaceful . She took one last look at the city lights , then climbed over the railing without a second thought . No last words were left behind . With a splash , the freezing water swallowed her whole in an instant . It was freezing cold . But somehow , she felt free . From this moment on , nothing in this world could hurt her anymore . Chapter to