so freakin glad to see an update from you!!! i began to worry that you might've left us and boy, i'm glad to be wrong! Mama Harris surely is interesting...i look forward to the lunch date. i wonder if she will now approve Harris to go after Amelle because he feels so strongly...? yeah, things are going to get interesting alright! thanks for the update!

Now you got me all suspensed. Is Harrison being truthful to his mother? Does he really care for Amelle? He really has an odd way of showing it. I really can't wait to see what Mrs. Astor's agenda is. Is she scoping out whether Amelle is right for her baby boy?

Glad you're back and, hell yeah, I missed you. Now don't stay away like that again.  Hope you update soon. *hint*

I like this story a lot, it deals realistically with the color bias we chocolate ladies have to triumph over and I've always wondered how a Black woman of any complexion (but, we of the darker hue always facing stronger bias),  deals with, I would think, a great amount of prejudice when she marries a White man or her boyfriend/fiance is White.  

This chapter confirms to me my suspicions that Emelle's accelerating aging was from lynchings of her self esteem, the racist insults of David's mother that she has been bearing are a confirmation. 

I greatly look forward to the next installment of this story.  Anxiously want to see how Emelle handles working with Harrison, who is quite a "monster"!  And how she, hopefully, will restore who she really is as a person, her independent individuality with pride and strength.  I know that will take a while to slowly emerge throughout the story because, she does not want to lose her relationship with her beloved David.  So, her success will be another major point of interest to me in this story.  Emelle has a huge battle ahead of her from these enormous conflicts from all these people and the most important ones are her future in-laws, they too are against her.  She will need a lot of strength and David is certainly no assist.

Drogheda thank you for this story, good writing, very entertaining and informative including the conflicts of class bias.  You've truly packed a whopper of real life into this story and I appreciate it; nice change from the glossy romantic fantasies that I also love!

Sienna is right her friend Amella is a woman of tattered remains, or shattered that's why she has greatly aged beyond her 27years.

Sienna needs to be introduced to these people to put Harrison in place, she'd make him step back! 

Well, I'm really glad Amelle got out of that Black dress and into the White, something that complimented her complexion.

Late to the game reading the latest two chapters, but thanks for the update!

As an aside, I'm a little bummed that the visual inspiration for Harrison is the delicious Henry Cavill.  Nevertheless, the cast picture is spot on.  His expression in that photo is pitch perfect for Harrison.   

I'm conflicted about Amelle - on the one hand, she feels trapped between a rock and a hard place.  She loves David, wants the best for him, and wouldn't intentionally do anything to sabotage him.  She's compromised her sense of self (and ironically, is no longer the woman David likely fell in love with) for the sake of their relationship.  She feels out of control, and she's being led around by her emotions.  And in doing so, she's allowed things to get really out of hand.  But....she loves David.  I feel bad for her. 

On the other hand, my ruthless side says: any man unwilling to stand up for you with his mother isn't marriage material.  Period.  Despite conventional wisdom, you do marry the man and the family, unless he severs ties completely.  Amelle should have broken off the engagement a while ago and maintained a sense of dignity.   

My overly practical side says: love and opposites attracting isn't enough for a healthy relationship.  Love can blind a woman to many red flags, and women should be more comfortable with being alone than compromising their integrity and identity for the sake of a relationship.  But....that's easier said than done.    

As I mentioned earlier I think David cares for Amelle, even loves her - but she's not a priority.  At least, not anymore.  Doesn't make him a bad person, but it does make him a very poor future husband.  If he's like this now, I have a hard time seeing him do a 180 when they get married.  I'm interested in reading what happens with him, as I have my suspicions, but hope I'm wrong.   

Despite my ambivalence, I have hope for Amelle, as I think she can still rise from her circumstances, and will respect your process.  My feelings about her must mean you've done your job in humanizing the character!  

Great chapter, and awesome writing skills as always! I hope that Amelle starts to stand up for herself...

this story is so intriguing and i agree with others, write it at your own pace - i'm along for the ride and thank you for bringing a different story. life & love isn't always lovey dovey

I know characters aren't always perfect, they aren't supposed to be, and every person isn't going to live happily ever after. However, complex characters must have a strong foundation to carry out a complex plot.

I agree with Olivia in regards to David as well as why his parents wanted them to move to CT. Harrison is a pig, I hope he gets the royal flush. I wished Amelle had told him that it's sad that a man like him needs to threaten a person to in order to get what he wants. Harrison may have power, but he is truly weak. I enjoyed this chapter, I felt a little more of Amelle's personality and I'm intrigued by Olivia. 

I really like this chapter D. Oliver is growing on me somewhat now that I know her situation and the conversation she had with Amelle. Her husband is a bitch and her family. I get the pressure of being bullied to do something you don't want, but if money is what you seek get it on your own. Her mom should of installed that principle instead of pimping her daughter for money. From your authors note and reading this chapter something dawned on me. You can know what the right thing is, but sometimes your intrigued by what is wrong or supposedly bad. Harrison is deceptive, but a part of her wants him even though she knows it will lead to trouble. He is charming, rich, handsome and powerful. Your right when you say women enter different stages of their life where they are weak and strong. It's always that one guy that everyone warns you about and even your own mind is warning you. Even though you know this, you are attracted to it. There is always something that we have to fight against that we want, but know it isn't good for us. I'm glad Amelle smacked Oliver husband. There is something wrong with that dude. His ass got put in his place. I really do hope Olivia gets help, because I can understand how you can feel trapped in a situation with no way out. There is nothing I can say for David, what Olivia said was true. Harrison was right about one thing as well, David don't deserve Amelle. I'm liking this story a lot D and I'm glad your not making a typical love story. Thanks for the shout out as well. :)

David is dangerously obtuse. How much of it is that he doesn't want to see what's happening? I would be ready to strangle his ass.

Harrison might be in for a surprise with Amelle. And Oliva, Amelle needs to take special note of her conversation with her. 

“I am sure his Mummy and daddy want their son to be a future president, and you just don’t fit into that equation. I wager they picked Greenwich for its wealth, but they choose Belle Haven to get rid of you.” Olivia stared into her tea cup, her voice tumbling out of her mouth in a small and almost hypnotic whisper. “But Belle Haven has plans for you.”

Amelle needs to continue to be very observant. Knowledge is power and she will need all that she can gather if she's to survive this hell hole.

I salute you, Chica.

sweetheart, i know how hard it can be to write in forum like this, but keep doing what you do with this story. i, for one, trust you and your direction. sure, amelle at times seems implausible based on her actions and delayed reactions (harrison is trip!), but in reality humans will act strangely when tossed in certain situations and will flip on a dime when confronted with certain conflicts. it's much too early in the story to point out any character-based flaws; that's something to be reflected on if there were loose ends that weren't addressed. so far, i'm intrigued by the story and obviously others are as well, since they felt compelled to comment.

my only request is that you update more often. LoL

This is your story sweetie!! We are along for the riide however you decide to drive. If people don't like the journey they choose another vehicle to ride along with..another journey..

I love the story and I find Amelle very realistic actually..many wommen get caught up in situations there is no easy way out of especially when there is a powerful men involved,,,so just tell yourr story..I am in for the complete ride!!