Disclaimers: I do not own the 39 Clues.

Chapter 2

Amy recalled the time when she fell out of a tree. She was training with her personal climbing instructor, scaling an old sycamore. The moment she lost grip of the slender branch that she grasped precariously, her mind went blank with a flash of fear, unsure of what to do. She flailed her arms wildly, desperately trying to grasp a tree branch, any tree branch. The impact was sudden, and although she prepared herself for it, she felt her whole body slam against the hard-packed dirt, her breath knocked out. She was lucky to walk away from the 20-foot free fall with a broken arm and a badly bruised hip.

Amy felt like she had just fallen off a tree.

She gasped for air as the words sank in. The shock spread like a virus, infecting every nerve, capillary, and cell in her body.

"W-what did you say?" Amy whispered, barely audible. She mentally smacked herself for stuttering.

"I'm getting married, Amy."

The full impact of reality hit her hard. Her grip around her cell phone tightened, threatening to crush it to pieces. The only thread that held her to sanity was her free hand curling into a fist, the pain from her nails digging into the flesh of her palm, reminding her of the unavoidable truth.

However, she felt oddly calm. Her mind was empty, and she could only formulate on thought that was appropriate.

"Congratulations," she said monotonously.

"Thank you. I was hoping that you can come to the wedding. It's set two months from now." Ian replied.

With every word, she felt a stab of pain piercing throught her heart, threatening to burst from each prick. The only thing she could manage her lips to form was, "Ok."

"I couldn't wait anymore. I've moved on." Ian said.

"I know. It's been a long time."

"Very good. I have a client to tend to. It was nice to talk to you again, Amy."

The last thing Amy could comprehend was the fact that Ian was getting married. Her mind then became a blur of thoughts.

"Goodbye." He ended the conversation.

Click.

Amy pulled into the mansion's spacious driveway. She made her way out of the car slowly, the shock of the call still reverberated in her head. Amy pushed opened the door and entered the house.

The dissonant sound of heavy metal blasted from the living room. Ditching her bags haphazardly on a table, she made her way quietly across the room, not wanting to disturb Nellie, who was jamming out to the music.

"How was your day, kiddo?" Nellie shouted.

"Fine," Amy mumbled halfheartedly as she disappeared up the stairs.

Upstairs, Amy could hear the sound of video games coming from the loft. Dan sat lazily on the couch, drowning in a stack of pillows and candy wrappers while his fingers moved rapidly on the controller.

"Hey, bookworm."

Amy ignored the comment and sent him a glare.

She veered of to the left and pushed open the door at the end of the hall.

Her room was painted a creamy butter yellow, with a large window overlooking into the manicured backyard. On a cherrywood desk was a stack of books, ranging from John Steinbeck to William Shakespeare.

Amy picked up a random book off her desk and curled up on her bed to read.

She tried to focus her mind onto the words of her novel, but the call remained in her head.

I'm engaged.

My wedding is in two months.

I've moved on.

Those words mocked her in her mind, irking her, irritating her.

She remembered how five years ago, he promised that he would wait for her.

It turned out to be empty words. Those words that left her hanging on a thin thread of hope that they would work in the end.

The book page was a blur in front of her eyes. Wet splashes dripped onto the paper.

She shut the book with frustration, since reading did not keep her mind occupied. Amy tossed the novel onto the floor, landing with a heavy thud. She wiped her face with her sleeve, motting the tears away.

Amy has never been one to act boldly. She was just a quiet, shy, stuttering girl. But being part of the world's most powerful family, Amy has learned many lessons. Those experiences had changed her to be more confident.

Why mourn over the news like a loser? There's more than one way to play a game.

She and her brother won the Clue Hunt when she was 14. She led to the defeat of the Vespers when she was 16.

If she could managed to save the world, she can definitely turn the situation to her advantage.

The corner of her lips twitched up in a subtle manner. Amy blinked back the last of the moisture left in her eyes.

She swiped her phone off of her dresser and made a call to a Madrigal agent.

Amy dragged a suitcase out of her closet and began to pack. She tossed in articles of clothing-mostly t-shirts and jeans. As an afterthought, she grabbed a dress and added it to her luggage.

Someone knocked on Amy's door loudly.

"Amy!" Nellie shouted behind the door, "Time to go!"

"Give me five minutes."

Amy hurriedly zipped up her suitcase. Walking over to her desk, she took her wallet and her passport.

Opening the door, Amy made her way downstairs.

"There you are," Nellie said as Amy appeared.

Dan looked confused. "What's up with the suitcase? Last time I checked, we are going out for dinner."

Amy eyes casted towrds the floor. She took a deep breath and explained the incident.

After a few minutes, she managed to sum up everything without choking up. Nellie and Dan were quiet, taking in the news.

"I'm so sorry, Ames." Nellie gave her a comforting hug.

"At least I won't be related to-" Dan started but is cut off by a glare from Nellie.

"I'm not coming to dinner," Amy gave Nellie an apologetic look. "I'm going to London."

"Revenge may be wicked, but it's natural."

-William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair

Don't kill me for making Ian engaged to someone else. I have this story planned out, and I promise all you Amian shippers that the ending would not disappoint.

Thanks for the reviews! Shoutout to Ms. Dartgun, pseudonym99, Anne Cahill, and Guest for being awesome. Also, for those of you that read my story, thank you!

Keep reviewing,

M