Chapter 178 047
HAZEL helped her brothers out into the cool evening just as their father’s car screeched to a stop in front of the house. Gravel scattered beneath the tires, the sudden noise cutting through the quiet street. Adrian stepped out almost immediately, his face lighting up when the boys spotted him.
“Daddy!” they screamed in unison and ran straight into his open arms.
Adrian laughed, crouching to gather them both, one on each side, their small hands tugging at his beard, pulling his collar, poking his cheeks as if to confirm he was real. Hazel stood a few feet away, a large backpack slung over one shoulder, watching the reunion with a small, satisfied smile.
She waited until the excitement settled before walking closer.
“Hi, Dad,” she said.
He looked up at her, his smile softening.
“Hazel, love. How are you this evening?”
“I’m good,” she replied simply. “Can we get out of here now?”
Without waiting for an answer, she turned and walked toward the car, already reaching for the back door handle.
Adrian rolled his eyes slightly.
“Okay. Why the rush?” he asked. “I haven’t even seen your mother.”
“There would be no need for that, Daddy,” Hazel said over her shoulder. “She is fine. Let’s go.”
Adrian glanced at the house, his eyes lingering on the curtained window upstairs. For a brief moment, he looked like he might argue. Then he sighed, turned back to the car, gently lowered the boys to the ground, and helped them into their seats. Hazel climbed in last, setting the backpack beside her feet.
Moments later, the car pulled away from the curb and disappeared down the road.
From the upstairs window, Amelia watched until the taillights vanished. Her jaw tightened, but she said nothing. She turned away, descended the stairs slowly, and headed for the kitchen. The sink was full of dishes from earlier, and she plunged her hands into the soapy water, scrubbing harder than necessary as she hummed to herself, a forced melody meant to drown out her thoughts.
She was halfway through a plate when she felt it— someone behind her.
The humming stopped abruptly. Amelia stiffened, then spun around, water dripping from her fingers.
“Goodness gracious!” she exclaimed, pressing a wet hand to her chest. “You scared me half to death!”
The man standing behind her laughed.
Charles.
He leaned against the doorframe, hands in his pockets, looking effortlessly handsome, his shirt sleeves rolled up, his hair neat, his presence filling the room.
“You were scared as hell,” he said amusedly. “And you left your door wide open. Didn’t even hear me honk.”
She exhaled, grabbed a napkin, and dried her hands quickly before stepping toward him.
“I was humming,” she said, looping her arms around his neck. “Welcome.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.
“Mm. I see,” he murmured. “How are you, my love?”
“Managing,” she said with a faint smile. “Just managing.”
They kissed, slow and familiar.
When he pulled back, his eyes searched the room.
“Where are my kids, huh?”
Amelia’s smile faded. She sighed, her shoulders slumping.
“I’m sorry again, love. Their father came for them earlier. I had no idea he was coming, believe me.” She pulled away, gesturing helplessly with her hands. “It was sudden.”
Charles said nothing. He bit down on his lower lip and nodded, offering a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Dear, I’m sorry. Truly,” Amelia whispered.
He nodded again, slower this time.
“It is fine,” he said. “I’m used to this—”
“Oh no,” she cut in quickly. “Please don’t say that. I sincerely didn’t know Hazel had planned to take them to their dad’s today. I only found out about an hour ago.”
He laughed softly, dry and humorless.
“It is obvious, Ame. I’m not their father.” He paused, then added, “I think we should stop forcing things for now. It is just not going to work.”
Her heart sank. She reached for his left hand, holding it tightly.
“No, don’t say that. Please don’t conclude yet. There is still time. At least the boys like you—”
“That is the thing,” he interrupted.
She frowned. “What?”
“It is only the boys who seem to like me,” he said quietly. “And right now, they don’t have a say of their own. They follow their big sister’s footsteps. And their big sister?” He met her eyes. “She doesn’t like me.”
Amelia clenched her jaw, anger flashing across her face. She said nothing.
“So of what use is the boys’ ‘like’ to me?” he continued. “When Hazel decides everything?”
Silence filled the kitchen. The faucet dripped softly. Amelia looked away, her fingers tightening around the edge of the counter.
He shrugged, answering his own question.
“See? There you have it.” He gently pulled his hand from hers and turned toward the door.
“Babe—” she called.
“I will be waiting in the living room,” he interrupted without turning back, then walked out.
Amelia stood there long after he left, staring at the doorway. Her chest felt tight, her thoughts tangled. Slowly, she turned back to the sink and resumed washing the dishes, her movements slower now, her humming gone.
Meanwhile, the car sped through the streets, the boys laughing loudly in the backseat as Adrian drove. Hazel sat quietly, watching the passing lights through the window.
“Daddy!” one of the boys called. “Are we sleeping at your house today?”
“Yes,” Adrian answered, smiling. “We will order pizza.”
“And ice cream?” the other asked excitedly.
“Of course.”
Hazel glanced at him.
“You didn’t have to rush like that,” Adrian said lightly. “You could have at least let me say hello to your mom.”
“She didn’t need it,” Hazel replied flatly.
He glanced at her in the rearview mirror.
“You are very protective,” he said.
“She needs boundaries,” Hazel replied. “And so do we.”
Adrian sighed but said nothing more. He knew better than to push.
Back at the house, Amelia finished the dishes and dried her hands. She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and walked into the living room.
Charles sat on the couch, staring at his phone. He looked up when she entered.
“I’m sorry,” she said again, her voice tired. “I really am.”
He studied her face for a moment, then patted the seat beside him. “Come here.”
She sat, leaning into him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, but his grip was loose and uncertain.
“We will see how it goes,” he said quietly. “But I can’t keep fighting a battle I’m already losing.”
Amelia closed her eyes, resting her head against his chest, knowing deep down that the fight had only just begun.