Chapter 173: Chapter 173

Amelia's POV

I crumpled a sheet of paper and tossed it into the trash bin.

It was the last sheet left on my desk.

I couldn't concentrate on designing anything tonight. I had lost count of how many sheets of paper had ended up as crumpled balls scattered around the corner of my room.

Letting out a long sigh, I tilted my head back and glanced at the wall clock, 11:35 PM.

There was still some time before midnight. I got up from my chair and walked toward Kai's study to get more paper.

Without thinking much about it, I opened the door immediately, convinced that I was the only person upstairs.

"Oh my God!" The exclamation slipped from my lips the moment I saw him.

Kai was inside.

He was standing in front of his desk, and when he heard my voice, he turned to look at me.

"What is it?" he asked. But right after that, he turned around and faced away from me.

My chest tightened instantly. Did he really dislike seeing me that much?

If my presence bothered him so much, why didn't he just throw me out of this house altogether?

At least then he wouldn't have to see my face anymore.

"Sorry. I just came to get some paper," I replied.

I stepped farther inside toward the storage shelf.

"Don't worry. I've never touched any of your other things."

My tone sounded sharper than I intended.

For some reason, I felt irritated.

After taking several sheets of paper, I immediately left the study and closed the door behind me before returning to my room.

Bang!

I shut my bedroom door harder than necessary and immediately locked it from the inside.

Today was Deasy's birthday party. The daughter My sister Kiara.

I was wearing a simple white shirt paired with blue jeans.

At the moment, I was sitting on the front porch, waiting for Mommy Miranda and Ezra, who had promised to pick me up.

Honk! Honk!

The sound of a car horn came from the front gate.

I turned around.

Mommy Miranda's car had stopped right outside the gate. I immediately got up and jogged toward it.

"You didn't forget the gift, did you?" Mommy Miranda asked as soon as I got into the car.

"This one." I lifted the paper bag I had been carrying.

"Isn't Ezra coming?" I asked when I noticed Mommy sitting alone in the driver's seat.

"He said he'll come later," she replied.

I simply nodded.

Today, Father's house looked incredibly festive.

Colorful balloons and ribbons decorated nearly every corner of the property.

It was the first time in more than four years that I had stepped foot inside this house again.

My feelings were difficult to describe.

There was unfamiliarity, awkwardness, and a lingering sense of discomfort. This house held far too many bitter memories for me.

The house was already filled with guests. The adults were busy chatting while children ran around happily in the side garden.

"Amelia, you came, sweetheart?"

My mother immediately greeted us the moment we entered.

I froze slightly.

Sweetheart?

Since when did she call me that?

"Hi, Miranda. Thank you for coming." My mother kissed both of Mommy Miranda's cheeks warmly before turning to hug me.

I simply stared back expressionlessly.

"How have you been, sweetheart?" she asked.

"I'm fine," I answered shortly.

Hearing that affectionate word coming from my mother's mouth felt incredibly strange.

But honestly, I wasn't surprised to see her here.

Even though she had divorced Father, she would never hesitate to come for the sake of her beloved daughter, Kiara.

No matter how strained their relationship had become, she would always compromise for Kiara's happiness.

But when it came to me, everything was different. She hadn't even attended my wedding. She believed I had stolen Kai from Kiara.

"Kiara," Mother called, waving at her favorite daughter. "Bring Deasy over here too."

A moment later, Kiara approached with a beautiful little girl whose long hair and facial features resembled her almost perfectly.

"Good afternoon, Auntie. Thank you for coming."

Kiara hugged Mommy Miranda.

When her gaze shifted toward me, I immediately handed her the gift.

"Thank you," she said briefly.

I simply nodded before turning my attention to the little girl standing beside her.

It was my first time meeting my niece.

"This is Deasy," Mother introduced. "Shake hands with Aunt Amelia and Grandma Miranda, sweetheart."

I accepted the little hand she offered. Her tiny fingers felt incredibly soft in mine.

I crouched down so I could see her face more clearly.

"You're beautiful," I praised sincerely.

"Thank you, Auntie," Deasy replied with a sweet smile.

My heart instantly warmed.

Kiara's daughter was so adorable and beautiful.

Looking at the little girl, a question suddenly surfaced in my heart.

If my child were still alive... would they be as cute and beautiful as Deasy?

Ah...

A sharp pain pierced my chest.

Those thoughts came back again.

And just like always, they left the same wound behind.

"Stand up."

Someone whispered beside me.

"Your legs will hurt if you squat for too long."

I looked up.

Ezra was standing there, smiling.

"So you came after all? I thought you weren't going to show up," I said as I stood.

"Of course I came." He lowered his voice. "I promised I'd take you out."

I simply smiled faintly.

Not long afterward, the emcee announced that the candle-blowing ceremony was about to begin.

The guests gradually gathered in front of the small stage prepared for the celebration.

Father approached me. "Amelia, come up on stage with us."

I immediately shook my head. "No, thank you," I refused flatly.

"Come on, Arana!" Mother persuaded as well.

"You're Deasy's aunt. We can take a family picture together afterward."

But I still refused.

I brushed away Mother's hand when she tried to hold mine. It was almost funny enough to make me laugh.

A family picture, she said.

Since when had I ever been part of their family photos?

Whether it was Father's family or Mother's new family, I had never truly belonged.

Back then, the family photos displayed in Father's house contained only Father and Kiara.

Meanwhile, the family photos in Mother's house featured her new family.

I was never in any of them.

I let out a long breath, trying to push away the heaviness settling inside my chest.

"How about we take a picture together instead?"E zra suddenly chimed in.

I immediately turned toward him.

"What are you talking about? Stop being weird!"

Ezra merely chuckled.

I chose to ignore him and walked over to Mommy Miranda to grab a drink.

"Mom, Amelia wants to go home." I immediately turned toward Ezra, still holding my glass.

"Why, sweetheart?" Mommy Miranda asked, looking at me.

"I—"

"She has a headache, Mom. It's too noisy here."

Ezra cut me off before I could say anything.

I frowned. I hadn't even spoken yet.

"I'll take Amelia home. You can come back later on your own."

He spoke as if the decision had already been made.

Without waiting for Mommy Miranda's approval, he took the small plate of cake from my hands and placed it on the table.

"We're leaving," he announced.

Then he grabbed my hand and started pulling me along.

I didn't even have time to react.

Meanwhile, Mommy Miranda could only stare at us with a bewildered expression, completely confused by Ezra's sudden behavior.

"Huh...? Where are we going?" I asked. But the only answer I received was Ezra's sweet, mysterious smile.