Chapter 143 Chapter 143

Chapter 143 Chapter 143
Amelia

I sat in front of the television, staring at the screen without really paying attention to what was playing. It has become part of my daily routine. I would switch on the TV just to fill the silence that had taken over the house since the kids were gone.

It never came close to replacing the laughter, arguments, and endless noise they used to make, but at least it stopped the house from feeling completely empty. The voices coming from the television were the only thing keeping me company.

A knock sounded on the front door, I slowly got to my feet and walked over to open it. The moment Adrian saw me, his eyes widened in shock. "What the hell happened to you, Amelia?" he asked.

I didn't answer him. Instead, I turned around and walked back into the living room. I dropped onto one of the couches, feeling too exhausted to care about anything else. Adrian followed me inside. He looked around the room before looking back at me.

"I know you have been dealing with a lot lately," he said, "but that doesn't mean you should let yourself get to this point."

He shook his head. "Just look at yourself. Your hair is a complete mess, and this place..." His eyes swept across the living room. "It's like nobody has cleaned up in days."

He sighed before adding, "Now I understand why your crazy friend asked me to come here and knock some sense into you."

Adele and I had almost gotten into an argument that morning before she left. She had begged me to start taking care of myself again. I hadn't even looked at my reflection in days, but I didn't need a mirror to know how terrible I looked.

She kept telling me that my children were still alive, that I shouldn't behave as though I had already lost them forever. According to her, giving up on myself wasn't going to bring them back. At the time, I hadn't wanted to hear any of it.

Adrian walked closer, "Come on, Amelia," he said. "You have to pull yourself together. If you keep falling apart like this, how are we supposed to fight and get your kids back?"

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "Do I even have a chance?" I asked. "Does it honestly look like I can win against the Sinclairs? Maxwell has already blocked every possible way for me to fight for my children."

No matter what we tried, nobody was willing to listen. Adele and I went from one lawyer to another, hoping at least one person would take my case seriously. I even offered to do a DNA test to prove that the girls were my daughters, but it didn't matter. Every door we knocked on was slammed in our faces. My case was dismissed before anyone was even willing to hear the full story.

Instead of offering help, they treated me like I was the problem. Some of them didn't even try to hide it.

I was warned that if I kept making accusations and refused to let the matter go, I could be declared mentally unstable and forced into a rehabilitation facility.

Adrian let out a long sigh before speaking. "I'm trying to get my dad to pull some strings," he said. "There has to be someone willing to help. Your kids can't just be taken away from you like this."

I slowly lifted my head. "Are you sure your dad is willing to help me?" I asked, unable to hide the small spark of hope in my voice.

"Yes," Adrian replied. "He gave me his word."

For the first time in days, I felt hope, I quickly got to my feet and wrapped my arms around him.

Adrian's family was one of the most influential families in the state. They had connections in places most people could never reach. If his father had promised to help, then maybe there was still a chance.

"Thank you so much," I whispered.

"Anything for you, Amelia," he said.

He gently pulled away before looking me over again. "Now, can you please go and take a shower?"

A small sigh escaped me. "Fine. I will."

He cleared his throat. "I didn't come here just to make sure you cleaned yourself up," he said. "There's a biker race this afternoon, and I want you to come with me."

I shook my head without even thinking about it. "I can't."

That was the last place I wanted to be, the racing circuit held too many memories of Maxwell. Every corner of that place reminded me of him. I could still picture him standing beside his motorcycle, surrounded by his crew, wearing that confident smile that made everyone around him believe he was untouchable.

Going back there now would only reopen wounds that hadn't even begun to heal. "It's not a good place for me right now," I said quietly.

Adrian folded his arms. "Who said I was asking?" he replied. "I'm telling you we are going. You can't spend the rest of your life hiding inside this mansion."

I opened my mouth to argue, but he cut me off before I could say anything.

"If you think going to a biker race with me is a bad idea, then what about staying here?" he asked. "Doesn't every room in this house remind you of Maxwell too?"

I looked away without answering.

"Exactly," he continued. "Now go take your shower, put on something decent, and let's get out of here."

When I still didn't move, his expression softened. "The girls are okay wherever they are," he said. "Maxwell may be a fool, but one thing I know for sure is that he would never let anything happen to them. I promise you they are safe."

He paused before adding, "You just have to stay alive long enough for us to bring them home."

A few hours later, Adrian finally managed to drag me out of the house and bring me to the racing grounds. I hadn't been here in years.

The roar of motorcycle engines, the cheering crowd, and the constant noise that once felt so familiar now felt strangely foreign. It was as though I was standing in a place that belonged to a different version of my life.

I quietly stood beside Adrian as he greeted his friends. Many of the familiar faces were still around. Some of Maxwell's old biker friends noticed me almost immediately. They gave me awkward waves and small nods, clearly unsure of how to react. At least they didn't believe I was dead too.

Before I could think any further, loud cheers suddenly erupted from the other side of the venue. The crowd became restless, with people rushing in one direction. I frowned, wondering what could possibly have everyone so excited.

As more people pushed forward, Adrian instinctively wrapped an arm around me to keep me from being shoved aside.

"It's okay," he muttered, guiding me through the crowd.

We slowly made our way closer to the racing area. As the people who had rushed off began returning, I finally caught sight of the person they had gathered around.

I froze, it was Maxwell. Our eyes met from across the crowd.

For a brief second, surprise flashed across his face, as though he hadn't expected to see me there. Just as quickly, the expression disappeared. His face became unreadable, his eyes turning as cold and distant as they had been every time we'd crossed paths over the past few days.

His gaze slowly dropped to my hand, it was still linked with Adrian's. A flicker of anger crossed his face before he buried it almost instantly, replacing it with the same emotionless expression.

Then he looked beside him, Camilla was right there, his features softened into a smile as he looked at her. She followed his gaze until her eyes landed on me.

A smug smile spread across her face, looking every bit like someone enjoying her victory. It didn't last long, within minutes later, women began surrounding Maxwell from every direction. They laughed, smiled, and openly flirted with him, acting as though Camilla wasn't even standing there.

I watched Camilla lean closer and whisper something into his ear. Whatever she said, it wasn't enough. Moments later, she spun around and stormed away, her face filled with frustration.

I glanced around for Adrian, he was already occupied with preparations for the race, talking with the other riders.

This might be my only chance, taking a deep breath, I started walking toward Maxwell. His eyes found mine again, he didn't look away. Instead, he watched me approach with an intense stare that made every step feel heavier than the last.

I was only a few feet away when Camilla suddenly stepped between us.