Chapter 37 Chapter 37
Amelia
“What are you doing here?” I asked, unable to hide my surprise.
Before Declan could answer, my children ran toward me and wrapped their arms around my legs. Alina looked up at me with innocent eyes and frowned slightly.
“Mom,” she said softly, “why don’t you like Uncle Declan coming around? He’s really nice to us.”
I swallowed and looked past them at Declan. He smiled calmly, as if he didn’t know exactly why his presence made my chest tighten.
“I was just in the neighborhood,” he said casually. “I saw your car drive by and tried calling you, but you didn’t pick up. So I thought I’d stop by to check on you.”
His tone was gentle, almost convincing, but I knew better. Declan never did anything without a reason. He always had a plan, and this visit was no different.
“Cut the young man some slack,” my mother said from behind him, clearly taking his side. “Even if you two aren’t together anymore, he isn’t your enemy.”
I sighed and rolled my eyes, too tired to argue. Without saying another word, I walked into the living room.
Declan was taking advantage of the fact that my parents knew him, trusted him, and still liked him. To them, he was the same perfect fiancé he once pretended to be. They had no idea what I went through, no idea how deeply he hurt me.
Sometimes I wished I could tell them everything, show them the truth. If they knew even half of what he put me through, they wouldn’t be defending him. They wouldn’t even want him anywhere near me again.
“Fine,” I said, forcing myself to stay calm. I turned to Declan. “Can I talk to you outside for a moment?”
Before he could even answer, my mother quickly stepped in.
“I know you are about to chase him away,” she said knowingly, “but let him have lunch with us first. After that, you can talk about whatever you want.”
I clenched my jaw but said nothing. “I would love to have lunch with you, ma’am,” Declan said smoothly. He then bent slightly toward my daughters and smiled. “And with these beautiful little sunshines too.”
The girls immediately squealed with excitement, laughing and holding onto his hands like he was their favorite person in the world. My chest tightened. I already knew I was going to have a serious conversation with them and a very firm warning after he left.
“Come on,” my mum said cheerfully, clapping her hands together. “Lunch is ready.”
She ushered everyone toward the dining room as if this was a perfectly normal family gathering. A few moments later, my dad joined us as well, smiling when he saw Declan.
“Declan, it’s been a long time,” Dad said warmly. “I didn’t know you and Amelia were still in touch. That’s good.”
I nearly laughed at that. “And how’s your career coming along?” Dad continued, clearly interested.
Declan straightened slightly, looking proud, I scoffed inwardly. Even in the next twenty years, his career would probably still be “picking up.” That was how useless and empty his promises always were. No wonder his own family had cast him aside.
“Things are going well right now,” Declan said proudly. “I have a gig coming up at New York Fashion Week. I will be styling models for a brand.”
His voice was confident, but I could tell he was lying. I had known him long enough to recognize when he was exaggerating or completely making things up.
“That’s really nice,” my mum said with a pleased smile. “You’re doing very well for yourself.”
She then turned toward me, clearly proud. “Our Amelia is also making big waves. Her company just landed its biggest project yet, and it’s the biggest one in the entire country.”
Declan’s eyes flickered toward me, and a slow, unsettling smile spread across his face.
“Oh,” he said calmly, “I didn’t know that.” He paused for a moment before adding, “I thought the company was still going through hard times.”
The table fell quiet after that. Everyone focused on their food, but the tension was thick. Declan and I exchanged silent, cold stares across the table, neither of us willing to look away.
Then Ayla broke the silence. “Mum,” she said softly, “are you coming to our drama show?”
I looked at her in surprise, guilt tugging at my heart.
“Oh, sweetheart,” I said gently, “this is the first time I’m hearing about your drama show. I’ll make sure to put it on my schedule.”
“I won’t forgive you if you miss it for anything,” Amira said seriously. I smiled at her, softening my voice. “Honey, you know mummy is very busy, but I’ll try my best to be there,” I said.
Then Declan spoke. “What about their dad?” he asked.
I immediately spat out the drink I had just taken. I slowly lifted my head and glared at him across the table. I didn’t care that my children were present, if he said one more wrong thing, I would break a plate over his head without thinking twice.
“You’d better watch what you say around my kids,” I said through clenched teeth. “Or I will have no choice but to escort you out myself.”
He leaned back slightly, a dark smile tugging at his lips, and raised his hands in mock surrender.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t realize he wasn’t in the picture.”
I shot him another sharp look, warning him silently. “One more word,” I said quietly, “and you will see that I am not bluffing.”
After that, dinner continued in an uneasy calm. The girls quickly moved on, excitedly telling me about school, their teachers, and all the activities I’d missed. I listened closely, nodding and smiling, while keeping one eye on Declan, ready in case he crossed the line again.
After lunch, I didn’t waste any time. I asked Declan to meet me outside immediately. He said goodbye to the kids and my parents, putting on his charming smile one last time, then followed me out reluctantly.
The moment we stepped outside, I turned to him.
“What the hell are you doing in my house?” I demanded.
He didn’t look bothered at all. Instead, he shrugged lightly.
“That’s what happens when you ignore my calls for almost a week,” he said. “If you had picked up, I wouldn’t have come. Still, I enjoyed spending time with my nieces.”
“They are not your nieces,” I growled, stepping closer to him. “What do you want?”
He smiled again, slow and smug. “When are you paying my next salary?” he asked calmly. “Now that your company is doing well, I think it’s time we talk about increasing it. Don’t you think?”
My hands curled into fists at my sides as I stared at him, I felt like strangling him right there, but I forced myself to stay calm. I had already paid him forty thousand dollars upfront for the month just so he would stop disturbing my peace. The month wasn’t even over yet, and here he was again, acting entitled.
“If you are talking about next month’s pay,” I said coldly, “you won’t get anything until next month arrives. And I am not increasing your money by even a single dollar. So wait for the new month and stop bothering me.”
He slipped his hands into his pockets, his smile turning sharp.
“Fine,” he said. “Maybe I should tell my brother about the kids today and bring him straight here.”
I laughed softly and stepped closer to him, a smirk on my lips. Surprise flashed across his face.
“I dare you,” I said calmly. “Go ahead and tell him. Let’s see how you plan to earn forty thousand dollars a month without lifting a finger.”
His confidence faltered, but I didn’t stop. “You are not getting a dime from me until next month,” I continued firmly. “And let this be the first and last time you ever show up anywhere near my children.”
I moved even closer, lowering my voice so he could hear me clearly. “If you try this again, I won’t hesitate to destroy you. I will go to any length to protect my kids.”
I straightened and pointed toward the gate.
“Now get out of my house. Leave this place immediately.”
His eyes burned red with anger as he stared at me.
“This isn’t over,” he said through clenched teeth. “I will be expecting my pay.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away. I stood there watching him leave.
Author's note: Something suspicious is going on here, I don't know