Chapter 82 Chapter 82
Amelia
By the time I got back to my office, my thoughts were a mess. I shut the door behind me and began to pace the room, back and forth, my heels clicking softly against the floor. Maxwell’s words replayed in my head like a broken record.
Declan wasn’t lying when he said Maxwell would take my kids from me and threw me in an asylum just so I won’t be able to fight for their custody ever again. He is going to do the same thing to Rhea, I really pity her if she keeps playing this game, cause she is definitely going to lose to Maxwell.
But I need to pity myself more cause if Maxwell ever finds out he has five daughters, it is over for me. His feelings would automatically die and be replaced with hatred.
My phone rang again, I stopped pacing and looked at the screen. It was Declan calling again, my jaw tightened. Before I could overthink it, I answered the call.
“What?” I asked flatly.
There was a brief pause on the other end, then his familiar voice came through, sharp and impatient. “Finally. I was beginning to think you were going to keep hiding.”
“I am not hiding,” I said coldly. “Let’s meet.”
He laughed softly. “So you have the money now?”
“Yes,” I said after a brief pause. “I have it. Let’s meet in an hour, I will send you the address.” I ended the call before he could say anything else.
Minutes later, I found myself standing in front of Maxwell’s office again. I knocked once and stepped inside. “I need to step out,” I said. “I have a meeting with a friend.”
He stood up immediately, walked around his desk, and before I could react, his hands were on my waist. He kissed me deep, possessive, almost desperate. I froze for a second, then let it happen, even though my mind was far away. I kissed him back too, he pulled back and kissed my forehead.
“Be careful,” he murmured before letting me go. I nodded and left.
The restaurant was quiet when I arrived. I chose a table near the window and sat down, my hands clasped tightly together. My heart pounded as I waited.
A few minutes later, Declan walked in. He smelled of cigarettes and alcohol, his shirt slightly wrinkled, his steps lazy but confident. He spotted me immediately and smirked. When he sat down, he leaned back in his chair like he owned the place.
“Well,” he said slowly, eyes scanning me. “Looks like sleeping with my brother finally paid off.”
My fingers curled under the table. “I knew you would do the right thing,” he continued mockingly. “You were always good at spreading your legs when money was involved.” I didn’t respond,
He chuckled. “You know, I don’t regret you leaving me one bit. Marrying my brother suits you even though I hate to admit it. You have always been a whore, you just upgraded your bed.”
The words hit, sharp and cruel, but I didn’t flinch. But I didn’t flinch.
I looked at him calmly, meeting his eyes without fear. “Is there any other insult you would like to throw at me,” I asked quietly, “before I proceed to the reason I am here?”
His smirk twitched. “Nothing,” he said after a moment. “Except I hate that stupid confidence you always put on. Acting like you are better than me.” His voice lowered. “You forget I am a Sinclair. One day, you will regret jumping into my brother’s bed after dumping me.”
He leaned forward slightly. “I am done talking,” he said firmly. “Wire the money now.”
I looked at him steadily, my voice calm and cold. “You won’t be getting a dime from me.” His smile disappeared instantly.
The air around the table changed. “What did you just say to me?” he demanded. His hand slammed against the table so hard, a few people turned to look at us.
I didn’t flinch, instead, I slowly crossed my legs and leaned back in my chair, watching him like he was nothing more than a child throwing a tantrum. “Don’t you dare play with me,” he barked, his voice rising. “Don’t you fucking dare me. Or I swear, you will spend the rest of your life in an asylum.”
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Don’t think because Maxwell is sleeping with you that he’s going to forgive you for keeping his kids away from him. He will replace you just like he replaced Rhea.” His lips curled. “You better pay me the money or I will—”
“You will what?” I cut in sharply. He paused, startled.
“All you ever do is rant and bark,” I continued, my tone calm. “Like a chihuahua that doesn’t realize how small it is. So loud, so useless.” For a second, he just stared at me.Shocked.
He wasn’t used to this. For years, I had swallowed his insults. I had endured his temper, his manipulation, his endless disrespect. Even in the last few months, when I could barely stand him, I still held back. But not anymore.
“You dare talk to me like that?” he snapped. “Amelia, I swear to you, you will regret not paying this money. The moment I leave here, your parents are going to call you and tell you that Maxwell is at the house to meet his kids.”
He said it like a weapon, but instead of panicking, I smiled. “I look forward to him meeting his kids,” I said calmly.
Declan froze, The confidence in his face cracked.
“You think I don’t know about your father’s condition?” I continued. “Isn’t that why you have been so desperate for this money? Because you don’t have a child and your brother does? And the first one with a child gets the company?”
His mouth parted slightly, but no words came out. He just stared at me. “If you go ahead and tell him about the kids,” I added codly, “you are finished. Completely.”
I leaned forward slightly. “You know your brother won’t give you a single dime from that company. You are trying to extort me because you need money. Go ahead, tell him. Let’s see who loses the most.”
He swallowed hard. “So this is it?” he asked after a moment, his voice quieter now. “You think you have figured me out?”
“I don’t think,” I said. “I know and you are not receiving a dime from me.”
His jaw tightened.
“And as for the monthly payments,” I continued, “I will give what I can. I work myself to exhaustion at your brother’s company just to send you money every month. And what do you do with it? Spend it on girls and alcohol.”
I stood up from my chair. “But that ends today. I’m not funding your stupidity anymore.”
His eyes burned with anger, pure hatred swirling in them. “You are going to regret this,” he said through clenched teeth. “You will wish you never did this. I swear.”
I looked at him one last time. “Go fuck yourself, Declan.” I raised my middle finger without hesitation, then turned and walked out of the restaurant.