Chapter 268 Nobody Gets to Hurt Amelia

Luke's POV:

Sophia's eyes widened, tears immediately welling up.

"But you need to know why," I continued, my voice heavy. "Do you remember six months ago when Amelia fell during her performance and was seriously injured?"

Sophia nodded, fear flashing in her eyes. "Mom almost..." She couldn't finish.

"It wasn't an accident," I said evenly. "Your birth father William planned it. He hired someone to tamper with Amelia's performance equipment."

"That's impossible..." Sophia shook her head, tears running down her cheeks. "Why would he do that?"

"He wanted revenge," I explained. "Because we exposed his abuse of you, which sent him to prison and cost him custody. And more... my company was taking over Bradford Education Group, something neither your father nor your grandfather Jonathan could accept."

I gently took Sophia's hand. "When I visited him, he told me: 'An eye for an eye.' He wanted me to feel the pain of losing someone I loved."

"So you... killed him?" Sophia asked, her voice trembling.

"When I learned who was behind Amelia's 'accident,' I couldn't bear the thought of him having another chance to hurt her," I admitted. "I used the opportunity of the prison riot to... ensure he could never threaten my family again."

"Diana?" Sophia's eyes widened. "Was she involved too?"

"She and your father pretended to hate each other, but they were in secret contact," I said gravely. "Investigations showed Diana visited William in prison multiple times using false names. She wanted to get you back, thinking if Amelia was gone, she could regain custody."

Sophia turned pale. "Are they... are they still trying to hurt Mom?"

"Not anymore," I said firmly. "But Diana hasn't given up. She's approaching you through Mrs. Jenkins now, trying to drive us apart with lies."

I looked into Sophia's eyes. "I must ask you to keep this secret, Sophia. Amelia believes it was just a stage accident and a random prison riot. She doesn't know the truth, and I don't want her carrying this burden or living in fear."

Silence filled the room. Sophia's expression was full of confusion and pain as she processed everything.

"I understand if you hate me now," I finally said, my voice breaking. "But I want you to know that protecting this family is my most important responsibility."

Sophia stared at me for a long moment, then spoke with surprising firmness:

"Nobody gets to hurt Amelia."

She stood up, came to my side, and hugged me tightly. "You did the right thing, Dad. No one can hurt our family... I won't tell Mom."

I hugged her back, surprised, the weight finally lifting from my shoulders. This child's maturity and understanding exceeded all my expectations.

"Thank you," I whispered. "You're an amazing kid."

That evening, after Lucas and Amelia returned, we decided to have a small family movie night to restore some normalcy. Sophia seemed much more relaxed, even starting to banter with Lucas – a clear sign her mood had improved.

Amelia glanced curiously at the new understanding between Sophia and me but didn't press. She just smiled contentedly, assuming we'd resolved the trouble Diana had tried to cause, unaware of the secret we now shared.

Later, when both children were asleep, Amelia and I sat on the balcony, looking out at the Ivywood City skyline.

"How did it go?" she asked softly, referring to my conversation with Sophia.

"Better than I expected," I said, truthful yet withholding. "She's smart, understands more than we give her credit for."

"Diana is terrible," Amelia said through gritted teeth. "Using a child for revenge, trying to get Sophia back..."

Amelia's eyes suddenly sharpened, her tone filled with a rare anger. "She will never take Sophia away. Her twisted obsession with Sophia is sickening. Even if she's Sophia's birth mother, she doesn't deserve her."

"She tortures her own child in the name of love," I quietly agreed. "That's not love, it's possession."

"She'll pay for this," Amelia said firmly, determination flashing in her eyes.

I gently took her hand. "We need to be careful, for the children's sake."

I pulled her into my arms, a dark satisfaction settling in my chest. Whatever she wanted, she would have.

Her career, her dreams, and especially the children she chose to love - they were hers by right, regardless of whose blood ran in their veins. Diana's claim meant nothing. Sophia belonged to us now.

I'd already eliminated one threat, and I'd do it again without hesitation. Some prices were worth paying, some lines worth crossing. And Amelia would never have to know how far I'd gone - or how much further I was willing to go.

I pressed a gentle kiss to Amelia's forehead, my mind already mapping out what needed to be done. Diana Thompson had pushed too far this time. She wasn't just a nuisance – she was a persistent threat to our family's safety and happiness. And I dealt with threats decisively.

"What are you thinking about?" Amelia asked, noticing my distant expression.

"Just thinking about our next steps," I said vaguely. "The restraining orders clearly aren't enough if she's finding ways to reach Sophia through third parties."

Amelia sighed, rubbing her temples. "What more can we even do legally? She'll just keep finding loopholes."

"Don't worry," I said softly, squeezing her hand. "I'll find a more permanent solution. Try not to think about it anymore tonight."

And I would – just not in the way Amelia imagined.

After Amelia fell asleep, I walked out to the balcony and pulled out my phone. City lights flickered beneath me, but my mind was clear as crystal. Diana had gone too far this time. She wasn't just some irritating pest anymore—she'd become a persistent threat to my family. As Sophia's birth mother, her obsession had turned dangerous. It was time to end this problem.

I dialed a number and kept my voice low. "I need you to move forward with the Diana Thompson plan we talked about. Her recent drinking and mental instability give us plenty to work with. Get all the paperwork ready and find the right doctor to sign off. With her current state and that child abuse record, nobody's going to ask questions."

I kept my tone cool but firm. "Make sure she's in Pinewood Psychiatric by tomorrow. She doesn't have the cash or the connections to fight this. Keep everything legal and quiet—we'll say it's for her own good."

When I hung up, I couldn't help a cold smile. This solution would get Diana the help she actually needed while keeping her permanently away from our family.

Back in bed, Amelia stirred slightly.

"Everything okay?" she mumbled, half-asleep.

"Everything's perfect," I whispered, running my fingers through her hair. "Go back to sleep."