On Friday night, the house was already blanketed in silence by the time Luc finally returned. The deep shadows that clung to the walls mirrored the weight he carried as he moved through the quiet corridors, his footsteps barely a whisper on the polished floors. When he reached Nico’s room, the soft glow of the nightlight painted the room in a gentle amber hue, casting delicate shadows across the small bed where his son slept peacefully.
Luc paused at the doorway, his tall frame tense as he took in the sight of Nico's innocent face, so serene, so untouched by the world’s complications. For a long time, he stood there, unable to move, as if tethered to that moment, watching the steady rise and fall of his son’s chest. His heart constricted, emotions warring within him that he couldn't fully grasp—love, guilt, regret, and something else that he couldn't quite name. Finally, with a quiet exhale, he crossed the room and sat down beside the bed.
He didn't touch Nico. He didn’t even speak. He just sat there, his gaze tracing the outline of the boy's tiny fingers, the soft curve of his cheeks, and the way his dark lashes fanned against his pale skin. For what felt like an eternity, Luc simply watched, his throat tightening with the unspoken words he knew he should say but couldn't. How had it come to this? His son, living here, with a woman who had once been the center of his universe, now reduced to nothing but a stranger in his life.
Amber had left them alone. He felt her absence like a chill in the room. She used to hover, always on guard when he was around Nico, as if expecting him to vanish with their son the moment she looked away. But tonight, she was nowhere near. That stung in ways he hadn't expected.
Finally, he rose, his heart heavy. But instead of leaving, his feet carried him to Amber's room, drawn by a need he didn’t fully understand. He knocked, the sound heavy in the stillness of the night. There was no hesitation in the way he rapped at her door, no softness—just a quiet demand for entry.
Amber opened the door, her face unreadable, but there was something behind her eyes—something guarded, like she had been expecting this, like she had prepared herself. She stood there, framed by the dim light filtering in from the hallway, dressed in a light, feathery white suit that clung to her body. Luc’s eyes involuntarily swept over her, and though he tried to suppress it, he couldn’t deny the rush of memories the sight of her stirred in him.
“When do you think I should take him to the zoo tomorrow?” His voice came out low, almost gruff, as if the question itself was an intrusion into the space between them. There was no softening, no preamble, just the blunt question hanging in the air.
Amber’s lips pressed into a thin line, her composure as rigid as her tone. “He wakes up at six,” she replied, her voice carefully controlled. “Give him an hour to get ready and have breakfast, and then he’s all yours.”
For a moment, Luc didn’t respond. His eyes lingered on her, taking in the way the fabric of her suit skimmed over her skin, the way her hair framed her face. He knew she could feel the weight of his gaze, could sense the tension that crackled between them. “So, you’re sure you don’t want to come with us?” he asked, his voice carrying an edge, his question laced with something more than mere curiosity.
Amber stiffened slightly but met his gaze without flinching. “No.”
There was finality in her answer, but it wasn’t enough for him. His eyes darkened, a bitter smile twisting at the corner of his lips. “Why not?” he challenged, stepping closer. “You used to shadow me like I was some kind of criminal every time I saw him in the States. What changed? What made you suddenly trust me?”
The bitterness in his voice wasn’t lost on her, and she felt it prick at her own defenses. She shrugged, though it was forced, her attempt to disarm the situation failing. “Maybe I changed. Maybe I realized I made a mistake and decided to make amends.”
Luc stilled, and the air between them seemed to shift, growing heavy with the tension that had been building for years. A bitter laugh escaped him, but it wasn’t one of humor. It was hard, cold, and filled with the anger he had kept bottled inside. “It’s too late for amends, Amber,” he said, his teeth clenched as the words came out through gritted teeth. His eyes flashed with something raw, something broken, and before she could respond, he turned on his heel and left, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.
Amber stood there, rooted to the spot, her heart hammering in her chest. She wanted to call after him, to shout back at him, to explain everything he hadn’t allowed her to say. But the words stayed trapped in her throat, caught in the storm of emotions that swirled inside her. With a sigh that felt like it had been ripped from her soul, she turned back into her room and shut the door softly behind her.
She crawled into bed, curling up in the darkness as her thoughts raced, but no matter how hard she tried, sleep wouldn’t come. She lay there for what felt like hours, the weight of the conversation with Luc pressing down on her chest, suffocating her. Tomorrow would be the first day in a long list of days she would have to spend without Nico—alone. And as much as she wanted to avoid that thought, it loomed over her like a shadow.
Perhaps it was time, she thought bitterly, to get used to the silence.
The next morning broke with the light of dawn spilling through the windows, and Nico, already brimming with excitement, bounced on his small race car bed. His laughter echoed through the room as he clutched his favorite stuffed animal, his face lit with anticipation. "Mummy! Can I take the colors with me?" he asked, his wide eyes full of hope as Amber hurriedly shuffled him towards the bathroom.
Amber, half-smiling, handed him his toothbrush with the toothpaste already squeezed out, her thoughts still weighed down by the events of last night. “Sure, darling. But what would you do with crayons at the zoo?” she asked with a slight laugh, trying to push Luc’s biting words out of her mind.
“To draw you all the animals I see!” Nico beamed as he vigorously brushed his teeth, the toothpaste forming little bubbles at the corners of his mouth. Amber’s heart softened at his innocence, and she couldn't resist kissing his chubby cheeks. His sweetness was a balm to her frayed nerves.
By 6:45, she had him dressed—his little body bouncing in his favorite zoo shirt, ready to explore the world. Yet, there was no sign of Luc. The minutes ticked by, and as the clock neared 7:30, Amber began to feel the gnawing pull of disappointment. She had hoped—maybe foolishly—that Luc would be punctual, especially after last night’s conversation. After all, it was Nico’s day.
Amber dialed Luc’s number, her fingers stiff with frustration. Straight to voicemail. She tried again. Nothing. At the same time, the housekeeper informed her that Luc had left early that morning and hadn’t yet returned. With every passing minute, Amber’s anger grew sharper, the edges of her patience fraying as Nico, oblivious to the situation, danced around her feet, his joy unspoiled.
By 11:00, her son’s mood began to wane. “When is Papa coming?” Nico asked for what felt like the hundredth time, his small voice now laced with confusion.
Amber’s chest tightened, her maternal instincts kicking in. She wanted to protect him from the hurt, from the disappointment she herself had been wrestling with for years. But she was out of answers, out of excuses for Luc. “Are we not going to the zoo?” Nico asked softly, his wide eyes searching hers for comfort.
Amber’s heart shattered, but she quickly masked it, forcing a smile as she knelt down to meet his gaze. “Of course we are, baby,” she said gently, though her voice trembled with suppressed rage. “Mummy will take you to the zoo. Let me just grab my purse.”
Just as she turned to collect her things, a sharp knock sounded from the front door. Amber froze mid-step, her heart sinking as she recognized the figures standing outside.
Giulia and Chiara De Santis.
Luc’s mother and sister stood at the entrance like sentinels, their presence commanding, their cold eyes fixed on her as if she were a trespasser in their world. The sight of them—here, now—dredged up memories Amber had buried deep. A suffocating wave of dread crashed over her, transporting her back to that time three years ago, when they had stood in that exact same spot, their venomous accusations still ringing in her ears.
For a moment, Amber was paralyzed, her breath caught in her throat. Her heart slammed against her ribs as if it were trying to escape. The fear from those days resurfaced, clawing at her chest with sharp, familiar talons. It was the feeling of being trapped, of standing in front of two women who had tried to strip away her dignity and her son’s rightful place in the world.
"Where’s my grandson?" Giulia’s voice cut through the air, imperious and cold, “I am here to take him!” as if Amber were some servant who had failed in her duties. There was no warmth in her gaze, no kindness. It was a demand, not a question.