Chapter 176 045
AMELIA poured more tea into Valentine’s cup, the steam curling lazily between them. The dining table felt too small for the amount of excitement still buzzing in the air.
“You are sure you don’t want more pancakes?” she asked, nudging the plate toward him.
Valentine laughed, already reaching for another piece.
“Big sis, if I say no, you will still force it on me.”
“You have to eat it while it is still soft, my dear. Hazel didn’t wake up early to hear complaints later.”
Valentine’s eyes widened.
“Wait— she made this?”
Amelia smirked.
“Obviously.”
He took a dramatic bite, chewing slowly, then placed his hand on his chest.
“Wow. I have been eating cafeteria nonsense for years, and your daughter have been hiding talents like this?”
Amelia rolled her eyes but smiled.
“Just eat, my dear. You can give her your compliments when she gets back.”
Valentine had a great deal, laughing. He almost spilled his tea.
“You see?” Amelia said, lifting her cup. “They grow up so fast. One minute you are wiping their mouths, the next they are baking better than you.”
“Speak for yourself,” Valentine teased. “You still burn rice.”
“Lies!” Amelia laughed, swatting at him lightly across the table.
They ate in comfortable silence for a moment, the clink of cutlery filling the room.
“So,” Amelia began, tilting her head, “graduation done, masters done… you are officially a big boy now.”
Valentine groaned.
“Please don’t start.”
She grinned.
“What? Suit-wearing, career-chasing, international-returnee. Should I start calling you Mr. Valentine?”
“Don’t you dare,” he said quickly. “I’m still the same guy who used to hide behind you when mom scolded us.”
Her smile softened.
“You always hid behind me.”
“Because you were fearless,” he replied. “Still are. Clara and I always used you as our shield,” he laughed.
She waved it off.
“I just shouted louder.”
They laughed, and then the conversation drifted naturally— his new job plans, the offers waiting, the shock of being home again.
“And you?” he asked suddenly. “How is work? Still running the world?”
“Trying,” she sighed. “Resort issues, meetings, staff drama. Same Amelia things.”
He nodded thoughtfully.
“You always carried too much. Even when we were kids.”
She looked at him, surprised.
“You noticed?”
“You think I didn’t?” he said softly. “You were my big sister before you were my cousin. You still are.”
Her throat tightened for a second. She masked it with a sip of tea.
“And you are still my baby brother who stole my biscuits.”
“You used to hide them badly,” he laughed.
She laughed too, shaking her head.
“Some things never change.”
He reached across the table, squeezing her hand briefly.
“No matter how far I go, this—” he gestured between them “—never changes.”
Amelia smiled, warm and full.
“Welcome home, Val.”
He smiled back.
“I’m home, big sis.”
Amelia leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs as she watched Valentine devour the last of the pancake like it was the best thing he had eaten in years.
“So,” she began casually, stirring her tea, “do I have a sister-in-law somewhere in the world that you are hiding from me?”
Valentine laughed, almost choking.
“Girlfriend? No. Not yet.”
She lifted a brow.
“Not yet, or you don’t want to tell me now?”
He shook his head, still smiling.
“No, I mean it. Not yet. Although…” he paused, tapping the table lightly, “there is someone in mind. I just haven’t taken things far.”
Amelia’s face lit up instantly.
“Oh please do. Take it far. I can’t wait to meet her.”
They both laughed, the sound warm and familiar.
“Alright,” he said, wiping his mouth, “enough about me. What about you?”
She knew it was coming. She exhaled slowly.
“So it was really true?” he asked gently. “That college… girl ruined your home?”
Amelia shook her head almost immediately.
“No.”
He blinked.
“Huh?”
“She didn’t ruin my home,” she said calmly. “She only opened my eyes.”
He leaned back, absorbing that.
“Oh.”
“Yes. She opened my eyes to see that my ex-husband wasn’t worth my loyalty in the first place.”
Valentine let out a low whistle.
“Wow. That hits.”
“It does,” she replied softly.
“I honestly expected more from Adrian,” he said, shaking his head. “I mean, I—”
“Well,” Amelia cut in quickly, waving her hand, “Adrian is past tense.” She tilted her head playfully. “You didn’t ask me about my Charles.”
Valentine smiled knowingly.
“I was about to. He sounds like a great guy from everything mom told me. And from the picture she showed me too…” he chuckled, “he is really good-looking.”
Amelia smiled like a woman basking in sunshine.
“Oh, you can say that again.”
He laughed, pointing at her.
“Oh my! Big sis is really in love.”
She laughed too, her cheeks flushing despite herself.
“Stop it.”
“But seriously,” he continued, his tone shifting slightly, “what about the kids? How are they taking this new step?”
Her smile dimmed just a little. She sighed and shrugged.
“The boys are fine, I think… it is only Hazel.”
“Oh.”
“She just doesn’t like him,” Amelia admitted. Then quickly added, “Or maybe she is still adjusting. Accepting him into her life.”
Valentine frowned.
“Er— adjusting? It's been how long now? Three years? And she is still adjusting?”
She sighed. “I thought as much.”
“Something must be wrong,” he said gently. “Just listen to her. Really listen to everything she tells you.”
“But everything she tells me is bad about him,” Amelia stressed. “Nothing good. At all.”
He met her eyes steadily.
“Kids’ instincts don’t lie, big sis. Don’t wave her words off.”
Silence fell between them. Amelia stared into her tea, lost in thought. Valentine finished the last sip of his drink quietly.
Then he smiled again, breaking the tension.
“Well,” he said lightly, “I would like to meet him.”
She looked up. “Really?”
“When would that be?”
Her face brightened instantly. “Oh— today, I guess.”
His eyes widened.
“Huh? That fast?”
She laughed.
“If you are staying longer. He is coming over tonight. Having fun with the kids.”
Valentine nodded.
“Oh. I see. That is great.”
They both laughed.
“Yeah, you know he—”
The sound of the front door shutting cut her off. The sharp click of heels echoed across the house.
Amelia paused.
Moments later, Hazel appeared in the living room.
Amelia smiled warmly.
“Oh, Hazel. Come on,” she said, standing slightly. “Come meet your uncle.”
Hazel slowed.
“Uncle?” she mouthed as she walked toward the dining table.