Back in the present, Nick was still yanking Amelia's arm with determination, his grip firm and unyielding. But Amelia, fueled by frustration and a growing sense of panic, fought back. She yanked her arm with all her strength, but when that didn't work, she resorted to something more primal. She bit down hard on Nick's hand, causing him to yelp in pain and release her.
"What the hell, Nick?" Amelia gasped, trying to catch her breath. "What do you mean, showing up out of nowhere and messing with my life?"
Nick rubbed the bite mark, wincing a bit but still unfazed. "I mean you need to come back home and live your life as my wife again!" he shot back, his voice steady despite the pain.
Amelia stared at him in disbelief, her heart pounding. "Why now, Nick? We've been separated for six years. What's changed?"
Before Nick could respond, Amelia's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to see Aiden's name flashing on the screen. She answered quickly, turning slightly away from Nick.
"Amelia, you need to be careful," Aiden's voice came through, tense and worried. "Nick's been on a rampage lately, trying to find you. He's got people working for him, snooping around. I haven't told him anything, but I don't know how much longer I can keep this up."
Amelia let out a small, frustrated sigh. Aiden's warning came too late—Nick was already here, standing right in front of her, demanding she come back with him like she was some kind of fugitive.
"Thanks, Aiden," she muttered, knowing full well the situation had already spiraled out of control. She hung up and turned back to Nick, her eyes blazing with anger. "Listen, Nick. In case you forgot, six years ago, I signed those divorce papers you sent through your mom and your lawyer. We're done. So stop trying to drag me back into your life."
Nick's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. But he didn't push further, realizing that causing a scene here might attract unwanted attention. The last thing he needed was paparazzi catching wind of their argument and turning it into headline news.
Amelia didn't wait for his response. She spun around, heading straight for her car, her mind racing with a million thoughts as she slid into the driver's seat and slammed the door shut. As she drove away, she couldn't help but feel that something was seriously off. Why was Nick so desperate to find her now, after all these years?
Her hands tightened on the steering wheel as a terrifying thought crossed her mind. "Does Nick know about Sean and Maddie?"
The possibility sent a cold shiver down her spine. She knew how much Mr. Zhao had always wanted grandchildren, and if Nick had somehow discovered the truth, there was no telling what he might do. The Zhao family had resources, power, and influence—things that could easily be used to take the twins away from her.
Amelia's heart raced as she dialed her family members one by one, frantically asking if anyone had let slip about the twins to the Zhao family. But each call ended with the same answer—no one had said a word. Even Aiden had kept their secret.
Relief washed over her as she finally pulled up to the nursery where she had left Sean and Maddie earlier that day. She rushed inside, her anxiety ebbing slightly as she saw the familiar, cheerful faces of her children. The two little ones spotted her immediately and ran towards her, their voices ringing with excitement.
"Mommy's here! Yay!" they shouted in unison, their little feet pitter-pattering across the floor as they wrapped their small arms around her legs.
Amelia knelt down, gathering them both into a tight hug. The simple joy in their voices soothed her frazzled nerves, if only for a moment. She kissed the tops of their heads, breathing in the comforting scent of their shampoo. In that moment, surrounded by her children's warmth and love, Amelia felt a fierce determination welling up inside her.
No matter what, she wouldn't let anyone take them away from her. Not Nick, not the Zhao family—no one.