Amelia sat in the kitchen, watching her twins play in the living room, their laughter filling the house with a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time. Despite everything, this was still home, still their safe place, and she was determined to keep it that way.
Her phone buzzed, breaking her thoughts. She glanced down to see a text from David.
I'll pick up the twins on Friday. We'll have them for the weekend.
Amelia's stomach churned. He hadn't even asked—just assumed he could take them whenever he wanted. After everything he'd done, he still felt he could waltz in and make demands. She clenched her jaw, feeling the weight of all the resentment and hurt he'd caused, but she knew she couldn't let it consume her.
I'd appreciate it if you asked next time. The kids have routines, and we need to discuss their schedule together.
A few moments passed before her phone buzzed again.
Don't be difficult, Amelia. I'm their father. I have every right to see them.
Amelia exhaled, forcing herself to stay calm. She had spent too many years letting David dictate the terms of their life together. Not anymore.
I'm not being difficult. I'm being a mother. The twins' lives have already been disrupted enough. We'll discuss this when we meet with our lawyers.
Silence followed her response, and though she was bracing herself for another reply, none came. She felt a surge of relief and pride. Standing her ground felt strange and empowering all at once, as if she were rediscovering a part of herself she'd long buried.
Later that evening, as she tucked the twins into bed, Lilly looked up at her with big, curious eyes. "Mommy, why doesn't Daddy live with us anymore?"
The question caught Amelia off guard, her heart sinking at the innocence in Lilly's gaze. "Well, sweetheart," she began, choosing her words carefully, "sometimes grown-ups have to live in different houses, even if they still care about each other. Daddy and I both love you and Tommy very much."
"Okay," Lilly murmured, snuggling into her pillow. "Are we still a family?"
Amelia's chest tightened, and she stroked Lilly's hair gently. "Always. We'll always be a family, no matter what."
As she left their room, Amelia felt the weight of Lilly's question settle over her. She knew she had to protect their sense of security, even if her own life felt like it was constantly shifting. She couldn't allow David to pull her back into the chaos he'd left behind.
The next day, Amelia met with Heather to review her responses to David's texts. Heather approved, nodding with a slight smile. "You're setting healthy boundaries. It's important for him to see that you're not backing down."
Amelia allowed herself a small smile. "It feels strange, standing up to him. But it also… it feels like the right thing."
Heather leaned forward, her expression encouraging. "Trust yourself. He's relied on you yielding to him for too long. Now, you're taking back control."
Amelia nodded, absorbing Heather's words. They left her feeling empowered but also anxious about the battles yet to come. She knew David wouldn't take her defiance lightly.
As she walked out of the lawyer's office, her phone vibrated. It was a text from Ethan.
Hope your meeting went well. Want to grab a coffee later to unwind?
A smile crept onto Amelia's face. Part of her hesitated—she wasn't sure what Ethan's intentions were, and she didn't want to complicate things further. But another part of her craved the sense of normalcy, the simple act of meeting someone for coffee. She needed that, especially now.
Coffee sounds nice. I'll be free in an hour.
Later, as Amelia met Ethan at a cozy café, she felt an unexpected sense of calm settle over her. He greeted her with a warm smile, his presence somehow grounding yet electrifying all at once. They settled into conversation with an ease that took her by surprise. He was attentive, genuinely interested in her thoughts and struggles, and didn't shy away from asking how she was truly holding up.
"Setting boundaries is hard, isn't it?" Ethan asked, his gaze holding hers steadily. "Especially when it feels like the other person is constantly testing them."
Amelia nodded, feeling a sense of validation she hadn't expected. "Yes, exactly. David's just… so used to getting what he wants. It's strange, fighting back. It feels right, but it's exhausting."
"Taking control of your life isn't easy," Ethan replied, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "But something tells me you're tougher than you look."
Amelia raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by his tone. "Is that so? And here I thought I looked pretty tough."
"Well, you do," he said, leaning forward with a playful glint in his eyes. "But there's more to you than meets the eye, isn't there?"
She felt her cheeks warm under his gaze, a mixture of shyness and intrigue rising in her. "What makes you so sure about that?"
Ethan tilted his head slightly, studying her as if he were unraveling a mystery. "Just a hunch. I'm pretty good at reading people," he said, his voice dropping to a soft, almost conspiratorial tone. "And I think you're someone who's underestimated far too often."
Amelia's lips curved into a smile, and she met his gaze with a newfound boldness. "I don't know if I should be flattered or insulted."
"Oh, definitely flattered," he said, his tone smooth, his gaze unwavering. "Because I don't underestimate you, Amelia. I don't think I ever could."
She felt her heart race a bit faster, the intensity in his eyes making it hard to look away. "That's quite a compliment coming from someone like you."
He leaned back, his smirk widening as if he knew the effect he was having on her. "Someone like me?"
"Yes," she said, mirroring his teasing tone. "You're… I don't know. Confident, sure of yourself. Like nothing phases you."
Ethan chuckled, his laugh warm and rich. "Oh, I don't know about that. You might surprise me, Amelia."
She raised an eyebrow, feeling a mischievous urge to challenge him. "I might surprise you?"
"Yes," he said, his voice lowering as he leaned in again, his gaze intense. "In fact, I'm counting on it."
A playful thrill shot through her, and she couldn't help but match his intensity. "And what if you're wrong?"
Ethan grinned, clearly enjoying the banter. "Then I'll be pleasantly disappointed."
Their eyes met, and a charged silence settled between them. Amelia felt herself holding her breath, his gaze pulling her in as if they were the only two people in the room.
"So," he said, breaking the silence, his voice soft but with a hint of mischief. "Are you ever going to let me take you out somewhere besides a café?"
Amelia's heart skipped a beat, and she laughed, trying to deflect her nerves. "Is this not enough for you, Mr. Blackwell?"
"Not even close," he replied smoothly, a dangerous gleam in his eyes. "I have a feeling there's a lot more to you, Amelia, and I'd like to see it. Somewhere with better lighting and maybe… a little less clothing."
She blushed, laughing despite herself. "Confident, aren't we?"
"Only when I'm right," he replied, his voice laced with playful arrogance. "And something tells me I am."
She met his gaze, feeling a spark of boldness she hadn't felt in years. "I guess we'll just have to see about that."
Ethan grinned, his eyes alight with challenge and anticipation. "Yes, I think we will."
They lingered outside the café, the quiet of the evening wrapping around them. As they exchanged a few last words, Amelia felt a gentle pull, the air between them thickening with anticipation. Ethan took a step closer, his intense gaze locked onto hers, and her heart began to race.
"Amelia," he said, his tone soft but serious, "I have a proposition for you."
"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious.
"I know you were the best marketing manager in your day. I've heard plenty about your work and the way you handled David's business, and I think you'd be a perfect fit at Blackwell Enterprises. Think about it," he added, his gaze warm and encouraging. "Getting back in the groove might make things easier with your custody case. It'd give you a solid foundation for the twins."
Amelia's heart skipped a beat, both flattered and taken aback. "I… I don't know what to say," she stammered, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. "I hadn't thought about jumping back in so soon."
Ethan's lips curled into a confident smile. "You don't have to answer right now. Just know that the offer stands. I'd be lucky to have you on my team."
A rush of gratitude and exhilaration washed over her. He wasn't just offering her a job—he was offering her a way forward. "Thank you, Ethan," she said softly, her voice filled with sincerity.
They fell silent, the intensity between them growing as Ethan stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. Amelia felt her cheeks warm, and before she realized what she was doing, she let her eyes drift shut, expecting—no, hoping—for the brush of his lips.
Instead, she felt the soft warmth of his mouth on her cheek, lingering just long enough to send a thrill down her spine. Her eyes fluttered open, but before she could catch her breath, he leaned closer still, his lips hovering by her ear.
"Good night, Amelia," he murmured, his voice a low, husky promise that left her breathless.
As he pulled away, a faint smile playing on his lips, she was left standing there, caught between exhilaration and frustration, feeling the echo of his words—and the weight of his offer—long after he'd disappeared into the night.