Chapter 1

Six years of marriage.

All passion at night, but never tenderness in the daylight.

Amelia Sinclair loved Christopher Zephyr deeply, and she swallowed the bitterness as if it were sweet.

Her own daughter wasn't allowed to call him father, yet the son of his first love sat on his lap, learning to say the word "dad".

The entire family treated that adopted boy as a precious heir, while her own flesh and blood was treated like a shameful stain.

It wasn't until Amelia and her daughter paid with their lives—until Christopher signed the cremation papers with his own hand and then took the boy to attend his first love's welcome banquet—that Amelia finally understood.

Love couldn't win love.

A heartless man had no heart to give.

When Amelia was reborn, she swore she would never again cling to that cold and humiliating marriage.

In her past life, she had foolishly given up her studies, content to be a housewife and devote herself to her family.

In this one, she submitted the divorce papers without hesitation, took her daughter far from the mire, and rebuilt her career until she stood at the top again.

In the first week after Amelia left, Christopher dismissed it as one of her tantrums.

By the first month, he brushed it off completely. It didn't matter to him what she did, so it was fine to let her go.

Later on, he saw her again, standing tall among the industry's elite!

Amelia was focused only on her career, and her daughter was focused only on finding herself a new father.

And Christopher finally realized that they really didn't want him anymore.

The man lost all reason.

The one who had always been cold, proud, untouchable, suddenly threw away his dignity.

He blocked the mother and daughter pair in full view of everyone, his voice breaking as he pleaded, "Honey, I'll kneel here if I have to. Please... just love me one more time."

Chapter 1

"I'm sorry, Ms. Sinclair. Your daughter passed away at 1:13 a.m. on February 15. We tried, but we couldn't save her."

Amelia Sinclair clutched a little stuffed rabbit in her hand, her face blank as she stared at the closed doors of the operating room.

She had come to say her final goodbye to her daughter.

Inside, Amelia held Evelyn Zephyr's frail hands on the cold, sterile bed. They were icy and drained of warmth. She smoothed Evelyn's hair back, remembering the weak little voice from just before they wheeled her into the emergency room.

"Mommy, isn't Uncle Chris here yet?"

The uncle Evelyn spoke of was her biological father, Christopher Zephyr. He never allowed Evelyn to call him Daddy. Yet he let the son of his first love call him that without hesitation.

Evelyn's greatest birthday wish was simple. She wanted to spend the day with her father, and she wanted him to let her call him Daddy.

Her health had always been fragile. Last winter, she caught the flu while waiting outside in the freezing wind for Christopher to come home for dinner. It turned into pneumonia, and this year her condition plummeted. She had been in and out of the hospital ever since.

Today was another bitter winter day, where Evelyn once again waited at the front gate, hoping her father would come home and eat with her. She collapsed in the cold before Amelia found her and rushed her to the hospital.

The doctor warned that she might not survive the night. Amelia begged Christopher to come back for Evelyn's birthday, and he promised he would. Then he broke that promise, just like every other time.

Amelia gathered her daughter's frail body into her arms and whispered softly, "Sweet girl, you're free now."

Free from the pain of her illness, her father's dislike, and the constant ache of longing for a father's love that never came.

"Mommy, why won't Uncle Chris let me call him Daddy, but my brother can?"

"Mommy, is it because Ms. Nikki loves my brother, so Daddy loves him too?"

Evelyn's innocent questions still echoed in Amelia's ears, over and over again.

She was just a little girl, too young to understand why her father didn't love her, and why she wasn't allowed to call him Daddy. She only thought that maybe she wasn't as good as her brother, and that was why he didn't like her.

Six years ago, an accident changed everything. Amelia became pregnant with Evelyn and married Christopher for the sake of the child.

When she gave birth, it was a difficult labor, and she hemorrhaged badly. Christopher didn't even care. He was busy with Nicole Randall, his first love, while Amelia struggled to survive.

The choice of who mattered more was obvious.

After Nicole gave birth to his son, Nathan Zephyr, she left the child with Christopher and vanished abroad without a trace.

Amelia had loved Christopher for years. To win his favor, she accepted the child Nicole had borne and raised him as her own, treating him with care as if he were her own flesh and blood.

Yet Christopher would not let Evelyn call him Daddy. Meanwhile, Nathan was treated like a treasure. That was the difference.

The night Amelia nearly died giving birth, she should have realized his heart was nothing but stone. No matter what she did, it would never grow warm.

Evelyn was born first that morning, yet Christopher insisted Nathan be recognized as the older brother, claiming the status of heir to the Zephyr family.

So everyone assumed that child was truly Christopher's firstborn son, and Evelyn was merely the illegitimate daughter.

A doctor stood behind Amelia, watching her trembling back with a heavy gaze. "Is the girl's father here?"

From the day Evelyn was hospitalized until now, the doctor had never seen her father.

Amelia's eyes went cold, and a bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Her father went abroad with his illegitimate son to see his real mother. He even threw a birthday party for him."

It was the same every year.

And Amelia had foolishly spent five years raising someone else's child.

Two children were born on the same day, yet Evelyn had nothing but neglect.

The doctor froze, staring at the woman before him, unsure of what to say. How could he even begin to comfort someone so broken?

-

On the first day after Evelyn's death, Amelia took care of all the arrangements.

The city of Northon had cremation forms that required signatures from both parents.

Afterward, she returned to the Harbor Villa to sort through Evelyn's things.

From downstairs, the sound of a car reached her ears.

"Daddy! When are you going to leave Mommy and marry Ms. Nikki? I want Ms. Nikki to be my Mommy!"

Christopher draped his coat over his arm and bent down to pinch his son's cheek. "Nate, you can call Ms. Nikki Mommy."

Amelia heard every word clearly from the stairs. Her heart tightened, and she closed her eyes, taking a deep, steadying breath.

"Go get your mother to give you a bath, change into clean clothes, then you can go welcome Ms. Nikki," Christopher added.

Nathan jumped up, thrilled. "Yay!"

But the excitement faded in an instant, and his face fell. "But... if Mommy finds out, will she let me go? I hate Mommy. She never lets me eat outside food!"

Christopher ruffled Nathan's hair, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry, Daddy's here. She won't dare."

As he glanced up, his eyes happened to meet Amelia's from upstairs. His expression was calm, unreadable, completely indifferent. He looked away without a word.

Nathan ran up the stairs and grabbed Amelia's hand. "Mommy, give me a bath. I'm going out soon."

Amelia pulled her hand back and looked at Christopher. "Did you forget something?"

He raised his eyes and gave her a cold, casual glance. "What?"

All these years, he had been distant and cold to her and to Evelyn.

Amelia let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh.

Of course. How could he possibly remember that Evelyn and Nathan shared the same birthday?

Every year, Nathan's birthday was a grand affair, celebrated with Nicole in full spectacle.

Year after year, Evelyn waited in the freezing wind for a father who would never come home.

"I need to talk to you," Amelia said.

Christopher scoffed. "I'm busy today."

"It won't take long. Just need you to sign two documents."

She held out the folder, pointing to where he needed to sign.

Christopher's impatience was clear, as if spending even one more second with her was unbearable. He frowned and scrawled his signature, handing the papers back without a word.

"Nate and I are going out tonight, and we won't be back. When Evie goes to school tomorrow, have her ask the teacher to excuse Nate for half a day," he said.

Amelia clenched her teeth, gripping the folder so tightly her knuckles whitened.

If he had really looked, he would have seen that one document was a divorce agreement, the other the paperwork for Evelyn's cremation. Yet he signed both with casual indifference.

"Also, tell Evie not to call me," he said.

Amelia laughed bitterly.

Evelyn wouldn't be calling him anymore.

Amelia wouldn't either.

Christopher glanced at her, noticing her uncharacteristic calm, then dismissed it without concern.

Time was running out. Nicole called, asking when they would arrive. Nathan, still unbathed and in the same clothes, followed Christopher toward the door.

"I'll ask my new Mommy to give me a bath tonight," Nathan said excitedly.

Christopher gave him an indulgent smile. "Alright."

Amelia stayed frozen, staring at their retreating figures for a long time. When she finally moved, she gathered everything at home that had belonged to her and Evelyn and burned it all.

Then she went to the crematorium and arranged for Evelyn's body to be cremated.

When she received the ashes, she couldn't hold back her tears.

"Evie, wait for Mommy. I'll come to you soon..."

-

Elsewhere, Christopher attended Nicole's welcome-home banquet with Nathan.

The three of them laughed and chatted, looking cozy and intimate like a perfect little family. Everyone praised how happy they looked together, and some whispered that Amelia was selfishly clinging to the title of Christopher's wife, ruining their family harmony.

Then, someone hurried through the crowd and stopped in front of Christopher.

"Mr. Zephyr, your wife and daughter are being cremated today. Please proceed to the crematorium to collect the ashes."

Christopher's expression didn't change, and he coldly said, "She's a grown woman. How long is she going to play these petty jealousy games?"

"But sir, you personally signed the cremation forms. You also signed the divorce papers..."

The words hit Christopher like a punch, making his heart skip a beat. "What did you say?"

-

Christopher all but sped his way to the crematorium. He arrived just in time to see his wife being pushed into the furnace, and his daughter's ashes at the side.

In that moment, the world seemed to stop.

The staff at the crematorium watched as the man collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.

Chapter 2

A soft thud at her feet jolted Amelia from her daze.

She looked down, bewildered, and saw a small blue fondant cake on the floor.

"Mommy, I told you I don't want you to make my birthday cake!"

Nathan's dissatisfied voice cut through the air. He looked up at Amelia with a frown. "It's ugly and tastes awful. Don't you understand what I'm saying?"

What was this?

Amelia drew in a sharp breath.

Had she traveled back into the past?

She really did—she was back to Nathan's birthday party a year ago!

Nathan continued his chatter without pause. "I want a cake made by Ms. Nikki!"

"Mommy, I think the cake you made is delicious. If Nate won't eat it, I'll eat it all," came the soft, sweet voice of her daughter.

Hearing that voice again, Amelia looked down at Evelyn's delicate, childish face, and tears blurred her vision.

She crouched down and gently cupped Evelyn's cheeks in her hands. Evelyn was warm and tangible, and it made Amelia's heart surge with certainty.

She had truly come back to the past.

This time, she would never let her daughter be hurt again.

Evelyn glanced at Nathan and said, "You can't speak to Mommy like that. Aren't you afraid she'll never make you a cake again?"

Nathan waved her off dismissively. "Eat it yourself. I don't care."

He tugged on Nicole's hand. "I want Ms. Nikki to be my Mommy. She'll make me lots of yummy food, and she'll take me horseback riding and rock climbing. Mommy doesn't even know what horseback riding is, and it's embarrassing.

"Daddy likes Ms. Nikki, so I like her too!"

Christopher frowned. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Nicole, dressed in sleek leather, laughed openly and confidently, completely at ease.

She draped one arm over Christopher's shoulder, acting like they were old pals, while the other hand ruffled Nathan's hair. "Being your daddy's wife isn't easy, you know. He and I are buddies, thick as thieves."

She added, her tone soft but firm. "And Nate, didn't I teach you not to speak to your Mommy like that? Are you going to ignore my advice too?"

Nathan pouted and scooted closer to Nicole. He flung Amelia's birthday gift to the floor, too.

"But Mommy's gifts are always cheap pens. She never gives me toys like you, Ms. Nikki. You made me a model airplane yourself! And it can actually fly! That's way better than anything Mommy gives me!

"Daddy said that someday you'll design real airplanes, and he can ride in one you designed. That sounds amazing. You're not like Mommy, who's just a clueless country bumpkin who doesn't know anything!"

Amelia looked at the child she had raised, standing so close to Nicole, and a small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. How had she never noticed this before?

Nathan was Nicole's biological son. Of course he would be attached to her, even if he didn't yet know she was his real mother.

In her previous life, Amelia had treated Nathan as her own and raised him, all to win Christopher's favor. And yet, they had always taken it for granted.

Not anymore. She would no longer swallow her pride and let Evelyn suffer for their sake.

Amelia bent down and picked up the pen, her face calm, without a trace of anger. She smiled faintly and said, "Ms. Randall, you do know how to take care of children. I'll leave Nate and Christopher in your hands from now on."

Nicole froze, clearly not expecting Amelia to say that. There was no argument, no pleading, no meekness. Only a calm and steady smile.

Then Nicole turned to Christopher. "Chris, did what I said make Mia misunderstand? If it did, I won't say anything more. That was my mistake."

Christopher frowned as he looked at Amelia. "You're an adult, so stop throwing childish tantrums. You can’t just blurt out nonsense like that."

He was clearly defending Nicole, as if Amelia were deliberately disrespecting her.

Amelia met his cold and detached gaze. It was the same as always. Here, in front of everyone, he shielded Nicole, showing Amelia not a shred of consideration.

He acted as if it were his right, simply because he was certain Amelia would never leave.

This time, she wouldn't be like before. She would no longer swallow her anger just so her daughter could celebrate her birthday with her father. She wouldn't force herself to smile and endure, staying until the party came to an end.

She had been reborn, and she wouldn't be so foolish again!

She would become her daughter's support and the source of her strength. Whatever others had, she would give to Evelyn herself.

Calmly, she turned away from Christopher and took her daughter's hand. "Come on, Evie. Mommy is taking you to celebrate your birthday."

This time, she wouldn't let her daughter endure cold stares or unfair treatment.

Evelyn glanced longingly at Christopher, but in the end, she chose to leave with her mother.

They had only taken a few steps when someone blocked their path. "Mr. Zephyr has instructed that no one may leave until Mr. Nathan's birthday celebration is complete."

Amelia's chest sank at the sight of the hands holding them back.

Christopher had always given Nathan the spotlight, showering him with so much affection that everyone assumed Nathan was his firstborn son, while Evelyn was merely his illegitimate daughter.

Now, they weren't even allowed to leave Nathan's birthday early.

But did he even remember that Evelyn's birthday was today too?

Of course he wouldn't. When Evelyn was born, and Amelia was struggling through a difficult labor and hemorrhaging, he had been with Nicole.

He had brazenly called it a moral obligation. Nicole was alone and needed care, so he had to stay with her. Once she gave birth, she went abroad to advance her career.

Now she had returned with dual degrees in fintech and aerospace engineering. Top companies were lining up to recruit her, but she hadn't accepted a single offer. She intended to join Northon's Aerotech Institute 511, better known simply as Institute 511. It was known for its strict standards and high demands on newcomers, and Christopher had been helping her navigate the introductions and approvals.

In her previous life, Amelia had never paid attention to any of this. She had been so focused on Christopher and oblivious to Nicole's career ambitions. She had foolishly raised someone else's child for five years, sacrificing her own future for a man and a child, content to stay home and play the perfect wife and mother.

Looking back, it was pitifully foolish.

Amelia sneered. "Mr. Zephyr's rules won't hold me."

Before, she had cared too much about Christopher, and was willing to play the obedient wife in the family.

Now that she was reborn, she would no longer tether herself to him as his assistant. She would live brilliantly with her daughter, return to her career, and reclaim her place at the top!

Christopher's expression tightened, and the chill in his attitude became impossible to ignore.

Amelia sneered inwardly. He was probably wondering why his once-compliant, gentle wife had suddenly defied him in public. His anger was predictable.

She would never again play the role of the self-sacrificing wife.

Without hesitation, Amelia yanked off her wedding ring and hurled it to the floor. It bounced several times across the smooth surface before coming to a stop.

The clink of metal hitting the floor drew sharp gasps from everyone around.

"Christopher, let's get a divorce. Nate stays with you, and Evie stays with me. I'll have the divorce papers delivered to the board tomorrow morning."

If he loved Nathan and Nicole that much, she would let them be in this life.

Amelia had humiliated Christopher in front of everyone.

His eyes darkened as he stared at her. "How long are you going to make a scene? Nate is still a child. Do you really want to divorce me over something so trivial?"

In the eyes of a man who didn't love a woman, everything she did was unreasonable.

Amelia wouldn't make the same mistake again. She would no longer endure his coldness with Evelyn. She wouldn't continue raising a son—or rather, a foster son—for him.

She wanted nothing to do with either of them anymore.

"Yes, I do," she said coldly.

Then, she turned her gaze to the security guard. "Step aside."

The security guard was shaken by the scene. He stepped aside and didn't try to stop them again.

As he watched Amelia leave with Evelyn, Christopher's face grew stormy, his expression turning unbearably grim.

Nicole asked, "Did Mia misunderstand something? I'll go explain things to her. Don't take this lightly, Chris. Women can do anything when they're angry."

She started moving to intercept Amelia, looking as if she were anxious to smooth things over.

"No need for that. She won't divorce me," Christopher said coldly, his voice icy.

Chapter 3

After the birthday banquet was over, Nathan was still bubbling with excitement in the car.

For once, his mother hadn't been there to watch over him or stop him, so at the party he got to eat whatever he wanted.

Also, Nicole had spoiled him endlessly. She was so much better than his mother.

When the Maybach pulled up in front of the villa, Nathan pouted and reluctantly took Christopher's hand as he climbed out.

He never wanted to go home after outings because his mother would always be there.

But Nicole had said he needed to respect Amelia's rules if he wanted to have more fun next time. And Christopher had added that if he misbehaved, he wouldn't get to play with Nicole again.

So, despite his reluctance, he returned home.

"Daddy, I want to play with Ms. Nikki again tomorrow. Don't let her go abroad, okay? Then Mommy won't bother me anymore."

Christopher's voice was flat and unreadable. "She'll go abroad for a while, but when she returns, she won't leave again. She'll stay with you."

Amelia had been married to Christopher for six years. She was always eager to please him, obedient and accommodating, yet most of the time, he refused her requests.

On the other hand, Nicole was almost always indulged.

Nathan was aware of the special bond between Christopher and Nicole. When he heard his father's words, he finally smiled in satisfaction.

The moment they stepped inside, Nathan's excitement spilled over. "Mommy, fill the tub for me! I want to soak in a nice milk bath!"

Nicole had even complimented him today, saying he smelled so sweet, just like Christopher did when he was younger.

At that moment, Anna came out to greet him. "Mr. Nathan, Mrs. Zephyr isn't home tonight. Shall I help you with your bath?"

Christopher asked casually in a neutral tone, "Where is she?"

"I'm not sure, sir. Mrs. Zephyr and Miss Evelyn didn't come back tonight," Anna said, pulling out a neatly packaged folder. "This is for you. Mrs. Zephyr asked me to give it to you."

Christopher lowered his gaze, took the folder, and tossed it casually onto the table. Then he looked at Nathan. "Go have Anna help you with your bath."

Nathan's face lit up with excitement. "Mommy and Evie aren't home! That means the toy room is all mine!"

Christopher smiled faintly and ruffled Nathan's hair. "Yeah, it's all yours."

"I don't want to play with the toys Evie gave me anymore. They're boring. I'm going to move all the toys Ms. Nikki gave me into the toy room, and Evie isn't allowed to play with them!"

That was because Evelyn didn't like Nicole. She only liked their mother, who was just a silly country bumpkin.

What was there to like about someone like that?

"Daddy, since Mommy's not home, can I ask Ms. Nikki to come sleep with me?"

"No," Christopher said flatly. "Ms. Nikki is very busy."

Nathan pouted but went upstairs to take his bath.

As Anna followed him, she suddenly paused and turned back to Christopher. "Sir, it looks like Mrs. Zephyr packed her things and Miss Evelyn's luggage and left. Maybe she went back to her parents' house..."

Christopher simply nodded.

He didn't care.

For Amelia, the Sinclair family wasn't a safe or welcoming place. Outside of the Zephyr family, she had nowhere else to go.

Normally, she was patient and tolerant, never objecting to Nathan or Nicole spending time together.

But today, she had acted out and thrown a small tantrum.

Once her temper subsided, she would naturally return, just like always.

Christopher sat on the sofa and finished up a work email. As he got ready to head upstairs to wash up, his eyes fell on the folder that had been tossed on the table earlier.

Casually, he opened it.

The bold words of "Divorce Agreement" stared up at him from the page.

Christopher scanned the terms with a faint, indifferent expression.

She only wanted five million and custody of Evelyn.

He snorted and dismissed it entirely, then casually tossed the papers into the trash.

Amelia would come back eventually. She always did after throwing a tantrum.

-

After packing their things at the villa, Amelia and Evelyn stayed at a hotel for the time being.

"Evie, would you like to go live with Mommy somewhere else?"

Evelyn lowered her head, biting her lip, looking conflicted.

Amelia crouched down to her level. "You don't want to leave Daddy and Nate, do you?"

Evelyn longed to call Christopher "Daddy", and even more, she wanted to play with Nathan. Most of the time, she waited at home for them to come back for dinner. By the time the food grew cold, they still hadn't returned. She would always tell Evelyn to eat, but Evelyn would take a few bites and say she was full. She would always wait for them, leaving herself hungry.

Evelyn was a growing girl. Over time, she became increasingly thin, and her health started to suffer.

At first, Amelia thought it was just her daughter's small appetite. Later, she realized the painful truth... Evelyn had been waiting for Christopher and Nathan.

Evelyn looked up to meet Amelia's gaze. "Mommy, does Uncle Chris not like me? Is that why he doesn't like you either?"

Amelia's chest tightened, as if a blade had cut straight through her heart. The pain was sharp, raw, and unrelenting.

"My sweet girl, you're amazing," Amelia said, holding her daughter's small hand. "If he doesn't like you, that's his loss. Will you come with Mommy?"

"Yes," Evelyn said firmly, nodding. "Even though I'll miss Uncle Chris and Nate, I know you love me the most. Wherever you are, that's where I want to be."

Amelia's eyes stung with tears as she hugged her daughter tightly.

This time, she would protect Evelyn no matter what.

When she returned to the villa, she had only packed a few sets of clothes for herself and Evelyn.

After the marriage, Christopher had been sending half a million dollars to her account regularly to support the children and manage the household.

However, he would always sneak extra money to Nathan. When he returned from business trips, he would bring high-end clothes and accessories for Nathan, claiming it was because the boy had lost his real father, his birth mother didn't care about him, and he was pitiful.

In her past life, she loved Christopher to the extreme, obeying his every word and constantly buying him gifts and clothes. She had poured all her energy, money, and attention into him and the children, managing the household and their family life.

Daily visits to high-society circles and managing social connections also fell on her shoulders. By the end, she barely had any money left.

Looking back now, she realized how foolish and pitiable she had been.

After giving Evelyn a bath and tucking her in, Amelia was just about to get up and wash herself when her phone rang urgently.

It was Anna.

"Mrs. Zephyr, what ratio and temperature should Mr. Nathan's milk bath be? No matter how I prepare it, Mr. Nathan says it's uncomfortable."

"Call Nicole to give him the bath. That's the only way he'll be comfortable."

Anna was confused by Amelia's answer. But before she could react, the line went dead.

Anna took a deep breath and called again. "Mrs. Zephyr—"

"I'm getting a divorce from Christopher. Nathan is his son and has nothing to do with me. Don't call me again," Amelia said coldly, then hung up.

Anna was stunned.

Christopher glanced at Anna holding the phone and asked, "What did she say? When is she coming back?"

Anna nervously swallowed and said, "Mrs. Zephyr said she's divorcing you and that you should call Ms. Randall to bathe Mr. Nathan."

Chapter 4

Christopher's expression didn't change. "Fine."

He seemed completely unconcerned about Amelia's mood or temper.

Anna didn't say anything either. There had been times before when Amelia had made a scene, and she always ended up coming back to appease her husband.

Meanwhile, Nathan hadn't been satisfied with his milk bath. He only calmed down when Nicole came over to cheer him up, promising that on the weekend, he would get to see a real aerospace and defense tech exhibit.

Amelia had never let him climb high or go to the amusement park.

Nathan thought his mother was poor and not as rich as Nicole. Otherwise, she wouldn't have given him cheap pens for his birthday or made him a lopsided cake herself.

On the other hand, Nicole took him to see real planes and fighter jets.

The next morning, Nathan bounced out of bed and devoured breakfast.

Today it was clam chowder, something he had specially asked Anna to prepare the night before. Amelia had never let him eat seafood, always watching and scolding him. Now, he could eat whatever he wanted.

Meanwhile, Amelia had risen early, preparing a nutritious breakfast for Evelyn and sending her off to school.

Just as Amelia left, Nathan jumped out of the Maybach.

"Ms. Nikki is taking me to see real fighter jets this weekend! She even got me a bunch of toy clay to share with all the kids," he boasted proudly.

"This is way better than the cheap building blocks you gave me! If you want to play too, you have to beg me and Ms. Nikki to let you join.

"See? Without Ms. Nikki and Daddy, Mommy would never take you to see real fighter jets in your whole life!"

Evelyn's eyes were red, and her nose stung. She had made all those toys herself. Christopher liked Nathan, so she thought if she could just win his favor, maybe Christopher would finally let her call him Daddy.

Evelyn glared at him. "You don't like the toys I gave you, fine! But how can you say that about Mommy?"

"Mommy's just a country bumpkin," Nathan snapped. "Only you like her! From now on, neither of you should come home. The Zephyr family doesn't want you! And I'm going to have a new Mommy! Yesterday it was Ms. Nikki who put me to bed!"

After Amelia dropped Evelyn off, the sky had already turned heavy and gray, the kind that warned of rain at any moment.

She caught sight of the big letters on a bus stop poster across the street.

[Valoria Airshow, Welcome—]

Amelia froze. She realized that in her last life, this was exactly when the Aerospace and Defense Technology Expo was set to begin in Northon, a city in Valoria.

The Northon Airshow was one of the world's top five airshows, held every two years. That weekend marked the fifteenth edition. The exhibits spanned land, sea, air, space, electricity, and networks, including planes, missiles, drones, satellites, and all kinds of aerospace technology.

There were also massive fighter jet demonstrations.

Amelia stared at the poster, lost in thought.

If she hadn't given up and chosen to stay home as a dutiful wife, maybe she would have been there. Maybe one of the planes on display would have been her design. Maybe she would even have been an official presenter, explaining her creative process and her journey as a designer.

Science and technology could elevate a nation. That was the kind of honor few could achieve.

Amelia snapped out of her reverie, pulling up the airshow's official ticket site. Every single ticket had already sold out.

She had just slipped her phone back into her bag when a sudden downpour came crashing down.

Morning rush hour meant the school gates were jammed with cars, packed so tight a taxi was out of the question.

Her eyes landed on a coffee shop not far ahead. She dashed toward it, hoping to take cover.

The moment she pushed open the glass door, she collided head-on with a man coming out. A cup of steaming coffee spilled all over him, soaking his crisp white shirt with a dark, glaring stain.

"I'm so sorry, I'll pay for this," Amelia blurted, looking up to apologize.

Jasper Langley froze for a split second when he saw her, then a smile spread across his face.

"Mia, you haven't changed a bit. Back in the aerospace agency's simulator test, you splashed all that reagent on me, and now coffee. Some things never change."

Amelia blinked, surprised to run into Jasper here. He had been her senior and shared the same doctoral advisor, Alfred Hale.

Alfred was now the director of Institute 511, a major figure in Valoria's aerospace field. He was someone countless people dreamed of studying under.

Amelia glanced at his shirt. "You haven't changed either. You're still the same smooth talker. Your shirt probably won't come clean. I'll pay you back for it."

Jasper shook his head. "Don't worry about it. It's been ages since I last saw you. A rare coincidence like this calls for a chat, right?"

"I was actually planning to call you myself," she admitted.

Jasper raised a brow. "Then let's go to the institute and talk. I'll change first."

-

Amelia sat in the visitor reception area of the institute.

It had been a long time since she last came.

Everything looked so familiar, every corner filled with memories. Each moment from the past seemed vivid and alive.

This was the first time she had sat here as a guest, and her heart was a swirl of mixed emotions.

Jasper returned after changing and sat across from her, smiling. "So, what do you think? Has it changed much?"

"Technology moves fast. The institute has definitely grown a lot," Amelia replied.

"What did you want to talk about? Back then, you said you were going to be a pioneer in the aerospace industry. Then you dropped out, gave up on your research, got married, had a kid, and cut ties with all of us…"

Amelia looked down, guilt weighing heavily in her chest. She had never had the courage to face them, and she still owed them an apology.

"I heard the Eos X7 Eco-Restoration Unit has been a success, and it's going to be shown at the airshow this weekend."

She pursed her lips, then added, "I should apologize for leaving so suddenly back then."

"You're well informed," Jasper said with a small smile. "When you quit, our entire project stalled for a long time before it could move forward again."

"I—" The words tangled in her throat, a knot of regret tightening in her chest. "I'm sorry."

Apart from apologizing, she didn't know what else to say.

Because of her choice and recklessness, everyone else had been held up for so long.

But technology advanced quickly. Even while she'd been home raising her child, she had never really let go of her field. She had kept studying, quietly working on her own. She believed that if she returned now, she wouldn't be left behind.

"Honestly, no one here wants your apology," Jasper said gently. "What we want is action."

Jasper was hoping she would come back. This was where she belonged, where her brilliance mattered.

"Do you think I could see the airshow in person?" she asked.

"Actually, you completed most of Eos X7's design. It took all of us years just to finish what you started. Your talents are meant for the aerospace industry, not for family life."

He looked at her with a hopeful gaze. "Why do you want to go? Have you decided to come back?"

He set his cup down and leaned forward slightly. "Tickets to the airshow are nearly impossible to get. But if you really want to see it, call me. I'll take you inside."

Amelia pressed her lips together and nodded. "Yeah. I think I belong in the aerospace field too."

From the time she was a child, the sky and the stars had always been her dream.

Her dream had never been just to design airplanes. She yearned for the stars and the vast oceans.

Somewhere along the way, she had lost herself.

In her past life, during the airshow, she had stayed home with Evelyn to finish Nathan's homework. She thought Christopher had taken Nathan to the hospital. But later, on television, she saw him there—with Nathan and Nicole at his side.

Even now, she could still remember the look on Evelyn's face, the way her daughter's eyes had filled with envy as Nathan got to watch fighter jets soar across the sky. However, Evelyn hadn't complained or made a fuss.

As a mother, Amelia had failed her.

This time, she wouldn't let Evelyn stand on the sidelines, watching Nathan live the life she longed for.

Now that she had been given another chance, Amelia was determined to find herself again. She wanted to be Evelyn's support and pride.

Even if the professor didn't accept her when she went, she could still visit the exhibition and catch up with her former classmates. Meeting the big names in the field wouldn't be bad either.

At the very least, people in the industry would know she existed.

Jasper smiled gently, clearly pleased. "The institute has a new research project. We need a chief engineer and more people. But so far, no one's been the right fit."

Amelia knew exactly what he meant.

He was inviting her back.

She wasn't sure she deserved a title like chief engineer. But starting from the ground up? That, she could do.

"I'll send in my resume."

Jasper's gaze lingered on her, steady and searching. "But you should know, we require candidates to have a settled personal life."

Amelia froze. That rule hadn't existed before. Was it because of her, as a cautionary example?

"I'm preparing to file for divorce."

Jasper was momentarily taken aback. Back then, she had thrown herself into pursuing happiness and had even given up her career for it. He hadn't expected her to make such a decision now.

Before the silence could stretch, Amelia's phone rang.

"Mrs. Zephyr, Nathan suddenly broke out in hives. His stomach hurts too. We're taking him to the hospital. Can you come right away?"

Chapter 5

"From now on, if something happens with Nathan, please contact his father," Amelia said evenly. "I'm not his mother."

The teacher frowned, assuming it was just another marital spat, a wife refusing to deal with her child out of anger.

"Mrs. Zephyr, his condition is serious. This isn't the time to argue. Please come right away."

"I'll send you his father's number." With that, Amelia hung up without hesitation.

She immediately forwarded Christopher's phone number to the teacher.

Jasper had already risen from his seat the moment he saw Amelia answer the call, politely giving her space.

When she finally looked up, he was standing by the window, looking down at the rain-soaked street below.

She walked over to him. "Thanks for today."

"Was that the end of the call?"

Amelia nodded.

Jasper studied her with quiet intensity. "Welcome back, Amelia."

She gave a small smile. "You should pray my resume makes it through."

The institute's standards were notoriously high, and she had been away from the field for so long. There was no guarantee her application would even pass the first round.

Jasper laughed. "If it doesn't, I'll hire you as my assistant."

-

By the time Christopher reached the kindergarten, there was a heavy downpour.

Inside, Nathan sat in the infirmary. His face was blotchy, his body covered in hives, and he was sobbing uncontrollably.

That morning he had felt an itch crawling over his skin. By noon, angry red welts had spread across his body and face.

When Evelyn overheard that her brother had broken out in hives, worry stirred in her chest. Amelia had always told her Nathan's body was weak, that every night he needed his herbal bath. Otherwise, his skin would erupt in painful rashes.

She held up her little umbrella as she made her way from the classroom to the infirmary. But the storm was too fierce, the wind tossing the umbrella from side to side until half her clothes were already soaked through.

When she stepped inside, Nathan caught sight of her. His small face twisted with fury. "Did you come here to laugh at me?"

"Mommy said you need your herbal bath every night or the rashes will come back. You should tell the doctor that—"

"I don't need you to tell me!" Nathan cut her off sharply. He snatched up the cup on the table and hurled it at her. "Mind your own business! I don't want to see you!"

The teacher rushed forward to stop him. "Nathan, stop that! Don't hit your sister."

"She's not my sister!" Nathan shouted, his voice hoarse with anger. "Everyone says she's not even part of the Zephyr family. She's an illegitimate child!"

Evelyn froze, her body stiff as her eyes welled with tears. "If you keep this up, Mommy really won't want you anymore!"

Nathan yelled back, his voice shaking. "I'm the one who doesn't want Mommy! She doesn't get to leave me. I'm the one leaving her. Daddy and I don't want either of you!"

Evelyn trembled with anger while the teacher tried to comfort her and calm things down.

She had only come because she was worried about her brother, yet all she got in return was his scolding and rejection. Biting her lip hard, she stayed silent.

A few moments later, Christopher stepped into the infirmary.

Evelyn had been there for a while already. The chill was beginning to seep into her bones after she braved the storm outside.

When she saw her father, her face lit up. She opened her mouth with joy. "Dad—"

But then she caught herself. She remembered he didn't like her calling him that. She was about to correct herself when Nathan's wailing rose into an earsplitting cry, cutting her off completely.

Nathan scrambled off the bed and rushed into Christopher's arms, his face twisted with misery. "Daddy, I'm so ugly right now. It hurts, and it itches everywhere."

His little face and body were covered in angry red rashes. If Nicole saw him like this, she'd probably think he was disgusting.

The teacher added softly that Nathan had already had several bouts of diarrhea that day.

Christopher's chest tightened at the sight of his son's condition. His face, his body, all covered in rashes. His heart ached for him.

He bent down and gathered Nathan into his arms. His voice was gentle as he said, "It's alright. Daddy's here. I'll take you to the hospital now."

Evelyn stood frozen, watching her brother cry and cling to their father, who held him close with such tenderness. A sharp ache spread through her chest.

She wanted to call out to him too. To call him Daddy. But before she could, Christopher had already turned and carried Nathan out of the infirmary.

It was as if he hadn't even noticed her standing there.

Evelyn's eyes followed the broad silhouette of her father's back as he disappeared with Nathan. Her nose stung, and she whispered to the teacher, "I'm so cold..."

-

Christopher strode toward the car with Nathan cradled against him.

His assistant, Nigel Larkin, hurried to keep up. "Mr. Zephyr, should we check on Miss Evelyn too?"

Nathan clung tighter to his father's neck and whimpered. "Dad, it hurts..."

Christopher's gaze stayed calm and unreadable, and his voice carried no trace of warmth. "There are teachers at the kindergarten to look after her. Why should I check on her when she's fine?"

Nigel fell silent.

That was true. Right now, Nathan's health came first.

-

Amelia's phone buzzed again not long after she parted ways with Jasper.

"Mrs. Zephyr, Evelyn caught a chill from the rain. She's burning up with a fever."

Amelia froze, and her entire body went rigid as her heart pounded wildly.

In her last life, Evelyn had died from pneumonia brought on by a high fever.

In this life, Amelia had already filed for divorce and taken Evelyn away from the Zephyr family. But was she still powerless to change her daughter's fate?

The moment she heard the words high fever, her entire body trembled. She didn't even know how she managed to run through the storm and reach the kindergarten.

When she saw Evelyn, the little girl was curled up on the infirmary cot, shivering.

Evelyn's flushed face was burning hot, her voice barely a whisper. "Mommy? I'm sorry. I heard Nate was sick, so I went to check on him... but I got caught in the rain."

"Silly girl, why are you apologizing?" Amelia's eyes blurred with tears. "Next time, don't worry about Nate, alright?"

She knew Evelyn was always trying to please Nathan and Christopher, hoping for her father's love.

Amelia could let Christopher go and walk away with a clean slate, but she could never stop her daughter from yearning for his affection.

"Daddy came earlier," Evelyn murmured, her voice tinged with hurt. "He took Nate to the hospital."

There was a quiet note of grievance in her tone, but Amelia understood. What Evelyn longed for most wasn't fairness. It was just for Christopher to notice her, even if he only said a single word to her.

Even one word from him could make Evelyn smile all night.

Amelia's heart clenched so tight it hurt. She gathered her daughter into her arms and whispered, "Sweetie, Mommy's taking you to the hospital."

At Northon Children's Hospital, Amelia explained to the doctor that Evelyn's health had always been fragile.

In her last life, Evelyn had wasted away waiting for Christopher and Nathan to notice her, living on nothing but cold leftovers until malnutrition took its toll.

From the very first day of her rebirth, Amelia had focused on nourishing her daughter. But a frail body couldn't recover in just a day or two.

The doctor examined her and found it was just an ordinary cold with a fever. He gave her a prescription for fever medicine and instructions to monitor her at home.

However, Amelia had lived through this once before. She would never take chances with her daughter again. "Doctor, I'd rather admit her for observation. I won't feel at ease bringing her home."

She was soaked to the bone from running through the rain to the kindergarten, but she ignored her own condition. She handled the admission paperwork, settled Evelyn into the hospital room, then went to the pharmacy to collect her medicine.

On her way back, she passed the VIP ward.

"It's all Mommy's fault. She didn't let me soak in a herbal bath, and now my rash is back again."

Amelia froze when she heard Nathan's petulant voice inside.

"Ms. Nikki, will you be my new mommy?"

Chapter 6

Nicole laughed softly. "Then I'll have to marry your daddy first before I can be your mommy. Do you want your daddy to marry me?"

"I'll make him divorce Mommy right away so you can be my mommy instead!" Nathan said proudly.

Amelia listened from the doorway with a cold smile tugging at her lips. Nathan had no idea that Nicole was his birth mother, the very same woman who had abandoned him to Christopher years ago.

Nicole was shrewd, Amelia had to give her that. She had managed to protect her studies and her career, and still hold on to the man she wanted.

"I thought you wouldn't come to the hospital."

A low, detached voice came from behind her, laced with a faint edge of mockery.

Amelia turned and saw Christopher standing there in a sharp black suit, looking elegant and untouchable as always.

Once, she would have lit up at the sight of him and rushed to please him.

Now, all she felt was the sting of anger as she frowned deeply.

If it hadn't been for his years of neglect, Evelyn would never have stood waiting for him on that freezing, stormy night, burning with fever until pneumonia claimed her life.

Even today, he had walked out of the kindergarten with Nathan in his arms and left Evelyn behind, burning with a fever of her own. Whether he knew it or not, it didn't matter. If he had truly cared about his daughter, he would have noticed.

His gaze swept over her, taking in her rain-soaked clothes. "So this is what you've become after leaving the Zephyr family. Pathetic.

"Nate is inside. You can go see him if you want."

Amelia drew in a long breath, then let out a cold laugh. "He isn't my son. Why would I?"

Before he could react, she turned on her heel and walked away without a second glance.

In this life, she would never again pin her hopes on Christopher. She would never again wait for him to turn back and notice her and their daughter.

It was his indifference that had killed Evelyn in Amelia's last life.

She would never let history repeat itself.

Just then, Nicole opened the door. She caught sight of Amelia's retreating figure and asked, "Is Mia upset with me again? Is it because she doesn't like me being here?"

Christopher turned away and replied, "It's no big deal."

"The doctor said Nate's stomach is weak. The lactose intolerance is what caused the vomiting and diarrhea, and the dust mite allergy triggered the hives. His bloodwork also showed that he's completely stopped using the herbal baths for his allergies recently."

Nicole tilted her head, watching him. "If Mia refuses to come home, I can go over and give Nate his bath."

Christopher didn't refuse.

-

When Amelia returned to the room, Evelyn asked, "Was Daddy here? I think I heard him."

The way her daughter's face lit with hope made Amelia's chest tighten painfully.

How could she tell her that Christopher had come only for Nathan, not for her?

She sat down beside Evelyn and softly said, "Mommy knows you like Daddy, sweetie, but he's busy with work and doesn't have time to see you."

Evelyn looked down, her little hand twisted in the sheets. "Daddy doesn't like me, does he? No matter how hard I try to please him and Nate, they still don't like me. Is it because I'm not good enough?"

Amelia stroked her daughter's head. "Evie, you're more than good enough. You can't make the whole world love you, and no one is obligated to. So don't waste your heart chasing after the approval of others, not even your father's.

"If someone chooses to dislike you, that doesn't change who you are. You don't need to bend yourself just to earn their love."

For a four-year-old, these words were probably hard to fully grasp, but Evelyn could sense their weight. Amelia didn't want to repeat the past, and she refused to let her daughter keep longing for a father's love that would never come.

Evelyn lowered her head, tears blurring her vision. She half-understood her mother's words, yet her heart ached anyway.

Her daddy would come back someday, wouldn't he? All the other kids had their fathers.

Tears rolled freely down her cheeks as she hiccupped. "B-but Nate said I'm not really part of the Zephyr family, that I'm an illegitimate child... is that true?"

Amelia's chest tightened. "Don't listen to him. That's nonsense."

Her gaze darkened. Nathan was just a child, so someone must have whispered that poisonous thought in his ear.

Amelia had worked like a mule for the Zephyr family, only to have dirt thrown at her in the end.

It was easy to see just how hollow and unbearable those past years of marriage and family life had been!

-

Evelyn spent the night in the hospital. By morning, her fever had broken, and her condition was stable.

As she got out of bed and moved through the ward, she happened upon Nathan in the hallway, absorbed in flying a remote-controlled plane.

She looked up, her eyes widening. So this was Nicole's gift to him? It really looked amazing and incredibly cool.

Nathan spotted Evelyn in her hospital gown and immediately exclaimed, "Evie, you're a copycat! Even when I'm sick, you have to imitate me!"

"I'm not!" Evelyn protested.

Nathan snorted. "Too bad Daddy doesn't even come to see you."

He bent over the remote, maneuvering the toy plane toward Evelyn.

Just as the plane was about to crash down on her, Amelia swooped in, breakfast in hand, and scooped Evelyn out of the way. The plane smashed heavily onto the floor.

Evelyn's heart raced as she clung to Amelia. "Mommy..."

Christopher's coldness toward Evelyn—refusing to let her call him Daddy, favoring Nathan over her throughout the Zephyr family—had made her cautious, always watching everyone's expressions before acting.

Evelyn knew the truth. In the Zephyr family, no one cared for her except Amelia. She also knew she couldn't compete with Nathan, so she had learned to be well-behaved.

Amelia's chest tightened. She had failed in guiding her daughter. She had always assumed Evelyn was just shy, forgetting how lively she could be when no one else was around.

"From now on, no matter who bullies you, you stand your ground. I've got your back."

Nathan tightened his grip on the remote when he saw Amelia, sensing the fierceness in his mother's gaze.

Amelia looked at him steadily. "Apologize to Evie."

"I-It was an accident! It's not my fault she was standing there!"

With Christopher and Nicole both away, Nathan didn't have much courage to face Amelia.

Nathan hated his mother. She was annoying, and was always trying to lecture him and control him.

On second thought, Christopher didn't want Amelia or Evelyn anyway, and Nicole would always back him up.

He wasn't afraid of his unsophisticated, country bumpkin mother one bit!

Nathan gathered his courage and shot back, "If she ruins the plane Ms. Nikki made me, you can't even pay for it!"

Amelia lowered her gaze to the toy plane on the floor, her expression calm and indifferent. It was just a cheap little toy. Anyone could make one if they had the instructions. She didn't want to argue with a child over something so trivial.

But today, she had to stand up for Evelyn.

Amelia turned to Evelyn. "Fine. If he won't apologize, do whatever you want with him."

Amelia had always taught her not to hit or yell at people, that it was rude.

Evelyn's little hands itched with the urge to act. But if she hit or scolded her brother today, would her father hate her even more?

She thought back to what Amelia had told her last night—sometimes one had to have the courage to be disliked.

With that in mind, Evelyn stepped toward Nathan.

Nathan was startled.

Nicole returned with a pot of hot water and immediately took in the scene. She stepped forward, shielding Nathan behind her, then looked at Amelia sharply.

"Mia, why are you being so harsh with Nate? Can you even teach a child properly if this is how you act as a mother? It's just kids roughhousing. No need to make such a big deal out of it. You even scared Nate."

Christopher had just returned from buying breakfast, and he arrived just in time to hear Nicole's words. He looked at Nathan, trembling and cowering behind Nicole, and he frowned.

Amelia let out a bitter laugh, about to retort, but a cold, low voice cut through the tension from behind her.

"We don't need you here in the hospital. Take Evie and go back."

Chapter 7

Christopher's cold, detached voice cut through the air, sharp and grating.

Amelia turned and met his dark, unreadable eyes. He was still the same, blindly believing she and Evelyn were in the wrong, standing unconditionally on Nicole and Nathan's side.

Christopher didn't wait for Amelia to speak. His gaze shifted to Nicole, and his cold, hard tone softened just slightly. "Let's go in and have breakfast."

He didn't even glance at Evelyn. Without another word, he stepped into the hospital room with them and closed the door behind him.

Amelia stared at the closed door, fists clenched so tightly her nails nearly dug into her palms. Christopher's indifference made her eyes grow even colder.

How had she endured that kind of neglect for so many years? The thought was almost laughable. If she hadn't clung so desperately to getting a response from him and had left earlier with Evelyn, maybe her daughter wouldn't have faced such a tragedy in her last life.

"Mommy, I feel a lot better now. Can we leave the hospital today?"

Amelia looked down at her sweet, obedient daughter, and her chest tightened even more. "No matter who ever tries to bully you, you can't just endure it, do you understand?"

Evelyn nodded earnestly. "I understand."

-

After finishing the discharge procedures, Amelia took Evelyn to see her own mother, Claire Lane.

Claire lived in a villa out in the suburbs. It was a little far from the city, but the air was fresh and the scenery beautiful.

Amelia's parents had long been on the verge of divorce, but her father, Jonathan Sinclair, had refused to agree. In the end, Claire simply moved out and made a home for herself.

Amelia liked bringing Evelyn over to chat with Claire and spend some time together.

Evelyn was overjoyed to see her grandmother and ran into her arms, cuddling up and acting like a pampered child.

Claire laughed as she scooped Evelyn up. "Oh my little granddaughter, you've grown taller! What do you want to eat today? Grandma will make it just for you."

"I want smoked ribs!"

"All right, Grandma will make it for you."

After a few minutes of coaxing Evelyn, Claire let her run upstairs to watch TV on her own.

Then she turned to Amelia. "It's Wednesday. How did you find time to come by?"

Amelia settled into a chair. "How's business been lately?"

Claire managed her own enterprises, but recently things hadn't been going well. Profits were down, and she was practically operating at a loss.

Her business was also why Jonathan had been dragging his feet on the divorce. They had been married for years, and dividing their assets was complicated. Their interests were deeply intertwined, and ending the marriage wasn't easy.

Jonathan had long had a mistress, who had given him two children, which explained his ongoing dislike for Amelia.

After Amelia married Christopher, Jonathan tried to win her over, hoping to leverage Christopher's connections for his business. But Christopher had never cared for her, so he naturally had no interest in her family affairs.

Because of that, Jonathan flew into a rage, yelling at Claire for giving birth to a worthless child.

Claire just shook her head. "Same as always."

Amelia looked down at her hands. Over the years, she had sent extra money to her mother whenever she could, but she hadn't paid much attention to the details of Claire's business.

In her previous life, she had thrown herself entirely into Christopher. It wasn't until two days before Evelyn's death that Claire's business finally declared bankruptcy.

Amelia said, "I'll send you another sum in a while. You can use it to adjust the company's internal operations. The old model is outdated and can't keep up with the times. You could also invest in emerging industries like new energy. Any old-fashioned leaders in the company? Replace them if needed."

Claire frowned at her. "Where did you get the money? Did Chris—"

Amelia cut her off sharply. "No. I'm planning to divorce him."

After so many years of marriage, Christopher had never cared about the Sinclair family's affairs. Even when her family was on the brink of bankruptcy, he never lifted a finger to help. Meanwhile, Nicole had gone abroad to study and ran out of money, and he had wired her millions without a second thought.

If it hadn't been for Amelia's uncle stepping in, her mother might already have been buried under billions in debt.

Claire's eyes softened as she looked at her daughter, tinged with pain. She sighed. "It's my fault for not being capable. If someone had your back in your family, you wouldn't have suffered so much in the Zephyr family."

She turned her face away, tears glistening in her eyes. "You had to endure all this before even thinking about a divorce."

"It's all in the past."

Amelia shouldn't have insisted on marrying Christopher back then.

A woman in love always thought that running the household and raising the children would make a man fall for her.

-

Amelia left Evelyn with Claire.

Her resignation had been approved, and she was heading to Zephyr Group to complete the process.

In the company lobby, she ran straight into Christopher.

He was dressed in a black suit, striding purposefully toward the exit, as if something urgent had come up.

Amelia's expression was calm and neutral as she stepped aside to let him pass.

Christopher had always treated her as if she were invisible, habitually ignoring her. No matter how she greeted him or tried to make herself seen, he acted as though she didn't exist.

"Chris, over here!"

Outside the main doors, Nicole waved cheerfully at him. "Why are you coming down to meet me? I could've gone upstairs myself."

For a moment, Amelia thought of how he had never once shown such thoughtfulness for her, not in wind or rain. It seemed that as long as it was someone else, Christopher's attitude would always be different.

She calmly looked away, no longer caring about what was happening between them.

Then she stepped into the elevator and rode up to the fifth-floor HR department to submit her resignation.

Emily Caldwell from HR looked a little surprised. "You're really resigning? I thought you were just joking around."

Everyone knew Amelia was just a lowly assistant, and she didn't handle any real projects. Most days, she was fetching tea and coffee for meetings, running errands. Because she had to go home and take care of her daughter, complex tasks were out of the question.

Even though Christopher barely acknowledged her, she had always followed him eagerly. Now, suddenly wanting to leave without any obvious reason seemed impossible—like the sun rising in the west.

Amelia didn't want to say more. Her face was cold as she simply replied, "Yes."

Emily couldn't help rolling her eyes internally.

Amelia was just a small-time assistant, yet she was acting all high and mighty. Today, Christopher's girlfriend had come to the office and the entire group chat had exploded. Everyone was talking about how poised and impressive she was. She was freshly back from studying abroad, holding dual PhDs in financial technology and aerospace engineering.

She and Christopher were truly a power couple.

Emily figured Amelia probably realized she couldn't compare, felt small and insecure, and decided to quit because of it.

Emily said in a serious tone, "Your resignation is processed. Mia, just a piece of advice. Wherever you go next, don't waste time thinking about people you shouldn't."

When Amelia heard that, she was silent. For the first time, she realized how unworthy her former self had really been.

All this time, she had loved Christopher so deeply. Yet to everyone else, it had looked like nothing more than one-sided obsession and foolish infatuation.

Everyone could see it but her, and she was only now waking up to it. Maybe the last life had been God's punishment.

Amelia took a quiet, deep breath.

She cast Emily a calm, measured glance. "Thanks for your concern, but I don't need any advice regarding my career."

Stepping out of HR and down into the lobby, she saw Christopher and Nicole still there.

In the past, she would have wanted to run into Christopher every day. But now, the sight of him just made her feel annoyed. She stepped forward, intending to leave.

Unexpectedly, Christopher called after her in a slow, deliberate voice. "Amelia, take a cup of coffee up to my office for Nikki."

Nicole immediately chimed in. "Chris has been telling me for ages that you make amazing coffee, Mia. He says you're perfect for these little tasks and that you're so capable. I could never do all the delicate things women do.

"Oh, and the coffee has to be hand-ground. I can't stand instant coffee," Nicole added.

Amelia paused mid-step and glanced at her. "Actually, I think instant coffee suits you better. It's cheap and easy, just like you."

Chapter 8

Nicole hadn't even had a chance to react.

Amelia simply turned and stepped into the elevator.

She didn't get a chance to say anything, so she looked at Christopher instead. "Chris, your wife is seriously fiery. Can you handle her? No wonder Nate's afraid of her.

"Also, she seems a little upset. Aren't you going to calm her down?"

Christopher calmly looked away and said, "She'll be fine once she cools off on her own."

Nicole smirked. "You really aren't afraid she'll run off, are you?"

-

When Christopher returned home that evening, the house was dark, with not a single light on.

Nathan wasn't home, and Anna didn't need to care for him, so she naturally had a leisurely evening and went to bed early.

Christopher switched on the lights, and the huge room felt especially cold and empty.

He climbed the stairs to the master bedroom, which was also empty.

He rarely came back here.

He didn't seem to care whether Amelia had returned. Passing by her vanity on the way to the bathroom, he didn't glance at it once.

If he had looked, he would have seen a single document lying there.

-

That weekend, the Aerospace and Defense Technology Expo was in full swing.

Crowds had gathered, some even standing outside because they couldn't get tickets, just to catch a glimpse of the excitement.

Amelia had arrived early with Evelyn, and they were waiting outside the entrance for Jasper.

Evelyn stood obediently beside Amelia, her wide eyes taking in the lively surroundings. Everywhere she looked, there were posters of airplanes and informational displays.

Amelia had never brought her to places like this before, and trips to amusement parks were even rarer.

Noticing her daughter's fascination, Amelia bent down and gently pinched Evelyn's cheeks. "Do you like it here? If you get bored, I can call Grandma to come pick you up and take you to her house."

"I like it. I really like it." Evelyn's small voice was soft and sweet. "Mommy, you never took us out to play before."

Amelia's chest tightened at Evelyn's words.

In her previous life, she had been too busy assisting Christopher, taking care of the Zephyr family, and trying to raise Nathan properly. She had overlooked so many small, meaningful moments.

Christopher would occasionally take Nathan out, while Evelyn stayed home, eating cold meals and playing with toys Nathan had abandoned.

Christopher would buy gifts and toys for Nathan, but never a single one for Evelyn. Amelia had tried to buy her toys, but Evelyn had said she didn't like them.

Now Amelia realized how absurd that was. What child didn't like toys?

"I'm sorry, my darling," Amelia whispered, her voice heavy with guilt and regret. She vowed that from now on, she would never miss another moment of her daughter's growth.

"Ha! What are you doing standing at the entrance, Evie?"

From a distance, Nathan strutted toward them in a little suit, his face full of pride and arrogance.

"Do you want to go in and see the real fighter jets too? There's no way Mommy can take you in. If you really want to go, you can beg me. Then maybe I'll plead with Daddy and Ms. Nikki for you, and Mommy can stay home to cook and do laundry."

"No need! Mommy will take me in!" Evelyn shot back, her little cheeks puffed in defiance. "Mommy's not your servant!"

Nathan froze. Amelia couldn't possibly take Evelyn in. She only stayed home to cook and clean, she had no experience with anything this fancy.

Christopher and Nicole trailed behind Nathan at just the right distance, neither too close nor too far. Both wore shades of brown that looked so coordinated it could be mistaken for a couple's outfits.

Amelia had once dreamed of wearing matching clothes with Christopher, feeling that first flutter of youthful excitement. He had never cooperated, never worn them, and hadn't even glanced at the clothes she bought.

Nicole spotted Amelia and stepped forward confidently, completely at ease. "Mia, Evie, you came too? Why didn't you say anything? You could have ridden with Chris and me."

At that moment, Christopher stepped aside to take a call, not even glancing at Amelia. Evelyn's eyes kept flicking toward her father, anxious and hopeful.

Facing Nicole's provocatively teasing tone, Amelia's lips curved into a cold, sharp smile as she replied bluntly, "No need to trouble yourself."

"Really?" Nicole raised an eyebrow. "Chris and I have been best friends since we were kids. You don't need to be polite with us."

Nicole said the words as if she were claiming her territory, and it made it clear she already saw herself as Christopher's wife.

Amelia thought back to her previous life. She had been foolish not to notice how this woman had been eyeing Christopher from the start.

Before Amelia could say anything, Christopher returned from his call. He walked past Amelia without a glance and addressed Nicole. "Let's go. We're heading in."

It was clear he had no intention of bringing Amelia and Evelyn inside.

Nicole smiled at Amelia, her eyes glinting with amusement. "We'll go in first, Mia. If you really can't get in, just call me. I'll come get you."

Amelia watched the three of them disappear, a mocking smile tugging at her lips. This time, she wanted to see just how well this little trio could really get along.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Something at the institute ran a bit late." Jasper hurried over.

Amelia chuckled. "No problem."

He looked down at Evelyn with a warm grin. "Here, I brought you some snacks and toys."

Evelyn's eyes lit up instantly. "Thank you, Mr. Jazz!"

It was the first time she had ever received a gift.

Jasper held an internal staff pass in his hand and led Amelia and Evelyn inside.

The sun was bright and high today. The sunlight was so bright it almost hurt her eyes, so Amelia casually put on her sunglasses.

As they walked, Jasper said, "This defense expo only happens once every three years. It's huge, as you know. I might be a little busy later, but feel free to explore around. At noon, we can meet with the professors for lunch."

Amelia nodded. "Okay, go ahead. I'll be fine."

The atmosphere at the expo was electric. Everywhere they turned, there were crowds of people.

Evelyn's eyes were wide with wonder.

"Mommy, this plane is so cool!" she tugged at Amelia's hand. "Can you take a picture of me with it?"

"Of course," Amelia said with a smile, pulling out her phone. "Step over here for me."

Just as Evelyn was about to move, a surge of people pressed in, jostling Amelia and Evelyn. Amelia frowned and quickly steadied her daughter.

"Ms. Randall, I hear you're planning to pursue further studies domestically, and Mr. Zephyr mentioned you might join Institute 511. Can you share your thoughts on this industry?"

Reporters with cameras in hand crowded around, and a swarm of onlookers jostled in behind them.

Nicole stood in the center, radiant and confident, soaking in the attention. "Let me introduce this plane to everyone. I designed it initially, but I had to leave the project to study abroad. Now that I see it perfectly completed and unveiled, it fills me with pride.

"That just goes to show our country never lacks talent."

A man near Christopher nudged him with his shoulder.

"Isn't that your wife? What's she doing here? She's always at home worrying about groceries and chores. Does she even understand this stuff?"

Chapter 9

Luke Carter stared at Amelia, his expression dripping with disdain. "I really don't get why she even came here. Is she just trying to make herself seen?"

Christopher's gaze swept over Amelia coldly, but he didn't say a word.

Compared to Nicole, who was being fawned over by everyone, Amelia's striking looks didn't help her at all. She seemed out of place, dull even, standing beside Nicole's radiant brilliance.

"I think I understand why you never want to go home. If I were you, I'd prefer Nikki too. Smart, capable, ambitious—she's better at everything than Amelia.

"She just sits at home spending your money and does nothing else."

Luke had always been part of Christopher's circle, and ever since their marriage, he'd looked down on Amelia. She was a scheming woman who wormed her way into a man's bed, so how good could she really be?

And now she had shamelessly chased Christopher all the way here.

It was utterly absurd.

"What's she standing there watching the interview for? Like she even understands a word of it. Anyone who didn't know better would think she's about to join the aviation industry too."

Christopher shot Luke a sharp look. "Enough."

Luke finally went silent.

Nathan watched Nicole basking in all the attention, and couldn't help feeling a little proud by association. If only Nicole were truly his mommy.

No matter. As long as Nicole liked him best, that was enough.

Amelia watched as Nicole introduced herself to the crowd, radiant and full of confidence. She spoke with striking clarity and deep understanding of the industry.

Amelia took a deep breath and lowered her gaze.

No wonder Christopher liked Nicole.

Faced with a woman who could do nothing but play house and a fiercely capable career woman, the choice was obvious.

And somehow, in her past life, Amelia had never grasped this simple truth.

Evelyn's big, round eyes followed Nicole, who was surrounded by people. She listened carefully to the conversation, her mind absorbing every detail.

So Nicole had designed this aircraft herself. No wonder Nathan looked up to her like that.

Just then, Amelia's phone rang. It was Jasper, telling her he'd arranged a viewing stand with a perfect vantage point to watch the fighter jet demonstration.

She took Evelyn and headed straight there.

In Luke's view, Amelia's action implied that she knew she couldn't compare to Nicole. So, she took her daughter and quietly left.

After Nicole's interview ended, Nathan ran straight into her arms. "Ms. Nikki, you're amazing!"

Nicole scooped him up and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, sweetheart."

Nathan's smile grew even brighter from the affection.

Nicole turned toward Christopher, one arm holding Nathan, the other stretched out toward him. "Buddy, I'm so brilliant and successful. Aren't you going to hold me and celebrate a little?"

Luke walked over, his grin half sarcastic. "What? Am I not your buddy anymore?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Luke didn't wait to see if Christopher agreed. He simply pulled him in for a hug with Nicole.

When they let go, Luke looked at Christopher. "How about we all go grab a meal to celebrate?"

Nicole, still holding Nathan, draped her other arm over Christopher's shoulder. "Sure. It's my treat!"

From a distance, the three of them looked like a close-knit little family.

Evelyn and Amelia hadn't gone far.

Evelyn kept glancing back at her father. Seeing the three of them together, she bit her lip tightly and turned away, refusing to look again.

If only she were more like her brother and more capable, maybe then her father would accept her.

Her daddy didn't like her, and that was likely why he didn't like her mommy either.

She couldn't hold her mommy back.

The seats Jasper arranged for Amelia and Evelyn were truly first-class. It was right at the center of it all, with an unobstructed view of the entire venue.

"You can stay here. The show will start soon," Jasper said with a smile. "Try not to wander off. There are a lot of people, and it's easy for the little one to get jostled."

"Thank you," Amelia said. "You go ahead, don't worry about us."

"Call me if you need anything."

After Jasper left, Amelia settled into the stand. With the view stretching out before her, her gaze fell on a jet in the distance.

The Eos X7 looked flawless in its flight, and it was already nominated multiple times at the exhibition.

There were a lot of people being interviewed today. The prime spots filled up quickly with prominent figures from the industry, all recognized names.

From a distance, Evelyn saw her father holding Nathan, with Nicole walking beside him.

"Why are you also here?" Nathan's face twisted into a look of disdain when he spotted Evelyn.

How did his sister and mother get here?

"This is for people with credentials only. You sneaked in, so don't be surprised if they kick you out later," Nathan whispered.

"What happened to your manners?"

Christopher frowned, his voice calm but firm, exuding authority.

Though he doted on Nathan, deep down Nathan still feared his father. He immediately fell silent, casting a pitiful glance at Nicole.

Nicole smiled gently. "Chris, he's just a kid, and he'll learn in time. No need to scare him with that cold look."

Amelia gave them a cool, indifferent glance, not bothering to respond, as if they weren't even worth her attention.

Luke sneered inwardly, rolling his eyes. Amelia had the audacity to follow Christopher here and somehow managed to sneak into the inner area. Who knew what tricks she'd pulled? And now she had the nerve to put on that aloof act, as if no one could see right through her.

Amelia settled into a seat further inside, while Evelyn took one closer to the edge. Christopher glanced at them, then sat down right next to Evelyn.

Nathan quickly plopped down beside Christopher and patted the empty space next to him. "Ms. Nikki, sit with me here!"

Nicole smiled and sat down without hesitation.

Seeing her father sit down next to her, Evelyn nervously gripped her dress. She watched him carefully, studying every expression.

But Christopher didn't look at her once. His attention stayed entirely on Nathan and Nicole. Slowly, a sinking feeling grew in Evelyn's chest.

The fighter jet demonstration began. The display was grand and spectacular, the roar of the crowd filling the air.

The children were all completely captivated.

"Ms. Nikki, are you going to design jets like these in the future? They're so cool!"

Nicole laughed. "You like them? I can make you a little model of one."

"Yay!"

Evelyn felt a pang of envy. She liked them too, but she kept her feelings buried inside, saying nothing.

When the demonstration ended, performances on the stage began.

All the adults in front stood up, and Evelyn could barely see. She frowned.

Christopher scooped Nathan up in his arms. Nathan grinned mischievously and made a face at Evelyn.

Evelyn huffed and stood on the stool. "Short people need to be carried. I can see just fine like this!"

Nathan huffed back. "So what? I'll grow taller someday. You? You don't even have a daddy!"

The words hit Evelyn like a punch to the chest, and her excitement for the show evaporated instantly.

Amelia frowned, then she turned to Nathan and coldly said, "Right. You don't have a mommy either."

Nathan froze, utterly stunned.

Nicole's eyes widened, shocked that Amelia would actually say something like that.

Christopher's brow furrowed, clearly displeased. "Amelia, why are you picking a fight with a child?"

Amelia let out a mocking laugh. "And why are you picking a fight with a woman?"

She didn't bother with him any further and instead reached down to ruffle Evelyn's hair. "Mommy's here."

Evelyn pressed her lips together for a moment, then smiled and nodded.

Christopher remained expressionless the entire time.

Maybe it was just his imagination, but Amelia seemed unusually hostile toward him lately.

Until the performance ended, Christopher and Amelia didn't exchange a single word.

He set Nathan down.

Evelyn spoke up. "Mommy, I need to go to the bathroom."

"Okay."

As she jumped off the stool, she misjudged her footing, twisted her ankle, and began to fall.

"Ah—"

She squeezed her eyes shut.

The sharp pain she expected never came. Instead, strong arms caught her securely.

When she opened her eyes, she realized she was in her father's embrace. His arms were warm and wide, comforting in a way she hadn't expected.

She froze for a moment, her nose tingling.

Her daddy still cared about her, didn't he?

Instinctively, she said, "Thank you, Daddy—"

Christopher's dark eyes narrowed, and his expression turned cold. "What did you just call me?"

Chapter 10

The intensity radiating from Christopher made Evelyn shrink back. She pressed her lips together and muttered, almost in a whisper, "Th-thank you, Uncle Chris..."

Her eyes stung, and a lump of frustration tightened in her chest. She felt wronged and helpless, but she bit her lip stubbornly, refusing to let a tear fall.

She had thought that maybe her father was finally willing to accept her.

Amelia had been startled by what had just happened. Evelyn had toppled toward the opposite direction, and her first instinct was to catch her—but she was too far away.

Fortunately, her daughter was unharmed.

She gently lifted Evelyn from Christopher's arms, holding her close and soothing her with a soft voice. "You were scared, weren't you? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Evelyn shook her head silently. The moment she tried to speak, she felt tears welling up.

Nathan stood off to the side, feeling a bit upset.

Amelia used to hold him gently like that too. She hadn't come home in a long time, and it had been even longer since she had held him.

And just now, she said he didn't have a mommy, which made him a little sad. But then he thought, as long as Amelia wasn't around, Nicole was there with him.

Thinking like that, it didn't feel so bad after all.

After all, Amelia wouldn't really abandon him. She just said those things out of frustration.

Amelia ignored Christopher completely, not sparing him a glance, and carried Evelyn away.

Christopher's brow twitched slightly.

Compared to the warmth Amelia used to show, her current coldness was impossible to miss. He wondered what little tantrum she was throwing this time.

"Even kids know to say thank you. Don't you?"

Amelia paused mid-step and cast a cold, mocking smile over her shoulder. "What you owe her is far more than this."

Without waiting to see Christopher's reaction, she walked away with Evelyn.

That line was completely absurd and made no sense at all.

Christopher's brows furrowed, his expression icy and sharp. If he wasn't mistaken, the look in Amelia's eyes... was it hatred?

Luke sneered. "Is this still the Amelia I know—the total simp? How come she's suddenly so cold to you? Switching tactics, huh? Playing hard to get now?"

Christopher's brows furrowed slightly.

The only words his mind caught were "playing hard to get".

Maybe she really was.

That would explain everything.

-

After the defense expo ended, Amelia was taking Evelyn to lunch when her phone rang.

It was Winona Farrell. The moment Amelia answered, the voice on the other end was sharp and fierce. "Mia! Did you see the trending posts on social media?!"

Winona had been a friend since childhood. Hearing her tone, Amelia couldn't help but smile. "Trending posts? Which one of your brothers screwed up this time?"

Winona ground her teeth. "You still have the nerve to tease me? Your husband is cheating on you! Where are you right now? I'm coming over immediately so we can go and confront that scumbag together!"

Amelia paused for a moment, then looked down at her phone. The defense expo had completely taken over the trending feed.

Everyone was full of pride, celebrating the nation's strength.

But buried among the trending posts was another one that caught Amelia's eye.

[The Zephyr Family of Three Enjoying the Defense Expo]

Looking at those words, Amelia found them painfully glaring.

The photos showed Christopher, Nicole, and Nathan together, looking affectionate and happy. From the outside, they appeared to be the perfect little family.

After living through it once, she knew their relationship was far more complicated than it appeared. Yet seeing that trending post in black and white still stung.

It made her feel ridiculous, like a clown who had devoted five years to raising Nathan diligently. And laughably, while she had treated Nathan as her own son, the moment his real mother returned, Nathan had only eyes for Nicole.

If Nicole hadn't come back, Amelia would never have realized just how much Nathan resented her.

No wonder, in her previous life, Nathan had always been cold to her and quick to throw tantrums around this time. All five years of love and care she'd poured into him felt as though they had been wasted.

Amelia closed the post and calmly said, "I saw them at the expo."

"And you're still so calm?" Winona asked. "Don't tell me you've gone completely mad with anger?"

"Winnie, I'm getting a divorce from him."

"A d-divorce?" Winona stammered, stunned.

She hadn't expected Amelia to make such a decision. Only she knew how deeply Amelia had loved Christopher.

If Amelia was suddenly ready to file for divorce, it could only mean she had suffered a deep injustice.

"Did he mistreat you?" Winona's voice grew serious. "If he did, I won't let it go. Divorce isn't going to be enough—I’ll make him pay!"

Amelia lowered her gaze. She knew Winona genuinely cared about her.

She took a deep breath. "No. I've just come to understand things."

Winona exhaled, relieved, though her worry lingered. "Really? If anything happens, you have to tell me."

"Don't worry. If anything happens, I'll definitely drag you into it."

"You should have divorced him ages ago. You've finally figured it out."

Winona continued her endless stream of commentary. Amelia listened, a faint, serene smile touching her lips.

Hand in hand with her daughter, walking under the clear blue sky, the sound of her best friend's chatter came through her phone.

For the first time, Amelia felt the simplicity of happiness.

In her previous life, all her attention had been on Christopher, leaving her blind to the beauty that had been right beside her.

-

After ending the call with Winona, Amelia arrived at the place she had arranged to meet Jasper.

They had reserved a private room. Amelia had arrived early and was waiting inside. She was lost in thought, wondering how she would face her teacher, when the door opened.

Alfred and Jasper stepped inside together.

Amelia held Evelyn's hand and stood. "Hello, Professor Hale."

It had been a long time since Amelia had seen her teacher. Alfred looked much older now, streaks of white running through his temples.

Alfred didn't respond.

Amelia took a deep breath, her heart tightening. She knew why. She had long since lost the right to call him her teacher. That right had been something she had given up with her own hands, without hesitation, all those years ago.

Amelia pressed her lips together and looked down at Evelyn. "Sweetie, this is Professor Alfred Hale. Go ahead and greet him."

Evelyn obediently and politely said, "Hello, Mr. Hale."

The little girl's voice was sweet and endearing, and her big, round eyes sparkled with a cheerful smile.

Alfred's stern face softened instantly when he saw Evelyn's gentle demeanor. He ruffled Evelyn's hair and said to Amelia, "Your daughter is well-behaved."

Evelyn had clearly inherited the best of both Christopher and Amelia. Her small face was delicate and flawless, almost doll-like in its beauty.

Jasper spoke up, "Professor Hale, don't just stand here. Come sit and eat."

If it weren't for Jasper keeping the mood light, Amelia wasn't sure how she would have faced Alfred. Now, with Alfred willing to grace her—the so-called 'ungrateful student'—with a meal, she felt truly honored. She had once thought she would never see him again in her lifetime.

"Time really flies. Back then, Mia was such a spirited little girl, so childish she'd argue with me over food every day. Now look at her. Her daughter has grown up so fast."

Jasper recalled the past and all that Amelia had given up, feeling it was truly a pity.

Alfred, ever stern, snorted coldly. "Yes. For a man, she was willing to give up everything."

With Evelyn around, Alfred didn't say anything too harsh, not wanting to upset the girl.

Amelia looked at her daughter. "Evie, go ask a waiter to brew a pot of tea for Mr. Alfred and Mr. Jazz. Grab whatever drink you want for yourself."

"Okay!" Evelyn nodded obediently and bounced out of the room.

Once Evelyn had left, Alfred turned to Amelia. "I heard from Jasper that you're planning to divorce. And you're thinking of finding work in the industry?"

Amelia pursed her lips. "Yes. I gave up the chance to continue into a master's and PhD program back then, so now finding the right job isn't easy."

She had realized that in today's society, a degree was a necessary stepping stone. Even with her experience at Zephyr Group, it didn't carry much weight on its own.

"I looked over your resume. It doesn't meet our institute's hiring standards."

Alfred's rejection didn't surprise Amelia. She couldn't even bring herself to ask for his forgiveness.

Jasper quickly intervened when he saw the mood turn heavy. "Alright, you two haven't seen each other in a long time. Let's not dwell on unpleasant things and eat first."

-

Meanwhile, Evelyn had finished asking a waiter for tea and was standing in front of the beverage cabinet, eyeing the drinks.

Just then, Christopher and his group happened to come in and spotted her.

Luke clicked his tongue. "Can't stay away, huh? You can't even have a meal in peace without her following you. This isn't how you stage a chance encounter. Amelia's thoughts are written all over her face."

Evelyn noticed a bottle left all alone in the cabinet and decided it must be delicious. She opened the door to grab it, only to have a hand beat her to it.

"Yes! I love this one!"

Nathan held it up triumphantly, showing off to Evelyn. "Thanks for opening the cabinet for me!"