That sounds like a threat. It’s a promise. I protect what’s mine. Walsh studied them for a long moment. Then she picked up her tablet and typed something Lucas couldn’t see. My assessment is that the children are safe, well cared for, and thriving under Mr. Hayes’s care, she said finally. Ms.
Sterling’s presence appears to be beneficial rather than harmful. I’ll be recommending the case be closed with no further action. Lucas felt air rush back into his lungs. Seriously? Seriously. Though I would advise you both to be cautious. Whoever filed this complaint isn’t going to be happy with this outcome. They may try again. Let them try, Amelia said.
We’ll be ready. Walsh stood, packing up her things. For what it’s worth, I think you’re both brave. Stupid, maybe, but brave. We’ll take it, Lucas said. After Walsh left, Lucas and Amelia sat on the couch in stunned silence. Mason crawled over, pulling himself up on Lucas’s knee. Did that actually just happen? Amelia asked.
I think so. We won. First round, anyway. Amelia laughed, slightly manic. We actually won. They tried to use child services against us and we won. Because you told the truth, because you claimed us. She looked at him. I meant it, about staying, about this being home. I know, but I need to go back to New York.
Not permanently, just long enough to end this fight properly. Take back my company or burn it down trying. She took his hand. Can you wait for me? Can you trust that I’ll come back? Yes. Just like that? Just like that. Lucas squeezed her hand. Go fight your battle. Win or lose. Then come home. What if losing means I have nothing to come back with? No money, no company, no You’d have you. That’s enough.
Amelia kissed him then, soft and sure. Mason made a disgusted noise. They pulled apart laughing. When do you leave? Lucas asked. Tomorrow. Patricia got us a court date for next week. Emergency hearing on the conservatorship motion. If we win that, we can start dismantling everything else they’ve built. And if you lose? Then I start over, build something new.
Figure out who I am without Sterling Enterprises. She looked around the living room, at the toys scattered on the floor, the crayon drawings on the walls, the lived-in mess of a real home. Either way, I know where I belong now. That night, after Emma was asleep and Mason was down, Lucas and Amelia sat on the porch one last time.
The stars were out, sharp and clear in the country darkness. I’m scared, Amelia admitted. Of going back? Of facing them. Of losing. I know. But I’m more scared of not trying, of letting them win because I was too afraid to fight. So, fight. I’ll be here when you get back. Promise? Promise. They sat in comfortable silence for a while.
Then Amelia spoke again, quieter. I need to tell you something before I go, before this gets any more complicated. Okay? I think I love you. She said it fast, like ripping off a bandage. I know that’s insane. I know we’ve only known each other a few months and most of that time I was a disaster and you were barely holding it together.
But I think I love you. You and Emma and Mason, this whole messy, beautiful situation. Lucas felt something expand in his chest, warm and terrifying and right. I think I love you, too. That’s a terrible idea. Probably the worst idea I’ve ever had. We’re both disasters. Yeah, but we’re disasters together.
That’s got to count for something. Amelia laughed, wiping her eyes. When did we become people who say things like that? When we stopped pretending we were fine on our own. She leaned against him and Lucas wrapped his arm around her shoulders. They stayed like that until the cold drove them inside, holding onto each other like they were the only solid things in a world that kept trying to shake them loose.
Amelia left Tuesday morning. Lucas drove her to the airport, Emma and Mason both crying in the backseat. At the departure curb, Amelia hugged them all fiercely. I’ll be back in a week, she promised Emma. Two at most. You better be. We’re starting the new experiment and I need your help. I’ll be here. She kissed Lucas quickly, then grabbed her bag and disappeared into the terminal before anyone could see her crying.
Lucas drove home with two heartbroken kids and a house that already felt too empty. The week crawled by. Amelia called every night, updating them on the legal proceedings. The conservatorship hearing went well. The judge threw it out as frivolous, sanctioned the board for wasting court time.
The countersuit for illegal removal was moving forward. Patricia had found three board members willing to testify against Caldwell. We’re winning, Amelia said Thursday night, sounding exhausted and exhilarated. Actually winning. They’re scrambling, making mistakes, turning on each other. That’s incredible. Patricia thinks we can wrap this up next week.
Full reinstatement, damages, the works. She paused. And then I’m coming home. For good? I’ll have to go back periodically. Board meetings, major decisions. But my life isn’t there anymore. It’s with you. Lucas felt something settle in his chest. We’ll make it work. Yeah? Yeah. Emma grabbed the phone. Amelia, I got an A on my math test. Mrs. Patterson said it was the best score in the class. That’s amazing, sweetheart.
I knew you could do it. And Mason said Mia today. He was looking at your picture and he said Mia. Lucas heard Amelia’s breath catch. He did? Yeah, Daddy says it counts as your name. It absolutely counts. They talked for another 20 minutes before Emma finally surrendered the phone. Lucas took it into the bedroom, suddenly exhausted.
She really misses you, he said. I miss her, too. Miss all of you. Amelia sighed. This is harder than I thought it would be, being back here, wearing the suits and playing the games and pretending I care about quarterly projections. Do you regret it? It? Fighting for the company? No. I earned it. I built it.
