Amber spent the entire day outside in the garden with Nico. The bright sunshine filtered through the thick canopies of trees, casting dappled light across the sprawling acres of lush green grass. The roses bloomed in vibrant shades of red and pink, their fragrance wafting through the air. But despite the beauty of the surroundings, Amber’s mind was elsewhere–constantly drifting to the events of the
morning, replaying the strained encounter between Luc and Nico in her head.
Her heart was heavy with worry. It was crucial that Nico and Luc spend time together, that they forge a connection. Every time she glanced toward the large iron gate at the entrance, she hoped to see Luc’s car pull up, but it never did. Hours passed, and with each tick of the clock, her anxiety grew. She knew how important this trip was, how much Luc needed to reconnect with his son. But it seemed like
fate–or Luc’s avoidance–was working against them.
Nico had been unusually quiet all day, staying glued to her side. Normally, he was a happy, curious child with a sunny disposition. He loved to explore and run around, but today, he barely moved. He didn’t want to play, didn’t want to explore the vast garden or the many toys scattered around. Instead, he remained pouty and silent, only breaking the quiet every few hours to tug on her sleeve and ask, “Can
we go home, Mommy?”
Amber’s heart ached with each request. She could see the confusion in his little face, the hurt that came from not understanding why they had to be here or why his father, who should have been the source of joy and comfort, wasn’t around. By the time the sun began to set, Nico was so exhausted from his emotional day that Amber gave him an early dinner and tucked him into bed, watching his tiny chest rise
and fall as he finally found some peace in sleep.
It wasn’t until nine o’clock that night, long after Nico had fallen asleep, that Luc finally returned. Amber was sitting alone in the drawing room, staring into the flickering fire when she heard the heavy sound of the front door closing. Luc appeared in the doorway, looking disheveled. His hair was mussed, his tie hung loosely around his neck, and the sleeves of his shirt were rolled back to his elbows. He
looked tired–more tired than she had ever seen him.
“You’re late,” Amber said softly, her voice betraying none of the storm swirling inside her. “Nico’s already gone to bed.”
Luc’s face flickered with something–was it regret? Pain? It was so quick that Amber couldn’t be sure. “Good,” he muttered. “I’ll see him
in the morning.”
His words were as emotionless as ever, but Amber caught the slight tremor in his voice. Luc moved toward the bar, pulling out an old bottle of whiskey and pouring himself a generous glass. The silence between them was thick, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved
tension.
“I was hoping you might take him to the park tomorrow,” Amber suggested, her voice carefully neutral. She was hoping, praying, that this would be the moment to break the ice between father and son, to mend the gap between them. But Luc’s response was swift, and it
shattered the fragile hope she had been holding onto.
“I have work tomorrow,” he replied, not even turning to face her. “I have to go to Naples in the morning, and I’ve got more than enough
on my plate at the office.”
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Chapter 79
A
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Amber’s heart sank. She wasn’t going to give up that easily. “I just thought,” she began cautiously, “that maybe you and Nico could spend
some time together, and-”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
