The front door swung open, and before Mia could even step fully inside, the children rushed past her, their laughter filling the house. Leah ran straight into Amara's arms, hugging her mother tightly while Leo tugged at her hand, eager to share his own excitement.
"Mummy! Today at school, Miss Rose said I drew the best picture of the ocean!" Leah announced proudly, her eyes shining.
"Me too, Mummy," Leo added quickly, not wanting to be left out. "I answered all the questions in class today. Miss Rose gave me a star!"
Amara's face softened as she stroked their hair. "I'm proud of both of you, my darlings. But first-go and wash your hands before you eat."
The children nodded and raced off, their little feet pattering against the tiled floor. By the time they returned, Amara had already laid out the lunch she'd prepared earlier. The aroma of freshly cooked rice and vegetable sauce filled the dining room.
The family sat together, the children digging in happily. Leah hummed as she chewed, while Leo tried to sneak an extra piece of meat until Amara gave him a pointed look that made him pout adorably.
Halfway through their meal, Amara's phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen and froze. Damian. Her heart skipped a beat.
Taking a deep breath, she picked up. "Hello?"
"Hello, baby," Damian's deep voice came through instantly, warm and tender.
Amara's cheeks flushed. Even the casual endearment made her heart flutter. "How are you?" she asked softly.
"I'm fine. And you?"
"I'm good," she replied, a smile tugging at her lips despite herself.
At that moment, Leah leaned across the table, her voice rising with excitement. "Daddy! Daddy, it's me! I'm back from school!"
Damian chuckled on the other end. "Leah, sweetheart. Did you have a good day?"
"Yes, Daddy," she replied proudly. "I told Mummy already."
Leo, not wanting to be left out, yelled from the other side, "Daddy, me too! I got a star today!"
"I'm proud of you, my boy," Damian said warmly. "You're both making Daddy very happy."
For a few minutes, the children eagerly chattered into the phone, sharing every little detail of their school day. Damian listened with patience, his laughter echoing through the line, and Amara couldn't help but watch, her heart melting. He was thousands of miles away in his office, yet his presence filled their home as though he'd never left.
When the call ended, Mia gathered the children and took them upstairs for their afternoon rest. Amara remained behind, quietly clearing the dishes and washing up in the kitchen.
The silence left her alone with her thoughts, and she found herself leaning against the counter, lost in the memory of Damian's voice. She hadn't realized how much she missed hearing it until now.
Her reverie was broken when Mia reappeared, leaning against the doorway with a knowing smirk. "So..." Mia teased, folding her arms across her chest. "I can see you're already falling in love with Damian."
Amara's head shot up, her cheeks instantly pink. "What? No! I'm not-"
Mia raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You were blushing on the phone like a teenage girl, Amara. Don't even try to deny it."
Amara's lips parted, but no words came out. She turned back to the sink, busying herself with rinsing the plates just to avoid Mia's gaze.
But Mia wasn't done. She walked closer, lowering her voice. "You've been alone for so long, protecting the kids, carrying all the weight by yourself. Damian... he looks at you differently. He's not like other men. Maybe you should give him a chance."
Amara's heart clenched, her mind flashing back to Nathaniel's visit, his cruel words echoing in her ears. She shut off the faucet, gripping the edge of the sink until her knuckles turned white.
"Mia," she said quietly, her voice trembling. "There's something I need to tell you."
Mia's teasing expression softened. "What is it?"
Amara turned, her eyes filled with unease. "Nathaniel... he came here today when everyone was gone. He said things-terrible things. He told me he's been in love with me for years. That he wanted me to leave the children with Damian so we could be together."
Mia's eyes widened, shock written across her face. "What? Are you serious?"
"Yes," Amara whispered, her voice cracking. "And when I rejected him, he got angry.
For a moment, silence hung between them. Mia's fists clenched at her sides. "That man is dangerous, Amara. He's been pretending all this time, waiting for the right moment. You can't be alone with him anymore."
Amara nodded, hugging herself tightly. "Now I finally understand why he hated Damian so much. It wasn't just rivalry-it was jealousy. He wanted me all along."
Mia walked over and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. Damian won't let anything happen to you. He'll protect you and the kids. You're not alone anymore."
Amara managed a small smile, but inside, fear still twisted in her chest.
Meanwhile, at the company headquarters, Damian was in his office with Eric by his side. Blueprints and images of luxury homes were spread across the table.
"Sir," Eric said, pointing to a particular design. "This one is private, with top-level security. Spacious garden, children's play area, even a private beach nearby. Perfect for a family of four."
Damian leaned back in his chair, studying the image. His eyes softened as he pictured Amara and the children running across the lawn, their laughter echoing through the house. A place where they could all be together, safe, without shadows from the past looming over them.
"This one," Damian said finally, his tone firm. "I want it ready as soon as possible. My family will be moving in."
Eric nodded. "I'll handle everything, sir."
Damian stood and walked to the window, his gaze distant but filled with determination. He had spent years building his empire, but none of it mattered without them. Now that he had found Amara again, he would stop at nothing to protect her and give her the life she deserved.
Downstairs, whispers filled the office corridors. Employees exchanged glances, their voices hushed but eager.
"So it's true," one murmured. "Boss finally found his wife."
"No wonder he's been smiling more lately," another added. "He even praised the design team last week. I've never seen him like this."
The news spread quickly, and by afternoon, it was no longer just office gossip. Reports broke online, announcing that Damian's long-lost wife and children had been found. Social media buzzed with photos and speculations, the story spreading like wildfire.
Among the trending topics, another piece of shocking news emerged: Clara, Amara's old rival, had secretly married months ago-to her father's wealthy friend's son. The revelation left many in disbelief.
But while Clara's name filled the headlines, Serena-once loud and ever-present-had fallen silent. No one had heard from her in weeks, her absence raising even more questions.
Back at home, Amara sat quietly on the couch, her phone buzzing with notifications. She ignored them all, her mind still replaying Damian's voice from earlier, his promise to come back soon.
She glanced toward the stairs where the children were playing, their laughter drifting down to her. For the first time in years, she felt a fragile sense of hope-hope that maybe, just maybe, life was finally leading them toward peace.
But somewhere in the shadows, Nathaniel's threat still lingered, dark and dangerous, a reminder that their happiness was far from secure.