The drive was long, but Amara didn't notice the hours slipping by. She was too busy watching the children in the backseat, their faces lighting up each time Damian pointed out something interesting through the car window. It had been years since they'd spent time like this as a family, and though a knot of unease still tugged at her chest, she couldn't deny that Damian was trying.
When the car finally pulled into the resort Damian had chosen, the children squealed with excitement. The place was alive with music, bright umbrellas, and the sound of crashing waves nearby. Leah clapped her tiny hands while Leo tugged at Amara's arm, eager to jump out.
"Alright, let's go," Damian said, a rare smile touching his lips as he stepped out and helped them down one by one. For a man who often appeared stern and unshakable, there was a softness in his eyes as he watched his children run ahead.
They spent the afternoon shopping, Damian buying toys and clothes the children could barely carry. From there, he took them out for a meal-something simple but filled with laughter, the kind of warmth Amara hadn't felt in so long. The children's giggles filled the air, mixing with the rhythm of the ocean waves when Damian finally brought them to the beach.
Leah squealed as the waves licked her toes, while Leo ran back and forth collecting seashells with the determination of a treasure hunter. Damian carried Leah on his shoulders, walking along the shore with Amara beside him. For a fleeting moment, it looked like a perfect picture: a family, whole and unbroken.
But time, as always, moved too quickly.
When it was time to return to the airport, the children's smiles faltered. Leah clung tightly to Damian's hand, her eyes filling with tears.
"No, Daddy, don't go," she cried, her small arms wrapping around his neck as he bent to embrace her. Amara tried to soothe her, lifting her up gently.
"Sweetheart, Daddy will be back soon," Amara whispered, rocking her. But Leah shook her head, her tears soaking Amara's shoulder.
Damian's expression hardened for a moment, the pain in his eyes carefully hidden, but Amara caught it. He kissed Leah's forehead before turning to Leo, who stood quietly by Amara's side.
"Be good, son," Damian said, crouching to ruffle his hair.
Leo didn't cry. Instead, he gave a small wave, his lips pressed tightly together as though holding back his emotions.
Amara felt a tug inside her chest. Watching him walk away through the airport gates was harder than she expected. For the children, for herself-even if she wouldn't admit it.
---
Twenty-Four Hours Later
Amara sat on the couch, staring at her hands. It had only been a day since Damian left, yet her thoughts refused to settle. Every moment from yesterday replayed in her mind-the laughter of the children, the way Damian had looked at her when Leah clung to him, as though he wanted to promise the world but couldn't.
She shook her head, forcing herself to stand. The children were at school, Mia was at work, and for once, the house was quiet. She had planned to catch up on laundry and maybe cook ahead for the week, but the silence pressed in too heavily.
Her phone buzzed on the table, breaking the stillness. Nathaniel.
Amara's stomach twisted. She let it ring.
It rang again.
With a sigh, she placed the phone face down, refusing to answer. She didn't want to hear his voice-not now, not after finally finding a fragile sense of peace. What she didn't know was that Nathaniel was already outside.
A knock echoed through the house. Frowning, Amara wiped her hands on her dress and went to open the door. Her heart jolted when she saw him standing there, his expression tense.
"Nathaniel? What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice tight.
"Why weren't you picking up my calls?" he demanded.
"I was busy," she replied quickly, glancing away.
His eyes narrowed. "Busy? Too busy to even answer me?"
She forced a small, polite smile. "Do you want to come in?"
Without waiting for further invitation, he stepped inside. Amara's phone buzzed again. She picked it up-and her heart fluttered when she saw Damian's name.
"Hello," she answered, trying to sound calm.
"Amara," Damian's deep voice came through, steady but carrying warmth. "How are you? And the kids?"
"We're fine," she said softly. "They're still in school."
"Good. Call me when they get home, alright?"
"Okay, sure."
The call ended, leaving her with a strange comfort. But Nathaniel had been watching her, his face darkening.
"So you've given in," he said coldly.
Amara blinked. "What do you mean?"
"You and Damian," Nathaniel hissed.
She hesitated, then lifted her chin. "Yes. He's the father of my children. And he's my husband. I've decided to learn to know him again-for them, and for myself."
"What about me?" Nathaniel shot back, his voice sharp. "I've been with you for over four years, Amara. Four years!"
"I know," she said softly. "And I appreciate what you've done for me. But that doesn't change what Damian means to me, or what's best for my children. It doesn't stop us from being friends."
"Friends?" Nathaniel's voice cracked with anger. "Who told you I wanted to be your friend? I've loved you all this time. I've waited for you, Amara. Doesn't that mean anything?"
Amara's breath caught. "Nathaniel, no... that's not possible. We're only friends."
"Don't lie to yourself!" he snapped, stepping closer. "I can take care of you, of the kids. Or leave them with Damian, and we can finally be together. Isn't that what you want?"
Shock and fury surged through her veins. "You must be out of your mind," she said, her voice trembling. "Nathaniel, please leave."
"Amara-"
"Leave!" she shouted, turning on her heel and rushing upstairs. She locked her bedroom door behind her, her chest rising and falling as she leaned against it.
Her mind spun. So this is why he hated Damian. Now I understand.
Downstairs, Nathaniel stood for a long moment, rage burning in his chest. His jaw clenched, his fists tightening. If she wouldn't choose him willingly, he would force her to.
---
Damian's Office
Across the city, Damian leaned back in his office chair, staring at the screen of his phone. He had already arranged security to quietly watch over Amara and the children. He had made it clear-no harm should come to them, even if they never knew of the protection around them.
His phone buzzed.
"Sir," one of his men reported. "I saw Nathaniel leaving your wife's house. He looked angry."
Damian's grip on the phone tightened. "And Amara?"
"She seemed unharmed. But his expression wasn't good."
"Keep eyes on him," Damian ordered, his tone cold. "Don't let him get close again without me knowing."
"Yes, boss."
Ending the call, Damian sat in silence, his jaw rigid. He had tolerated Nathaniel's presence because Amara insisted he was only a friend. But now... things had shifted. If Nathaniel dared threaten his wife or children, Damian would make sure he regretted it.
For years, he had stayed away. For years, he had left Amara to raise the children alone. But that time was over. She was his wife. They were his children. And no one-least of all Nathaniel-would take them away from him.
Damian leaned forward, his fingers steepled, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes. "If it's war Nathaniel wants," he muttered under his breath, "then war he shall have."