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“I’m a woman, so pick one?” She placed her hands on her hips, staring at me with contempt. “That is so sexist.”
I released an annoyed huff. “Look, I need to get back to the office. We can resume this tomorrow.”
“None of them, Will.”
“None of them?”
She shook her head with defiance. “It doesn’t feel like home.”
The argument went on until we were shown a three-story brownstone in which everything changed. I could see she instantly fell in love with the place, her face in awe as we walked through. I wasn’t going to risk her changing her mind, so I snapped it up and requested possession as soon as possible.
We moved in a few weeks later, with nothing but a bed to call ours. When it came to furnishing, I wasn’t interested, and neither was Amelia. Thank God we have Ava. This is exactly her thing, but I swear, she drives us both insane. The number of text messages about wallpaper is too much to bear. I warned her to leave me the hell alone and pick it herself, or she’s out, and I call someone else in.
Eric instantly put his hand up, but he was no better than Ava. The two of them just as annoying as the other.
Yet the biggest news of all to rock our world came the night after what would have been the longest day in history.
I returned from Boston, and Amelia had been in the office all day long. For the last week, she had gotten home just before midnight. A case had been assigned to Mom’s firm regarding a family of six children who lost both their parents to a drunk driver a few weeks back. The case itself is heartbreaking, taking the toll on the entire firm as they fought to find a family for all six children.
To make matters worse, the family was in debt, barely making ends meet. The parents left no assets behind or even a house to call their own.
Amelia really struggled, mentioning how difficult it was for her to remain professional when he
r emotions wreaked havoc. She began questioning whether practicing family law is the right career choice for her, but during these times of self-doubt, I assured her that all she is going through will make her stronger in the end.
As for me, it forced me to gain perspective. All the money in the world could not take the pain away for these children nor bring their parents back. It made me start thinking of ways Rockford Technology could make an imprint in society. It wasn’t just about making money anymore, I need a greater purpose, and all those thoughts were because of my wife.
We were sitting on the sofa Ava had delivered earlier today. I couldn’t complain given how comfortable it was, purposely ignoring the price tag when I saw the invoice. I was far from being tight, given my wealth, but who would have thought a sofa could cost so much.
With a bottle of wine open, we both drank, curled up in each other's arms, not even changing out of our clothes.
Then we got the call.
Baby Knight, or as the nurses referred to him as Baby Stone, was to be placed into the foster care system then up for adoption.
“I don’t understand,” Amelia argued with Charlie during the call. “How can Stewart Knight apply to terminate his rights as the father?”
Charlie explained the process to Amelia even though Amelia knew precisely how it worked. It was more so she didn’t understand why he chose to do it.
However, that call—changed everything.
In the days which followed, Amelia began to withdraw from her usually jovial self. I narrowed it down to the case she was helping Mom with, knowing how much of an emotional toll it took on everyone involved. But as the days dragged on, Amelia sunk into a deeper depression. She barely slept, tossing and turning, waking up to nightmares in a panicked sweat.
I had no idea how to handle it, and reached out to Charlie for support. But she also worried about her daughter’s mental health, admitting the last time she saw her like this was when I left for London.
After my phone call to Charlie, I made my way to bed to find Amelia sitting upright, staring blankly at the wall. It had been a week since I last touched her, and I was out of my mind trying to help her. I just didn’t know what was running through her head.
“Amelia,” I called softly, sitting beside her. “You need to talk to me. Tell me what’s going on.”
“I don’t know,” she whispered, wringing her hands nervously. “There’s a lot on my mind.”
“But something is upsetting you? Is it about the baby? I know you disagree with Stewart’s decision, but the baby will go to a loving family.”
“How do you know that?” she snapped, her eyes dark and withdrawn. “Do you know how many children go from foster home to foster home? Some until they turn eighteen.”
I chose my words carefully. Amelia is training to be a lawyer and arguing can often be pointless. It’s something I’ve learned over the short time we’ve been together.
“I guess I don’t know for sure.”
