Page 47 of Taken By the Fake Fiancé

After our separation, Amelia and I had naturally fallen into the pattern of co-parenting. Amelia has Eli on the weekends while he stayed with me on weekdays to continue at the same school.

I wonder what Amelia wants. Ever since she had packed up and left, we'd not said much of anything to each other and have done the most communication through our lawyers. I heard from my mother, who still treats her as a daughter and keeps a close relationship with her on the phone, that she is seeing someone and that she is very happy now.

I begin to make my way down the stairs, stopping at the bottom stair when my eyes land on Amelia, who is relaxed on one of the couches, a glass of water in hand. It's a little strange that my ex-wife is here in my living room, taking slow sips of water from a glass cup, her eyes glued to the phone she holds in her right hand.

Amelia takes no notice of me at first when she continues to scroll through something on her phone. I move toward the couch opposite her and take a seat.

“Hello, Amelia.”

Amelia looks up and gives a smile that does not quite reach her brown eyes. She pushes forward, places the glass onto the coffee table, and looks up at me, a strange feeling crosses my chest at her impassive expression.

While we had been married, Amelia had been a lot different; less stoic, more expressive. She had never looked at me like she currently does, as if I were one of her clients that she was about to psychoanalyze. Crazy how so much can change in so little time.

“Hello, Declan,” she murmurs, I'm glad that she hasn't risen to give me a handshake or something more awkward, like a hug.

“Eli said you wanted to have a word?” I ask because there's no sense in beating around the bush or trying to make small talk.

Amelia and I might not have bad blood between us, but she certainly doesn't rate me as the best husband or father. I can tell that she's not looking forward to the conversation she wants to have with me either.

“Yes. I hear that you have someone in your life now.”

I look up at her, a little surprised at her words.

“And who told you that?”

“I have regular communication with Eli. You don't think we talk only during the weekends, do you?”

Her eyes are slightly narrowed, her voice is slightly accusatory.

“I mean, Eli has never said anything about that to me.”

“Maybe he doesn't feel very comfortable with you,” Amelia says, this time, she does avoid my eyes, shifting a little uncomfortably on the couch as I narrow my eyes at her.

He does not feel comfortable with me? What the fuck does she mean by that?

I can tell that Amelia is hinting at something, but I don't know what.

“Why do you say that?” I ask, unable to keep the hurt from my voice.

“Eli has told me everything. You have met someone, a younger woman, you're doting on,” Amelia says. I watch something akin to anger flash through her eyes at her last words. “I think it would be a good idea for Eli to stay with me going forward,” she declares.

“What's wrong with Eli staying with me?”

Amelia takes a breath, as if already fatigued from talking to some petulant child.

“You have someone in your life now. We know how terrible your hyperfixation can be. We wouldn't want Eli to feel neglected again, would we?”

Perplexed, I stare at Amelia, unable to believe the words she's just uttered.

Why would she dare think that I'd be too focused on my new relationship to have time for Eli?

“Eli would not feel neglected simply because I have found a wonderful woman to love,” I tell Amelia through gritted teeth.

Amelia gives a bitter chuckle.

“That's a funny thing to say when you were never there when he needed you. You were out chasing your dreams, living it. Even though I cannot hate you for that; Eli really does deserve someone who will love him and shower him with love, care and attention.”

“I can shower him with love, care and attention, Amelia,” I snarl, unable to keep the emotions from my voice this time. “I know that there'd been a time when I wasn't a big part of Eli's life, but things are different now. I am retired from the Navy and deployments but not from the family business. I have all the time in the world for him. Even if there was none, I would make sure to create it. Eli matters to me, Amelia, in the same way he does to you.”

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