THE living room was tense, every sound exaggerated in the heavy silence that had suddenly fallen. Adrian, now standing by the couch where Hazel had just stepped back, looked at Amelia with a mixture of caution and defiance. The kids, previously laughing and playing, now huddled together on the edge of the sofa, their eyes wide and uncertain, sensing the storm brewing between their parents.
Amelia’s arms were crossed tightly over her chest, and her eyes were sharp, her voice slicing through the air.
“You have some nerve showing up here today, Adrian.”
Adrian raised his hands slightly in a calming gesture, though his jaw remained firm.
“Amelia, it is Saturday. I promised Hazel I would come. I promised the boys I would take them out. I’m here, aren’t I?”
“I don’t care if you promised anyone!” Amelia snapped, her voice rising. “You weren’t even scheduled to see them this week! You know the schedule! You weren’t supposed to be here until next week, and you show up anyway. What gives you the right to just ignore our plans and barge in?”
Adrian took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
“Amelia, I missed them. Hazel called me all week, FaceTimed me every day. She was insistent I come. And you know it, she is stubborn like me. She doesn’t let go when she wants something. So yes, I came. I’m here to see my kids. That is all.”
Hazel, sensing the tension thickening like fog, stepped closer, placing her hand on Adrian’s arm.
“Mom, please… don’t shout. Dad just came to see us. That is all. It’s not a big deal. Please.”
Amelia’s eyes narrowed at Hazel, and for a brief second, the daughter flinched.
“Hazel,” she said sharply, “this isn’t your fight.”
“I know it’s not,” Hazel said softly, her gaze flitting to the twins, “but you guys are both yelling, and it is… it is scary. Please, can’t you just talk?”
Adrian let out a slow sigh, his eyes never leaving Amelia’s.
“I came to keep my promise. That is all. I didn’t plan to upset anyone. And the accident earlier this week… you know I promised Hazel I would come the minute I returned to the city. And I did.”
Amelia’s expression hardened, her fingers tightening on her arms.
“That’s exactly my point! You shouldn’t be here! You are disregarding rules, schedules… everything we have put in place! And you think just because it’s convenient for you, everything is fine? You are not thinking about anyone else!”
Hazel stepped forward again, her voice firmer this time.
“Mom, please. Daddy came for us. The boys and I wanted him here. And he promised, didn’t you, Daddy?”
Adrian glanced at Hazel, his smile softening briefly.
“I did, Hazel. I promised. I wouldn’t break it.”
Amelia’s eyes softened slightly, but her voice remained sharp.
“It’s not just about promises. You are making things harder than they need to be. There is a reason we schedule these visits. You can’t just ignore that because you feel like it.”
Adrian’s shoulders squared, his voice rising just enough to be firm without shouting.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Too Late for Sorry, Mr. Billionaire (Chasing my Wife Back)