Chapter 95: We’re her family —and that will never change.
Amelia felt the subtle stiffness in the air the moment she had walked closer. Like something unseen had tightened between three of them.
It wasn’t loud or obvious, but it was there —lingering and pressing, undoubtedly.
For a brief second, she thought she might be imagining it. Because when she turned to look at Adelyn, nothing seemed out of place.
She was simply standing there like always —calm, composed, unbothered.
As if she had simply been waiting in the parking lot ... nothing more and nothing less.
Not tension.
No discomfort.
No sign of anything unusual.
Was she overthinking it ...?
Before she could decide, her gaze shifted and landed on Xavier.
And she almost froze.
His expression was nothing like Adelyn’s. There was something restrained beneath it —something sharp and heavy.
His jaw was set, gaze fixed —his entire presence carrying an unmistakable edge.
And the way he was staring at Adelyn ... it was far too intense for a casual encounter.
Amelia was about to conclude that something had gone terribly wrong between them —
When Adelyn spoke.
"I’m not acquainted with them."
Amelia turned to her sharply, her expression practically asking —
Are you serious?
But Adelyn didn’t acknowledge her reaction at all.
Instead, she said calmly, "I was just waiting for you. Now that you’re here, let’s leave."
Amelia blinked.
Curiosity stirred within her, strong and insistent. But unsure whether it was her place to ask anything further—
She simply nodded and followed.
As they walked away, Amelia glanced at Adelyn again.
But no matter how closely she observed her, she couldn’t find even the slightest trace of discomfort.
Adelyn was truly unbothered.
However, when Amelia glanced back, she caught Xavier’s gaze, still fixed on them.
Burning.
Unmoving.
It was enough to make her look away almost immediately.
Without another thought, she quickened her steps and got into the car with Adelyn.
Behind them —
Clara’s brows were drawn tightly together.
She had imagined countless scenarios of meeting Adelyn. But none of them had prepared her for this.
Adelyn’s complete indifference had caught her entirely off guard.
Still, when she turned to look at Xavier, her expression tightened further.
He was still staring in the direction Adelyn had left. His gaze never moved away from her.
Her fingers clenched into fists, but Clara didn’t let her emotions show on her face.
Instead, she stepped closer and gently tugged at his arm.
"Xavi," she called softly, "what did Adelyn mean when she said that? Has she been upset with us? Is that why she didn’t acknowledge us?"
Xavier didn’t respond.
But his jaw clenched ... and so did his fists.
Clara’s gaze flickered.
"Even if she is upset ... she should at least come back home to see Mom, right?" she continued, her voice again gentle, almost fragile. "After all these years, we’ve seen how much mom has missed her."
Still —
No response.
Something in Clara’s expression shifted. Her fingers slowly curled into her palms before her nails pierced into her skin.
Tears brimmed in her eyes.
"Do you think ..." she hesitated briefly, her voice lowering, "do you think it’s because of me?"
A pause.
Then —
"Is she still angry ... because that day, seven years ago ... you all chose to save me?"
That finally made Xavier react. His expression shifted as something flickered in his eyes — a memory that he hasn’t quite forgotten.
And with that memory, surfaced the realization.
The anger that had been simmering within him seemed to falter. And his features finally softened.
"Xavie, I —"
"Yes," he cut in gently, his voice quieter now, "you’re right. She must just be upset, and that’s why she reacted that way."
Clara stiffened at his words.
She hadn’t expected him to agree so easily.
"Then ... what should I do?" she asked, her voice trembling as she was scared to hear his response. "Should I go to her? Should I beg her to come back? Will she be able to forgive me then?"
Xavier didn’t fully understand what she meant until he turned to look at her.
And only then did he notice the tears gathered in her eyes.
His expression changed immediately, and his heart ached for her just looking at her tears.
"Hey ... why are you crying like this?" he asked, his voice softening without even realizing.
And that was all it took.
The moment he said it; Clara’s tears began to fall.
"You blame me too, don’t you?" She choked out. "You also think that if it wasn’t for me, Adelyn —"
Understanding dawned upon her, he quickly said, shaking his head.
"No."
His response was firm and decisive.
Stepping closer to her the next moment without hesitation, he cupped her face.
"This was never your fault," he said steadily, leaving no room for doubt. "Not then. And not now."
Clara looked at him, her eyes trembling.
"But Adelyn —"
"She is upset," he said more calmly now. "That’s all."
He paused, his brows tightening slightly.
"She has every reason to be."
Clara’s lips parted slightly as though wanting to say something. But then she closed it.
"But we’re her family," he continued. "No matter what happened, that won’t change."
His gaze softened, though a trace of something complicated still lingered beneath it.
"Now that she’s back ... she’ll come around. Sooner or later."
There was quiet certainty in his voice.
Clara stared at him for a moment longer, something unreadable flickering across her expression.
Then her shoulders relaxed.
"... Really?" she whispered.
Xavier nodded.
"Really."
And then —
He pulled her into a hug. Warm, but not quite the same.
Clara froze for a second before leaning into him, her hands clutching onto his shirt as if seeking reassurance.
Gradually, her breathing steadied, and her tears slowed.
From outside, she looked comforted in his embrace.
But as she buried her face against his chest, the expression in her eyes shifted.
The softness faded, and its place —a faint, unmistakable discomfort lingered.
One that made her look deeply shaken ... uneasy ... and insecure.
—————
Meanwhile, inside Amelia’s car—
Adelyn sat beside her, looking as calm as ever.
Amelia drove in silence, too. But her curiosity finally got the better of her.
Glancing at Adelyn, she asked,
"You ... were you really unfamiliar with them?"