Chapter 51
**Chapter 6**
Amber had barely taken a step toward the stairs when Luca appeared in the doorway. He was coming from the main bedroom—the one they had once shared. Dressed sharply in a beige coat and a crisp white silk shirt, he buttoned it up as he made his way downstairs, his steps purposeful, his expression distant. He didn’t bother to stop as he walked past her, his voice detached as he spoke.
"Your things have been placed in the guest bedroom beside the nursery," he announced, barely glancing at her. "Carlotta and I have dinner plans tonight. If you need anything, just let the housekeeper know."
And just like that, he was gone, sweeping Carlotta into his arms as they left the house, leaving Amber standing there with her sleeping son in her arms, watching them disappear into the night. A part of her felt relieved at their departure, but another part of her—the part that remembered what it was like to be the one Luca took into his arms—ached with a dull, familiar pain. She was no longer a part of his world, and the reality of that hit harder every time she was reminded of it.
With a sigh, she climbed the stairs to the nursery, Nico still nestled against her. When she opened the door, the sight that greeted her stopped her in her tracks. The nursery had been transformed into a dream bedroom for a little boy, full of every kind of toy Nico could have ever wished for. There were toy cars lined up on shelves, trains spread across the floor, and stuffed animals piled high in a corner. It was a beautiful room, meticulously crafted for a child who had never lived there.
Amber’s heart constricted as she looked around, realizing just how much Luca must have longed for his son. He had clearly put so much effort into this room, preparing for the day Nico would finally come to stay with him. The toys, the decorations, the details—it was all a painful reminder of how much Luca had missed. And it was a cruel reminder for Amber, too, that this was where she would soon have to leave Nico. Where she would leave her precious boy in a future that didn’t include her.
Tears burned at the back of her eyes, but she swallowed them down. She couldn’t break down. Not now. Not when Nico needed her to be strong. She gently laid him in his bed, tucking him under the covers, brushing a kiss against his forehead. He stirred briefly, murmuring in his sleep, but didn’t wake. Amber watched him for a long moment, her heart heavy with the knowledge that she would have to let him go.
Forcing herself to leave the nursery, she made her way to the guest bedroom next door. The bed was cold and uninviting, a stark contrast to the warmth of the memories that flooded her mind. She took a cold shower, hoping it would numb her thoughts, and then crawled into bed, pulling the covers tightly around her. But no matter how tired she was, sleep refused to come. Her mind raced, replaying every moment of the day, every painful reminder of the life she had left behind.
It was nearly an hour before exhaustion finally won out, and her eyes drifted closed. Even then, sleep offered little respite, haunted by dreams that left her feeling even more drained when she finally woke the next morning.
The smell of fresh coffee greeted her as she opened her eyes. The young housekeeper had already come in, leaving a steaming mug on the bedside table. Amber sat up, her body aching from the restless night. She took a sip of the coffee, grateful for the warmth, but her first thought was of Nico. She needed to check on him.
When she reached his room, her heart skipped a beat. Nico wasn’t there.
Panic gripped her as she hurried downstairs, only to find her son sitting at the breakfast table with Luca and Carlotta. For a brief moment, Amber’s heart softened at the sight—Nico looked so small, sitting there with his legs crossed at the ankles, like a little man trying to mimic his father. But as she stepped closer, she noticed something was wrong.
Nico’s face was tight, his eyes dark with frustration. His little hands were clenched in his lap, and his bottom lip quivered as if he were on the verge of tears. Her smile faltered as her motherly instincts kicked in.
“Nico?” she asked softly, hurrying to his side. “What’s wrong, baby?”
At the sound of her voice, Nico’s composure shattered. He burst into tears, large droplets spilling from his eyes as he sobbed uncontrollably. Amber scooped him up into her arms, holding him close as his little body trembled with emotion.
“What happened, sweetheart?” she whispered, gently rocking him. “Why are you so upset?”
Luca, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly spoke, his voice tight with barely concealed pain. “He won’t even look at me,” he said, his voice rough, almost broken. “He won’t talk to me. He… he hates the sight of me.”
Amber looked over at Luca, startled by the raw emotion in his voice. She had never seen him like this—vulnerable, exposed. His usual calm, controlled demeanor was gone, replaced by something much more fragile. But before she could respond, before she could find the words to comfort him, Luca stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor as he walked away. He didn’t stop, didn’t turn back, just disappeared from the room, leaving Amber standing there with Nico still sobbing in her arms.
Carlotta, who had been silent through the whole exchange, stood as well, her discomfort obvious. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly, picking up her designer purse from the chair. “I thought maybe Nico would like to get to know me, but…” She trailed off, offering a tight smile. “I shouldn’t have interfered in such a personal matter.”
She turned to leave, clearly feeling out of place, but Amber wasn’t ready to let her go. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. Everything was spiraling out of control, and she couldn’t let that happen.
“No, please, Ms. Forentino,” Amber called after her, desperation creeping into her voice. Carlotta paused, turning back. “Please, wait. I think we all started off on the wrong foot. Maybe we could have dinner together tonight? Start fresh?”
Carlotta hesitated, her expression unreadable, but eventually, she nodded. “If that’s what you’d like,” she said, her voice still strained. “I’ll be there.”
Amber forced a smile, though her heart ached as she watched Carlotta leave the room. She looked down at Nico, who had quieted but still clung to her, his little face buried in her neck.
For Nico’s sake, she had to make this work. He needed to like Carlotta. The woman would soon be his stepmother, and if she didn’t form a bond with him, Nico’s life could become a nightmare. It tore at Amber’s soul to think of leaving her son in the care of people who didn’t truly know him, didn’t love him like she did. But what choice did she have?
This was for Nico’s own good. He would be safe here, away from the sad reality of her own crumbling life. By the time she was gone, Nico would have moved on. He wouldn’t remember her when the end came, and he wouldn’t cry for her.
It was better this way.
At least, that’s what Amber had to keep telling herself.
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