Sophie: "Just be careful. Protect yourself and Liam."
Amelia: "Always."
---
That evening, after putting Liam to bed, Amelia sat at her desk, staring at her laptop. She opened Xander's email again.
Taking a deep breath, she began to type a response.
"Xander,
I'm not sure meeting is a good idea, but if it's really important, we can talk.
Amelia"
She hit send before she could change her mind.
Moments later, her phone buzzed with a new message.
Xander (Text): "Thank you. Can we meet tomorrow at the café on Elm Street? Noon?"
She hesitated before replying.
Amelia (Text): "Alright. I'll be there."
---
The next day, she arranged for Sophie to watch Liam, not wanting to bring him along until she knew more.
At the café, she arrived early, choosing a table near the window. Her nerves were on edge.
The door chimed, and Xander walked in. He looked much the same, though perhaps a bit more worn around the edges.
Xander: Approaching "Amelia."
Amelia: "Hello, Xander."
They sat down, an awkward silence settling between them.
Xander: "You look well."
Amelia: "Thank you. Why did you want to meet?"
Xander: "I owe you an apology. And an explanation."
Amelia: "It's been three years. Don't you think it's a bit late?"
Xander: "I know, and I'm sorry. Circumstances kept me away."
Amelia: "Circumstances?"
Xander: "There were threats—serious ones. I had to disappear to protect you and... our son."
Her eyes narrowed.
Amelia: "You knew?"
Xander: "Yes. Marcus informed me after I left. I wanted to come back, but it wasn't safe."