Amelia's chest tightened as she checked her phone. Still nothing from Andrew.

She almost snapped and told Dennis, "Your dad's already been stolen away by another woman," but she couldn't bring herself to say it. She had to protect Dennis's feelings, even if her own were in shreds.

"Your dad's just really busy, sweetheart. He's swamped with work right now. We shouldn't bother him, okay? Let's try to handle this ourselves. Can you do that for me?"

Dennis looked lost. He'd always heard that husbands and wives were supposed to help each other, so why was his dad off doing something else while his mom was in trouble? He was just a kid. No one told him much, so of course nothing made sense to him.

Amelia saw the hope in her son's eyes and almost let the truth spill out, all the ugly words about Andrew and Emily right there on the tip of her tongue. But she swallowed them back.

"Your dad really is just that busy. He's been on a work trip and still hasn't come home."

Dennis frowned, not quite buying it.

Amelia felt her patience slipping. "It's just... there are some really awful people out there. Your dad's tried everything, but he still couldn't bring me back home."

The light in Dennis's eyes faded. "So Dad can't help either?"

Seeing him finally believe her, Amelia breathed out. "That's right. He's still out there, working hard for us. That's why he isn't back yet."

Dennis puffed up his cheeks, looking furious. "Those bad people are so mean! They can't get away with this. They'll get what's coming to them!"

Amelia nodded. "They definitely will."

Dennis balled his little fists, face turning red. "If I ever see them, I'll show them! I'll make them pay for what they did to you, Mom!"

A thought flashed through Amelia's mind. She leaned in. “Dennis, do you want to know who hurt your mom?"

His eyes lit up. "Yes! Tell me, Mom! I want to remember her face. When I grow up, I'll make her pay for what she did to you. I promise."

Amelia smirked to herself, then gently said, "Want to see her picture?"

Dennis nodded, almost bouncing. "Yeah!"

Amelia grabbed her phone and

scrolled through her photos, but of course, after all these years, she didn't have any pictures of Emily Blair. She paused, then opened her browser and quickly searched for Emily's name. It wasn't long before she found a news article with a photo.

There was Emily, standing on stage at a Vertex International game launch. She was dressed in a sharp, fitted suit, looking straight at the camera, her features striking

and her expression so calm it was almost smug.

A cold smile tugged at Amelia's lips as she turned the phone toward Dennis. "This is the woman who hurt your mom, Her name is Emily Blair Remember her face. Dont ever forget it. One day, you can help me get justice for what she did."

Dennis stared at the photo, rubbing his eyes. “Isn't that the bad woman?"

Amelia nodded. “That's her. She worked with others to have me taken away, and now she refuses to let me come home."

Dennis's little fists shook. He looked like he wanted to punch straight through the phone. "I knew she was the villain. Just like the bad guys on TV. She's the reason you're not home. I hate her!"

Amelia was satisfied with his anger. She added in a low voice, "And it's not just about me. She's trying to steal your dad away too. She wants your mom and dad to get divorced so she can marry him and be your stepmom.

Dennis's eyes went wide, shock and disbelief written all over his face.