KISS ME UNDER THE MISTLETOE:TWISTED HEARTS

CHAPTER TWO:THE WEIGHT OF THE PAST

The heavy snowstorm continued to rage outside, battering against the windows of the small, cozy home nestled in Snowfall Ridge. The fireplace crackled softly in the living room, casting a warm glow that offered a brief reprieve from the storm's icy grip. Inside, the warmth of the house was a stark contrast to the chill that had settled in Amelia's heart since their arrival. The weight of returning to Snowfall Ridge—the place that held so many memories—was almost too much to bear.Amelia sat on the couch, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edges of the delicate amethyst ring that her mother, Evelyn, had given her earlier. The ring, once a symbol of love and a promise, felt foreign now, as if it belonged to someone else. Someone who had long since disappeared. Logan Black. The man who had left her. The man who had been everything to her once, but who had broken her heart. And now, here she was, back in Snowfall Ridge, her life turned upside down by the unexpected appearance of the very man who had abandoned her. "You okay, sweetheart?" Evelyn's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back into the present moment. Amelia turned to see her mother standing in the doorway, her concerned gaze lingering on her daughter. Amelia forced a smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "I’m fine, Mom. Just... just a little overwhelmed, that’s all."

Evelyn walked into the living room and sat beside her, her presence offering the comfort that only a mother could provide. "I know it's a lot. Coming back here, with everything that's happened... It’s not easy.""No, it’s not." Amelia’s voice was soft, almost a whisper. She looked down at the ring in her hand again, her mind racing with memories of Logan. Memories of the time when they had been inseparable, when everything had felt right.But then, in the blink of an eye, he had vanished from her life. No explanation, no goodbye. Just gone."I don't know what to do, Mom," Amelia admitted, her voice breaking slightly. "I didn’t expect this. I thought I'd moved on, but seeing him again... it’s like everything came flooding back."

Evelyn sighed and placed a comforting hand on her daughter’s shoulder. "I know, darling. But you don’t have to figure everything out right now. Just take it one day at a time." Amelia nodded, but the knot in her chest refused to loosen. "But how do I deal with it, Mom? How do I deal with him being here, under the same roof? After all these years, after everything..."

Evelyn looked at her daughter with a mixture of sympathy and understanding. "You take it slowly, one step at a time. You don’t have to have all the answers today. But remember, Amelia, you’re strong. You’ve raised Isla on your own. You’ve come this far. You can handle this."

Amelia nodded, . "Why did you keep it?"

Her mother gave a soft chuckle. "Because I knew you’d come back one day. And I knew you'd need it."

A bitter smile touched Amelia’s lips. "I don’t need anything from Logan Black."

Evelyn studied her for a moment before shaking her head. "You can lie to yourself all you want, sweetheart, but I see the way you still look at him."

Amelia stiffened. "Mom—"

"Just hear me out," Evelyn interrupted gently. "You never gave yourself a chance to heal. You ran away, built a life, but deep down, a part of you is still stuck in that winter night when everything fell apart."

Amelia clenched her jaw, her throat tightening. "He let me go, Mom. I was pregnant, and he never came after me."

Evelyn reached for her hand, squeezing it. "People make mistakes, Amelia. Sometimes, the ones we love the most hurt us the deepest."

Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken emotions.

Finally, Evelyn kissed her forehead and stood. "Go get some rest, sweetheart. Tomorrow is a new day."

Logan Black had been her first love.

Her first heartbreak.

And now, against all odds, he was back in her life.

Amelia barely slept that night. Every time she closed her eyes, memories of Logan came rushing back—his touch, his voice, the way he used to look at her like she was his whole world. Now, he was nothing more than a stranger sleeping under the same roof.

By morning, she decided she wouldn’t let his presence get to her. This was her home, her family, and she wasn’t about to let Logan Black ruin that.

She got up early, careful not to wake Isla, and made her way downstairs. The scent of fresh coffee filled the air, mingling with the faint crackle of the fireplace. She expected to find her mother in the kitchen, but instead, she walked straight into a broad, familiar chest.

Logan.

Amelia sucked in a sharp breath as she stumbled back, nearly losing her balance.

"Careful," he murmured, gripping her elbow to steady her. She pulled away instantly, her skin tingling where he touched her. "I’m fine," she snapped, crossing her arms. Logan smirked, his blue eyes flickering with amusement. "Still as stubborn as ever, I see."

She narrowed her gaze. "And you’re still as irritating. "His smirk deepened. "You were always feisty in the mornings."

Amelia clenched her fists. She refused to let him get under her skin. Not now. Not ever. She brushed past him, reaching for the coffee pot. The silence between them was thick, suffocating. She could feel his eyes on her, studying her like he was trying to figure out the person she had become.

"You didn’t have to leave town, you know," he said finally, his voice quieter now.

Amelia froze, gripping her mug tighter. "Yes, I did." Logan exhaled, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "You left without a word, Amelia. I woke up one day, and you were gone." She turned to face him, her eyes flashing with years of buried pain. "Because you let me go, Logan. You were supposed to fight for me, for us. But you didn’t."

His expression darkened. "You didn’t even give me a chance."" Because I was pregnant!" The words left her lips before she could stop them. Logan’s entire body stiffened. His blue eyes widened slightly, shock flashing across his face.

Amelia swallowed hard, regretting saying it like this. But it was out now. There was no taking it back.

His voice was barely above a whisper. "Pregnant?"

She nodded, her heart pounding. "I found out a few weeks after we… after everything. I was scared, Logan. I didn’t know what to do, so I left." For a moment, he just stood there, his jaw tight, his hands clenched at his sides. Then, he inhaled sharply. "Why didn’t you tell me?" Amelia let out a bitter laugh. "Would it have changed anything? You were already pulling away before I left. I saw it, Logan. I felt it."

Logan ran a hand through his hair, frustration clear on his face. "That’s not fair, Amelia. You don’t know what I would have done. You never gave me the chance to prove you wrong."

She scoffed. "And what? Stay in a town where I felt like I was losing you every day? No, Logan. I did what I had to do for me, for my daughter."

His gaze sharpened. "My daughter?"

Amelia’s breath hitched. She hadn’t meant to say that either, but now it was out.

Logan took a step closer, his eyes burning into hers. "I have a daughter?"

She hesitated, but there was no point in denying it now. "Yes."

Silence stretched between them, heavy with emotions neither of them knew how to process.

After what felt like forever, Logan finally spoke, his voice raw. "I want to meet her."

Amelia’s heart twisted. She knew this moment would come eventually, but she wasn’t ready for it. "She doesn’t know about you."

Logan’s jaw tightened. "And whose fault is that?"

She flinched, but before she could respond, a small voice called from the stairs.

"Mommy?"

Amelia turned just in time to see Isla standing at the bottom of the staircase, rubbing her sleepy eyes. Her heart clenched as she realized Logan was looking at his daughter for the first time.

She could see the way his entire body froze, his eyes locked onto the little girl.

Isla blinked up at him curiously. "Who’s that?"

Amelia swallowed hard, forcing a smile. "That’s… that’s Logan, sweetheart."

Isla tilted her head. "Logan?"

Logan’s face was unreadable as he crouched down to her level. "Hey, kiddo," he said softly.

Isla studied him for a moment, then looked up at her mother. "Is he a friend?"

Amelia’s throat tightened. She had no idea how to answer that.

But before she could say anything, Isla shrugged and turned to Logan. "Do you like pancakes?"

A slow, almost hesitant smile tugged at Logan’s lips. "Yeah. Yeah, I do."

Isla grinned. "Good. Mommy makes the best pancakes. Want some?"

Logan glanced at Amelia, something unreadable in his gaze. "I’d love some."

Amelia wasn’t sure what was more terrifying—the fact that Logan now knew about Isla, or the fact that her daughter had unknowingly just invited him into their lives.

And for the first time in years, Amelia felt like her carefully built walls were starting to c***k.

Amelia busied herself in the kitchen, flipping pancakes while stealing cautious glances at Logan and Isla. Isla was her usual chatty self, telling Logan all about her favorite cartoon, her pink bicycle, and how much she loved pancakes.

Logan listened intently, nodding along, but Amelia could see the emotions flickering across his face. He was overwhelmed. Who wouldn’t be? He had just discovered he had a daughter.

“Mommy makes the fluffiest pancakes in the world,” Isla declared, stuffing a bite into her mouth.

Logan chuckled. “They’re really good.”

Amelia’s fingers tightened around the spatula. She had spent years convincing herself that Logan was part of her past. But watching him sit across from their daughter, eating breakfast like they were a family, made her chest ache in ways she wasn’t prepared for.

“Mommy, can we go to the park later?” Isla asked, swinging her feet under the table.

“We’ll see,” Amelia replied. She wanted to say yes, but her mind was spinning.

Logan cleared his throat. “I could take her.”

Amelia stilled. Isla beamed.

“Really?” Isla asked excitedly.

Amelia shot Logan a sharp look. “That’s not a good idea.”

Logan’s expression darkened slightly. “Why not?”

“Because she doesn’t know you,” Amelia said carefully. “And I don’t—” She stopped herself. She didn’t trust him. Not yet.

Logan’s jaw tensed. “She’s my daughter, Amelia.”

Amelia swallowed hard. “And I’ve been the one raising her.”

The tension in the air was suffocating. Isla looked between them, her little face scrunching in confusion.

“I just want to spend time with her,” Logan said, his voice quieter now. “I missed four years of her life. I don’t want to miss any more.”

Amelia’s heart clenched, but she nodded slowly. “Fine. But I’m coming too.”

Isla cheered, clapping her hands. “Yay! We’re all going to the park!”

Logan’s eyes softened as he looked at their daughter, and for the first time since seeing him again, Amelia felt something she wasn’t ready for.

Hope.

The town’s small park hadn’t changed much since Amelia left Snowfall Ridge. The swings still creaked, the old wooden bench by the fountain still had the same faded paint, and the air carried the same crisp, pine-scented freshness.

Isla ran ahead, laughing as she made her way toward the playground. Amelia followed at a slower pace, Logan walking beside her.

She’s amazing,” Logan murmured.

Amelia smiled despite herself. “She is.”