Amelia settled into the chair, ignoring the lingering ache in her muscles, and the way her body still yearned for the man who had caused them and initiated the video call. The moment the screen flickered to life, warmth flooded her chest. Her mother's soft smile, her father's steady presence, and Micah’s teasing grin made her ache with longing.
"Sweetheart! Oh, it's so good to see you!" her mother gushed. "You look... well-rested."
There was a pause. A slight narrowing of her mother's eyes.
"Where exactly did you say this business trip was again?"
Amelia forced an easy smile, but she could feel her pulse picking up. “Europe,” she said, carefully neutral. “My boss—Mr. Monroe—had some business to handle, and I needed to accompany him. I told you about it Mom"
Her father hummed, his brow
