CEOS EX WIFE'S SWEET REVENGE

Chapter 1: The Divorce That Changed Everything The rain poured heavily against the floor-to-ceiling windows of the luxurious Valmont Mansion. Inside the grand dining room, hundreds of candles flickered across a beautifully decorated table. Every dish had been carefully prepared by Amelia Rose Valmont herself. Tonight marked her third wedding anniversary with the man she had loved since she was twenty-one. She glanced at the elegant silver watch on her wrist. 8:00 p.m. Alexander was late again. Still, she smiled to herself. "He must be busy. He'll come." She adjusted the simple diamond necklace around her neck and walked toward the kitchen to warm the food one more time. At exactly 9:30 p.m., the front door finally opened. Amelia's eyes lit up. "Alexander! You're home!" But her smile froze. Standing beside him was a stunning woman in a red designer dress. Her hand was wrapped possessively around Alexander's arm. The woman's lips curled into a victorious smile. Alexander's face remained cold and unreadable. "I've been waiting for you," Amelia said softly. "The food is still warm. Today is our—" "I know what today is." His icy voice cut through her words. Without another glance at the beautifully decorated dining table, he pulled a folder from his briefcase and placed it in front of her. Amelia looked down. The bold words on the document blurred before her eyes. DIVORCE AGREEMENT Her fingers trembled. "W-What is this?" Alexander met her gaze without emotion. "I want a divorce." The room became painfully silent. Amelia laughed weakly, convinced it had to be a cruel joke. "Alexander... this isn't funny." "I'm not joking." The woman beside him crossed her arms smugly. "You should sign it," she said. "A man like Alexander deserves someone who truly belongs by his side." Amelia ignored her and looked only at her husband. "Did I do something wrong?" "No." "Then why?" Alexander's jaw tightened. "I never loved you." Those five words shattered the last piece of Amelia's heart. She felt as though the ground beneath her had disappeared. "For three years..." she whispered. "Were those years nothing to you?" "They were a mistake." Tears filled her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "I stood beside you when your company almost collapsed." "I stayed awake every night waiting for you." "I believed in you even when no one else did." Alexander remained silent. His expression never changed. Finally, he spoke. "You'll receive enough money to live comfortably. Don't ask for more." Money. He thought money could replace three years of love. Amelia slowly closed the divorce papers. Then, for the first time since they met, she smiled. It wasn't a smile of happiness. It was the smile of someone whose heart had finally broken beyond repair. "Fine." Alexander looked slightly surprised. "You'll sign?" Amelia picked up the pen. Without hesitation... She signed her name. She placed the papers back in front of him. "I hope," she said quietly, "that one day... you never regret this decision." She turned, walked upstairs, and never looked back. Neither of them noticed the single tear that slipped down her cheek. Nor did Alexander know... The woman he had just thrown away was hiding a secret powerful enough to change both their lives forever. As Amelia leaves the mansion before dawn with only one suitcase, a convoy of black luxury cars stops outside the gates. Chapter 2: The Woman They Never Knew The cold night wind brushed against Amelia's face as she stepped out of the Valmont Mansion. Behind her stood the place she had once called home. Now, it was nothing more than a memory. She tightened her grip on the small suitcase in her hand and walked toward the gate without looking back. Just as she reached the entrance, the sound of engines filled the quiet street. One... Three... Five... Ten black luxury cars pulled to a stop before her. The guards at the mansion exchanged confused glances. The doors opened in perfect unison. More than twenty bodyguards stepped out, forming two neat lines. An elderly man in a tailored black suit walked toward Amelia. Though his hair had turned silver with age, his posture was straight and dignified. He stopped before her. Then, to everyone's astonishment... He bowed deeply. "Welcome home, Miss Amelia." Amelia's eyes softened. "It's been a long time, Grandpa Henry." The old butler smiled warmly, tears glistening in his eyes. "Chairman Rose has been waiting for this day for three years." At the mention of her grandfather, Amelia closed her eyes briefly. Three years ago, she had abandoned her identity as the only granddaughter of the Rose family to marry the man she loved. She believed love was enough. She had been wrong. Grandpa Henry opened the back door of the luxurious limousine. "Your family is waiting." Amelia glanced once toward the mansion. The lights in Alexander's bedroom came on. For a brief moment, she wondered if he would come after her. He didn't. She smiled bitterly before stepping into the car. As the convoy drove away, Alexander stood by his bedroom window. Something inside him felt strangely... empty. He watched the line of black cars disappear into the darkness. "Who were they?" he murmured. Before he could think further, Serena wrapped her arms around him. "Forget her," she whispered. "She's gone." Alexander nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on the road long after the convoy had vanished. Two hours later... The convoy entered a magnificent estate overlooking the city. The grand iron gates slowly opened. A fountain taller than the mansion itself sparkled beneath golden lights. Dozens of servants lined both sides of the entrance. The moment Amelia stepped out of the limousine, every servant bowed. "Welcome home, Miss Amelia!" Standing at the top of the marble staircase was an elderly man with sharp eyes and an air of authority. Chairman Edward Rose. One of the richest men in the country. Without hesitation, Amelia ran into his arms. "I'm sorry, Grandpa." The old man's voice trembled. "No, my child... I should have stopped you from giving up everything for that man." He gently wiped away the tears she had been holding back. "From today onward, no one will ever look down on a member of the Rose family again." He handed her a blue folder. Inside were documents transferring control of Rose Global Holdings, a multinational business empire worth billions. "I built this empire for you," he said. "It's time you take your rightful place as its CEO." Amelia stared at the documents in stunned silence. The timid woman who had lived in her husband's shadow was gone. A new Amelia was about to rise. She closed the folder and lifted her chin. "No more tears." "No more begging." "And no more living for someone who never loved me." Her eyes burned with determination. "The next time Alexander Valmont sees me..." "He'll regret the day he let me go." : The next morning, Alexander receives shocking news. The mysterious billionaire who has just purchased 30% of his company's shares has a familiar name— Chapter 3: The Mysterious Billionaire The next morning, the atmosphere inside Valmont Group headquarters was tense. Senior executives rushed through the hallways with pale faces, whispering to one another. Alexander Valmont had barely stepped into his office when his assistant, Lucas Reed, hurried in with a stack of documents. "Mr. Valmont... we have a problem." Alexander looked up from his coffee. "What is it?" Lucas placed the report on the desk. "Someone bought thirty percent of Valmont Group's shares overnight." Alexander frowned. "Who?" Lucas swallowed hard. "The purchase was made through several international investment firms. We traced them back to one company..." He paused. "Rose Global Holdings." Alexander had never heard the name before. "Who owns Rose Global?" Lucas hesitated before answering. "No one knows much about the new CEO. They've kept their identity completely secret. But there's one thing everyone agrees on..." "They're incredibly powerful." Alexander leaned back in his chair. "So they're trying to challenge me?" "It appears so." Before Alexander could respond, his phone rang. It was an invitation. The Royal Charity Gala Every influential business leader in the country would be attending. At the bottom of the invitation was a handwritten note. "The new CEO of Rose Global Holdings will make her first public appearance tonight." Alexander narrowed his eyes. "I'll be there." Meanwhile... Inside the luxurious Rose Estate, Amelia stood before a wall of mirrors while stylists adjusted her gown. The shy housewife had vanished. In her place stood a graceful, confident woman dressed in a breathtaking black evening gown. A diamond necklace sparkled at her neck, and her expression was calm and unreadable. Grandpa Henry smiled proudly. "They won't recognize you." Amelia met her reflection. "I don't want them to." Her grandfather walked into the room carrying a small velvet box. Inside was the Rose family's heirloom brooch. "It belongs to the head of our family." Amelia accepted it with steady hands. "Tonight," Chairman Rose said, "the world will know exactly who you are." Amelia fastened the brooch to her dress. "They'll know who I am..." "...but they still won't know what I'm planning." A faint smile crossed her lips. "Alexander wanted to erase me from his life." "Now he'll have to face the woman he never truly knew." That evening... Luxury cars lined the entrance to the Royal Grand Hotel. Flashing cameras lit up the red carpet as celebrities, politicians, and billionaire CEOs arrived. Alexander stepped out of his limousine with Serena on his arm. Guests immediately gathered around him. "Mr. Valmont!" "Congratulations on your recent expansion!" "Do you know the mysterious CEO from Rose Global?" Alexander answered with a polite smile. "Not yet." Just then, the ballroom doors opened. The room fell silent. Every head turned toward the entrance. A woman in a stunning black gown walked in with quiet confidence, escorted by Chairman Edward Rose. The lights caught the diamonds at her neck as photographers rushed forward. Alexander's heartbeat quickened. The woman slowly lifted her gaze. Their eyes met across the crowded ballroom. His face lost all color. "Amelia...?" Serena's smile disappeared. "No... that's impossible." Amelia simply smiled—calm, elegant, and completely unaffected. Then she turned away, as if Alexander Valmont were nothing more than a stranger. As Alexander pushes through the crowd to reach Amelia, another man steps beside her, wraps an arm around her waist, and says with a smile, "Everyone, allow me to introduce my fiancée." Chapter 4: A Fiancée No One Expected Gasps rippled through the grand ballroom. Alexander froze mid-step. His eyes were locked on the hand resting lightly around Amelia's waist. The man beside her was tall, strikingly handsome, and carried himself with quiet confidence. His tailored navy suit and calm smile made him look every bit the equal of the country's wealthiest CEOs. "Who is he?" someone whispered. "I've never seen him before." "No... that's Damian Cross!" The crowd erupted into excited murmurs. Damian Cross, the brilliant CEO of Cross International, rarely attended public events. He was known for rejecting interviews, avoiding the media, and crushing every business rival who underestimated him. Damian smiled politely as cameras flashed. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "it is my honor to introduce the CEO of Rose Global Holdings... Miss Amelia Rose." Thunderous applause filled the ballroom. Amelia stepped forward with effortless grace. "Thank you all for coming," she said. "I look forward to working with many of you in the future." Her calm voice commanded the room. Gone was the timid woman who once waited all night for her husband to come home. She looked every inch a queen. Alexander finally reached her. "Amelia." She turned slowly, her expression unreadable. "Good evening... Mr. Valmont." The formal greeting struck him harder than a slap. "You... you're the CEO of Rose Global?" "I am." "Why didn't you ever tell me?" A faint smile touched her lips. "You never asked." Alexander opened his mouth, but no words came. Before he could speak again, Serena walked over. "So this was your plan?" Serena said with a mocking laugh. "Pretend to be rich to make Alexander jealous?" The ballroom fell silent. Everyone waited for Amelia's reaction. Instead of getting angry, Amelia smiled. "Miss Blake, jealousy is for people who still care." She took a sip of champagne. "I've already moved on." Serena's face flushed with embarrassment. Damian stepped closer. "Is there a problem?" he asked. Alexander's eyes narrowed. "What exactly is your relationship with Amelia?" Damian looked at Amelia before smiling. "We're... very important to each other." Alexander's fists clenched. For the first time since their divorce, a feeling he couldn't name tightened painfully in his chest. Regret. He watched Amelia laugh softly at something Damian whispered. She used to smile at him that way. Now, she didn't even spare him a second glance. Just then, the host stepped onto the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's charity auction will begin with one special announcement." He smiled toward Amelia. "Rose Global Holdings has decided to invest five hundred million dollars into a new international business project." The audience burst into applause. Alexander's eyes widened. Five hundred million dollars... Even Valmont Group couldn't make a decision of that size overnight. Who had Amelia really been all this time? As the applause echoed through the ballroom, Alexander realized something that made his heart sink. The woman he had called ordinary... Had been extraordinary from the very beginning. Just as the auction begins, Alexander's phone vibrates. His assistant's voice is filled with panic: "Mr. Valmont, we've discovered something about Mrs.—I mean, Miss Amelia. You need to come back to the office immediately. This changes everything." Chapter 5: The Truth He Never Saw Alexander stepped out of the ballroom, his expression dark. He answered the call immediately. "Lucas, this had better be important." On the other end, his assistant sounded shaken. "It is, sir. We found confidential records from three years ago." Alexander frowned. "What records?" "The financial crisis that nearly destroyed Valmont Group..." Alexander's eyes narrowed. "What about it?" Lucas took a deep breath. "It wasn't the banks that saved the company." Silence. "Then who did?" "It was Rose Global Holdings." Alexander froze. "What?" "We traced the emergency investment through old offshore accounts. The money came from the Rose family. The documents were sealed under a confidentiality agreement, so no one knew." Alexander's grip on the phone tightened. "You're telling me..." Lucas interrupted softly. "Yes, sir." "The woman you divorced secretly saved your company." Alexander's heart pounded. His mind replayed countless memories. The nights Amelia stayed awake working on her laptop. The phone calls she always ended before he entered the room. The days she quietly encouraged him not to give up. He had assumed she was just trying to comfort him. He never imagined she had been fighting for his company behind the scenes. "There's more," Lucas continued. "The chairman of Rose Global specifically requested that no one reveal Amelia's identity. She wanted you to believe you succeeded on your own." Alexander slowly lowered himself into a chair. Everything he believed about his ex-wife was crumbling. He whispered to himself, "Why would she do that...?" Lucas answered before he could stop himself. "Because she loved you, sir." The call ended. Alexander sat motionless, staring into the darkness. For the first time in years, guilt settled heavily on his shoulders. Meanwhile, inside the ballroom... Amelia stood by the large windows, watching the city lights shimmer below. She heard footsteps behind her. "You seem calm," Damian said as he joined her. "I've spent years preparing for this night." Damian smiled. "Are you happy?" Amelia looked at the glittering skyline. "I thought revenge would make me feel better." She paused. "But seeing him regret his choices doesn't erase what happened." Damian nodded. "Then don't live for revenge." She turned toward him. "Live for yourself." Amelia smiled—a genuine smile this time. "Maybe you're right." Across the room, Alexander returned just in time to see Damian gently place his suit jacket over Amelia's shoulders. She thanked him with a soft smile. Jealousy burned inside Alexander. Only now did he realize... Someone else was beginning to cherish the woman he had carelessly thrown away. And for the first time in his life... Alexander Valmont was afraid. As Amelia prepares to leave the gala, a little girl of about four years old suddenly runs into the ballroom, throws her arms around Amelia's legs, and cries out, "Mommy!" The entire ballroom falls silent. Alexander turns around in shock. "Mommy...? Chapter 6: Mommy! "Mommy!" The sweet little voice echoed through the grand ballroom. The room fell silent. A beautiful little girl, about four years old, ran straight through the crowd. She had long black hair, bright hazel eyes, and a smile that lit up the room. Without hesitation, she threw herself into Amelia's arms. "Mommy! I found you!" Amelia's cold expression melted instantly. "My little princess." She lifted the child into her arms and kissed her forehead. "I told Grandma not to let you run around." The little girl giggled. "I missed you." Across the ballroom, Alexander stood frozen. His breathing became uneven. The child... She looked strangely familiar. Her eyes... Her smile... Even the tiny dimple on her left cheek... It was exactly like his. The reporters erupted into chaos. "Miss Amelia!" "Is that your daughter?" "Who's the father?" "Have you secretly been married again?" Alexander slowly walked toward Amelia, his eyes never leaving the little girl. His voice trembled. "Amelia..." She turned to face him. "What is it, Mr. Valmont?" He pointed at the child. "How... how old is she?" Amelia remained silent for a moment. "Four." Alexander's heart skipped a beat. Four years old. Exactly the amount of time since their divorce. His mind raced. His hands began to shake. "No..." He whispered. "It can't be..." The little girl looked at him curiously. "Mommy, who is that uncle?" Those innocent words pierced Alexander's heart. Amelia gently stroked her daughter's hair. "His name is Alexander." The little girl smiled politely. "Hello, Uncle Alexander." Alexander felt as though the world had stopped. Uncle...? He looked back at Amelia, desperation filling his eyes. "Tell me the truth." "Is she..." Amelia held his gaze. "Yes." A single word. Alexander's knees almost gave way. "She's your daughter." The ballroom erupted with gasps. Camera flashes exploded from every direction. Alexander stared at the little girl in disbelief. "My... daughter?" Amelia's expression remained calm, but her eyes carried years of pain. "I found out I was pregnant a few weeks after signing the divorce papers." "You had already chosen Serena." "You made it clear you never wanted me in your life." "So I walked away." "I wasn't going to force a man who didn't love me to stay because of a child." Tears filled Alexander's eyes. "You... you never told me." "I tried." Amelia's voice cracked for the first time. "But every time I called, Serena answered your phone." "Every message I sent disappeared." "I eventually realized the truth." "You had already erased me from your life." Alexander slowly turned toward Serena, who had gone completely pale. A terrible realization dawned on him. His daughter had grown up without him... Because of lies. Lily looked between the two adults, confused. "Mommy..." "Why is Uncle Alexander crying?" Amelia hugged her daughter tightly. She closed her eyes for a brief moment. Then she looked directly at Alexander. "You wanted a divorce." "You got one." "But you also lost something far more precious." She turned and walked away with Lily in her arms. Alexander stood rooted to the spot, tears streaming down his face as he watched his ex-wife disappear into the night... ...taking his daughter with her. As Amelia's car pulls away, Lily looks out the window and quietly asks, "Mommy... was that man my daddy?" Chapter 7: Daddy? The black Rolls-Royce glided silently through the city streets. Inside, Lily sat in her child seat, hugging her favorite teddy bear. She kept looking out the window, her little face unusually quiet. Amelia noticed. "What are you thinking about, sweetheart?" Lily looked up. "Mommy..." "Was that man... my daddy?" The question struck Amelia's heart. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel. For four years, she had prepared herself for this conversation. She just hadn't expected it to come tonight. After a long silence, she pulled the car over to the side of the road. Turning to Lily, she smiled gently. "Yes." Lily's eyes widened. "He really is my daddy?" Amelia nodded. "Yes, baby." Lily blinked several times, trying to process the answer. "Then... why doesn't Daddy live with us?" Amelia's eyes grew moist. She cupped Lily's tiny face. "Sometimes adults make mistakes." "Your daddy and Mommy couldn't stay together." "But none of it was because of you." "You are the greatest gift I've ever received." Lily reached out and hugged her. "I love you, Mommy." "I love you too, my angel." Meanwhile... Alexander stood alone outside the hotel long after everyone had left. The reporters had finally gone. The flashing cameras were gone. But the words still echoed in his mind. She's your daughter. Lucas approached cautiously. "Sir..." Alexander didn't answer. Instead, he whispered, "I have a daughter." His voice broke. "A daughter who doesn't even know I'm her father." Lucas lowered his head. "I'm sorry, sir." Alexander laughed bitterly. "Do you know what's ironic?" "I spent years building an empire..." "But I missed the first four years of my own daughter's life." His shoulders trembled. "I wasn't there when she was born." "I wasn't there when she took her first steps." "I never heard her first word." "And tonight..." "She called me Uncle." For the first time in his life, Alexander cried openly. Not because he had lost a business deal. Not because of money. But because he had lost four irreplaceable years with his child. The next morning... Amelia walked Lily into the prestigious Bright Star International Kindergarten. Lily waved happily. "Bye, Mommy!" "Have a wonderful day." As Amelia turned to leave, she froze. A familiar black luxury car was parked outside the school. Alexander stepped out, holding a small pink backpack with a teddy bear keychain attached. His eyes were tired, as though he hadn't slept all night. He walked toward Amelia slowly. "I'm not here to take her away." "I just..." His voice caught. "I wanted to see my daughter again." Amelia looked at him for a long moment. Then she spoke quietly. "Lily doesn't know you." "If you want to be part of her life..." "You'll have to earn that place." Alexander nodded without hesitation. "I will." "No matter how long it takes." Just then, the school bell rang. Little Lily came running back toward the gate. The moment she saw Alexander, she smiled politely. "Hello, Uncle Alexander!" Alexander's heart squeezed. He knelt to her height. "Hello, Lily." She tilted her head. "Why are your eyes red?" He smiled through the tears. "I... didn't sleep very well." Lily reached into her tiny backpack and pulled out a small packet of tissues. She handed it to him with a sweet smile. "My teacher says tissues make people feel better." Alexander accepted it with trembling hands. "Thank you." As Lily ran back into school, he watched her disappear inside. He silently made himself a promise. No matter what it costs... I will become the father my daughter deserves. Across the street, Serena watches from inside her car. She grips her phone and whispers, "If Alexander learns the whole truth about that night, I'll lose everything." Then she dials a mysterious number Chapter 8: The Woman Behind the Lies Serena lowered her sunglasses as she watched Alexander standing outside Lily's school. The sight made her blood boil. He was smiling. Not at her. At Amelia's daughter. "No..." she whispered, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "I won't let Amelia take everything from me." She picked up her phone and dialed a number. "It has begun," she said coldly. "We need to move before Alexander discovers the truth." A deep voice answered. "Don't worry. The evidence disappeared years ago." Serena ended the call, but unease settled in her chest. She knew one thing. If Alexander ever learned what she had done, he would never forgive her. Meanwhile, Alexander remained outside the kindergarten long after Lily had gone inside. He replayed every moment in his mind. Her bright smile. Her innocent voice. The way she had handed him a tissue. She had no idea he was her father. And that hurt more than anything. Lucas approached quietly. "Sir, the board meeting starts in thirty minutes." Alexander looked at the school gates. "Postpone it." "Again?" "My daughter is more important." Lucas smiled faintly. It was the first time he had ever heard Alexander put family before business. At Rose Global Holdings... Amelia entered the executive boardroom. Every executive stood immediately. "Good morning, Chairwoman." She nodded gracefully. "Let's begin." Just as the meeting started, her secretary rushed in. "Chairwoman Rose, Mr. Alexander Valmont is here." The room fell silent. Amelia didn't even look up from the documents. "Did he have an appointment?" "No, Chairwoman." "Then tell him to schedule one." The secretary hesitated. "He said he'll wait all day if he has to." Amelia calmly signed another document. "Then he'll be waiting all day." Outside the office, Alexander sat quietly in the reception area. Hours passed. Employees whispered as they walked by. "The CEO of Valmont Group is waiting?" "He's been here since morning." "He hasn't even complained." By evening, Amelia finally stepped out of her office. She stopped when she saw Alexander still sitting there. "You really stayed." Alexander stood immediately. "I told you I would." She crossed her arms. "What do you want?" He took a deep breath. "I don't expect your forgiveness." "I don't deserve it." "But I want the chance to be Lily's father." "You don't become a father just because you share the same blood." Alexander lowered his eyes. "I know." "You become one through love, patience, and sacrifice." She stepped closer. "do you truly want Lily ? "Yes I want her." Alexander nodded. "I understand." Before he could say anything else, Amelia's phone rang. Her expression changed the moment she answered. "What?" She grabbed her handbag and rushed toward the elevator. Alexander instinctively followed. "What happened?" Amelia's voice shook. "Lily collapsed at school." Without another word, both of them ran toward the parking lot. Neither noticed the black SUV parked across the street. Inside, Serena watched them leave together. A slow smile spread across her lips. At the hospital, the doctor walks out of the emergency room with a serious expression. Looking directly at Alexander and Amelia, he says, "We found something in Lily's blood tests... and you both need to hear this immediately." Chapter 9: The Truth in Lily's Blood The red light above the emergency room remained on. Every second felt like an eternity. Amelia sat on the waiting-room bench, her hands clasped so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She had faced ruthless competitors, billion-dollar negotiations, and countless hardships, yet nothing terrified her more than seeing her daughter wheeled into an emergency room. Alexander stood a few steps away, unable to sit. He paced the hallway restlessly, glancing at the emergency room doors every few seconds. For the first time in years, neither of them cared about business. The only thing that mattered was Lily. After what felt like hours, the emergency room doors finally opened. A middle-aged doctor stepped out, removing his face mask. "Miss Rose?" Amelia hurried over. "I'm her mother. How is my daughter?" The doctor gave her a reassuring smile. "Please don't panic. Lily is awake, and she's stable." Amelia released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "But..." the doctor continued, "we discovered something unusual in her blood test." Alexander instinctively stepped closer. "What is it?" The doctor looked at both of them. "Lily has a rare inherited blood disorder. It's manageable with proper treatment, but it requires regular monitoring." Amelia's face turned pale. "Inherited...?" The doctor nodded. "Yes. This condition is usually passed down from a parent." He looked at Alexander. "Since you're Lily's biological father, I'd like both of you to undergo blood tests. It will help us determine the best treatment plan for her." Alexander didn't hesitate. "Do whatever you need. I'll do every test." Amelia looked at him in surprise. There wasn't even a second of doubt in his voice. The doctor smiled. "That's good to hear. Your cooperation will make Lily's treatment much easier." As the doctor walked away, silence settled between them. Finally, Alexander spoke. "I'm sorry." Amelia didn't answer. He continued quietly. "I wasn't there when she was born." "I wasn't there for her first birthday... or her first day at school." His voice cracked. "And now, the first time I get to stand beside her in a hospital... it's because she's sick." A single tear rolled down his cheek. "I've failed as a father." Amelia looked at him for a long moment. For the first time since the divorce, she saw genuine pain in his eyes. Not the pain of losing his wife. The pain of realizing how much of his daughter's life he had missed. Before she could respond, a cheerful little voice interrupted them. "Mommy!" Both of them turned. Lily stood at the doorway of her hospital room, clutching her teddy bear. She looked tired, but she smiled brightly. "I'm okay." Amelia rushed over and hugged her tightly. "You scared me." "I'm sorry, Mommy." Lily then looked at Alexander, who remained standing awkwardly a few feet away. She smiled shyly. "Uncle Alexander..." Alexander's heart squeezed. "Yes, Lily?" She held out her tiny teddy bear. Just then, Alexander's phone buzzed. It was Lucas. His voice was urgent. "Mr. Valmont, we've uncovered evidence that someone deliberately intercepted every message Amelia tried to send you after the divorce. The records point to one person..." Alexander's expression hardened.