Chapter 457

Amelia rose from her chair to fetch the dessert.

Samuel observed his sister's departure before turning his attention to Nathaniel, seated opposite him. His expression grew solemn.

"Nathaniel, don't you think you're being too distant with Amelia?"

Nathaniel lifted his gaze. "Have we just met yesterday?"

Samuel fell silent.

The truth stung. They'd known each other since childhood, moving in the same elite circles.

Nathaniel had always been this way - aloof, detached, never one for unnecessary warmth.

Yet the thought of his beloved sister marrying this emotionally unavailable man made Samuel's chest tighten. What did Amelia possibly see in him?

Abandoning his earlier frustration, Samuel got straight to the point.

"Nathaniel, I'm aware you and Amelia secretly adopted a child overseas without informing either family."

Nathaniel's knife hesitated momentarily against his steak before resuming its methodical motion.

Samuel pressed on. "Amelia left home abruptly and only returned recently because she was caring for that child. Correct?"

Nathaniel's expression remained impassive. Only after deliberately swallowing his bite did he respond. "I apologize for proceeding without the Rivers family's consent."

Samuel's eyes hardened. "I'm not here for apologies, Nathaniel. What's done is done - we'll raise the child as our own. But you need to clarify your relationship with my sister. This ambiguity can't continue."

Nathaniel set down his utensils with deliberate calm, dabbing his lips with a napkin before meeting Samuel's gaze squarely. "There is no ambiguity. Amelia will always hold a special place in my life as the person who saved me. I respect her, support her, and consider her a dear friend. Nothing more."

Samuel barked a humorless laugh. "A dear friend? Since when do friends adopt children together?"

Nathaniel's long fingers curled around his water glass. "To be frank, I agree it was inappropriate. But Amelia was insistent - desperate to experience motherhood, begging me to accompany her. I agreed after careful consideration."

Samuel's face darkened. "You say that as if you're merely an observer. Don't pretend you don't know why a young woman like Amelia would rush into adoption. Need I remind you she lost the ability to bear children because of you?"

At this, Nathaniel's composed mask finally cracked, his brow furrowing with visible discomfort.