Chapter 4
The tension in the room hung thick for a few agonizing seconds before erupting again, like grease sizzling violently in a hot skillet.
As suore people gathered, their curious whispers turned into an audible laim, gossip spreading like wildfire.
Amelia had already predicted the outcome, basit hearing it aloud sent a sharp, painful jolt through her.
Disappointment churned in her chest, and she gritted her teeth. “Damon, keep talking. What else did he tell you to do?”
Damon stammered, his voice shaking Te… he post said to stick to you like glue after tonight. That’s all!
“Look. I’m just a guy doing my job. If you’re angry, take it up with him, not me. Miss Hartwell, even if you call the cops, they’ll go after him, not
Theo’s fists clenclied so tigialy his knuckles turned white, his face laurning with embarrassment.
The bundnation was too much for him to bear
He wanted to speak, to defend himself, but his throat felt constricted by latterness, leaving lumn maine.
Amelia nimed to him, her expression dripping with desdain. “What a bills plant Throw me a birthday party to make yourself look like the perfect husband, then hire a man to play my lover, anrusing me of infidelity to destroy my reputation.
“Thi may, you get to walk away guilt–free with a clean excuse for divorce, fuit that right?
Theo frore, speechless. He knew he’d been exposed, caught with no mon for excises.
i’s lips curled into a solid sheer. Fine Call the cops, then. Let them and the Lawyers handle it. But you got one thing right–we should get
“And don’t forget, Theo–Fr the one leaving YOU!”
The color drained from Theo’s face before it turned a dark, turions share of red.
Amelia didn’t care. She knew he deserved every ounce of this–and so much more.
With a
sharp tip of t
Ther lair, she turned on her heel and walked out of the clans, leaving the wreckage behind her.
As she strode away, a rush of exhilaration coursed through her, as if she’d just taken a deep breath of fresh air after a violent storm.
But her steps faltered when she reached the end of the hallway, where a familiar figure stood blocking her pails
“Mom What are you doing here?” Amelia asked, her voler tinged with surprise
Only then did she notice Evelyn Ellington standing quietly in the corridor’s sharlos
She had heard everything–every word of Amelia’s fiery declaration
Evelyn’s pale face looked even pader, her frail frame slightly stooped. Her voice quivered as she spoke. “You’re divorcing Theo?”
The word “divorce” landed with heavy emphasis, her tone reflecting just how much she treasured the marriage.
A pang of guilt stirred in Amelia’s chest.
She softened her tone, gently trying to reassure her. “Mom, don’t worry. I’ll explain everything later. You don’t look well–let’s go somewhere quiet and talk, okay?” nikay?”
But Evelyn grabbed her arm, tugging her insistently back toward Then, “No, Ameliat Apologize to The right now.
“This is a big deal. Don’t throw away your marriage over something so trivial–pleasel”
did to mel” Amelia protested, snuggling against her mother’s grips.
Evelyn’s hands tightened, her pleading voice growing more desperate. “Theo already explained–it’s just a misunderstanding.
“That was just a mistake no man can escape. Yes, he made a mistake, but as long as he comes back home in the end, it’s not worth fighting over. Why are you being so stubborn?”
9:26 AM
Chapter 41
Her words were filled with excuses, spoken as if Theo were the one needing protection, not Amelia.
Amelia felt her heart crack under the weight of her mother’s misplaced loyalty. She fought back tears, overwhelmed by anger and sorrow.
For as long as she could remember, Evelyn had always coddied Theo, treating him as the ideal son–in–law.
In her eyes, Amelia had d“married up, securing the family’s standing. It didn’t matter how much Amelia suffered–only appearances did.
But Amelia knew some lines couldn’t be crossed, no matter the cost. She couldn’t live like this anymore.
Sadness seeped into every corner of her heart as she realized how deeply her mother’s blind devotion to Theo had betrayed her.
In a burst of frustration, Amelia yanked her hand free from Evelyn’s grip. “Let go of me, or I swear I’ll lose my temper
Evelyn, undeterred, continued scolding. “Stop acting like a child-
But before she could finish, her body went limp, and she crumpled to the ground rigid and unresponsive,
Her face turned ghouly pale, as if every drop of life had drained away
Her face turned ghostly pale, as if every drop of life had drained away.
Amelia froze horror replacing her anger.
entirely. “Someone call an ambulancer she shouted, her voice trembling with fear.
Then panic surged, obliterating their argument ei
The hotel staff sprang into action, dialing emergency services and carefully moving Evelyn to a quieter area.
Chaos erupted around them, and Amelia stood paralyzed, lost in the confusion, her emotions swirling in a tempest of guilt and fear.
Family and friends who had been passive spectators moments earlier now hurried to help, their concerned murmurs adding to the uproar. But amid it all. Theo was conspicuously absent
When the ambulance arrived, Evelyn was swiftly loaded in, and Amelia climbed in beside her.
Regret clawed at Amelia’s mind, her thoughts racing. “Why did I push back! I should’ve just agreed–or at least stayed quier
She knew her mother’s temperament too well to have let things escalate
Amelia’s chest tightened as memories of their shared history flooded her.
Evelyn had been her entire world after her father’s tragic death in a car accident when Amelia was a child.
As a single mother, Evelyn had faced unimaginable challenges, scraping by id ensure Amelia had every opportunity
Together, they had weathered storms of poverty and hardship, bound by a love that felt unbreakable.
When Amelia married Theo, Evelyn had finally allowed herself to hope. She’d seen his wealth and status as a promise of stability and happiness–a reward for all their years of struggle.
And at first. Theo had been everything Evelyn could have wanted for her daughter. He’d even helped Evelyn achieve her dream of opening a
restaurant.
The restaurant, Evelyn’s Haven, had transformed her life, giving her not just financial security but a sense of pride and accomplishment.
But now, as Amelia’s marriage crumbled, Evelyn’s fragile dream was unraveling, and it was no wonder she couldn’t bear the heartbreak.
Amelia sighed deeply. Is my marriage truly over? And if it is, what will the fallout be?
Sitting outside the emergency room, Amelia was engulfed by a fog of uncertainty
When the
The doctor’s expression was calm but grave as he spoke,
doctor emerged from the ER. Amelia shot up from her chair, her heart pounding. “Doctor, how’s my mom?
? Is she okay?*
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