Chapter 13
Amelia switched off the fan, running her fingers through her half-dry hair as she teased, "You seriously picked the wrong major. You should've gone into acting instead of writing."
Samantha was gently caressing the designer bag, her eyes shining as she muttered through gritted teeth, "This baby's sleeping with me tonight. Manifesting my rich-lady dream!"
"Be my guest," Amelia chuckled, "but take a few good pics of it before bed, will you?"
Samantha turned to her, confused. "Why? Gonna post it and flex on those rich wives or what?"
"Nope," Amelia sat down with a sigh. "I'm putting it up for sale."
"Huh?"
"I'm finalizing the divorce with Eric tomorrow. After that, I wanna buy a place close to NS Hospital, fully furnished if possible. Makes it easier to take care of my mom. I checked out a few places nearby before, but the good ones aren't cheap. Once I pay for the house, I'll barely have anything left. And to top it off, the crew from The Legend called me today—said I didn't pass the audition."
"You didn't pass?" Samantha's voice shot up. "Didn't they already promise you the role? Just waiting to sign the contract? What the hell is this now?"
"I asked. Their answer was one of the stakeholders isn't a fan of my voice. Said it feels too mature, maybe?"
"What a load of crap! Clearly someone pulled strings. No way they just suddenly changed their minds like that! Do you know who they picked instead? I'll drag them on social media, I swear!"
"Let it go. I hadn't signed anything yet, no recordings either. Guess it just wasn't meant to be."
But Samantha wasn't done venting. After cursing out whoever "used connections," she moved on to Eric. "You're too soft. If it were me, I'd be digging up dirt on him already. Even if I couldn't strip him clean, I'd at least make him bleed."
"Doesn't matter how it's split," Amelia murmured, eyes downcast. "I don't care anymore."
Eric's cold words today, and the way he just left her on the street, had been enough. She'd seen the truth clearly now. All she wanted was to get this divorce over with and be done.
Samantha could see she was hurting and didn't know what else to say. In the end, she pulled her into a fierce hug. "Don't worry, girl. I got a list of hot, rich guys. When you're ready, we'll pick the best one and let Eric eat his heart out."
Amelia gave her a teary-eyed smile. "Let's focus on making money first. Once I've got my own, I'll be the one doing the choosing. Never again am I gonna sit around waiting to be picked."
The next morning, Amelia woke up late. Her head felt foggy—probably because of getting drenched in the rain the day before.
She stood in front of the mirror for a while before it hit her: today was the day she'd be getting divorced.
So, she rolled up her sleeves and started getting ready with extra care.
After all, when she and Eric had gotten married, it had all been a rushed mess. She remembered it was just a week before her thesis defense. She'd pulled an all-nighter editing her paper and had barely gotten two hours of sleep before Eric' call jerked her awake.
Before that day, she'd only met Eric three times. His call was completely out of the blue. Still groggy from sleep, and with her roommate mumbling complaints in her half-sleep, she rushed to the bathroom to answer.
"Do you have time?"
His voice was super flat, but back then, she must've been totally into him or something, because all she could think was, "Damn, even his voice sounds amazing." So she whispered back, "Yeah."
"I'll come get you."
Her heart almost jumped out of her chest. "Get me? For what?" she stammered.
He seemed to be driving—she heard the engine in the background. Then came his next words: "To get our marriage license."
The whole day felt like a blur. She just followed what he said, wore a plain white shirt like he asked, too scared he'd change his mind if she took too long. She didn't even bother putting on makeup. And just like that, they went and got married.
It was all so casual. The picture they took looked just as careless. Eric didn't even smile in it—only she looked stupidly happy.
It had started off so half-baked—it couldn't end that way too.
She looked in the mirror and pressed her lips together. The red lipstick gave her a bold, vivid look. At least she'd leave this marriage with dignity. That would be her way of ending this one-sided love story.
At 2:30 p. m., as Amelia was on the way to the Court, her phone rang—it was NS Hospital. Her mom had just gone into cardiac arrest.
Amelia's chest tightened. She did a U-turn and sped toward the hospital.
By the time she got there, her mom was already in the ER. A nurse handed her the critical condition notice. Her hand trembled as she signed it.
She'd lost count of how many of those she'd signed over the years. Every time, it felt like she was drowning—couldn't breathe—just waiting to see if this was the last.
After a while, her dazed mind reminded her to call Victor.
"Dad, Mom's not doing well. Can you come to the hospital?" Her tone was calm, but her voice was shaking.
There was background noise on his end. "I've got an important meeting right now. Can't get away."
Amelia's grip tightened. "Doctors said she might not make it this time. This could be the last chance to see her."
"The doctors have been saying that for six years. You're the one who can't let go! Look at her—do you really think this counts as living?"
Her eyes went red. "So what do you want me to do?"
"I'll call you back when I'm done here." He didn't even let her respond before he hung up.
She sank to the floor, feeling completely crushed. She turned to the ER doors, tears silently sliding down.
Her phone rang. It was Eric.
Like clutching a lifeline, she grabbed the phone and answered, "Eric, my mom..." She couldn't even finish.
"Amelia, seriously? Thought we were meeting to file for divorce. Where the hell are you?"
