Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Amelia stared at her ringing phone like it was a bomb about to explode.

Tessa glanced at the screen and scoffed. “Wow. The universe really has a sick sense of humor.”

The phone kept vibrating against the table. Amelia wiped her eyes and picked it up.

Ryan’s voice came through.“Finally. I’ve been trying to reach you.”

“What do you want?”

“You’ve been ignoring my calls.” He said casually. “You know, after everything you did, the least you could do is apologize.”

“Apologise for what?”

“Making a scene. Embarrassing me.” He replied 

“You cheated on me.”

“Oh please” he scoffed. “Don’t be dramatic. It was just a little fun. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t going to marry you.”

Tessa’s eyes widened beside her as she listened. Ryan continued, completely unapologetic.

“You should’ve handled it better. Women who want to keep a man know how to overlook small things.”

“Besides, you should be grateful I was willing to marry you at all.” He added, his tone filled with arrogance.

Amelia blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Let’s be honest, you’re not exactly my type. I was doing you and your family a favor.”

Tessa looked like she might grab the phone and throw it across the room.

But Amelia said nothing and Ryan sighed impatiently.

“Look, if you apologize and stop acting ridiculous, maybe we can still fix this. My parents are asking questions about the wedding.”

Ryan’s voice continued through the phone.

“But if you think you can do better than me, go ahead. Let’s see which man wants to deal with you.”

Something inside Amelia snapped and she realized something in that moment. Ryan was exactly the kind of man she never wanted anywhere near her life again. And definitely nowhere near her child.

Her voice became very quiet. “Ryan.”

“What?”

“You’re right about one thing.”

“Oh?” he said smugly.

“I can do better than you.”

And she hung up.

Tessa stared at her.

“Where does he get his nerves? I wish I could strangle someone through the phone.”

She looked down at the pregnancy test again. Then she took a deep breath.

“I’m keeping the baby.”

Tessa blinked. “Wait… really?”

Amelia nodded tearfully.

Tessa smiled and squeezed her shoulders gently. “Trust me, you won’t be doing it alone.”

“And I have to start preparing for my godmother duties.” She added 

A weak laugh escaped Amelia as she placed a hand on her belly. The thought of the life inside of her was both terrifying and thrilling. But so far she still had someone who truly believed in her, life would be less difficult. 

Five years later**

Mila had been staring at the fish tank in the waiting room for exactly four minutes before she started asking questions.

"Mama."

"Mm."

"Why is that fish just sitting there?"

Amelia glanced up from the form in her lap. One of the fish was hovering near the bottom, barely moving, its fins doing the smallest possible amount of work.

"He's probably just resting."

"Fishes don't have beds."

"They don't need beds. They just... float."

"But how do they know when they're asleep?" Mila pressed, turning to look at her with wide brown eyes. "Like what if they're asleep right now and they don't even know?"

"I think they know."

"But how."

Amelia opened her mouth and closed it. "That is a really good question."

Mila accepted this as the non-answer it was and turned back to the tank. Thirty seconds of peace. Amelia picked up the form again.

"Mama."

"Yeah."

"Do fishes have feelings?"

"Some scientists think so."

Mila's eyes went wide. "So that fish could be sad?"

"He's not sad, Mila."

"You don't know that." She put her small hand flat against the glass, very gently, as if offering comfort. The fish did not respond. "I think he looks lonely."

The woman sitting across from them let out a quiet laugh before she could help it. 

"Sorry.” Amelia said.

The woman waved her off. "Don't be. She's wonderful."

Amelia looked at her daughter, still pressed against the glass, murmuring something to the fish that was probably a full conversation by now, and felt a tug in her chest. 

"Yeah" she said quietly. "She really is."

It was hard to believe sometimes. That this person existed. That she had made her. That five years had somehow already come and gone.

Life had not been easy. Not even close. The pregnancy had been exhausting. The late nights, the hospital appointments, the constant worry about money and the future, it had all felt overwhelming at times. But Tessa had been there through every step. She had dragged Amelia to every doctor's appointment, helped her survive ridiculous pregnancy cravings at two in the morning, and even moved into the apartment during the last months of the pregnancy. When Mila was finally born, Tessa had cried almost as much as Amelia. And from that moment on, the little girl had never lacked love.

Now five years had passed. And Mila Hart had grown into a bright, curious little girl who seemed determined to ask a thousand questions a day.

Amelia and Tessa sat at the small kitchen table chatting, while Mila played on the living room floor with her toys. 

“Speaking of, the position you applied for, did you hear back yet?” Tessa asked

Amelia’s face fell. “I did.”

“Is something wrong? Why the long face? What did they say?” 

A smile appeared on Amelia’s face. “They accepted my application.” 

Tessa screamed. “OMG! That’s amazing!”

Mila looked up from the floor.

“Mommy, why is Auntie Tessa yelling?”

“Because your mommy just got a big job!” Tessa said proudly.

Amelia laughed.

“They want me to start on Monday.”

Tessa pulled her into a hug. 

“I’m so happy for you. I knew you could do it.”

Amelia smiled, though she was extremely nervous. The company was huge. 

Morgan Industries.

Getting hired there felt like a miracle. Maybe things were finally starting to look up.

On Monday, Amelia got to the company an hour before the time she was scheduled to arrive. She was taken to the President’s assistant who led her to the President’s office.

As they stepped inside, the tall, intimidating man behind the table looked up. Amelia froze in her steps.

It was the person she had never expected to see again. The same man she had spent one reckless night with five years ago.

Recognition flashed across his face instantly. And before he could say a word, she turned to walk out of the office. But his deep voice made her stop dead in her tracks. 

“If you walk out of this building, consider it the end of your career in this city.”