Chapter 03

AMELIA

“This child,” I pointed at my stomach, “will be catered to.”

“I am not saying you should let it starve. You can cater to it.”

“How? You know I am not working.”

Oh, God. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me.

My fingers grabbed onto the chair as I bent my head.

How could I have been so fucking stupid?

“You can start applying for jobs now. Get an agent, I am sure there is an industry somewhere in need of a marriage counselor.”

My palm found my chest. “I stopped working for you. You asked me to resign. You said you would take care of me.”

If this was some insane sort of dream, I wished I could just pull myself out, and return to real life.

“I will take care of you if you marry me. That has always been the agreement.”

Agreement? This was… an agreement? What did that even mean?

“I thought you loved me…” I found myself whispering.

“I care about you, Amy, but my heart belongs to Gregory. I was hoping you’d figure that out by now.”

“What do you mean by that? He is married! He has children! You are just someone he rolls on the bed with.”

“No,” he shook his head, “you were someone I just rolled on the bed with. It was merely to keep you happy. Greg and I love each other.”

I looked around bewildered. Then it hit me. All this happened because Greg never wanted his family finding out his sexuality. Seeing that he was from a wealthy family who believed in the traditional way of life, this would fuck him over. Yes, this was my leverage.

I glared down at my ex lover, “if you don’t cater for this child, I will tell everyone I know about how I caught you fucking your best friend.”

A deep chuckle escaped him as his head flew backwards, “Do you think that threat works?”

“I will tell everyone. I am not kidding.”

“I don’t doubt you. However, I doubt that everyone will believe the woman who had to leave her job due to mental issues, especially when there is no proof.”

“What the fuck? I left because the stress was taking a toll on me, and not because I was insane!”

“That’s what you tell yourself. It’s not what others believe.”

“Oh, my God.”

That was when it hit me. Whenever anyone around us had asked why I quit my job, Darrel would tell them it was so I could stabilize my mental health, and they would look at me with pity in their eyes.

They weren’t pitying the stress I was suffering from! They thought I was chased from work due to insanity!

I held onto the chair tighter as my legs wobbled. My forehead trembled, and I couldn’t hold focus anymore.

“You made everyone believe I was crazy!”

“I did nothing. You quit your job, and you told everyone it was because of your mental health. I only supported you, like the loving fiancé I was.”

“I can’t believe this. I can’t.”

It took only a moment for me to pick up my bag.

“I am always here if you change your mind, love. I hope you know that.”

I gave no response as I swiftly moved through the already open door.

With hot tears threatening to pour, I swiftly moved through the doors until I was out of the door.

My fingers immediately wiped the tears off my face. I needed to hail a cab first before I began processing my emotions.

“Amy,”

Joan’s voice pulled my attention. I raised my head to find her next to me.

My arms immediately wrapped around her, and my shoulders shook as the tears began to pour.

“What happened, baby?”

“He is a monster! He said–he–“ the tears poured even harder, choking the words.

The feel of her hand running through my hair only eased the tears as they fell through.

“Let it all out…”

Once I was done, I wiped my face with the sleeves of my jacket.

“I will sue him, I swear to God.” I sniffed,

“What are you suing for?”

“He said he wouldn’t cater to our child. He is leaving me stranded!”

“That fucker. Who the fuck does he think he is?”

“I’ll sue him,” I repeated, “I’ll show him that he can’t mess with me.”

“Amy,” Joan held my face, “look at me.”

I obeyed her.

“I know you are hurt, and angry, and you deserve every right to be.”

I nodded.

“But are you sure this is what you want to do?”

Hearing it from another mouth paused my thoughts for a moment.

All my savings were in a joint account with him. I pulled out my phone.

“Nine dollars.”

“What’s that?”

I pointed the phone at her face. “He cleared out our account. I have nothing!” My shoulders slumped.

The knots on Joan’s forehead formed, and her lips thinned, “You will sue that bastard, and you will win.”

“With what money? I am completely broke.”

“I can’t represent you, but I’ll get someone at the firm.”

I nodded, as I wiped the tears off my face, but they wouldn’t stop pouring.

“Amy, please listen to me. I am here for you. We’ve been together since forever, and you know that-“

“Excuse me, ma’am.” The sound of an unfamiliar voice pulled my attention.

We both turned to face him.

In a dark suit, dark hair, and tall frame, he seemed confident.

“Who are you?” Joan immediately asked.

“I am Carlos Leonard, and I was asked to summon Ms Amy.”

“Who is asking for her?” Joan asked as she stepped between us.

“My boss, ma’am. He claims it is important.”

“Do you want to go with him?” She asked.

I shook my head.

Nothing would ever make me step foot into this building ever again. Seeing his boss would do nothing for me. Whatever he wanted, I couldn’t afford it.

“You heard her, she is not interested.”

“Give me a moment, ma’am.”

As the man moved aside, Joan leaned closer. “Do you know him?”

“Um, yeah.” I managed to croak out, “he works for the man on the top floor. Their CEO, I think. He attended our–um–engagement.”

“Oh, what does he want?”

“I don’t know,” I shrugged.

What could a man like him want from a woman like me?

The man in a suit returned almost immediately. “He will be down shortly, could you please wait for him?”

Joan and I exchanged glances. Did we have a choice?