CHAPTER 2- THE NIGHT SHE LEFT

The moment Amelia signed the papers, the ballroom erupted into whispers.

Some people pitied her.

Most enjoyed the spectacle.

After all, scandals involving powerful families were entertainment for the rich.

Amelia could practically feel their eyes burning into her skin as she placed the pen down carefully. Her signature looked shaky beneath Damian’s bold handwriting.

A perfect reflection of their marriage.

One controlled everything.

The other broke quietly.

Damian picked up the divorce papers without even glancing at her again.

“Have my lawyer finalize everything tonight.”

His cold instruction was directed at his assistant, Nathan Reed, who stood nearby looking visibly uncomfortable.

“Yes, Mr. Vale.”

Amelia stared at Damian for a long moment.

She kept waiting.

Waiting for him to look at her properly.

Waiting for him to hesitate.

Waiting for him to ask if she was okay.

But he didn’t.

Vanessa stepped closer to Damian’s side, her hand brushing lightly against his arm. Amelia noticed how naturally the woman stood beside him, as though she already belonged there.

Her stomach twisted painfully.

Not from jealousy.

From humiliation.

Five years as his wife, yet another woman could stand beside him more comfortably than she ever could.

“Excuse me,” Amelia whispered.

No one stopped her as she turned and walked away.

The crowd parted slowly.

Like she was contagious.

Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor while whispers chased her toward the exit.

“She really cheated?”

“I heard Mr. Vale treated her extremely well too…”

“What a stupid woman.”

“Vanessa and Mr. Vale look better together anyway.”

Each word stabbed deeper than the last.

By the time Amelia reached the hotel hallway, her vision had blurred completely.

She stumbled into the empty corridor before finally letting out a shaky breath.

Then another.

And another.

Her entire body trembled violently.

Not because of the divorce.

Not even because Damian had humiliated her publicly.

But because a tiny, foolish part of her had truly believed tonight would be different.

She had spent hours preparing herself to tell him about the baby.

Even rehearsed the words in front of the mirror.

Damian… we’re going to be parents.

She had imagined him freezing in shock.

Maybe even smiling slightly.

Maybe for once, the cold distance between them would disappear.

How pathetic.

A broken laugh escaped her throat before turning into a painful sob.

Amelia pressed her hand against her mouth quickly, trying to quiet herself.

But the tears wouldn’t stop.

Five years ago, when she first married Damian Vale, everyone had envied her.

The powerful CEO of Vale Corporation.

Young.

Brilliant.

Untouchable.

And he had chosen her.

At least that was what the public believed.

No one knew the truth.

Their marriage had never been built on romance.

Damian married her because his grandfather demanded stability before handing over full control of the company.

Amelia agreed because she loved him.

Simple.

Painful.

Hopeless.

She loved him enough to accept scraps.

Loved him enough to mistake occasional kindness for affection.

Loved him enough to ignore the loneliness.

At first, she convinced herself he was simply busy.

Then she convinced herself he struggled to express emotions.

Then she convinced herself patience would eventually make him love her back.

But tonight shattered every illusion she still carried.

The necklace.

The accusations.

The divorce papers prepared in advance.

Damian never trusted her.

Not even after five years.

Amelia wiped her tears angrily.

She refused to cry anymore.

A sudden wave of nausea hit her violently.

Her knees weakened.

Quickly, she rushed toward the nearby restroom and barely made it to the sink before vomiting painfully.

Her breathing turned ragged afterward.

One hand gripped the counter while the other instinctively moved toward her stomach.

The baby.

Fresh tears filled her eyes again.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered shakily.

Sorry your father doesn’t want us.

Sorry I thought love was enough.

The restroom door suddenly opened.

Amelia stiffened immediately as Vanessa Cole stepped inside.

Elegant.

Perfect.

Victorious.

For a few seconds, neither woman spoke.

Then Vanessa slowly approached the mirror beside her, calmly fixing her lipstick.

“You embarrassed yourself tonight.”

Amelia looked at her reflection tiredly.

“You set me up.”

Vanessa smiled faintly.

“You have no proof.”

“You manipulated those photographs.”

“And Damian believed them.” Vanessa shrugged lightly. “That’s what matters.”

Pain flashed across Amelia’s face despite herself.

Vanessa noticed.

And enjoyed it.

“You know,” Vanessa continued softly, “you were never suited for him.”

Amelia stayed silent.

“That necklace?” Vanessa touched the diamonds around her neck proudly. “Damian gave it to me himself.”

A lie.

Amelia knew it instantly.

But hearing it still hurt.

“Why are you doing this?” Amelia asked quietly.

Vanessa’s expression cooled slightly.

“Because I hate women like you.”

Amelia frowned weakly.

“Soft women,” Vanessa said. “Women who think love alone is enough to keep a man like Damian Vale.”

She turned fully toward Amelia.

“You held the position I wanted for years. But honestly? Taking him from you was easier than I expected.”

Amelia’s fingers curled tightly against the sink.

“You’re wrong about him.”

Vanessa laughed softly.

“Am I?”

She stepped closer.

“Do you know what Damian said after seeing those photos?”

Amelia remained silent.

Vanessa leaned near her ear.

“He said he always knew you weren’t good enough for him.”

The words sliced straight through her chest.

Vanessa smiled at the devastation on Amelia’s face before stepping back elegantly.

“You should leave quietly. It’s less embarrassing that way.”

Then she walked out.

Leaving Amelia standing alone in silence.

For several seconds, Amelia didn’t move.

Then slowly—

Very slowly—

She looked at her reflection in the mirror.

Mascara smudged.

Eyes red.

Face pale.

This was what loving Damian Vale had turned her into.

A woman constantly begging to be chosen.

Amelia suddenly felt exhausted.

Not physically.

Emotionally.

Deeply emotionally exhausted.

And for the first time in years…

Something inside her snapped.

Not loudly.

Not dramatically.

Quietly.

Like the final thread finally breaking.

She washed her face carefully before leaving the restroom.

The ballroom remained lively behind the closed doors, the party continuing as though her marriage had never collapsed minutes earlier.

Of course it did.

The world always continued.

Even when someone’s heart stopped functioning properly.

Amelia walked toward the hotel entrance slowly.

Outside, rain had started pouring heavily across the city.

Thunder rumbled above the dark sky.

The cold wind instantly hit her skin, making her shiver.

She realized then that she had nowhere to go.

The mansion belonged to Damian.

Most of her friends were connected to his social circle.

Even her bank account was partially monitored through family finances tied to Vale Corporation.

A bitter smile touched her lips.

She had truly built her entire life around one man.

How foolish.

“Mrs. Vale!”

Nathan hurried after her under an umbrella.

Amelia turned slowly.

Nathan looked uncomfortable standing before her.

Unlike the others, he genuinely seemed affected by what happened.

“Mr. Vale asked me to bring your things tomorrow,” he said carefully.

Not Are you okay?

Not Do you need help?

Just instructions from Damian.

Amelia nodded faintly.

“That’s fine.”

Nathan hesitated.

Then quietly said, “I don’t think Mr. Vale handled tonight well.”

The understatement almost made her laugh.

“He believes I cheated.”

Nathan looked conflicted.

“I’m not saying he’s right.”

“But you’re not saying he’s wrong either.”

Silence.

That silence answered enough.

Amelia looked away.

“Thank you for bringing the message.”

She stepped away from the hotel entrance before Nathan suddenly called out again.

“Mrs. Vale.”

She paused.

Nathan lowered his voice carefully.

“There’s something strange about those photos.”

Amelia’s eyes flickered slightly.

“I checked the timestamps briefly,” he admitted. “They don’t fully match the gala schedule.”

Hope painfully stirred inside her chest.

But Nathan’s next words crushed it instantly.

“Still… Mr. Vale was extremely angry tonight.”

Amelia gave a weak smile.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I noticed.”

Nathan looked like he wanted to say more.

Instead, he simply handed her a small envelope.

“Your personal cards. I managed to separate them before legal gets involved.”

Amelia accepted it quietly.

“Thank you.”

Then she turned and walked into the rain.

Alone.

Inside the ballroom, Damian stood near the massive glass windows overlooking the city.

The party had resumed around him.

Investors laughed.

Music played softly.

Champagne flowed endlessly.

But Damian’s mood remained dark.

Nathan approached cautiously.

“She left.”

Damian’s expression didn’t change.

“Good.”

Yet his gaze remained fixed outside.

Watching the rain.

Nathan hesitated before speaking carefully.

“Sir… are you certain about the divorce?”

Damian’s jaw tightened instantly.

“What exactly are you implying?”

“Nothing.” Nathan sighed quietly. “I just think everything happened very fast.”

Damian’s eyes hardened dangerously.

“She betrayed me.”

Nathan almost argued.

Almost.

But years of working under Damian taught him when to remain silent.

Vanessa suddenly approached, sliding beside Damian naturally.

“You shouldn’t ruin your mood over someone like her.”

Damian pulled his arm away subtly.

A movement so small most people wouldn’t notice.

Vanessa’s smile stiffened slightly.

“She’s gone now,” Vanessa continued softly. “You should focus on yourself.”

Damian remained silent.

For some reason, Amelia’s face kept replaying in his mind.

Not her tears.

Not her pleading.

But the expression she wore after signing the papers.

Empty.

Like something inside her had died.

A strange irritation settled in his chest.

He hated it.

Damian drained the rest of his drink coldly.

Then suddenly asked, “Who was the man in those photos?”

Vanessa’s heartbeat skipped.

“What?”

“The man Amelia supposedly met.”

Vanessa recovered quickly.

“I don’t know. Does it matter?”

Damian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Because that was exactly the problem.

It did matter.

If Amelia cheated, why hadn’t she defended herself properly?

Why did she look more hurt than guilty?

And why—

Why did seeing her walk away feel strangely unbearable?

Before Damian could think further, his phone buzzed sharply.

He answered immediately, irritation already in his tone.

“What is it?”

But the voice on the other end sounded panicked.

“Mr. Vale… there’s a problem.”

Damian frowned.

“What happened?”

“It’s Mrs. Vale.”

Something cold moved through his chest instantly.

“What about her?”

The next words made Damian’s expression change completely.

“She collapsed outside the hotel.”