Chapter 5
Amelia hit the concrete hard, her tailbone screaming in pain as camera flashes went off like strobe lights. Every embarrassing second was being
recorded for the world to see.
She looked up at Nathan automatically, but his expression was ice–cold disappointment. She could practically hear what he wanted her to say: “This is just a misunderstanding. Vivian is sick, and my husband was simply being kind to someone who needs help.“[]
Her hand pressed protectively against her stomach. Amelia almost laughed at the absurdity of it all.]
The September sun filtered through the chaos in scattered beams, but somehow none of the warmth reached her.[]
She stood up slowly, brushing dirt off her jeans, and deliberately turned her back on Nathan. “I feel bad that Miss Hope is sick,” she said clearly. “But that’s where my sympathy ends.“[]
“So you two are friends?” some asshole reporter pushed.[]
“Friends?” Amelia’s laugh was bitter. “Who stays friends with someone who’s constantly all over their husband?“[]
She spotted Harper’s Honda pulling up to the curb and waved.[]
“Amelia!” Nathan’s voice was sharp with warning, but she didn’t turn around. She stood there with her back to him, refusing to budge.[]
Harper swooped in like a guardian angel, but not before getting in one final shot.[]
“Wow, what a shitshow,” Harper announced loudly enough for the mics to pick up. “Never seen anyone so thirsty for attention. Absolutely pathetic.“[]
“Excuse me,” Vivian started, but Harper was already cutting her off.[]
“Excuse you what? I’m stating facts. You wanna blast me on your little livestream? Go for it. I’ve got nothing to hide.“[]
Vivian’s face went chalk–white and she swayed like she might collapse. The crowd immediately swarmed her while Harper peeled out with Amelia.[]
“Don’t worry about the drama queen back there,” Harper said, checking her mirrors. “That fainting shit is textbook manipulation. I see it all the time in
the ER.”
Amelia shook her head. “I’m not worried about her. I’m worried about you getting in trouble at work.“[]
They hit a red light and Harper snorted. “Girl, my dad runs that hospital. Forgot to mention that, didn’t I?“]]
“Wait, didn’t you once tell me you’d rather die than admit Harold Lopez was your father?“]
“Desperate times call for desperate measures!” Harper cackled. “I’d claim Donald Trump as my daddy if it kept me employed.“[]
The light turned green and they both cracked up–the first genuine laugh Amelia had had in weeks.]
“Okay, so what’s the plan? I’m off for the rest of the day. Your wish is my command.“[]
Amelia’s grin turned devious. “Actually, I do need a favor.“[]
“Shoot.”
“Help me move out.” Before Harper could protest, Amelia grabbed her wrist. “You already said yes! No take–backs!“]
“Oh, you sneaky bitch-“]
Two hours later, they stood in the penthouse Amelia had called home for exactly thirteen months. Professional movers were efficiently dismantling her life, box by labeled box.[]
The whole marriage had been so rushed–they’d furnished the place with whatever looked expensive at West Elm. But over the past year, Amelia had slowly made it feel like an actual home instead of a hotel suite
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Chapter 5
What a waste.
While Harper supervised the chaos, Amelia picked up a bottle of Chanel No. 5 from her vanity. Nathan’s first post–wedding gift, brought back from some business trip to London.[]
She remembered how he’d smelled like airport coffee and expensive cologne when he came through the door, suitcase still in hand, looking almost eager to see her. That night his kiss had been different–hungrier, more real. For about five minutes, they’d actually felt married.[]
Amelia uncapped the bottle and took a small sniff. Same scent as that night when he’d dabbed it behind her ears and whispered how beautiful she
looked.
“Want me to pack this?” Harper appeared with bubble wrap.
“Nah, leave it.”
Amelia slipped off her wedding ring–the simple platinum band Nathan had grabbed last–minute from Tiffany–and set it next to the perfume. After a moment, she shoved both items into the drawer and slammed it shut.]
An hour later, the apartment looked like a staged listing again. Everything that belonged to her was gone except for a bottle of perfume and a wedding ring, hidden away like dirty secrets.
Moving was surprisingly easy once you committed to it. Ripping off the band–aid hurt like hell for about thirty seconds, then you were free. Hearts worked the same way.
As Harper drove them toward Amelia’s new place in Brooklyn, wind whipped through the open windows. In the side mirror, she watched the Manhattan skyline shrink until it was just another view.
Sometimes you had to burn everything down to build something better. And she had work to do.[]
Her father’s “accidental” death, the mysterious collapse of Visconti Industries–someone had answers, and she was going to find them. She’d spent seven years living for Nathan’s approval. Time to live for herself.
Starting with that singing competition.
She pulled out her phone and found her manager’s contact. Count me in for the show. When do we start?
Back at the hospital, Vivian was still milking her breakdown while Nathan awkwardly patted her shoulder. But his mind kept drifting to Amelia–the straight line of her spine as she walked away, the flat tone in her voice.
She’d known exactly what he expected her to say and had deliberately done the opposite. Again.[]
He’d blown up her phone with texts. Radio silence. Again.[]
J
In less than 48 hours, she’d become a completely different person. The property agreement, the public confrontation–it was like she was actively trying to piss him off. Nathan flashed back to two nights ago, the eerie calm in Amelia’s eyes when she’d agreed to the divorce.
Something cold twisted in his stomach.]
“Don’t be angry with Amelia,” Vivian whispered through her tears. “She’s in pain. Seeing us together… I get why she came to confront me. Whatever she does to me, I probably deserve it.”
More tears. “These six months I’m asking for–I’m stealing them from your marriage. So if Amelia wants to hurt me, that’s… that’s fair.“[]
Suddenly she doubled over coughing. When she pulled her hand away, it was bright red with blood.[]
“Jesus, Vivian!” Nathan lunged for his phone to call 911.[]
“No, don’t.” She smiled weakly. “It’s stage four. This is normal now. I’m okay.”
Her nurse helped her to the car while Nathan stood there, his worry about Vivian temporarily eclipsing his irritation with Amelia. She was probably just having a tantrum. She’d cool off and come crawling back like always.[]
The second Nathan was out of sight, Vivian calmly wiped her mouth and spat out the small blood capsule she’d bitten.
Chapter 5
“Think he’ll go home and scream at her?” she asked her accomplice cheerfully. “God, I hope someone records it.”
She opened TikTok to check the damage. The comments were chef’s kiss perfect:[]
girl was literally just getting PAIN MEDS and this psycho wife shows up to start drama
imagine being jealous of a dying woman… couldn’t be me]
nathan and vivian are literally soulmates look at them together
amelia eating pavement was so satisfying ngl
DIVORCE HIM SIS THE STREETS ARE CALLING
#FreeNathan2024]
Vivian screenshot her favorites and speed–dialed her publicist.
“I want full social media saturation by tomorrow morning. Amelia Visconti should be the most hated woman on the internet.“[]
She paused. “Oh, and find out what she was doing at the hospital today. I smell opportunity.“]]
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