Chapter 3

Amelia woke with a pounding headache, the kind that makes even the smallest noise feel like a hammer to her skull. Last night festivities were still a blur and her sluggish thoughts struggled to put the piece of the event together.

Her phone resting on the night stand buzzed angrily, she groaned, grabbing it but before she could utter any word, a cold sharp voice cut through it.

"As my wife, you vanish for a week without a word, you must have some nerves Amelia" the iciness in Fedrick's tone snapped her out of her haze. Amelia smirked, her lips curling with confidence. She had really shown him.

She sat up slowly, savouring the moment before replying "4 years you have come and gone without so much as a text, funny isn't it? When I do the same suddenly it's a problem"

Her voice was calm almost casual but the sarcasm in her word was razor sharp, there was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone. Her hesitation she imagine was Fedrick's straggling to respond.

She took a sip of water from a glass on her bed side table, letting the silence linger before delivering her next blow. "By the way" she had it smoothly "I have already filed for divorce, I do not owe you any updates on my where about any more, ex-husband.

The words hung in the air. "Divorce?" Fedrick scoff came quickly masking whatever initial reaction he might have had. "Are you done with your little antiques Amelia?"

Every six months, every three months, now this? Are you not tired of this game?" Amelia leaned back against the head board, her expression steady and unimpressed.

"Not tired at all actually" she said lightly, "But If you are, you can finalise the divorce. Let us make it simple for both of us, no more games, no more pretenses" her calmness seemed to rattle him.

The Fedrick she had known would have hung up by know, would have dismiss her entirely. But this time his voice grew harder and angrier. "Are you doing this on purpose Amelia? Stirring up drama right before grandpa returns?"

Amelia's heart clenched momentarily but she kept her tone even. Andrew, Fedrick's grandfather had retired to Australia the year before, declaring his love for peaceful country side and vowing to stay indefinitely.

His sudden return now was suspicious. Clearly Every's concern was not about her absence but more about appearances. The timing of her rebellion had put him in an uncomfortable position.

Her silence seem to confirm his suspicions. "How much do you want this time?" He demanded, his voice cold and biting. "Or your uncle have another eyeing on one for his projects.

Her grip tightened around the glass. She took a deep breath, her lashed fluttering as she fought back the familiar ache his acquisitions always triggered.

In Fedrick eyes, her every action was motivated by greed, every argument, every request was a calculated scheme for financial gain.

She no longer had the energy the image head painted her. "Think what you want, Fedrick" she said quietly, the fight drained from her voice. "Let me know when you are ready to sign the divorce papers, there is nothing else we need to discuss"

The line went dead before he could respond. Amelia let the phone drop unto the bed beside her starring at the ceiling. Her heart felt heavy but there was a strange calmness that came, finally saying the words she fear for so long.

Across town, Fedrick mood was anything but calm, he starred at his phone the cold monotone of the dial tone grating against his nerves he called her again only to be met with a robotic voice informing him that the number was no longer in service his jaw tightened, frustration barely contained.

Ava the house keeper was nearby, pretending to busy herself with cleaning. She had heard over enough of the conversation to piece together what had happened. She wisely kept her eyes on the floor, the tension in the room was suffocating.

Fedrick turned catching lingering presence . His icy glare made her shiver. She quickly stammered, "sir I did not hear a thing, I was just…" he waved her off with an expression hard and readable. Without another word he pulled something from his pocket and tossed it into the trash with an audible thud.

Ava's curiosity got the better off her, once he disappeared upstairs, she cautiously approach the trash can. Appearing inside, there nestled a luxurious velvet box was an antique diamond necklace.

Ava's eye widened she recognised it immediately. Mrs Bennett had admired the piece once, mentioning it casually during a conversation. For Fedrick to discard it now felt unsymbolic as if the gift no longer has a recipient.

Meanwhile, Amelia sat crossed legged on the bed, he cell phone buzzing faintly against the sheets, she ignore it, muttering under her breath. "He really called me first thing in the morning just to ruin my day."

She sighed shaking her head in disbelief. Joy starred on the other bed blinking groggily as she propped herself on one elbow. Amelia, "What are you muttering about now and why are you grinning like that?"

Amelia turned to her friend with a cheeky smile, flipping her hair dramatically. "Do I not look dashed, standing up to Fedrick suite me, don't you think?" Joy starred at her unimpressed.

"You are trying to mask your sadness with jokes, but nice try" she gave her a thumbs up anyway, offering silence support. The mood shifted as Joy's express turned serious. "If you go through with the divorce what's is your plan? You know you have some hefty pretty bills to take care of every month"

Amelia's grin faded slightly but her resolve remained firm. "I will figure it out" she said quietly. "I have spent 4 years living in someone else's shadow, trying to fit to a life that was never mine. "I think it is time to start figuring out what I actually want"

Joy studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Alright but just so you know, I am here for you, what ever you need." Amelia smiled, the genuine warmth of her friends words breaking through the lingering weight on her chest.

For the first time in years she felt like she was finally taking hold of her own life the road ahead wasn't certain but she was no longer afraid.