AMELIA

“ What is going on here?” I could hear myself scream. My eyes blinked in disbelief and shock. Was it a dream?

They acted like I was invincible, then my boyfriend stood up. His expression was calm and collected. His left hand found his way on my sister’s waist, holding her closely, he planted her a kiss before turning to me.

“ Are you surprised? You little slut! You thought I was never going to find out? Thanks to your sister” His words cut me deeply. My eyes darted to my sister and she was smiling smugly. Davidson threw photographs on the table, that was me in a compromising position with an old man, my hair tied in a ponytail, skirt pulled to my thighs.

“ It’s not my fault you are so cheap” She said with a smirk on her face.

“I can explain,” my voice shook. “You’re unbelievable! You set me up Susan, I hate you!” I raised my hands to slap Susan but my boyfriend got in the way and I slapped him instead.

“ How dare you, Amelia? You are so shameless” Susan defended him. “ After everything he has done for you, your next target is an old man? How gross! You are just like mom. Ungrateful!

My heart cut deep at those words. I could no longer bear it. I swung past my boyfriend to hit Susan, but he pushed me to the ground.

“ How could you do this to me Susan? I've been nothing but good to you, and this is how you choose to pay me back?” My tears tasted like pain and heartbreak.

“ Why are you blaming me for your misfortune?” Susan said sniffing as though she was about to cry. She definitely was a good actor. All those years she had fooled mom to always defend her.

“ Enough of this pity game. Stop playing victim here when you clearly cheated on me. What is it he had better? A big cock? Was it the money? Answer me, Amelia!” He was clearly angry, I could see through the manipulation, if only he let me explain myself.

Hot tears dripped from my eyes. “ No, Davidson, please hear me out, This is all Susan’s fault” Holding onto his legs, I began to beg.

“Stop pretending Amy the whole of Chicago knows! You cheap slut!” he cursed and I was surprised, Davidson never had that morale.

“ Give me another chance, Davidson please. I'll make it up to up”

“ I won't be needing a second chance, Amy. It is over between us” The words I dreaded to hear the most, he said them without thinking twice.

“ Serves you right, Sister. Nobody would want to eat leftover food. Davidson deserves someone like me” Susan said, waving her hands to reveal an engagement ring.

“Wait, what? You're engaged already?”

“ As you can see, she is going to be my wife. Now, you can whore your life around!” He drew Susan closer to him, held her by the waist and planted Susan a soft kiss on her neck.

I could no longer stand the humiliation, I stood up with the last strength left in me and took a walk of regret and hatred to my room.

I am Amelia Brets, and this is my life.

In less than 24 hours, my whole world came crumbling down. I broke down in tears.

************ ********** **********

The days that followed were like a blur, my pillow was soaked with tears, food tasted like pain and headaches became the new order every morning. My life took a turn and it seemed as though I had stopped living, nothing made sense anymore, not even the life I was living.

“ The universe hates me in it” I thought to myself. There was no doubt about that. I tried to stop myself from crying.

“Davidson is gone for good and he will not be back!” I wailed for another week blaming myself for listening to Susan. What was I thinking? That she has changed overnight? pffft

My saving grace were the last words of my mother; “ You need to be strong for yourself”

“ Hang in there mom” I had told her. “ Just hold on a little while. I would study hard and become a doctor, then I would do anything possible to find a cure to this menace” My 17 years old self thought these words were going to make my mom survive a stage 3 brain tumor?

“ Don't worry about anything my sweet girl. I have entrusted your inheritance to your step father. You can only access it once you are 18. That will cover your medical expenses and get you settled in any part of the world” Even on her dying bed, mom still considered my step father as one she could entrust finances into.

“ Why mom? Why did you do that? Did he force you to put it under his name? You should have asked your lawyer to handle that instead? We need to change that, he is not to be trusted, mom.” Too many questions but I got one reply and that was the last words from mom: “ It's already too late, my baby. You need to be strong for yourself”

“ Where would you want our honeymoon to be?” I overheard Davidson ask Susan and she giggled.

“ Maldives, sweetheart”

“ Your wish remains my command, my lady” Davidson answered.

That's where I have always wanted to have my honeymoon. She didn’t only steal my man, she chose the same destination. It was all intentional to hurt me. I could no longer shut my ears with my pillows, the echoes of Susan’s subtle laughter were still very loud. Just then, I knew it was time to start over again.

Two weeks after Davidson broke up with me, I dragged my thin self out of my room. I could no longer drown myself in regrets and depression.

My plans were to defer my studies for the session, while I worked full time to gather up funds for my tuition. It was going to be hard, but my fragile mind was made up. The last thing I wanted was to be a liability to my step father and sister.

A new beginning.

First, I needed a good meal. Bacon, smashed potatoes, steaks and milk. For someone who survived her first heart break, I needed more than that.