Amelia's POV
I broke down just a few steps outside the restaurant.
My legs gave out beneath me.
I squatted on the pavement, my hands covering my face as the tears I had been holding back finally poured out.
I couldn't stop them.
didn't want to stop them.
The night air felt cold against my skin, but I barely noticed.
All I could see… was him.
Daniel. The way he looked at me.
Cold.
Indifferent.
Like I meant nothing.
Like the three years we spent together meant absolutely nothing to him.
A broken sound escaped my lips as I lowered my head further.
Memories flooded my mind all at once.
The first time he held my hand.
nights we stayed awake planning our future.
The way he used to smile at me like I was his whole world.
We spend time in the kitchen together, playing flirting and making mess.
"I'll never let you regret choosing me."
His voice echoed in my head.
I let out a small, bitter laugh through my tears.
Regret?
That was all I felt now.
My chest tightened painfully.
It hurt so much I could barely breathe.
I pressed a hand against my chest, trying to steady myself, but the pain wouldn't go away.
It only grew stronger.
Everything was gone.
Just like that.
My marriage…
My love…
My home…
My world.
All gone.
I stayed there for a few minutes—maybe longer.
Time didn't make sense anymore.
People passed by me.
Some glanced at me.
Some came to ask what was going on.
Some didn't.
But I didn't care.
Nothing mattered to me.
Not anymore.
After what felt like forever, I forced myself to move.
My hands trembled as I reached into my bag and pulled out my phone.
There was only one person I could call.
Mia.
My best friend.
The only person who would understand better.
The phone rang once.
Then twice.
She picked up almost immediately.
"Amelia? What's wrong?"
The moment I heard her voice…
I broke again.
Words refused to come out.
All that escaped were broken sobs.
"Hey… hey, Amelia, talk to me," Mia said quickly, her voice filled with concern.
I tried to speak.
Tried to form words.
But my throat felt tight.
"I…" My voice cracked. "I'm at Riverside Restaurant…"
"What happened?" she asked immediately.
"Aren't you supposed to be with Daniel? Today is your anniversary."
Her words hit me like a fresh wave of pain.
I closed my eyes tightly.
But I couldn't answer.
I couldn't say it out loud.
Not yet.
The call ended shortly after.
Mia arrived faster than I expected.
Less than ten minutes later, she came rushing toward me, slightly out of breath, her hair messy like she had left in a hurry.
Her eyes scanned the area quickly until they landed on me.
"Amelia!"
She ran to me and grabbed my hands.
Her expression changed instantly when she saw my face.
"Oh my God…"
Her voice softened.
"It's okay… I'm here now."
That was all it took.
The tears came again.
Stronger this time.
She didn't ask questions.
Didn't push me.
She simply helped me up and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
"Let's go," she said gently.
The ride to her apartment was quiet.
I leaned against the seat, staring blankly ahead.
My mind replayed everything over and over again.
The divorce papers.
Sophia.
The words—
"She's carrying my child."
I closed my eyes.
It felt like a nightmare I couldn't wake up from.
The moment we stepped into Mia's apartment, I broke down completely.
The door had barely closed before my knees weakened again.
This time, Mia caught me before I could fall.
I cried harder than before.
Louder.
Messier.
All the pain I had been holding in finally spilled out.
"I didn't do anything wrong…" I sobbed. "I stayed… I supported him… I loved him…"
My voice shattered.
"Why… why wasn't I enough?"
Mia didn't interrupt.
She just sat beside me, gently rubbing my back, letting me cry everything out.
Time passed.
Slowly, the intensity of my sobs faded.
My breathing became uneven but calmer.
Mia handed me tissues quietly.
"Where's Daniel?" she asked softly.
I didn't trust my voice.
So I reached into my bag and pulled out the papers.
I handed them to her.
She frowned slightly as she took them.
Then she opened it.
Her eyes moved quickly across the page.
And then—
She froze.
"Divorce papers?"
Her voice rose in disbelief.
She looked at me sharply.
"That jerk gave you divorce papers at your anniversary dinner?"
Her grip on the paper tightened.
I nodded weakly.
"Yes…"
My voice was barely audible.
Mia's expression darkened instantly.
"That bastard," she muttered under her breath.
My lips trembled again.
"He left me… for another woman."
I swallowed hard.
"She's pregnant."
Mia blinked.
"What?"
"He brought her there," I continued softly. "To the restaurant… tonight…"
Mia stared at me like she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"You're telling me Daniel brought his mistress to your anniversary dinner?"
Her voice was filled with anger.
"Does that even make sense?"
I gave a broken nod.
Tears slipped down my cheeks again.
"I didn't need him to explain anything," I whispered. "The way he looked at her… I already understood."
Mia clenched her jaw.
"That idiot has no idea what he just lost."
A small, bitter smile touched my lips.
"He doesn't care anymore."
For a moment, the room fell silent.
Then Mia looked at me again.
Carefully this time.
Her gaze slowly dropped to my stomach.
Something in her expression changed.
"Amelia…" she said slowly.
"There's something I need to ask you."
My heart skipped.
"What is it?"
She hesitated.
Then asked quietly—
"When was the last time you had your period?"
I froze.
Completely.
The question hit me like a sudden shock.
My mind started counting.
Days.
Weeks.
My breathing slowed.
A strange feeling crept into my chest.
I looked down at my hands.
"…I'm late."
The words came out softly.
Almost like I didn't want to believe them.
Mia's eyes widened.
"Amelia…"
She leaned slightly closer.
"You might be pregnant."
Silence filled the room.
The ticking of the wall clock suddenly sounded louder.
My heart pounded.
Pregnant?
Now?
After everything that just happened?
My fingers curled slightly.
"No…" I whispered.
"This can't be happening…"
But deep down…
I already knew.
And that scared me more than anything else.
If I was pregnant…
If I was pregnant…
Then the child inside me…
Was Daniel Carter's.
My fingers trembled slightly as I pressed a hand against my stomach.
A hollow laugh escaped my lips.
"How ironic…"
The man who divorced me for another woman…
Because I couldn't give him a child—
Might have just abandoned his own.