Chapter 60 Chapter 60
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Chapter 60
“What does he even see in her, Gloria?”
Amelia’s voice cracked as she sat on the carpet, her hair scattered across her shoulders. Tears slid down her cheeks, but she didn’t bother wiping them. She kept staring at the torn magazine page in her hand like it personally insulted her.
Gloria sat at the edge of the bed, legs crossed, her eyes running over the picture again. “Amelia, calm down first.”
“Calm down? Calm down?” Amelia shot back, pointing at the blurred image of Ethan standing close behind a woman Celine. “Look at that! He has never held me like that. Never. So what is this? What is he doing with her?”
Gloria sighed. “You tore the page already. Why not ignore it?”
“Because it’s still in my head!” Amelia snapped. She grabbed the page from Gloria again, her fingers trembling. “Who is she? Why can’t her face show clearly? Why is her back turned like she’s hiding? Why is Ethan standing so close to her?”
Gloria leaned closer and squinted her eyes. “Her shape… is actually very nice. Look at her waist. And her hips. She’s very—”
Amelia’s head jerked up fast.
“Are you admiring her shape, Gloria? Did you even hear anything I said?”
Gloria blinked slowly, still staring at the picture. “I’m just being honest. The girl looks good. Maybe Ethan likes—”
“Likes what?” Amelia cut in immediately. “Gloria, what exactly are you trying to say?”
Gloria exhaled softly. “I’m saying maybe he wants someone different now.”
“Different?” Amelia repeated, her voice rising a little. “So now you think she has something I don’t?”
“That’s not what I’m saying,” Gloria said, placing the magazine page on the bed. “Amelia, look at yourself. You’re stressing over a blurred picture. That woman’s face isn’t even showing. How sure are you she’s the one he likes? Or even if she’s the one he’s standing behind?”
Amelia’s lips parted, her breathing uneven. “Because he doesn’t stand that close to people. Ethan hates people touching him. Even at the dinner, he stood far from ladies. He never liked when anyone leaned on him. But look—” she tapped the photo, “he’s practically on top of her here.”
Gloria nodded slowly. “Maybe he was protecting her from being pushed. Events get crowded.”
“Protecting?” Amelia laughed bitterly. “He never protected me. He never cared if I inhaled smoke or got pushed in public. That man never placed a hand on my back. But this woman—this woman who isn’t even showing her face—he’s suddenly protecting?”
Gloria fell silent.
Amelia pushed her hair back, frustrated. “Tell me the truth. Does she look better than me?”
Gloria paused, picking the torn page again. She studied the shape of the woman, her slim waist, her curves, the way Ethan’s hand rested lightly near her lower back.
“She’s… she’s pretty,” Gloria finally said. “Her body is magnificent. Some men like this type.”
“Wow,” Amelia muttered. “Amazing. Instead of comforting me, you’re admiring her now.”
“I’m not admiring. I’m stating the truth,” Gloria said. “And Amelia, you need to accept something. If Ethan is happy, then let him be happy.”
Amelia whipped her head up. “So when I was with him, he wasn’t happy?”
“I didn’t say that,” Gloria replied. “But relationships end for reasons. Even though he didn’t tell you why, he had his reasons. Maybe he felt disconnected. Maybe he wanted someone soft, quiet, calm.”
“Soft?” Amelia scoffed. “Do I look like a monster?”
“No. You’re beautiful. You’re strong. You’re confident. But Ethan… he never liked trouble. Even when both of you were together, he always wanted silence. Maybe he found someone who gives him peace.”
Amelia froze.
Peace.
That word stung her deeper than anything else Gloria had said.
Gloria sighed, stood up, and grabbed her purse. “Look, I don’t want to fight with you. You’re hurting. I get it. But don’t do anything crazy. Try and relax. You’ve cried enough already.”
Amelia looked up at her, her eyes swollen. “So you’re telling me to let him go?”
“I’m telling you to take care of your mind first,” Gloria answered. “If he has moved on, forcing him back won’t help.”
Amelia didn’t respond. She just stared at the floor, her breathing slow and shaky.
Gloria walked to the door.
“Call me if you need anything,” she said softly. “Please don’t do anything reckless.”
The door closed behind her.
Silence settled, and Amelia was left alone with the torn magazine pieces scattered across her bed and floor.
She sat still for a long moment, her eyes fixed on Ethan’s half-visible face on the page. The more she stared, the more something dark formed in her chest.
“Let him be happy,” she whispered mockingly.
“Happy? Without me?”
She scoffed and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
Then her eyes shifted to something on her table.
A company card.
White and gold.
She picked it up slowly.
Serena Beauty Clinic.
She whispered the name. “Serena… beauty clinic.”
Her mind started racing. She didn’t know exactly what she was thinking yet, but she knew she needed to look perfect, unshakeable, irresistible. She needed to be better than whoever the girl behind Ethan was.
If Ethan wanted someone soft, she could become soft.
If he wanted curves, she could adjust.
If he wanted someone calm, she could pretend.
If he wanted someone beautiful, she could upgrade.
“No one takes Ethan from me,” she murmured.
She grabbed her phone and dialed the company number on the card.
The line rang once before someone picked.
“Serena Beauty Clinic, good evening. How may we assist you?”
Amelia sat up straight and pushed confidence into her voice.
“Yes, good evening. I need to book an appointment for tomorrow.”
“Alright, ma’am. What time suits you?”
“Ten in the morning,” Amelia said. “I want the best specialist you have.”
“Yes ma’am. Ten o’clock is fine. May I have your name?”
“Amelia Daniels.”
“Okay ma’am. Your appointment is confirmed. We’ll be expecting you.”
“Thank you.”
She dropped the phone slowly.
She sat back on the bed, staring at nothing.
“This girl wants to take my place?”
Her lips twitched.
“Let her try.”
She picked up the torn magazine page again, looked at the blurred woman leaning forward, Ethan standing behind her.
Her hands tightened around the paper.
“I’ll make sure I find ou
t who you are.”
The room stayed quiet as her anger settled into determination.
Tomorrow was the beginning.
And Amelia wasn’t planning to lose.
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