Her voice took on a nostalgic tone as she continued, "When I was sick as a child, my brother stayed by my bedside all night. When I was bullied at school, he personally went to confront my classmates’ families. Even when I got my first period, my brother ran out to buy me some tamponss ..."
Amelia listened, feeling an emptiness grow inside her. She suddenly realized that even though she and Damien had grown up together, she could never compare to the "familial bond" that he and Victoria shared.
The Damien who had always been distant, cold and professional with her … had been endlessly loving and indulgent toward Victoria. Amelia had been blind to it for too long. Only after getting hurt over and over again had she finally learned to let go.
Victoria suddenly raised her head, her gaze cautious.
"Amelia … do you think the way I look at my brother is… strange?"
Amelia remained silent, studying her.
Victoria’s possessiveness over Damien was so blatant, her schemes so shallow, that she had even dared to say this to Damien’s wife.
But instead of reacting, Amelia simply smiled as she calmly responded, "It’s not strange. I think … your brother likes you very much."
Victoria’s voice dropped to a whisper as she said, "Then, Amelia ... will you give my brother to me?"
Amelia met her expectant gaze and answered lightly, "Maybe."
She didn’t say outright that she was ready for a divorce. There was no need to hand Victoria a victory so easily.
Still, Victoria seemed satisfied with the ambiguous answer. A triumphant smile spread across her face, as if Damien was already hers. On the way home, Victoria dozed off in the back seat.
Damien glanced at Amelia through the rearview mirror and spoke in a low voice.
"Baby, next time … I promise I’ll make our relationship public."
Amelia smiled gently as she said calmly, "It’s okay. Our marriage was just an agreement. I understand."
Her calm response made Damien uneasy.
He hurriedly reassured her, "At the earliest, in a week, I’ll-"
"We’re here," Amelia cut him off, looking out the window.
The car had already stopped at her door.
One day became a week. A week became a month. A month became a year.
Amelia had learned not to wait for promises that would never be kept. Five years of marriage. She would treat it as nothing more than a dream. And now, after waking from that dream, it was time to pack up and move on.