Chapter 2: Cold Reality

"Mrs. Amelia Richard, do you take Edward William to be your lawful wedded husband, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?" The priest’s voice echoed through the chapel, but it felt distant, as though his words were reaching Amelia from a faraway place. 

His question jolted her back to the present, but the reality she faced was far from the love life she had imagined.

Amelia's gaze fell upon Edward, the man who was now meant to be her forever. But as her eyes met his, she was hit with a cold chill. 

His cold gaze, one that had haunted her since the previous day when he came to pick up from her house, pierced through her. That same coldness that had made her feel so small, so insignificant, when he arrived to pick her up.

The only time his demeanor had softened, if it could even be called that, was when he returned drunk the night before—forcing himself on her, not caring that it was her first time. 

She had heard many rumors about him being cold and heartless, but she never expected it to be this serious.

As she thought of the life that awaited her with this man, the weight of it crushed her spirit. Her chest tightened with an ache that she could not hold back. 

She blinked quickly, trying to suppress the tears that burned at the corners of her eyes. But the veil covering her face concealed her grief, and for a moment, she was shielded from the gaze of the audience. 

"Mrs. Amelia," the priest’s voice broke through her haze, the tension in his tone reminding her that everyone was waiting for her response. She hesitated, lost in the turmoil of her thoughts, before finally whispering, "I do."

The words felt hollow as they left her lips, and as they echoed through the hall, the applause that followed only deepened the emptiness inside her. The life she had dreamed of, the love life she had hoped for, seemed like a distant fantasy now, fading into a cruel reality. 

"I now pronounce you both as husband and wife; you may now..." 

Before the priest could finish, Edward took a step back, his cold eyes never leaving the ground, and without a word, he began walking off the altar, heading toward the exit. The room fell into an uneasy silence, and then the murmurs began, voices rising in confusion and disbelief. 

Amelia’s face burned with humiliation. She quickly left the altar, the weight of her dress dragging behind her as she followed him. 

The whispers of the guests filled the air, but she paid no mind. She had no choice but to follow. What else could she do? 

“What the hell is wrong with your brother?” Mrs. Teresa, Edward's mother, fumed, her voice rising in frustration.

She made to stand, in order to go and confront Edward, but Sandra, Edward’s sister, gently pulled her back into her seat.

“Mum, let him be for now,” Sandra said, her voice calm, though there was a tinge of sadness beneath her words.

“You know how he is. If not for you, he wouldn’t have gotten married at all. All we can do now is hope that Amelia can melt his cold heart.”

Mrs. Teresa sighed deeply, knowing that his daughter was right.

Outside, Amelia found Edward discussing with one of his bodyguards. Without sparing her a glance, he climbed into his car, the door slamming shut with finality. The guard, now turning toward Amelia, offered her an explanation. 

"Mrs. Edward, I will take you back home. Young master had an emergency at the company—that's why he left so abruptly," the guard explained, his words soft but clinical. 

Amelia smiled bitterly, hiding the storm of emotions that churned inside her. 

As if raping her the previous night wasn't enough, he has also abandoned her at the altar as if she was just a piece of garbage.

'What next was he going to do to her?' Amelia thought inwardly.

Her fake smile faded as she stepped into the car, thousands of thoughts running through her mind.

The drive continued for a few minutes, the silence stretching between them. 

Then, without warning, Amelia spoke.

“Stop the car,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm within. 

The driver hesitated before pulling over by the side of the road. 

“Is everything okay?” he asked, concern lacing his words.

"Wait for me here; I want to go and ease myself," Amelia said to the driver, who furrowed his brows at her, but before he could protest, Amelia had already gotten down from the car and was already walking away.

She walked a few yards away, her steps purposeful and resolute. When the car was out of sight, she flagged down a taxi and got in without a second thought. 

“Take me to this address,” she told the driver, giving him a location. Once in the car, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number. 

“Hello, where are you?” She asked, her voice calm but strained.

“At home,” a familiar voice answered.

“Good. There’s been a change of plan. I’m on my way to your house now. Are the papers ready?” Amelia’s question was direct, her mind already focused on the next step. 

“Yes, they are,” the voice replied.

“Okay,” Amelia said, hanging up with a sense of finality. 

When the taxi arrived, Amelia paid the driver and quickly walked to the apartment building in front of her. She didn’t have time to second-guess her decision.

Getting to the front of the apartment, she placed a soft knock, and immediately the door opened, revealing a young lady who probably had the same age as her.

"Amelia," the young lady whose name was Sarah called out to her before hugging her tightly.

“Are you sure about this?” Sarah asked, pulling away from the hug and looking at Amelia with concern. 

“Yes,” Amelia replied, her voice firm despite the uncertainty that threatened to break through. 

“I would rather live on my own and support myself than be trapped in a loveless marriage.” Amelia said to Sarah, who gave a quiet nod, understanding all too well the depth of her friend’s decision. 

“Well then, hurry up,” Sarah urged. “I just checked, and the flight to Canada is in thirty minutes. You need to leave before they start looking for you.”

“Thank you,” Amelia whispered, her gratitude so overwhelming she didn’t know how to express it.

Sarah handed Amelia a new set of clothes—simple, comfortable clothes that she used to replace the wedding dress she still wore.

"Let's go; I will drive," Sarah said to Amelia as they both started heading to the exit.

Within ten minutes, they arrived at the airport, and Amelia felt her heart pounding in her chest as she stepped out of the car. She hugged Sarah tightly, the emotions overwhelming her. 

“I’m really going to miss you, bestie,” Amelia said, her voice cracking slightly.

“I’ll miss you too,” Sarah replied, returning the hug.

Amelia pulled away, a thought weighing heavily on her mind. “Can you do me one last favor?”

“Of course, what is it?” Sarah asked, concern in her eyes.

"Clear every piece of information about me once I leave and also send a divorce paper on my behalf to Mr. Edward," Amelia said to her.

“Okay, I’ll take care of it for you,” Sarah promised, her smile warm and sincere.

“Thank you, Sarah. I owe you one. I’ll pay you back one day,” Amelia said, her voice full of gratitude. She gave Sarah one last hug before stepping away and heading into the airport, her heart torn but determined. 

To be continued...