Since She Met Lucian

Amelia couldn't muster the will to say anything. Pain was swelling in her heart as she stared at her coffee.

"I'll sign the divorce papers," she finally said. She knew how terrible the whole situation was and it only made her decision more firm.

Shelly's lips contorted to a big smirk. She beamed as if she was just declared champion of a competition. "You know I've never thought much of you. But today, I'm actually impressed you made this decision."

Amelia tried to keep her face expressionless despite her growing discomfort. She wished Shelly would stop talking. She was only rubbing salt on Amelia's gaping wounds.

It hadn't been long since Amelia and Lucian found love in each other, and yet it seemed as if their relationship had already run its course. It surprised Amelia to realize that it was she who had to end it.

"But you know Lucian better than I do. Things like divorce papers won't instantly bend his will. It's better to do something that would make him actually hate you," Shelly reminded Amelia. With that she collected her bag and left Amelia to stew in her own feelings.

Amelia stayed in the coffee shop for hours. She couldn't muster the courage to walk out and find her way home. She merely sat there, the warm light of the shop illuminating her face, and yet Amelia only felt cold.

Nothing could ease her pain, not even the gentle music playing in the background. She was so lost in her thoughts that only the coffee aroma in the shop kept her grounded. She wished with all of her heart that Lucian would walk in, take the seat opposite hers, and give her a comforting smile.

It was already midnight when Amelia got back to SJ Garden. Lily had apparently been waiting for her but fell asleep on the sofa. With a light tap on the shoulder, Amelia woke her up so she could sleep more comfortably in her room. Sleepily, Lily asked, "Mrs. Amelia, is it true what they said in the news? Is Zhan Group really going bankrupt?"

Since leaving the coffee shop, Amelia had been trying keep her head clear of anything related to Zhan Group and Lucian, but Lily's question instantly brought them all back to mind. She replied flatly, "Not everything on the news is true, Lily. There was no mention of it when I went to the office earlier."

"Ah, of course! It must be a slow day in the news room. Those journalists are trying to make an issue out of nothing. Mr. Lucian is a great CEO. He could never let anything like that happen," Lily agreed. After ensuring that Amelia had already eaten, Lily wished her a good night and retired to her room.

Amelia decided that there was nothing else for her to do but sleep as well. She went up to her room but leaned heavily on the railing as she ascended. Her chest felt so tight, she could barely breathe.

Once in her room, Amelia pulled out the divorce papers she had printed earlier in Lucian's study. She read every word, until finally, with hands trembling, she signed her name on the document.

She laid on her bed and recalled the time she and Lucian registered for marriage. She also had mixed feelings signing her name on their marriage contract. At the time, she already knew that their married life would not be smooth-sailing, but it never occurred to her that she would have to make this kind of decision.

Amelia's eyes began to well up.

Seeing the word divorce in print only made it clear to her that she would have to live the rest of her life without Lucian. Without holding back, Amelia finally let herself cry.

She didn't know how Lucian would react once he saw the signed papers, but she hoped that he would take it better than she did.

Amelia cried and cried until she could do no more. And as sleep felt impossible, she settled on packing up her things.

a small bag. She packed the few

married for four months, but it felt

thought that she would

two hours earlier than usual and found that Lily was still in bed. Amelia wrote Lily a short message before

so Amelia took out her phone and let her torch lead the way. She kept walking until about half an hour later, when she heard the city wake. Cars were beginning to take on the road and stalls were starting

it was never really

everything that Courtney was going through. She thought it would be best to go somewhere no one

months of working in Zhan Group and a company-wide bonus, Amelia had roughly five thousand dollars in her account. It was enough to rent a small room,

outskirts. It was a quiet place situated a good

Lucian really look for her, Amelia wondered, but

balcony decorated with small potted plants. The rent was affordable and the landlady was a retired old woman who had a kind smile on her

had the room to herself. She decided to do a bit of grocery shopping and was about to leave the house when her phone began

yet she desperately wanted to hear his

when she took out her phone, it was Jonny's name on the

dejected. "Yes? What can I do for you,

are you, Amelia?" Jonny asked.

already knew that she had left SJ

lie. She was really about to head out to do

looking for you, but your maid told me that you

note Amelia left Lily mentioned that she was going on a holiday. She counted on Lucian understanding

I just wanted to buy some snacks." Amelia kept on stuttering. Lying had never been

going with you." Jonny quickly

want to be alone,"

that Jonny knew everything. He even knew that she had a private conversation with Shelly. She wondered if it also meant that he knew about

was only thinking of Zhan Group. She wanted to do what she thought was best for the company, even if it came with a personal cost. If she knew that it was only her

we're just not meant to be together. If you care about me, please help Lucian get through this," Amelia said indifferently despite the heartache. After that, she hung up

plants. The stones in the

enjoying the peace staying in the garden afforded her when

week, during which she mostly kept to her journal and ate instant noodles whenever she got hungry. The kind landlady would bring her home-cooked meals. One time, the lady remarked, "You're so

Lucian had said the