Chapter 296 Heartbroken
Back home, Tiffany hugged Amelia who opened the door for her. “I’m sorry, Babe,” she said apologetically.
Amelia was confused. “What’s wrong?” she inquired.
“I’m in a relationship.”
Amelia was rather surprised before breaking into a grin. “Isn’t that a happy thing? Why did you apologize to me?”
“You just got a divorce, and I got myself a boyfriend. That doesn’t feel right.”
Amelia gave her a hug as she was amused. “I’m glad you found someone. At least one of us is happy now. That man who stole your heart should be Derrick, right?’
Tiffany didn’t deny her guess.
Delighted, Amelia gave her another hug. “Congratulations, Tiff! Since you’re now a couple, you should stay back. It’s hard to keep a long-distance relationship. Besides, you’ve just got into a relationship. If you leave with me, it’ll be a huge blow to your unstable relationship. I don’t want to ruin it.”
Tiffany rejected her at once. “Amelia, don’t push me away. I’ve told Derrick everything, and he has agreed to it. After we settle down in another city, I’ll let him know where we are. Just take it easy. I’ll make sure that our relationship goes well. If he falls out of love with me because we’re apart, then there’s no need for me to stick around him.”
Though a long-distance relationship would test each other’s feelings, it was also the perfect opportunity to find out how much Derrick loved her.
If he remained steadfast and loyal, she’d consider marrying him and go through every obstacle together, hand in hand.
“Tiff, you-”
“Babe, I know what I’m doing. As an adult, I am capable of handling my own love life. Don’t forget that I’m a freelance novelist who has a unique and sharp approach to my relationships. I pondered over it thoroughly before agreeing to become Derrick’s girlfriend, so I won’t break up with him easily. I am sure he’ll make arrangements for my work. You just don’t worry for I’m all ready. When are you leaving? Tonight or tomorrow? Let’s book the flight tickets now,” Tiffany said.
Amelia thought about it and answered, “Tiff, I want to visit Oscar in secret. I won’t get to see him after we leave, so I want to etch his face in my mind.”
Tiffany stared at her silently.
Flashing a forced smile, Amelia said, “I know how useless I am, Tiff. I promise you I’ll just want to see him one more time. I’ll then try to bury him deep in my heart.”
“All right. I’ll give you a ride there.” Tiffany caved in.
Amelia gave her a hug.
Patting her back, Tiffany chided, “All right, stop this. You want to see him, right? Let’s go. After that, I’ll book flight tickets for tonight. We need to leave before Oscar realizes something is wrong.”
Amelia stood still for a moment before bobbing her head.
After leaving instructions for Kurt to take care of Tony, the ladies left the apartment.
Tiffany drove out of the neighborhood and sped off onto the road. “Tiff, didn’t you say someone will view your house a few days later? Is it all right to leave tonight?” Amelia queried worriedly.
“Don’t sweat it. I’ve arranged for someone else to take care of that,” Tiffany replied, her gaze focused on the street.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Amelia fell silent and leaned back in her seat.
Tapping the steering wheel absent-mindedly, Tiffany turned to her and wetted her lips before saying, “Babe, Oscar gave you a lot of assets after the divorce. Are you seriously going to return the titles to the Clintons by courier? I can’t believe you’re planning on closing your bank account, too.”
Amelia shut her eyes and mumbled in acknowledgment. Her voice was weak as she explained, “Since I’ve decided to leave, it should be a clean break.”
Tiffany glanced at her. She could understand how torn and miserable her friend felt. “Well, as long as that makes you happy,” she replied.
“Even without the assets, the money Oscar gave me over the years is enough for Tony and me,” Amelia added.
“I can afford to take care of you and Tony even if you don’t have a cent under your name,” Tiffany exclaimed.
Amelia just chuckled without saying anything.
They chattered away idly, and the car soon rolled to a stop opposite of Clinton Corporations.
“Babe, we’re here,” said Tiffany after she parked the car.
Amelia’s eyes snapped open as she studied the huge and impressive building opposite the road. Her lips curled into a very small smile.
Just the sight of the building gave her the illusion that she was in the same space as Oscar.
A hint of confusion appeared in her gaze as she looked at the entrance of Clinton Corporations. Without warning, she blurted out, “Oscar, do you still remember the first time I came to Clinton Corporations? You were in a meeting. I remember how upset you were at my sudden appearance, and I was terrified by your response.”
She chuckled lowly. The humiliation in the past had become a part of her memory.
It took her a while to realize the person occupying the driver’s seat wasn’t Oscar. She gave Tiffany an awkward smile and said, “Tiff, I’m sorry. I thought you were him.”
Tiffany felt bad for her. “If you can’t forget him, just let him know the truth. I believe there’s a way to treat your condition.”
Amelia laughed bitterly as pain appeared in her eyes. “Tiff, there’s no going back. I’m going to lose my eyesight permanently soon. Besides, the blood clot in my brain will take my life anytime. I don’t want him to face life and death again. We’re already divorced, and he might not want me back. Perhaps he has already found himself a lover.”
It was clear that Amelia was lying to herself. Tiffany wanted to say something, but she saw Amelia’s gaze widening in shock at the sight of something opposite them.
Confused, she followed Amelia’s gaze and saw an infuriating scene—Oscar was walking out with a young lady. Rather, the young lady was clinging to his arm intimately. She looked eager, like a bird who had just been released from a cage.
A wave of fury crashed through Tiffany. She turned to Amelia worriedly and racked her brains to figure out how to comfort her friend. However, she could only offer awkwardly, “Babe, this might be a misunderstanding. Don’t overthink. I believe Oscar isn’t someone who’d set his sights on another woman that quickly. Calm down. Why don’t I head down and ask him about it?”
The sight of the two of them was like a sharp blade driving into her heart. Amelia’s entire body started trembling in anguish.
She forced out a placating smile. “That’s all right. I’m glad to see that Oscar has found a new lover before I leave. The Walker family and the Clinton family have been friends for a long time. They have similar family backgrounds and look every inch the perfect couple. I should be happy for him.” That was what she said, but she couldn’t stop her eyes from turning red.
Tiffany felt upset for her friend and began cursing Oscar inwardly.
“Babe, do you know that woman?”
Amelia nodded. “We’ve met a few times. She’s the eldest daughter of the Walker family.”
Tiffany’s fury morphed into incredulous laughter. As a romance author, this cliche scene was enough to make her imagination run wild.
“You mean before your divorce, Oscar has already met Ms. Walker before?” Tiffany demanded blatantly.
Amelia bobbed her head weakly. She looked away from Oscar and Isabella, who had arrived at their car. “Tiff, let’s go,” she implored softly.
I knew it. I was the only one who refused to let go of the past. Oscar claims to love me, but after our divorce is finalized, he immediately went on to see another woman. I’ve overestimated his feelings for me. Now that he’s with another woman, it’s useless to cling and pine after him.
Amelia wasn’t about to cause a scene, for she was the one who chose to leave. Appearing before the couple right now would only humiliate each other.
“Leave now? Why should we do that? You have lost your appetite because of him, and his sister caused you to lose your eyesight. I can’t appease my anger if I can’t teach him a lesson. Just you wait. I’ll expose his true colors now!” With that, Tiffany unbuckled her seatbelt in a flash, about to get down from her car.
Grabbing her hand, Amelia shook her head and pleaded, “Don’t go, Tiff. Please. We’re already divorced, so I don’t have the right to interfere in his love life. Let’s leave tonight. I don’t want to embarrass myself before leaving.”
Tiffany glanced at Amelia’s pleading gaze and relented with a sigh. She shut the door as the air tensed up.
Amelia collapsed back in her seat and said feebly, “Tiff, let’s go.”
Tiffany slammed the steering wheel and shot a furious glance at Oscar’s car before driving away in a huff.
On the way back home, Amelia remained strangely silent as she stared outside blankly.
Tiffany glanced at her. She parted her lips to say something but ended up letting out a sigh.
They returned to the neighborhood in silence. After parking the car, Amelia sat up and pretended nothing had happened earlier. “Oh, we’re here. Tiff, you can head up without me. I need some time alone. It won’t take long.”
“Babe, you can vent your frustrations at me. I won’t leave you alone to wallow in self-pity. If I give you some space, I’m sure you’ll overthink.”
Amelia kept a smile on her lips, but it was a bitter one. “Tiff, I’m all right. I’m glad Oscar has found a new partner this soon. It’s true.”
“If you’re happy, stop flashing that unsightly smile.” Tiffany exposed her lie without hesitation. “Just express your sadness. I won’t laugh at you. Acting this way will only make my heart ache for you.”
Amelia unbuckled her seatbelt and shook her head. “Let’s go down. We need to pack up. Remember to book the flight for twelve tonight.”
Tiffany watched helplessly as Amelia got down from the car. She gave up and alighted from the car before going to her friend. “Are you all right?”
“Do I look like I’m not okay? I’m happy for him, really,” Amelia answered with a smile.
Tiffany sighed, feeling sad at Amelia’s stubborn act and pretense.
“Babe, you don’t have to put on an act before me.”
“Tiff, I’m really fine.”
Tiffany was about to say something but gave up on comforting her friend.
