“The Remains of Summer) Chapter 4
Amelia clapped a hand over her
mouth, turning and fleeing.
She ran until she collapsed in a
stairwell, gasping for air, tears streaming down her face. She thought the auction had been agonizing, but this… this was suffocating.
Ethan had been so innocent when they first got together. He blushed when he held her hand, trembled when he kissed her. He waited until she accepted
his proposal before they made love.
She had teased him about his
restraint. He just held her close,
whispering, “Baby, no man can resist the
woman he loves. I love you too much to
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rush you. I want everything to be perfect.”
He’d treasured her. She’d believed
she’d found the perfect man. Now, reality was a cruel slap in the face.
She sobbed, burying her face in her
hands.
Finally, numb, she stumbled to the
restroom. Her phone buzzed.
Chloe had sent another photo, the
car seat a mess, shredded stockings in the
corner.
[This car is filled with the scent of us. Oh, and Ethan promised to give me your
necklace. The ‘Heart of True Love‘ is mine
now.]
Amelia switched off her phone.
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Composing herself, she left the
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restroom, bumping into Ethan. His hands. were empty. He pulled her into a hug, but
a faint, unfamiliar perfume clung to him.
She pulled back slightly. Ethan’s
voice was apologetic.“Amelia, the
necklace was flawed. It wasn’t right for
you. I’ll get you a better one, I promise.”
She took a deep breath, her voice
choked with tears.“What if I wanted that
one?”
Ethan looked at her tear–streaked
face, his heart clenching.“Baby, don’t cry.
It really wasn’t right for you. I’ll have
someone find another one, okay?”
She laughed, a hollow sound. Before,
he’d given her anything she wanted. Now,
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he made excuses for another woman.
He’d given her away, body and soul.
Seeing her pain, he winced. Before he could speak, she pushed him away, her
voice weary.“Forget it. I don’t want it
anymore.
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As she walked away, she stopped abruptly. Ethan followed her gaze. Chloe strolled past, the “Heart of True Love” glittering around her neck.
Ethan paled. Before he could speak, Amelia walked on, brushing past Chloe
without a glance.
When Amelia was gone, Ethan
grabbed Chloe’s arm.“Are you insane? I
told you to stay away from her! She’s my
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limit!”
Chloe wasn’t fazed. She simply
smiled.“Sorry. She didn’t suspect
anything. I won’t do it again.” She
lowered her neckline slightly. “To make it
up to you, I have a big surprise tonight.
Ethan’s eyes darkened.
He didn’t come home that night,
claiming another work emergency.
Amelia knew he was lying, but she
didn’t argue. She had things to do.
To disappear, she had to erase herself.
He would find nothing but a fake corpse.
She spent three hours gathering her
belongings, burning everything.
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Then, she dragged a large trunk from
under her bookcase.
It held every birthday gift Ethan had
given her over the past ten years.
At fifteen, his first love letter, filled
with youthful adoration.
At eighteen, her first pair of glass
slippers, a promise to walk through life
together.
At twenty, the diamond tiara, a
symbol of his princess.
At twenty–two, a custom–designed
ring, a promise to propose every year until
she said yes.
Amelia packed them all, listing them
online for $1 each.
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Priceless treasures for a dollar each
sold out instantly.
After the courier picked up the
packages, she was heading to bed when
the door burst
open.
Ethan, drenched and frantic, rushed
in, gripping her hands, his voice shaking.
I
“Amelia! Why did you sell everything
gave you for a dollar?”
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