Chapter 2

The sound of the legal clerk's typing echoed clearly through the quiet office. "Your paperwork will be ready within two weeks," the clerk said, handing Amara back her documents. "Please be patient." Amara thanked him quietly and turned to leave. Back home, she opened her closet and began packing her belongings piece by piece. Each item of clothing felt like tearing open an old wound. She picked up the shirt she'd given Gus for his birthday. He'd worn it when they watched the sunrise from the mountaintop. Then came the scarf she'd knitted for him, which she'd stayed up all night to finish. He used to say it smelled like her perfume. In the drawer, she found two expired concert tickets. They'd never made it to that show because of the rain, spending the evening on the couch with old records instead. Amara's hands trembled slightly, but she didn't hesitate to throw everything into trash bags. As evening fell, she dragged the last bag toward the door, only to hear familiar footsteps outside. The door opened, and Gus was helping a heavily pregnant Rose through the entrance. "Mr. Manning, don't forget to come check on me later," Rose said with a sweet smile, her eyes deliberately meeting Amara's before she slowly made her way toward the guest room. "Amara," Gus said, stepping closer and lowering his voice. "Rose is getting close to her due date, and the doctor says someone needs to be with her around the clock. So, I'll be staying in her room tonight to monitor her." "But it's not what you think," he rushed to add. "Nothing's going to happen between us." He had prepared himself for Amara to break down and cause a scene and had even rehearsed his comforting words. But to his surprise, Amara simply nodded calmly. "Do whatever you want." Gus paused for a moment, then relaxed, a hint of relieved satisfaction crossing his face. "Just one more month to get through." Amara didn't respond, simply turned and walked toward the bedroom. One more month to get through? She wouldn't be getting through anything anymore. That night, Gus moved all his clothes and belongings into the guest room. Amara leaned against the doorframe, watching him shuttle back and forth, feeling as though he was slowly erasing himself from her life with each trip. Late into the night, a knock came at the door. Amara opened it to find Rose standing there with her protruding belly, barely concealing her smugness. "Amara, Mr. Manning forgot the stretch mark oil he bought me. He's going to help me apply it in a bit, so I came to get it." Amara's heart clenched painfully. Hadn't Gus said he only saw Rose as a vessel for having children? Then, why was he personally tending to even her stretch marks? She turned and retrieved the bottle from the drawer, her fingers trembling slightly as she handed it to Rose. Rose took the oil but didn't leave immediately. Instead, she looked Amara up and down. "Five years of marriage to Mr. Manning, and you couldn't give him a single child, but I got pregnant on the first try. Don't you feel pathetic?" Amara regarded her calmly. "You know better than I do how that child was conceived." "So what?" Rose laughed dismissively. "Even if I did steal the condom from when you and Mr. Manning were together, I'm now carrying the Manning family's only heir. And you? You have nothing." She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You know what I hate most about you? That superior expression you always wore when you sponsored me, like you were doing charity work. "But now, I've finally crushed you completely. Once this baby is born, you'll never be able to compete with me." Amara had no desire to listen to more of her nonsense and reached to close the door. But Rose suddenly thrust her hand into the gap and threw herself backward dramatically, letting out an exaggerated scream. Before Amara could react, Gus was already rushing over, catching Rose as she fell. "Amara!" Gus looked up at her, his eyes filled with disbelief. "Didn't you promise me this morning that you'd be patient?" "I didn't push her," Amara said calmly. "She fell down on purpose to frame me." "She'd risk her own child just to frame you?" Gus' voice rose sharply. "Do you actually believe that?" This was the first time he had ever raised his voice at her. Amara's eyes welled up with tears, but she stubbornly lifted her chin. "I really didn't do it. If you don't believe me, let's check the hallway cameras." She reached out to pull Rose's arm. "Enough!" Gus shoved her away. "Stop harassing her!" Caught completely off guard, Amara stumbled backward, the back of her head hitting the doorframe hard. Sharp pain shot through her head, and warm blood began trickling down from her temple. Even so, Gus didn't glance at her. He bent down and scooped up Rose, who was still moaning theatrically. "Don't be afraid. I'll call my doctor right away." His figure disappeared completely down the hallway. Amara slumped to the floor and suddenly began to laugh softly. The sound was broken and trembling, mixing with her tears as it echoed through the silent corridor.