Chapter 2 – The Morning After
Amelia groaned as the morning light flashed into her room, sharp and merciless against her tired eyes. She rolled over, burying her face into the pillow, but the nausea hit her so suddenly that she scrambled out of bed and barely made it to the bathroom before retching.
Her hands trembled as she clutched the sink, rinsing her mouth, the girl staring back at her in the mirror looked pale, her hair was a mess, her eyes were red from lack of sleep and she winced. God, what had she done last night?
Bits and pieces swirled in her head. She could hear music, laughter, someone's voice but nothing made sense, she told herself it was probably nothing just another night of drinking too much. Just another reason for her mother to look at her like she was already a failure.
She turned to grab a towel when her gaze landed on her left hand. She was shocked as she stared at a gold ring glinted under the harsh bathroom light. It looked simple yet elegant, the kind of thing that didn't look cheap at all.
"What the hell…" Amelia muttered, tugging at it. It slid off easily, cool against her fingers. Her stomach twitched, she couldn't remember anyone giving it to her. She couldn't even remember meeting anyone.
Shaking her head, she shoved it onto the counter, almost afraid to look at it. Maybe someone played a prank on her or maybe she bought it herself. She couldn't deal with it now—not with her head spinning like this.
Just then the door opened and her mother entered she could hear the sound of her heels as it clicked on the floor. "Pathetic."
Amelia pressed herself against the sink. She couldn't talk, nor move.
"Look at you. Hungover, throwing up, acting like a fool. Always disappointing me," her mother said with a sharp voice
Her sister leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed, smirking. "Yeah, maybe then Dad wouldn't have to deal with… this."
Amelia swallowed back het tears that were threatening to fall. Did her own mother have to remind her she was worthless every single day?
Suddenly her mother's phone buzzed and she left to answer, while her sister followed suite.
She locked the bathroom door and decided to take a long shower to help clear her mind a little. By the time she put on a simple dress and dragged herself downstairs, her nerves were already frayed. She paused at the dining room doorway when she heard her mother's voice sharp and dramatic as always.
"…Reckless, absolutely reckless! Do you know, a gentleman—someone I don't even know had to carry her into this house last night? Like she was some lost child! If that man had not been decent, heaven knows where she would have ended up."
Amelia froze immediately.
Her father's deep sigh followed. "Is this true?"
The table was set neatly, as always. Her sister, Catherine, sat with perfect posture across from where her father usually sat, a picture of elegance in her pale blouse. She didn't say a word, just lifted her cup of tea with a tiny, satisfied smirk tugging at her lips when her eyes flicked to Amelia standing there.
Amelia swallowed the lump in her throat and walked in slowly.
Her father's gaze locked on her immediately. "Sit." His tone was calm but heavy.
She obeyed, slipping into the seat quietly, her fingers twisting in her lap.
"Amelia," he began, "You are not a child anymore. What is happening with you? Do you plan to waste your life embarrassing this family? Look at your sister." He gestured toward Catherine, who didn't even try to hide her smug expression. "Responsible, respectable, never making a scene. And you… you stumble in drunk, depending on strangers. What future do you think that will bring you?"
Amelia's throat burned, shame clawing at her chest. She lowered her gaze, whispering, "I'll behave, Father. I promise."
The silence stretched until his eyes narrowed at her hand resting on the table.
"What is that?"
She blinked, confused, before realizing the ring was back on her finger. She must have slipped it on absentmindedly after her shower. Her stomach lurched.
"It's… uh… nothing," she stammered, tugging it off quickly. Her palms felt sweaty as she forced a weak smile. "Someone must've… given it to me, but I don't remember. Probably just some silly joke. I'll put it away."
She slid it into her pocket, her heart hammering at how unbelievable she sounded.
Her mother scoffed loudly. "A joke? Do you even hear yourself? You were drunk out of your mind and you come back with strange jewelry on your hand. God forbid you did something foolish with some worthless man you can't even remember."
The words sliced through her like glass. Amelia stared down at her plate, her appetite gone, her chest tightening with humiliation.
Catherine finally spoke, her voice filled with fake concern. "Mother, maybe don't be so hard on her. I'm sure Amelia didn't mean to cause trouble." She paused just long enough for the sting to settle. "She never does. Trouble just seems to follow her."
Her father shook his head, disappointment etched deep in his features. "Amelia, one day you will learn that actions have consequences. For your own sake, I hope that day comes soon."
The clink of cutlery filled the silence as they all began eating. Amelia sat stiffly, her hand clenched around the ring in her pocket. Her mind raced, her heart aching.
She didn't remember what happened last night. But for the first time, she wasn't entirely sure if nothing had happened at all.