Chapter Three: A NEW START
Kiara's pov
Quitting my job at the café felt surreal, but here I was, packing up my life like it was the most normal thing in the world. It all started last night when Dave called me out of the blue.
When Dave told me he was inheriting his grandmother's company, my first reaction was disbelief. I mean, Dave,a CEO? The same guy who once forgot his own birthday? But then, as he explained the opportunity and what it meant for our future, I realized he was serious.
"You don't have to work there anymore," he had said, his voice filled with excitement. "Come with me, Kiara. We'll start fresh, in a new city, with new possibilities."
I wanted to protest, to tell him I loved my little café job, but the truth was, I didn't. It was comfortable, sure, but it wasn't my dream. Maybe this was the push I needed to figure out what that dream actually was.
I just stared at him for a moment, my fork frozen mid-air. Was he serious? Leaving everything behind wasn't exactly on my bucket list, but the way he looked at me... he believed in this, in us.
And that's how I ended up here, surrounded by boxes and bubble wrap, packing up my entire life for a new adventure.
I shoved another pile of clothes into a suitcase, trying to ignore the knot of nerves in my stomach. Moving to a new city felt like jumping off a cliff blindfolded.
My phone buzzed on the table, and I grabbed it without thinking. It was Dave.
"Hey," I answered, balancing the phone between my ear and shoulder as I folded a hoodie.
"Hey, babe. How's the packing going?"
I let out a small laugh. "It's happening, slowly but surely. I didn't realize I had this much stuff."
He chuckled. "Don't stress. Once you get here, I'll help you unpack. I already found us a cute little apartment. It's not huge, but it's cozy."
"Cozy sounds good," I said, smiling despite myself.
"You're really doing this, huh?" he asked, his tone softening.
"Yeah, I am," I replied, more to convince myself than him. "I guess I'm ready for something new."
"You won't regret it, Kiara. I promise."
After we hung up, I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the half-packed boxes. Leaving the café, leaving this city,it was a big deal. But maybe, just maybe, it was the kind of change I needed.
HAPPENING SIMULTANEOUSLY
Amelia's pov
The boxes were stacked high around the apartment, but I couldn't bring myself to finish packing. Moving to another city to manage one of Ethan's companies sounded like a promotion, but it didn't feel like one.
It felt like exile.
"Why do you even need me there?" I had asked him two nights ago, trying to keep my voice steady.
Ethan barely looked up from his laptop. "Because I said so, Amelia. That's reason enough."
Of course, it was. With Ethan, there were no explanations, no discussions. He decided, and I obeyed. That was how this so-called marriage worked.
I wrapped a framed photo of my parents in bubble wrap, my hands trembling slightly. They'd be so disappointed if they saw me now married to a man who didn't love me, who barely even looked at me. But I didn't have the strength to leave. Not yet.
Ethan's words echoed in my mind, sharp and cold as always. "You're mine, Amelia. You don't get to run."
The sound of my phone buzzing pulled me out of my thoughts. I grabbed it off the counter, half-hoping it wasn't him. But of course, it was.
"Hello?" I answered, trying to keep my voice neutral.
"Are you packed yet?" Ethan's tone was curt, as usual.
"Almost," I replied, biting back the urge to say something snarky.
"Good. The driver will pick you up at 9 a.m. sharp. Don't be late."
"Got it," I said, gripping the phone tightly.
There was a pause, and for a moment, I thought he might say something else. Something... human. But then he hung up, leaving me with the dial tone and a sinking feeling in my chest.
I looked around the apartment one last time. It wasn't much, but it had been my space my little escape from Ethan's world. And now, I was leaving it behind to step even deeper into his shadow.
The driver called just as I zipped up my last suitcase. I grabbed my bag, took one final glance at the empty apartment, and walked out without a second thought.
The ride to the airport was quiet, save for the hum of the engine. I didn't bother making small talk with the driver; he was just another person on Ethan's payroll, following orders like I was.
When we got to the airport, I stepped out, adjusted my sunglasses, and rolled my suitcase behind me. The bustling crowd and constant announcements were enough to make my head pound, but I didn't care. The sooner I boarded the plane, the sooner I could be done with this.
I was weaving through the crowd when it happened.
"Ah, I'm so sorry!" a soft voice said as someone bumped into me, nearly knocking my bag out of my hand.
I turned to see a woman—young, beautiful, and clearly flustered. Her wide eyes were filled with genuine regret as she reached out to steady me.
"Watch where you're going," I snapped, jerking my arm away.
"I didn't mean to...."
I cut her off with a loud hiss and an exaggerated roll of my eyes. "Save it. Just stay out of my way next time."
Her face fell, but I didn't care. I was used to being harsh it was the only way I knew how to survive. My stepmother had taught me that. And Ethan? He'd perfected it.
Without waiting for her response, I yanked my suitcase forward and walked away, leaving her standing there, still apologizing.