THREE | BETRAYED

CHAPTER THREE | BETRAYED

AMANDA

Alone on the cold doorstep of my parents mansion, I feel the weight of rejection pulling me down. I got rejected twice today by the people I love the most.

Tears well up as I replay the harsh words echoing in my mind. With nowhere to go, I ponder, suddenly seeing the world as empty and unwelcoming. I don't wait to think more about my hopeless situation because I know staying in front of my former home would make everything hurt more.

I leave my house and go into the street, I didn't even notice that it's already getting dark. The street light flickers overhead, casting a lonely glow on my unpredictable future. I see a bench in a park outside our estate and don't hesitate to rush over and sit on it.

I still can't shake off the shock of being cast away by my own parents, especially my father.

The night air feels louder than usual, mirroring the emptiness I am feeling within.

Different questions swirl through my mind.

Where do I go?

What do I do now?

It feels as if the ground has vanished beneath my feet, leaving me suspended in a sea of confusion.

I just can't fathom how everything that was so good turned out so bad before I could blink.

I never knew my parents are capable of doing something this awful to me. I guess they love their image and business more than they love their only child.

Tears blur my vision as I finally accept the reality that I now have no place to call a home.

Knowing that I can't stay in the park forever, I start my journey to Karen's apartment again. I will stay with her tonight and find something to do about my current situation tomorrow. I'm sure a relative or business partner of my parents wouldn't mind taking me in.

Turns out that when you're hopeless, desperate and miserable, you don't notice things. I didn't notice I was in Karen's apartment until i'm there. I didn't even feel pain or tiredness of walking like I used to.

I am at Karen's shabby apartment before I know it so I knock on her door. No one answers and I keep knocking before giving up. I would call her if not for the fact that my phone is dead.

Seems like the universe is against me.

I hesitate before knocking one last time, praying that someone would come out. Fortunately, the door creaks open and for the first time today, I'm genuinely hopeful.

My hope is crushed as I find myself staring at Karen's stern face. “What are you doing here, Amanda? Shouldn't you be with your super rich parents?"

I could only mumble, looking away from her like a child being scolded. “They kicked me out. They said they don't want to have anything to do with me due to the embarrassment I caused them. Can I stay here until I figure something out?"

The helplessness and desperation in my voice should have been able to move the most heartless person on earth but the look on my best friend's face says it all; she won't help me even if I'm bleeding to death.

I guess I never really knew anyone in my life.

“I can't help you, Amanda." She says, the words cutting through my desperation.

The rejection stings deeper than I expected, and I stand there on her doorstep, betrayed by the one person I thought would always stand by me.

“And you seriously need to clean off the nasty makeup and get out of that horrible dress. You look like a kid dressed up as an ugly bride for a Halloween party."

She slams the door on my face before I can ask her to lend me something to change into.

The door opens again, making my eyes light up in hope. “Does this mean I won't be getting the money I asked for?"

I can only shake my head, too shocked to utter a word.

“Selfish fucking bitch! You could have at least convinced them to give me the money. I fucking need it."

I silently turn away, facing the harsh reality that no one wants me.

I don't even have it in me to cry anymore.

Having no other choices, I walk to Marcus apartment, hoping to crash there tonight. It would be extremely awkward but it's better than sleeping on the streets.

I have walked to so many destinations today that the Guinness world record should give me an award.

When I arrive, Charles, one of Marcus' friends, opens the door.

When he sees me, he groans. “Uh, Marcus. The brat is here."

I walk past him into the sitting room where about seven of his friends are sprawled in front of the TV with barely-clothed girls all over them…including Marcus.

I have never really been friendly with any of Marcus' friends so I don't give even a glance at any of them. I can feel their mocking eyes gazing at me. I had sent them all invites to my wedding.

I am even more embarrassed as I thought of them all deciding to skip the wedding. I clench my teeth to stop myself from saying something or doing something I will regret.

“I tried calling you multiple times but you never picked up. I have nowhere to go. I'll crash here tonight. I promise to leave first thing tomorrow morning." I inform him with a straight face.

I don't want him to see how desperate and hopeless he has made me. I don't want him to feel like I'm begging him too.

I paid the rent of this apartment and have every right to stay here. All the little stuff I got after my parents kicked me out are here.

“As much as I would love for you to stay here tonight, I can't allow it. It would be too awkward for everyone to have you here." He says while the blonde on his lap chuckles.

“Would you like me to burn the house down?" I ask with a crazed look on my face.

I am not bluffing when I say this and I hope he knows it too. I don't want murder to be added to the reasons I have lost my mind.

“There are ten ways I will love to kill you for the shit you put me through today, would you like me to practise them now?"