Amelia

Chapter 6 – Cracks in the Glass

(Amelia’s POV)

Amelia wished she had the luxury of silence sadly it was just a wish, not her reality.

Where the Hérmes dining hall stretched in cold marble and chandeliers, the Peterson household buzzed with noise too loud, too sharp, like the clinking of glass about to shatter.

Ruby Peterson, still as flawless as her Miss World crown photo that hung framed in the hallway, was swirling wine in her glass at 7 p.m., her blue eyes slicing through Amelia like lasers.

“Pearl had another shoot today,” Ruby announced, her voice filled with the kind of pride Amelia had never heard directed at her. “The campaign will be everywhere next month. My daughter, the face of Hérmes Tech.”

Pearl, perched on the edge of her chair with her phone angled perfectly for selfies, smirked. “They love me. I think I’ll get my own billboard this time.”

Amelia tried to keep her head down, pushing peas around her plate. But Ruby’s gaze always found her.

“And you, Amelia?” Ruby’s voice snapped across the table. “Still tinkering with your little codes? When are you going to do something worthwhile with your life?”

Amelia’s chest tightened. She hated that the words still stung, even after years of hearing them. “I’ve been applying to jobs. I just haven’t heard back yet so I guess I’ll have to wait for a while.”

Ruby snorted. “Excuses. You’re twenty-two, Amelia. Pearl’s already building a name for herself. Even Levi is climbing the ladder at Hérmes Tech. And you? Still hiding behind books and laptops. You’re supposed to be engaged with work activities not acting like some… nerdy recluse.” Sighing to herself, she stares at Amelia’s plate, there’s pea and more of chicken instead of salad. “ I wonder how Levi looks at you when you eat like a pig...look at your sister, she eats healthy. I don’t know what to do with you. She shakes her head in disappointment”. The food suddenly goes sour in Amelia’s mouth.

Levi.

The name was a knife all on its own. Her fiancé, her safety net. Except lately he had been more distant, more distracted. And the way Pearl laughed at his jokes too loud, too intimate, Amelia tried not to think about it.

“I’ll get a job,” Amelia whispered, mostly to herself.

Ruby leaned back, satisfied, and raised her glass. “See that you do. I won’t have one daughter shining while the other drags us down.”

Pearl’s smirk lingered. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m sure someone at Hérmes Tech will take pity on her.”

The words hit harder than they should have. Amelia wanted to throw her fork across the table, scream, cry anything. Instead, she smiled tightly, even as her throat burned.

She excused herself, retreating to her room, her sanctuary of glowing screens and silent code. Behind the locked door, she finally let her smile slip, pressing her forehead to her desk.

The world saw Pearl, dazzling and adored. Ruby, flawless and untouchable. Levi, ambitious and successful.

And Amelia?

Invisible.

Sighing for the third time, her mind wanders to what her mother said to her, how does Levi see her?, Why was he distant?, Could it be...? No. She shakes her head, Pearl wouldn’t do that. Levi is all she has. They’ve been sweethearts since college. Hell she’s lucky someone like Levi was attracted to her, he used to be so sweet and thoughtful, sometimes he brings her flowers and chocolate. As a quiet and nerdy girl, he was never ashamed to be seen with her in public. What changed?, He barely texts her, or call. Even on her birthdays or their anniversary. The tears finally spilled, she couldn’t hold it in anymore. Was she loosing Levi too?, She felt tired, sad, broken and invincible.

Until someone saw her.

And she had no idea that person was already watching.