Second Chance After the Divorce

Chapter 6

Amelia

I had a tough time inhaling and exhaling normally. He was right there, looking as dashingly handsome as ever. Every inch of him was the kind of perfection that made women drool at him and other men feel insecure about themselves. That's not all, his deep brown eyes were set on me, abashedly. My entire body reacted and hummed. A shiver ran down my spine. Goosebumps popped up along my bare arms and I cursed myself for choosing a sleeveless dress for the event.

I had to take a deep inhale for my brain to reboot. I reminded myself of the man's betrayal for the infinite time. I was supposed to hate him with all the cells in my body, not drool over him. He was handsome, so what? He was not mine, not anymore and never will be.

It took another inhale and I finally averted my eyes at my pretend boyfriend for the day.

"You look lovely, sweet cakes.." Karl whispered, committed to his role. I smiled at him, tightening my hold on his arm.

The ceremony soon began and I did everything to keep my traitorous eyes from wandering anywhere near Noah. I tried to ignore his presence except for the moment when we both had to step forward to hand the rings to the Bride and groom to exchange them and once when they kissed. It reminded me of our wedding day, the happiest day of my life.

Our eyes met for a fleeting second and it brought back all the memories, both good and bad but that was all.

I succeeded in keeping my distance from him after that. Meanwhile, my parents, brother, and Karl did everything to comfort me and to never feel alone at any time. From the church, we drove to the city hall for the reception ceremony, followed my an early dinner.

And in all that time, I kept pacifying myself that it was going to end soon and then I would go back to my normal life. I wouldn't admit this to anyone, especially my parents, but I was desperate to leave this place behind and never wished to come back again. All this place brought into my head was never-ending pain and heartache.

The rest of the wedding included meanless conversations, stilted smiles, and congratulations to the main people of the day. And then there was marginally fun dancing. Karl and I danced and laughed at each other's silly jokes.

"I miss Jules.." I said, swaying to T-Swift's Lover. "I wish she was here with us today. The day could have been much more fun.."

"But then our relationship might be questioned.." He winked and I immediately understood he was right. If Jules was here with us, anyone could tell they were a thing by the way they moved around each other. They were madly in love with each other other and I doubt they could pretend otherwise.

I laughed, "You are correct. And I feel bad for keeping you two away.."

"Don't me. I am actually having fun away from her but hey, don't tell her that.." He joked and I slapped his arm. I knew people were watching us with curious eyes and some were openly showing their surprise that I had moved on so well but little did they know of the turmoil inside me but I wanted to keep it hidden as much as possible.

I wanted to create an illusion to everyone around me that I had finally found my happily ever after. I didn't know why I was trying so hard to prove anything to anyone and call me silly for it.

While I thought everything was going well, my gaze caught the attention of Noah and my breath hitched when I found his steely eyes on me. His jaw was set tightly, hands clenched and eyebrows furrowed, even though he was dancing with my little sister.

At a point, Angie hated him but now seemed like they had a decent friendship, considering the fact he was her husband's best friend. And I didn't wish her to change that just because my relationship with Noah was over. That would be selfish of me. She was an adult and she had the right to be anybody's friend, including Noah.

"I think I saw him glowering at me.." Karl murmured and I didn't have to ask who he was referring to. "Do you think he is jealous?"

"He has no reason to be jealous.." I commented dryly.

"It's been three years and he hasn't married after you, Amelia.."

I exhaled, trying to stifle the tear threatening to spill out. "Married or not, she cheated on me. We were over a long time ago, Karl, and there is no going back.."

"Hey, let's not talk about that asshole ever again, okay.." Seeing me sulk, he immediately said something to make me laugh and I burst out laughing. It was not a ladylike, soft chuckle. It was a high-pitched laughter. I could feel a few heads turning our way but I couldn't refrain myself.

We both didn't notice it until a huge, dark, wall-like presence came to stand beside us. We both stopped laughing in time and looked up to find Noah.

"May I have a dance with you?"

His audacity. I wanted to curse but bit it back.

"f**k off.." Karl snarled but Noah didn't mind him or at least pretended he hadn't heard him.

I wanted to refuse immediately but that would give him the wrong impression that I was still affected by him. I didn't like the idea of it, not when I had been trying all evening to act like I had moved on from him.

"It's okay.." I put a hand on Karl's chest, trying to purr sexily. "It's just a dance, Karl.."

"Are you sure?" He looked down at me dubiously.

"Of course, honey.."

He leaned in kissing my forehead and then letting me go. I didn't miss the twitch of Noah's jaw at that moment and weirdly, it made me satisfied.

I was certain he was jealous and maddeningly angry on Karl for touching and kissing me like that. While we were married, Noah was a possessive man and I loved it. Now all it made me was angry. How dare he get mad about another man touching me while he went on having a child with another woman.

Warm hate flooded inside me, a reminder of what he'd done to me.

Noah's dark eyes settled on me. He wrapped his arm around me and started to move us to the rhythm of the music.

Noah pulled me against him, his expression cold and stern. Usually, it would have intimated me but strangely it didn't. I kept my eyes on him, boldly.

For a long time, neither of us initiated a conversation and just moved to the soft music. We were chest to chest. I could practically smell the alcohol on him and his signature musky cologne which made me a bit giddy. It was a task not to take a whiff of his scent that was not nostalgic and addictive.

"How are you, Lia..?"

I choked on my own throat when he called me that.

All my friends and family called me Amy. He was the only one to call me Lia and for a brief moment, I lost my balance. I melted into the softness in his gaze, his touch, and his voice. I wanted to forget everything that spiraled in our lives and forgive him. But his betrayal was greater than my love.

His betrayal won over my love.

It was the brutal reality and I had to stick to that.

"I am great, as you see.." I exaggerated with a smirk. Inside, I was quivering like a leaf caught in the rain but he didn't need to know that.

"I see, you have moved on.." His eyes trailing on to Karl. Was it anger, Jealousy that I saw in them?

"I did.." I nodded brightly.

"Lia, I.. I want to.." He began but I beat him at it.

"Apologise?" A laugh bubbled out of my throat. "Don't. Please. No, really. It's too late for all those things. To be honest, it doesn't even hurt me anymore, Noah. I have moved on now. I am with Karl now."

Even to my ears those words sounded empty and meaningless but I wanted to see him hurt.

I watched his Adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed hard against something nameless. "Does he.. take good care of you?"

"More than you would ever know.." It felt bad to say such words. He was a good husband while we were married but then he betrayed me. So, yeah he deserved it.

Luckily, the song came to an end sooner than I thought and my big brother, Gus came to my rescue in time.

"It's my chance, now.." He faked a brilliant smile and took my hand.

"Sure.." I giggled happily and slipped out of Noah's hold, instantly missing his body warmth but keeping up with my act as if I was unaffected while in actuality, my heart was shredded into bits.