Chapter4

NILA

"Amira?" I called out to her, hating how weak and stupid I sounded. "Tell me what is going on."

She finally turned to look at me and I couldn't decipher the look in her eyes as she walked down towards me. "Don't you get it yet, Nila?" She smirked at me. "I thought you got the divorce papers."

"I... I...." I couldn't speak past the lump in my throat. I forced it down and tried speaking again. "You knew of the divorce papers? And you didn't do anything about it? Why?"

She chuckled. "I can't believe you still understand, I thought you were smarter than I am. Do I really have to spell it out to you?"

"If you would be so kind as to do that, then please do," I replied with as much sarcasm as I could muster, though I didn't yet understand what was happening. My brain seemed to be miles far apart from where I was.

"Why should I care about your divorce when I have to live my own life?"

I couldn't believe Amira was the one speaking. I had worked myself to the bones, trying to make ends meet for both of us. I couldn't believe this was the attitude I was to be repaid with.

I sighed, deciding not to stress my head too much. I had far more pressing matters to deal with. "Is Silas at home? I wanna see him."

She scowled, the action making her lips look puffy. "Why are you worrying about my man?"

Her words struck me like an arrow to the chest, jolting me out of my denial. The men had called her ma'am. She had known about the divorce and had done nothing to stop it. Everything clicked into place, yet it still felt unreal. My mushy brain clung to the hope that this was some cruel prank, that she was just mad at me for being in a coma for so long, leaving her alone, and this was her trying to get back at me.

That had to be it. Amira couldn't do this to me. I shook my head. No, Silas wouldn't do this to me.

I watched as a man stepped out of the house and stood beside Amira. It was Silas, and he barely spared me a glance before looking away. He looked at me like I was a fly. He wouldn't mind squashing to death and I felt faint, feeling my eyes water with unshed tears.

"Silas," I called out feebly to him, barely recognizing my own voice. I croaked like a frog in pain.

"Baby!" Amira purred, turning to him, she placed her hand on his chest, rubbing it slowly while giving me a side glance.

"W… What Is t… this!" I stuttered, finding it hard to believe my husband was getting a divorce from me and moving on with my younger sister.

"When did this madness start?" I growled at her, pushing myself off my feet.

"Do you mean our love?" She smiled, not feeling a bit ashamed of what she had done.

"Are you behind this divorce? Did you seduce my husband? How could you, Amira?"

"Does it matter if we are both in love and expecting a baby together?" She scoffed.

"You... You are pregnant for Silas?" I croaked, the pain hitting me hard.

My heart felt heavy. I had no idea heartbreak and betrayal could hurt this much.

I turned to Silas. "Is this true? Did you really sleep with my sister?" I screamed the last words at him.

"I don't owe you any explanations, Nila, you need to leave. I don't want to have to tell these men to force you out," he replied. He didn't sound at all bothered by my tears.

"This is my home." I cried, but my voice came out all wrong. I had lost the fight in me.

This was wrong.

"It's my home now, sister. Deal with it." Amira purred.

"Don't you dare call me that with your mouth, you bitch." I cursed.

"Suit yourself, Nila." She said, "And oh, please sign the divorce papers on time. Don't bother dragging this into an unnecessary legal battle. You won't win, Ciao." She blew me a mocking kiss and walked away, with Silas following obediently behind her, leaving me standing there, feeling the weight of her words.

She even had the guts to hold his hand as they walked back inside.

I stared at them till they disappeared into the house. The guards didn't come close to me, probably sensing I had lost all the will to fight and wouldn't pose a problem to them anymore.

I held my head in my hand, wondering where I could go. I couldn't call Tia as she had left the country on a business trip a year ago and was yet to be back. I had no parents or relatives. I was utterly alone in this world.

I couldn't go back to the hospital. I was going to be discharged soon, so there wasn't any use. Moreover, I couldn't trek there, and I doubted I would be lucky enough to find another driver nice enough to help a homeless-looking lady who escaped from the hospital.

"You should leave." One of the guards said, breaking into my thoughts.

I nodded. He was right. I should leave. I couldn't stay here or anywhere for that matter.

I walked away from the house, picking my pace slowly, drained of energy. My stomach grumbled, and I winced, realizing that I hadn't eaten anything since I woke up yesterday.

I couldn't afford to buy anything for myself. I was broke, homeless, and jobless. I would rather die than go back to work at my ex-husband's company to survive. I had more pride in myself than that.

"Oh, Nila Amanda Hendrix." I laughed at myself, wondering what pride I could afford to have in this horrible situation I was in.

I thought of my parents and burst into tears. I wondered if it was nicer where they were than this. I wondered what they would think of what Amira had done. Would they scold her or expect me to be the bigger person and forgive her?

"What are you doing out here, lady?" A bunch of school kids laughed at me. They stared at me as if I was some escaped lunatic.

At that moment, I felt like I was.

I realized I would have to deal with taunts like that. Aside from hunger, the reality of my homelessness weighed heavily on my shoulders. I sighed, hating my existence, and decided it was best to end it all right now. With a racing heart, I approached the highway, closed my eyes, and without hesitation, I darted toward an incoming car…