Karma Doesn’t Sleep: The Revenge Queen Rises novel Chapter 2

Every time Clive so much as crooked his finger, Amelia would drop everything and run straight to him. No questions, no hesitation, just like she did the year they graduated. She'd gotten an offer from one of the world’s top medical research institutes. It was everything she’d ever dreamed of. But all it took was one line from Clive—“Amelia, stay for me. I need you”—and she stopped dead in her tracks at the airport, turned around, and gave up her bright future for him. Just like that, she became Mrs. Salmeron.

After they got married, she poured her heart and soul into helping him. She worked herself to the bone, pushing through exhaustion and even a bleeding ulcer, just to help Clive succeed. In the end, she developed a breakthrough drug that helped Clive secure his position at Cloudcrest, making him the youngest board member in the company’s history.

Back then, Clive promised he’d love her forever. And she, hopelessly naive, believed every word.

Now, the memories cut through her, slow and merciless, leaving her shaking with pain. She squeezed her eyes shut; the taste of tears was sharp and bitter on her lips.

Amelia watched from the window, her gaze cold and distant, as Kristen played shy, giggling and planting a quick kiss on Clive’s cheek. The sight made Amelia’s stomach twist.

A second later, the car door swung open. Her twins, Penny and Timmy, climbed out, looking every bit as perfect as she remembered. Her precious babies, so beautiful it hurt to look at them.

“Timmy! Penny!” Amelia’s voice trembled with emotion. She pressed her hands to the glass, aching to reach out and touch their soft, sweet faces.

Instead of running to her, her children ran straight into Kristen’s arms. One on each side, they kissed her cheeks, laughing like she was their whole world.

Clive stood beside them, smiling gently, as if they really were the picture-perfect family.

The scene stabbed at Amelia’s heart.

Five years. Clive had brought the kids to see her so few times she could count them on one hand. She remembered every single visit. Once, Kristen had tagged along. When no one else was in the room, she’d whispered for Penny to call her “Mommy,” right in front of Amelia. The urge to scream, to tear that smug look off Kristen’s face, had nearly overwhelmed her.

“Penny, are you sure?” Clive asked gently.

“I’m sure. I saw her. There was a lady with long hair,” Penny insisted, shaking her head.

Clive frowned, about to say something, when his phone started vibrating in his pocket. He glanced at the screen.

He picked up. “Dr. Donald?”

“Mr. Salmeron!” Dr. Donald sounded breathless. “Good news. Your wife is awake!”