HANDLE NAME: UNKNOWN

Chapter 1- To End It All

It only cemented Emelia's decision to see it all through.

Emelia stared at her back account. She knew, this was it, she could afford no more. She was deeply shocked the last payment even went through, but that was "Collections America" for you- they wanted you in a deep hole. Emelia would have to pay for it the rest of her life... but it wasn't much of a life so what did it matter.

"You're all good now." Emelia whispered, trying not to cry anymore. A pang of sorrow filled her. Amber's words sneering at her "you used up all your father's savings."

Dad had left her and Vicky money in his will. They had agreed to only use it for true emergencies. Emelia hadn't planned on diving so deep into debt, so drawn down a rabbit hole she couldn't stop her free fall of. It was a slow progress of sacrifices; each one dominoing into the next. But her days were dark, her mind already weary, only Grandma and the old memories of her father helped limp Em along through these last few years of heartbreak. Slowly it became more and more money from her paychecks. Her scholarships started to falter under the strain of two jobs. When she had dropped out of college, the credit cards and her inheritance from her father were all she had left. Without regret, she kept trying to save the only happiness she had left.

So, she used that money. And it had not gone over well with her family. Em couldn't confess she was using it on Grandma's medical bills as Iris would have immediately put a stop to it. So instead, Emelia was forced to let her family think she had wasted it.; refusing to tell them where and how she spent it. 

"Well of course they would think I wasted it," Emelia whispered to herself "after all, they know I already dropped out of college." She just didn't tell them she needed two jobs. "All they know is I wasted a scholarship. Of course, they also think I wasted dad's savings too."

To fight the tears, she shook her head, rubbing her palms against her eyes to dam the tears that slipped through. But she couldn't. She began sobbing, shoulders heaving. Anger at her family for being so obsessed with money. Anger at her family for ignoring the infidelity, for hating her for not forgiving Gordon. Hatred at Gordon and Vicky for how they had betrayed her for so many months.

But then a sudden thought popped into her head. "She wants to put water under the bridge."

Hesitantly, Emelia pulled out her phone. Was she able to forgive her sister? Did her sister really want forgiveness? Vicky had never once apologized for what she had done.... But she had forced the family to drag Em to this wedding...

The dial tone rang and rang. At first Emelia thought no one would pick up, she couldn't imagine a bride having her phone on her at the dinner or the strip, where they planned to play and drink afterwards. But to her shock, someone answered.

"Vick? its Em..."

But only loud talking and laughter filled the background. Had someone answered on accident?

Then Amber's unmistakable voice sounded on the receiver.

"Vicky, love, why on earth did you even invite your sister?"

Emelia jolted and seethed, "You bitch," but she knew Amber had the phone tucked away and couldn't hear the reply.

"Oh, please don't." Vicky's soft voiced sounded from afar. Emelia could picture her dark hair bouncing slightly from the loose curls. She was the complete opposite of Emelia. "You know I don't want to get into this again. Daddy would have wanted her there, no matter what. I already told you that."

"Yes," Amber sighed, "I understand, but still, I know how much you really didn't even want to see her. It must have been hard for you to stand there, knowing she was glaring daggers through your skull. We get it, you ladies had a falling out, but love is love. You and Gordon were meant to be. But yet she has put all her life problems on you."