Karma Doesn’t Sleep: The Revenge Queen Rises novel Chapter 222

“Ma’am…”

Donna realized a beat too late that she’d just said the wrong thing. She glanced at Amelia’s pale, delicate face, worry etched in every line, her heart twisting with guilt.

Amelia looked like she might break if anyone so much as touched her.

Amelia didn’t say a word. She bent down quietly, gathering up the used acupuncture needles and tucking them back into the medical kit.

But as she straightened, her whole body was trembling. She looked so fragile, like a strong wind could knock her over.

Two years.

Amelia closed her eyes, just for a second.

For two whole years, she’d barely slept, always squeezing out time to brew medicine for Clive.

Back then, she’d just given him two blood transfusions—her body was weak, but as soon as he asked for help, she couldn’t say no.

He’d always told her that he and his cousin were as close as siblings.

“Amelia, my cousin’s always been good to me. That car accident? She only got hurt because she was trying to save me.”

He’d say, “Amelia, I owe her.”

Amelia let out a cold, bitter laugh. Every heartbeat felt icy.

He said he felt guilty, so she tried to pay that debt for him.

But it was all a lie.

Every bit of it—a lie.

Now, she couldn’t even tell which of Clive’s words had ever been true.

And like a fool, she’d handed him her whole heart, just to be played for a joke.

Somehow, their wedding photo had found its way back onto the wall.

Seven years had passed, and Amelia stared at her younger self in that picture—so full of hope, so in love with Clive. It all felt like some wild, distant dream.

Under her breath, she whispered, “We were never right for each other…”

Someone like Clive, so completely not worth it—how could he ever deserve real love?

Donna came over and caught Amelia’s last words. She assumed Amelia was thinking about all the rumors that had swirled around her and Salmeron’s marriage.

Donna rushed to reassure her. “You and Mr. Salmeron are perfect together, ma’am! Seriously, when you stand side by side, it’s like you were made for each other. Don’t pay attention to what anyone else says.”

Amelia just shook her head, smiling bitterly, not bothering to explain.

“Donna, I’m heading out. Could you keep what happened today from Clive for now?” she said quietly, looking at Donna. “When the time is right, I’ll talk to him myself.”

When their divorce was official, she’d lay out every single one of Clive’s betrayals for him to see.

“Yes, ma’am…”

“Good morning, sweetheart. I heard you weren’t feeling well yesterday. Are you feeling better now?”

“I’m all better!” Penny said, her voice sugary-sweet. “And getting your call first thing in the morning makes me feel even better!”

Kristen’s voice was warm and gentle on the other end. “Last night, I sent your dad home with a little lucky charm for you. Did he give it to you? Do you like it?”

Penny hadn’t seen it yet, but she didn’t want Kristen to feel bad.

“If it’s from you, Momma Kristen, I’ll love it no matter what!”

Kristen laughed softly. “Once you’re completely better, let’s go shopping together.”

“Okay!” Penny chirped, and after a few more sweet words, they hung up.

Momma Kristen was always gentle. She never yelled, never looked at Penny with a cold face, never made her clean up spilled milk all by herself.

She was so much nicer than that mean woman. A hundred times nicer, really.

But still…

Penny stared at the empty spot next to her pillow, her chest tightening for reasons she didn’t quite understand.

Last night, whenever she’d moved, even if the mean woman was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open, she’d always reach out and gently pat Penny’s back, whispering, asking if she was okay.

She’d always say, “Don’t worry. Mommy’s right here.”