Chapter 5 Jealousy

Amelia's POV:

"Amelia Wilson?" Her voice carried across the marble floor. She broke away from her group, her heels clicking against the tiles. "What a... surprise to see you here."

Back in Columbia, Diana had made it her mission to make my life difficult, all because Adam Clark, the brilliant teaching assistant she'd set her sights on, had chosen to spend time with me instead.

I kept walking, but she stepped directly into my path. The man beside her hung back awkwardly - he looked to be in his early thirties, wearing an expensive tailored suit that couldn't quite mask his frivolous demeanor with his boyish face. Diana pulled him forward, her eyes sweeping over me with her signature look of practiced disdain. I noticed she'd finally landed the wealthy husband she'd always wanted, though this man was nowhere near Adam's league.

"I heard you've been busy since dropping out," she said, her voice dripping with fake concern. She glanced at her own ring, then back at me with a smug smile. "But I suppose we all make our choices in life. Some of us just make better ones."

My fingers curled into my palm. I hadn't planned to engage – I'd learned long ago that ignoring Diana was the best strategy – but her words hit a nerve. As I shifted my purse, preparing to step around her, the sunlight streaming through the courthouse windows caught my left hand.

Diana's perfectly sculpted eyebrows shot up. "That ring..." Her eyes fixed on my hand, her own fingers unconsciously moving to touch her more modest diamond. "Who...?"

"Congratulations on your wedding," I said quietly, moving past her. "Unlike you, I got better things to do than prying into other's privacy."

"Wait!" Diana's voice had lost its mocking edge. "You can't just..."

But I was already pushing through the heavy courthouse doors, leaving her and her questions behind. Let her wonder. Five years had passed since those Columbia days, and I didn't owe Diana any explanations.

Since Lucas was hanging out at Monica's today, I decided to check out which kindergarten would be best for my son. I pulled out my carefully prepared list of preschools in Cypress Central. Even with Luke's financial support, choosing the right school for Lucas wasn't just about money. His JRA meant we needed a facility with proper medical support and understanding staff.

First stop was Wellington Academy. After filling out a visitor form, I followed a small tour group led by one of their staff. The building was impressive - all glass and modern architecture, with a sprawling playground visible from the street. But something about the atmosphere felt cold, like a miniature corporate office rather than a children's school.

Brighton Day School was next. Nice enough, with children's artwork covering the walls and the sound of laughter from classrooms. The admissions counselor seemed overwhelmed though, rushing through the tour while answering calls on her cell phone. Their medical room was basic - just a small nurse's station that didn't seem equipped for any serious situations.

Ivywood Kindergarten was my last stop. Walking in, I immediately noticed the difference. The entrance area displayed photos of children engaged in various activities, not just posed professional shots. Through classroom windows, I could see kids working on art projects and reading in cozy corners. A teaching assistant showing me around patiently answered all my questions about their daily routine.

What really caught my attention was their medical facilities. I glimpsed a well-equipped nurse's station through an open door, with a nurse actually present and helping a student. The brochure detailed their health care protocols, including regular staff training for handling various medical conditions.

Sitting on a bench in the nearby park, I reviewed my notes. Ivywood Kindergarten was clearly the best choice for Lucas. The facilities, the staff, the medical care - everything was perfect. But the tuition... it was significantly higher than the others, even with the generous budget Luke had provided.

I chewed my lip, doing mental calculations. Maybe if I contributed some of my own savings... But was it responsible to stretch our finances that thin, even for the best school?

I checked my watch. Still time to stop by the bookstore before picking up Lucas.

I wrestled with complex equations for hours. The peaceful afternoon stretched on until my stomach growled, signaling lunchtime. I gathered the books and headed to checkout.

Luke's platinum card felt heavy in my wallet – he'd insisted I use it for appearances and studies, but old habits died hard. Even knowing I could easily afford these books now, I still checked each price tag, mentally cataloging the total.

"Careful!" A familiar voice rang out as strong hands steadied me, catching several books before they could crash to the floor. The touch sent an electric jolt through my system – I knew those hands, that voice.