Chapter 18 Soraya- " Soraya . " Amanda called , her arms raised as she cried in the hospital bed . " I've been worried sick about you . " " Oh , Mom " Soraya sighed , walking toward the hospital bed and hugging Amanda Montclair . " You should be more worried about yourself ! " sorry I didn't get here sooner . I was - I was trying to distance myself from Feeling the warmth of Amanda's hold , Soraya said , " I'm sor everything . " Those words n Is made Amanda weep again . She hugged Soraya so tightly and pecked her cheek . " I'm sorry . I'm sorry about my son . He is Calum is too stubborn- " Shhh . Don't cry anymore , Mom . Don't cry , " Soraya said . She also felt the heaviness in Amanda's emotions and couldn't help but weep with her . In the next few minutes , Soraya allowed all the tears to flow . Amanda and Cedric were the best in - laws one could possibly ask for , but what could she do ? Calum never loved her . Amanda's emotions filled the room . Behind them , Cedric Montclair was also on the verge of tears . Soraya's uncle , Philip Azar , and his wife , Emily Azar , fell silent at their exchange . It took a while , but eventually , Amanda pulled away , saying , " How have you been , Soraya ? It must have been so hard for you ." Soraya forced a smile . She held Amanda's hand and said , " Mom , I'm fine . There's so much I want to talk to you about , but we'll take it slow . " Glancing at her uncle and aunt , Soraya added , " We can stay here the whole day and talk our Instead of going straight to the point about the divorce , Soraya comforted Amanda . She fed Calum's mother during lunch , and they all talked about life in Belridge . Amanda was on the road to recovery , but her hands still shook a little when holding cutlery . After helping Amanda drink soup from a bowl , the latter said . " Thank you , Soraya . You are really such a sweet girl . I - I- " " Please , don't cry anymore , Mom . About the divorce , I was the one who asked for it ," Soraya revealed " Is that true , Soraya ? " Cedric asked . Turning to Calum's father , Soraya nodded . She faked a smile and asked , " Are we ready to talk about this ? " She shifted her gaze to Amanda " Mom ? " " It's high time we talk about this , " Emily , Soraya's aunt , proposed . " We need to face this as parents who truly love Soraya ," Philip said . Yes , although Philip wasn ' Soraya's biological father , he had always considered their bond to be just as strong . It no longer surprised Soraya how he referred to himself as her parent . Amanda was teary - eyed once more , but Soraya held her hand and said , " You're only hurting for me , Mom , but what if I told you I'm stronger than you think ? " * But you love Calum . " Amanda reasoned . m . Don't stop our " I no longer want to be part of Calum's life . It is my resolve , and I can do it with your support, " Soraya said . " Please , Mom . divorce I was to be free ." " But what about Sage ? Are we going to let her have a broken family ? " Amanda asked . " Whether we admit it or not , Calum's family has already been broken Philip said . " I know you and Cedric love your son , and he is a great man , but he refuses to see Soraya for who she really is. It's time we let this go , Amanda . " " Soraya deserves someone better , someone who will truly look at her , Emily Azar added . Just when Amanda was in deep thought , a knock on the door interrupted their discussion . Everyone turned to the door and found Jacob Steel 355 PM P P. Chapter 18- Soraya was stunned . What was he doing here ? " " Jacob ? " Amanda asked . " Mrs. Montclair , how are you ? " Jacob said , walking in with flowers and a basket off I fruit . " Jacob , it's nice to see you , " Cedric said , accepting the fruits Jacob found a seat in the sitting area . " I heard what happened . Mrs. Montclair , I hope you'll take care of yourself ." With Jacob around , the environment became awkward . He glanced at Soraya and nodded her way . She nodded back . For a moment , she caught the surprised look from her uncle Philip , but she ignored it , not wanting to give anything away . " I overheard your conversation earlier , Mrs. Montelair . Do you mind if I give my two cents ? " Jacob asked . Jacob Steel was a very respectable man . He was only thirty - one , two years older than Calum , as far as Soraya knew , and had achieved so much . So even the Montclairs respected his opinion . " Okay , sure , Jacob . Go ahead , " Cedric said . Sage will always have two parents who love her . But forcing a family to stay together when it's already broken - that's not saving her . That's teaching her to settle for less than she deserves ," Jacob suggested . " What will hurt Sage more is growing up in a home full of silence and resentment . " Tell them , Soraya - have Calum ever gone home to celebrate your birthday ? Doesn't that make Sage wonder ? " Jacob inquired . " Yes , " Soraya said softly , lowering her gaze . " As long as I'm part of any celebration , Calum prefers not to be there . " " You're just favoring Calum because you're his friend , " Amanda said through gritted teeth . " Maybe , but let's ask Soraya , " Jacob said , turning to her . " Are you happy with your marriage ? Have you been happy for the past seven years ? " " Has she been happy ! Soraya thought . She glanced at Amanda and shared , " I was happy with Sage but with the marriage ? Mom , I've been miserable . I think you know this already . " " If you truly dote on Soraya , you would let her find happiness , Jacob said . " I could say the same thing for your son . Both Calum and Soraya were miserable during their marriage . So why keep them together ? " Alier Jacob's words , Amanda burst into tears . Soraya had to comfort her . " It's all my fault . It's all my fault , Amanda cried . " I wanted to have the best daughter - in - law , but I guess my son doesn't deserve the best ! Soraya : " Well , that certainly took a turn , Soraya said in her head . Soraya never expected Amanda to throw her own son under the bus . She was amused , but she dared not express it Amanda pulled back , gripping Soraya's arms with sudden determination . " You deserve someone so much better . He has to be richer , more handsome , and definitely more mature ! " " Soraya . I know the perfect person for you ! Let's get you and Calum divorced ASAP ! " she added . " That way , you can start a new leaf with someone I highly approvel " And who are you referring to , Mom ? " Soraya asked with a brow raised . " Why look further ? " Amanda Montclair gave a bittersweet smile and declared , " We have Jacob Steel ! " Hearing that , Soraya's eyes rounded , her heart pounding against her ribcagel Across the room , Jacob Steel choked on his own breathi Soraya looked at Jacob , and from the way he was frowning , she could clearly tell he regretted getting involved . 2-3 3.55 PM P Chapter 18 E