Chapter 1: Surprise
The unsettling feeling only grew worse with each passing second.
“You don't need to do this,” her best friend, Maya, said as she placed her hand on hers. “We can leave if you want to.”
Sophia stood hesitantly, as she held the doorknob to the entrance of the large hall.
A special event was going on inside, and classical music and celebrations filled the atmosphere.
She turned towards Maya, giving off a faint smile, “I'm okay, Maya,” she lied, “I want to know the truth.”
Sophia was nervous, and it was out of her agenda to be present there, but earlier that day, she got an invitation card from an anonymous person.
Her husband, Jason Miller, was just about to get engaged to his rumoured mistress. And out of curiosity, she came to see for herself if it was true.
She was just a door away from finding out and coming this far, it was too late to back out.
She shut her eyes firmly, and with a deep breath, she turned the knob and pushed the door open.
Her heart sank at the sight of Henry, sweat bulbs forming on her forehead. Her mouth parted open as if wanting to say something, but words betrayed her.
Jason was standing very close to his rumoured mistress, his eyes locking on to hers. The way he talked, the way he smiled, the way he gestured around with her, it made her ego crumble.
Finally, his gaze fell on her, and he beamed at her.
He gracefully closed the distance between them, each step placed with extreme poise. His eyes were bright and vibrant, and his smile was out of the ordinary, complementing his well-chiselled jawline.
“You're here! I thought you wouldn't make it.” He said, gesturing his hands forward, “Come on in!”
Sophia arched her eyebrows, feeling lost in her thoughts. “But…!” She must have been mistaken.
“What's going on here, Jason?” She demanded, stopping him in his tracks.
He paused and turned, facing her. “Welcome to my engagement banquet, Sophia. I sent you the invite.”
“Wasn't it why you're here?”
A cold chill ran down her spine, he couldn't be serious. He purposely invited her to his engagement banquet with his mistress, and she thought it was someone else— Her eyes widened, and her heart raced wildly.
She looked around and then it dawned on her. His family and some special guests were also present, and they all acted like everything was okay.
She was married to him for goodness sake, so why could they possibly do this to her?
“Jason, I need answers! Why… what?” She stuttered, trying to find the right words. She was still overwhelmed by the weight of his actions, tears welling up her eyes.
He grinned harder, “Here, have this, it's a present. I got it specially made for you.” Jason said, handing over a golden scroll.”
“Come on, open it.”
Sophia stared at the scroll being forced into her hands. Filled with anxiety and fear, she asked. “This… what's this?”
“Are you scared of gold? Isn't it what you came for?” He mocked, taking the scroll from her hands. “Let me help you.”
Inside it was a gold-plated divorce agreement. And he had already signed on it.
“W–what are you doing with that?” She asked, still unable to process what was happening.
“It's a divorce agreement, Sophia.” He said sarcastically, “And this is your copy, specially made in gold, for the gold digger that you are.”
Being fed up with his nuisance, Maya jumped in. “Hey, watch it!” she scolded.
“My best friend is not a gold digger.” She yelled, standing fearlessly in front of him.
“How dare you talk to my son in that manner? Apologise immediately!” His mother, Rebecca, stormed in.
Maya’s eyebrows furrowed, feeling irritated. “You call this bastard of a thing, son?” She sneered and tension filled the room.
“You better shut your filthy mouth before I do it myself.”
“Shut it!” Jason roared, his anger palpable, and Maya backed away, avoiding his wrath.
Sophia was lost in her reverie ignoring everyone, tears slowly rolled from one eye, while her vision became blurry in the other.
It was happening too fast, and all she could think of was her child… his child. Would he leave her all alone with the pregnancy? Who's going to be there during their child's early stage? She couldn't be a single mother!
“I'm pregnant, Jason!” She yelled, “I'm pregnant with our child… have you forgotten?”
His face darkened upon hearing it as if it stirred something deep within him. “And who the hell cares about it?” He said, pinching the bridge of his nose, as he backed away.
Sophia's eyes widened, the tears now pouring freely, and he continued, “It was a mistake, okay? – You were a mistake. And I'm done making mistakes, I'm done with you. Besides, you're not the only one pregnant with my child, Emily is!”
His words were like a dagger, piercing deeper than the former. She clenched her chest, trying to hold what was left of her already shattered heart.
Her legs trembling as if the news about his mistress' pregnancy had swept her off her feet. Almost collapsing, Maya rushed in and held her arm up.
It all started a few years ago. Initially, Sophia strived to build everything herself long before she met Jason, she was very much independent as a realtor.
Jason, however, was her first love. When they got married, she was loved not just by him but by his whole family. Everyone cherished and adored her.
However, it all changed when the pregnancy came, and it suddenly felt like her whole marriage was a lie.
Jason's kisses became short, filled with emptiness, and they barely shared any intimate moments.
Shortly, rumours sprouted up like wildfire about Jason and his mistress being spotted around the city.
He would even go as far as bringing his mistress home, not hiding the fact that they had something together, and now he hosted an engagement banquet for his mistress, purposely inviting her.
But now, she stood facing him, swallowing hard as he closed the distance between them.
Their eyes locked, and he slowly cupped her cheeks. Tracing his thumb carefully down to her lips.
He noticed her sudden gasp as if she had been yearning for his touch. Wanting to wake up from the torment he laid on her.
She stared vulnerable at him, and the next thing she felt was her necklace being pulled forcefully from her neck.
“Ahhh!” She screamed, placing her hand on the back of her neck. “That's my mother's, Jason. Give it back!”
“Beg me!” He growled.
“Give it back, that's all I have of her!” She yelled, trying to reach out to it, but he pulled his arm away.
“What's a gold digger like you doing with such a rare jewellery piece?” He said, dropping it on the marble tile while placing his feet just above it.
“Please Jason, please!” She turned towards Maya for help, but she was overpowered by Jason's guards as she tried to rush in.
Staring back at Jason, his smile grew wider as if gaining pleasure from her pain. He wanted her to be at his mercy.
“How convenient? Even faking your mother's death? You're quite an actor, Sophia.”
“What?” She asked, frustration evident in her voice.