Chapter 1

Ophelia's POV

"Happy anniversary Hudson," I whispered into the air, as I sat down in the cozy corner of my art gallery carefully adding the final touch to the fictional wedding portrait I made as an anniversary gift to my boyfriend of two years.

This was my way of throwing a hint at Hudson, letting him know I was ready to go on a forever deal with him.

Sighing deeply, I stepped back to admire my work one last time.

"Perfect," I muttered, smiling from ear to ear as I stared at the portrait that had Hudson and me standing under an arch of flowers, with our faces glowing with sheer happiness.

The image of Hudson's face when I presented him with this gift made me giddy. I could almost hear him laughing, his deep warm voice teasing me for my crazy imagination.

I glanced over the clock and realised it was almost time for the engagement ceremony of one of my major investors, Anita.

I quickly changed out of my paint-streaked clothes, and into an ash-coloured gown, which hugged my features just right, and revealed just the right amount of cleavage.

I grabbed my keys, and bags, and dashed out the door. As I drove my mind drifted back to Anita. Her investing in my gallery has been a lifeline. Without her support I wonder how I would have kept things afloat.  Things just seemed to be falling in place eventually, and my life would become perfect once Hudson and I finally got married. 

I finally arrived at the venue, the engagement party was every bit as lively and extravagant as I had imagined. The decorations were stunning, white and gold draped the hall, and twinkling lights added a magical touch, it was exactly as I had envisioned my dream wedding with Hudson. 

As I got into the hall to locate my table, I heard a familiar voice, from a corner.

"A coma?" Hudson's mother said sympathetically. 

"Yeah, it's been a month already," the elderly woman whom Hudson's mother was talking with responded sadly. "It's been so hard for all of us."

A coma? Who were they talking about? I couldn't help but worry.

I couldn't eavesdrop further as the music swells and the MC's voice booms over the speakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming our newly engaged couples!"

The guests clapped and cheered as they stood to their feet, and the spotlights were on the couple. I moved forward to congratulate the couple as other guests did. The bride was stunning, her gown sparkling under the lights. I noticed the groom whispering something to someone, making it hard to see his face clearly.

"Congratulations Anita," I said to her warmly, a part of me wishing I was in her place right now. "You look beautiful," I complimented.

"Thank you Ophelia," she beamed. "I'm so glad you could make it."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," I replied with a smile.

The groom finally turned, and my breath caught in my throat as I saw him.

"H- Hudson?" I stuttered in disbelief, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Ophelia, what are you doing here?" Hudson asked with wide eyes.

"What am I doing here?" My voice trembled, a mix of hurt and betrayal. "What are you doing here? You're the groom?"

Anita's smile faltered as she looked between Hudson and me. "Babe, you know Ophelia?" She asked with creased brows, her face etched with confusion.

"Uhmmm– yes I do. She's…"Hudson trailed off, as he looked at me, then back at Anita. "She's the obsessive ex I told you about," he whispered.

I felt like the ground had been pulled from under me. Obsessive ex?  I felt like I'd been punched in my stomach.

"Wh–"

Hudson's mother grabbed my hand abruptly before I could complete my statement.

"Let's not make a scene, Ophelia," she whispered harshly.  A forced smile was plastered on her lips as she looked at the curious guests. "This is just a misunderstanding, everyone."

Hudson's mother tightened her grip around my arm as she dragged me out of the engagement party, and to a corner out of earshot.

"Why are you trying to create a scene, Ophelia?"  She demanded irritatedly.

"Create a scene?" I asked in disbelief, shocked at her level of shamelessness. "What do you mean? How could you let your son do something so despicable?" I snarled. "After everything I've done for him? I went over and out to make his business a success. You personally know how much convincing I had to do before my Dad could  invest in his business."

"Ophelia, its–"

"I also convinced my Dad to make Hudson a part of the family's company. I literally made him who he is right now!" I growled. "And now you say I'm creating a scene? Is this how you raised him?"

Hudson's mother raised her hands to hit me and I flinched with my eyes closed, bracing myself for the slap.

"I'll handle it from here, Mom," Hudson's voice cut through the tension.

I opened my eyes slowly to see Hudson holding his mother's hand.

"You better," she spat, as she wiggled her hand free from his grasp, and stormed off after glaring at me one last time.

"Ophelia, what are you doing here?" Hudson asked in a soft tone, but no less infuriating.

"Is that what you're supposed to be asking?" I flared. "Don't you have something else to say? An explanation, maybe."

Hudson sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't love her, Ophelia. I love you," he said softly, that if I hadn't witnessed this engagement myself I would have believed his lies. "This engagement is just a business relationship. You have to understand that I'm doing all this for our future."

"What future?" I spat, my eyes brimming with tears. "You're getting married, Hudson! And you're talking about our future together?!"

He reached out, trying to caress my cheek. "Ophelia, please, just listen—"

"Don't touch me!" I snapped, stepping away from him. "I can't believe I've spent the past two years of my life loving someone as despicable as you."

Hudson moved closer and leaned in. "I'll be at the Fairview Hotel. Book a room and send me the room number, I'll come spend the night with you."

"How could you, Hudson?" I demanded as tears streamed down my cheeks, faster than a heartbeat.

I pushed him away, highly disgusted by his behaviour, as I walked away in the direction of the party.

"Where are you going?" Hudson demanded as he grabbed my arm.

I looked him dead in the eye. "I'm going to save an innocent girl from making the greatest mistake of her life."

Hudson's eyes widened, and fear flashed in his eyes. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"I'm going to get your engagement broken," I told him firmly.

"You'll do no such thing," Hudson said, his voice dangerously low and his grip tightening. "This engagement is very important to me and my business, I'll–"

"Let go of me, Hudson!" I demanded and tried wiggling my hand away from his grip.

Hudson pulled me aggressively to the other side, far away from the engagement party.

"You're hurting me, Hudson!" I yelled, but he didn't seem to care. "You have no right to do this!"

"Listen here, you bitch," Hudson growled in a low voice. "I'm not going to have you ruin this for me, you hear me?!"

"You can't keep lying to everyone!" I shot back. "I'm going to expose you, Hudson! I'll tell the whole world–"

Pow!

Hudson slapped me hard across my face. The ring on his finger cut into my skin and drew blood. This was the same brand of ring I told him I wanted, I've always told him how much I loved the Graff's jewellery collection.

I held my stinging cheeks, as I moved back from Hudson staring at him in disbelief. Tears blurred my vision but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me break down.

 Without a single word, I stormed off.

As I stormed off to the Parking lot, towards my car, I bumped into someone. His hand reached out to steady me, and the smell of sandalwood and citrus wafted into my nose.

"Hey, are you okay?"  He asked, his voice etched with worry. 

I barely spared him a glance as I shook off his hand, and walked to my car.

My hands trembled as I fumbled for the keys. Sliding into the driver's seat after I managed to open the door, I slammed the door shut and buried my face in my hands, the tears I had been holding back came pouring out like a flood.

The sound of my phone ringing snapped me back to reality.

With shaky hands, I answered the call.

"Hello?" I said with a shaky breath.

"Ophelia, it's Dr. Adams," the familiar voice said urgently. "I need you to come to the hospital immediately, it's about your Dad, he's dying."