Chapter 1

Ophelia's POV

My hands shook with excitement as I turned off the car engine. The day’s events were still swirling in my mind, starting with the sickness I’d been feeling for days that led me to the hospital. The visit had been so unexpected—and the diagnosis even more so.

I was a week pregnant.

A month ago, this news would have filled me with dread, and I might have even considered abortion in my arranged marriage to Ryan.

We’ve been married for two years, but our relationship has always been distant and void of warmth or affection. Ryan was stoic, almost cold, and our relationship was limited to necessary exchanges. But three weeks ago, everything changed. After an intimate night together, he confessed his love in words, and our relationship transformed. He became more attentive, loving, and more like a real husband.

I drew in a deep breath before stepping out of my car. The cold air enveloped me as I strode towards our house. I dragged my feet to the door and rang the doorbell.

No response.

I rang and rang, but still, there was no response. He was home before I left for the hospital this morning. Could he have gone out? I took another deep breath before reaching into my bag to retrieve the spare key.

I opened the door, and the sight before me was surprising. The living room was a mess, with clothes scattered everywhere. I picked them up and realized they weren’t just any clothes—they were women’s clothes, which definitely didn’t belong to me.

Just then, I heard sounds coming from the bedroom. My mind raced with thoughts I refused to entertain. The sounds grew louder as I walked towards the bedroom.

It can’t be.

It really can’t be.

He loves me now. He’s changed.

I whispered as I approached the bedroom. I pushed open the door, and the scene before me stole the breath from my lungs.

It took a moment for me to process it—there he was, Ryan, on the bed with another woman. My heart sank as I took in the image of the the lady he was with.

Not just any woman, but my sister—my elder sister, Vivian.

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I watched, frozen in disbelief. They were so caught up that they didn’t notice my presence. But as Ryan’s eyes met mine, they widened in shock. He hastily disengaged from her.

Vivian’s face crumpled, her expression a mixture of disappointment and disgust—not even a hint of remorse.

Not surprising.

“Ophelia…” Ryan began, his voice laced with guilt, but I wasn’t ready to hear any of his lies.

I turned and ran, slamming the door behind me. I didn’t stop until I was back outside, gasping for air.

It felt like I’d been punched in the gut. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. I just let the tears flow freely.

I reached my car and collapsed into the seat as the tears continued to flow.

I hated him, but I hated myself more.How could I have been so dumb to believe his lies? How could I have believed he loved me when I was married off to him when he wasn’t even ready to settle? Why did I think everything changed after his confession of love—another lie?

He cheated on me with my sister. I felt no anger towards her, no surprise, no emotion whatsoever. I had stopped having any emotions towards her years ago. I wasn’t even surprised she chose to sleep with my husband. Nothing she does surprises me.

I saw Ryan’s figure emerging from the house through my rearview mirror.

No.

Not again.

I don’t want to hear his lies again. I’m done.

I reversed out of the driveway, his shouts of my name echoing in my wake.

Tears fell like rain as I drove away, away from the only home I had left. I had nowhere to go. I was alone, truly alone, for the first time in my life. I had no one to turn to. I was completely and utterly alone.

I couldn’t bear the thought of seeking refuge at my father’s house. The last time I was there was the day he married me off to Ryan like I was some sort of property. He, of all people, would be happy to see me in this condition, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he knew about my sister’s involvement with my husband.

I wiped away the tears blurring my vision.

Focus, Ophelia. Focus.

I chided myself, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

Eventually, I pulled into a hotel parking lot. My eyes were red and puffy as I entered the lobby.

“Welcome, um…”

The receptionist’s expression changed from neutral to concerned as she took in my appearance. “How can I help you, ma’am?” she asked, her eyes scanning me.

I gulped hard, my voice barely above a whisper. “I need a room.”

“How many days?” she asked, and the question struck me.

How many days?

I hadn’t really thought about that.

“Till… whenever,” I replied, my voice coming out as a huff. I needed to be here until I found a solution to my problems.

“Okay, I’ll check availability,” she nodded, tapping on her computer before handing me the key card.

“Room 205. It’s on the second floor. Elevators are just down the hall.”

I took the key with a simple nod, my feet dragging towards the elevator. As the doors slid open, I stepped inside and leaned against the wall, letting out a deep breath. The elevator hummed to life, and I shut my eyes, letting the numbness wash over me.

The doors opened on the second floor, and I trudged towards room 205. I inserted the key card, and the door creaked open. The room was dimly lit, with a queen-sized bed and a small desk in the corner. I stumbled inside and, without bothering to switch on the light, collapsed onto the bed.

The switch happened so fast. Earlier, I was extremely happy, but now, tears streamed down my face once more. I buried my face in the pillow, muffling my sobs.

“I love you, Ophelia. I really do.”

“I promise to be the man you wanted. I’m sorry for the hurt I’ve caused you.”

“I won’t hurt you again. Trust me.”

Ryan had said those words to me, and I had foolishly believed them. I thought I finally found a chance at happiness, but it was all an illusion.

Suddenly, my body began to ache, a dull cramp spreading through my lower abdomen. At first, I thought it was just a result of my grief, but as the pain intensified, a jolt of fear spread through me.

I tried sitting up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me to collapse back onto the bed. The cramps grew stronger and more insistent, and I struggled to reach the landline to call for help. I managed to grab it.

“Help…”

I stuttered, pain consuming me. I couldn’t move. Tears streamed down my face as I curled up in a ball. The room spun around me, and I felt like I was slipping away, losing myself in the darkness. I felt my eyes closing, but there was something else I could feel…

Blood—blood under me, blood around me.

“Ma’am, are you okay?”

Was the last thing I heard before surrendering to the darkness.