Chapter 2

“We did everything we could, Mrs. Gray, but we couldn’t save the baby. I’m so sorry. This is the third miscarriage. Due to the extensive scarring, I’m afraid you won’t be able to carry a pregnancy to term again. You need to take care of yourself. Wait, ma’am, where are you going? You aren’t fine yet. Mrs. Gray!”

The doctor’s words kept flooding my mind. That was the moment my whole world came crashing down. That was when I finally allowed myself to drown in the sea of despair.

It’s been two weeks since I woke up in a hospital bed, and the doctor’s words lingered. Tears stung at the corners of my eyes. I lost my baby again—the fourth time. I lost four chances at motherhood, and I’m never getting it back.

My grip tightened on the invitation letter in my hands. It wasn’t just any invitation—it was for my sister’s wedding. She was marrying none other than my husband. Ex-husband.

I had sent him the divorce papers, and he had signed them without hesitation. I stopped being Ophelia Gray a week ago, and my sister would be today. She had the audacity to send me the invitation, as if mocking my misery once more. She was relishing my pain, just like my father.

I wish I had someone to turn to, and for the first time ever, I found myself wishing my mom were here. I had spent my whole life hating her. She was the reason for my suffering. She died while trying to give birth to me. I’ve always wished she didn’t try to bring me into this world, that I should have died in her place.

Maybe then, my father wouldn’t have hated me so much. Ever since I could remember, he had blamed me for my mother’s death. In his eyes, I was the one who stole his beloved wife away—a murderer by existence.

But today, I yearned for my mother. I wished she was here. Maybe she would have shown me some love and acceptance.

I wiped the tears off my face and stood up. I wasn’t thinking straight; I knew this wasn’t the best decision, but still, I took my car keys and stormed out of the room.

•

•

Yes, I was right. This isn’t the right choice.

I stood in the corner as I watched Ryan. He was dressed in a tailored black tuxedo, his broad shoulders and chiseled features making him look as handsome as ever. His dark hair was neatly styled, framing his sharp jawline.

Something was amiss; his face was pale, and he looked as if the wedding was the last place he wanted to be. But he was quick to cover it up with his signature smile—the smile that once filled me with butterflies.

I watched as my sister clung tightly to him, and I wanted to confront him—to ask why he had raised my hopes only to end up destroying me.

I couldn’t describe the emotions swirling in me. I didn’t understand what I was doing there. This was the beginning for them and the end of me with Ryan.

I blinked away the tears threatening to fall, and I turned to leave, but my exit was blocked by a figure that sent a pang through my chest. For the second time, I internally asked myself why I came here.

“What are you doing here?”

My father’s voice came out cold and menacing, his eyes piercing me with a glare.

I bit my lips hard to prevent myself from crying. He won’t see me break. No one will.

“Can’t I attend my sister’s wedding? I was invited, after all,” I replied, meeting his gaze.

“You are not welcome here, Ophelia,” he said, his eyes narrowing at me, and I let out a scoff.

“You never fail to disappoint, Father. I knew from the very start that you were aware of my sister’s involvement with Ryan, and as usual, you didn’t disappoint.”

I snapped, my voice laced with sadness and anger.

His jaw tightened, but before he could respond, a voice interrupted us.

“Dad, I…”

Vivian trailed off as soon as she saw me. “Oh, you came, sister,” she chirped, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Ryan stood beside her, his eyes fixed on me with an unreadable expression. My heart twisted in my chest as our gaze met, but I quickly averted my eyes.

“I honestly had no idea you were here, Ophelia,” Vivian said again, her voice laced with sarcasm. “And were you just about to leave? Oh, come on, you’re my sister. You just can’t leave now.”

I ignored her jabs and turned to her, forcing a smile.

“Congratulations, sister.”

“Thank you,” she replied. “But don’t worry, you’ll still be saying that same thing soon. Ryan Jr. will be out in a few months.”

She added, rubbing her tummy, her eyes gleaming with malice.

My jaw dropped, my lips parting in disbelief.

I glanced at Ryan, hoping for some denial or reassurance, but his guilty expression confirmed my worst fears.

No, it can’t be.

I bit my lips harder, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth. I won’t break. They won’t see me break.

I averted my gaze back to her, her smirk evident. She was deliberately doing this, trying to make me miserable, but I won’t give her the satisfaction.

“Alright then, congratulations.”

My voice came out smoother than I expected, and for some fleeting seconds, I was proud of myself. I was proud of how unaffected I sounded.

Vivian’s smirk grew wider.

“You’re becoming an aunt soon, Ophelia.”

“Let’s get back to the party now,” Ryan hastily interrupted her as he intertwined his fingers in hers.

“Okay, baby,” Vivian replied, planting a small kiss on his lips, and my stomach curled in disgust.

“We’ll be going now,” she chipped as she walked away with Ryan, who didn’t bother giving me another glance.

“Leave now.”

My father’s voice interrupted my trail of thoughts. For a brief moment, I had almost forgotten he was standing there.

“You’ve caused enough trouble already. Just leave.”

I shook my head in frustration.

“You never change, do you? You always find a way to make me feel unwanted, unloved, and inferior.”

“You’re bad news, Ophelia. You always will be.”

My heart sank as he said those words. It wasn’t the first time he had said something like this to me, but it hurt differently this time. I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. I didn’t bother giving him a response, knowing it would only bring more pain. Instead, I dragged my feet to the exit.

I would leave this place, this city, and the people who had hurt me so deeply. But I would return, stronger than ever, and I would bring with me ten times the hurt they had caused me and my babies.