SHATTERED DREAMS:

Chapter 1: SHATTERED DREAMS:

Sophia's eyes wouldn’t leave the TV screen, with each sound the clock made her breath became sharper and shorter. Rico Blackwood, the man she loved, stood confidently beside his fiancée, Catherine Lionel, in social ranking the Lionel family, comes closely behind the Blackwood’s. The news anchor's mouth kept moving, but Sophia’s mind had already checked out, unable to process the words.

"How could he? Why would he?" she whispered, tears flowed down her face.

Her mind raced back to their last encounter, the way his eyes sparkled when he was with her, the gentle touch of his hands on hers and all the promises. Had it all been a lie? She thought.

Sophia picked up her phone with trembling hands and called Rico, she did not know if she felt anger, pain, or betrayal, it was a rage of emotion.

"Hey Sophia," Rico said as soon as he answered the call, unaware of what was happening.

"You're getting married?" Sophia spat out, trying to contain her rage, the tears kept flowing

Rico's paused. "Sophia, I—"

"Don't even try to lie to me," Sophia cut him off, her voice trembling. "I saw it on TV. You're engaged to that...that Catherine, You shouldn’t have led me on Rico, you shouldn’t have!"

Rico's sigh was audible. "Sophia, calm down, I don’t understand what is going on, Kindly explain”

"Save it, Rico," I am done playing this game with you, turn on your TV. "You're just like them, aren't you? Playing games with people's hearts"

The line went silent, and for a moment, Sophia wondered if she'd lost him.

"Sophia, please listen," Rico pleaded, his voice cracking, my parents did this. "I never agreed to this, I do not even know I have been engaged, this video being played was for a birthday, I stood by her because I was asked to, just like you, I am just finding out that I am engaged, I've been trying to find a way to tell my parents about us."

Sophia's laughter was bitter, “about us? Or do you mean about me? About our child?

Rico's sharp intake of breath was his only response.

"Don't bother calling or explaining," Sophia continued, her voice cracking. "You've made your choice, Rico. You’ve always made your choice, how come I never saw it until now, I should have known, you’ll always choose wealth, family over what we shared, I was dumb. I should have listened to my mom, bye Mr. Blackwood.

Sophia pleases …. Wait

She ended the call; the phone slipped from her shaking hands and fell to the ground, crying profusely.

Sophia crashed to the floor, the TV continued to broadcast Rico's smile, his once beautiful eyes now haunted her.

Little did she know their story was far from over, it had only just began.

Rico stood still, his phone in his hand. Sophia's last words still echoed in his mind, “what am I going to do?” he muttered.

Rico felt his stomach knotting, his mind racing with anxiety. How did this happen?

He thought back to his last conversation with his parents. They'd pressed him about settling down, but he had refused getting married to Catherine. Yet, he knew his parents had always been a hard nut to crack. And he couldn’t defy their orders directly.

Rico's hands trembled as he dialed his parents' number. He hesitated for a few seconds, unsure of what to say.

"Rico, dear," his mother answered, her voice stern but soft. "We've been expecting your call. Hope you’ve seen the news” she asked

Rico swallowed hard, trying to find his voice. "M-Mother, I—"

"Oh his stuttering, his surprised at the beauty of his new bride, meanwhile, I am over here with your father" she said

“But mom, I told you about Sophia, the woman I love and have been going out with for the past two years, we agreed, I was going to bring her over soon” Rico said

“Oh the peasant girl, I forgot about her, and No, Rico you said you would invite her over, we never agreed, besides no child of mine is getting married, to a low life, money deprived person, wealth is a criteria” Mrs. Blackwood said sternly.

“But Mom, do you even care how I feel?” Rico continued

“Enough! You would marry who we say you would marry”, His father interrupted, we don’t marry for feelings, we marry what is right for the family name, feelings will come in later.

Rico's protest died on his lips. He knew anything else was futile "Yes, Father," Rico whispered, with defeat in voice.

His mother continued with her tone still soft. "We would discuss the details later, for now, focus on your duties. Forget Sophia or whatever her name is."

The call ended, and Rico felt a crushing weight settle upon him. “What would I do now? He said

Sophia still crying on the floor felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Sophia, sweetie, what's wrong?"

Sophia's mother, Grace, knelt beside her, concern written all over her face.

"Rico," Sophia sobbed, her voice shaking. "He's getting married."

Grace's expression turned stern. "I told you, Sophia. Men like Rico, they're not like us. They're raised to priorities their family's wealth and status."

Sophia shook her head, defending Rico. "No, Mom, Rico's different. He's kind and genuine."

“And now his getting married to someone, who isn’t you, so much for being kind and genuine” Grace said

Grace's words struck a chord. Sophia remembered the countless times her mother warned her about Rico.

"Sophia, they'll never truly accept you. You're not their social class."

Memories of Rico's gentle touch and loving words flooded her mind and the pain she felt came rushing in. Three weeks ago, Sophia discovered she was pregnant. Only Rico knew. They'd planned to tell their families together, but now:

"Sophia, talk to me," Grace coaxed. “What else, these tears is more than the betrayal, you’re a strong woman, what else is wrong?

Sophia hesitated, unsure if she should reveal the pregnancy. But something in her mother's eyes,

"Mom, I…. I…. I am pregnant," Sophia whispered, fresh tears falling.

Grace's expression changed from concern to shock. "Oh, Sophia..."

Sophia nodded, feeling a mix of emotions fear of the unknown, uncertainty and sadness.

"What am I going to do, Mom?" Sophia asked her voice barely audible.

Grace wrapped her arms around Sophia, holding her close.

"We would figure it out together, sweetie. But one thing's for sure: you deserve better than Rico Blackwood."

As Sophia cried, Grace's words echoed in her mind: "Men like Rico...they don’t like us."

But Sophia knew the truth: Rico was not exactly like his parents, he was just the trophy son, bound by duty.

Grace's expression turned distant, her eyes clouding over as she held Sophia close.

"Sophia, I know what it's like to be caught up with this people," Grace whispered, her voice laced with sadness. "I thought I'd escaped it, but seeing you hurt brings it all back."

Sophia pulled back, "What do you mean, Mom?"

Grace took a deep breath, her eyes drifting into the past.

"I grew up in a poor neighborhood, Sophia. Your father was my escape. He was kind, genuine, and loved me for who I was. But when he passed away, I was left alone, struggling to make ends meet." Grace's voice cracked.

"That's when I met Reginald. He was wealthy, charming, and promised to take care of me and you. But it was all a lie. He wanted a trophy wife, a sex toy, someone who owed him, someone not worthy to be called a wife, he needed a main he could sleep with basically.

Sophia's eyes widened, shocked. "You never told me."

Grace's smile was bitter. "There is a lot I can’t tell you sweetie. But I learned the hard way: wealth and status come with a price. They'll use you, discard you, and move on to the next shiny person."

"Rico's not like that, Mom," Sophia protested, though her conviction was shaky.

Grace looked at her. "You’re love drunk, Sophia. But trust me; Rico's family will never accept you. You're not their kind."

"What do I do, Mom?" Sophia asked her voice barely above a whisper.

Grace's voice was resolute. "We'll face this together. We'll raise this child, and you'll move on from Rico. You deserve better."

I don't want to move on mom, I want Rico, how do I raise this child all alone? I didn't make the child alone, why should I raise it alone?  She continued crying