MY EX-HUSBAND LEARNT TOO LATE

Prologue Sophie The cold, sterile scent of the operating room crashed over me like a wave as my arms and ankles were bound to the table, adrenaline surging through my veins. “No, please don’t do this!” I cried out, desperation clawing at me as I frantically scanned the room for any sign of hope, but the restraints held me captive, no matter how fiercely I struggled. “This is illegal! I’ll sue you all in court! I never agreed to this!” My voice was muffled by the anesthesia mask pressed over my face, the harsh overhead light drilling into my skin like a thousand tiny daggers, reminding me of the imminent danger I faced. The doctors remained eerily silent, their expressions hidden behind their masks, as if they shared a dark secret. Panic coursed through me as I felt a sharp jab—one of them had sunk a massive needle into my hip bone. The scraping sensation sent me spiraling into terror, but as I fought against the panic, I realized they were coldly, efficiently focused on extracting my bone marrow. Tears poured down my cheeks, but I summoned every ounce of strength I had left to utter his name—the man who had captured my heart through two years of whirlwind romance before we finally exchanged vows. The same man who had orchestrated my current nightmare. “Alex… I’m pregnant.” The words tumbled from my lips in a fragile whisper, hanging in the air before everything around me faded into darkness. **************************** The hall was alive with joyful laughter and vibrant music as friends and family gathered to celebrate the magical union between Alex and me. The air was infused with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, creating an atmosphere of pure romance. As I beamed at the camera with my head resting on Alex’s shoulder, I felt pure happiness. I was finally married to Alex, the love of my life, and my heart raced with excitement. I momentarily lifted my gaze to meet his eyes, and was struck by the expression on his face. It was completely neutral, lacking any discernible emotion, which left me feeling more perplexed than ever. His features were arranged in a way that suggested he was neither pleased nor displeased; it was as if he were a blank canvas, and I found myself trying to decipher what lay beneath that calm facade. “Is he not happy to be with me?” I wondered, stealing another look at him, but his expression remained unchanged. I momentarily brushed it off, convincing myself it was just ‘nerves’, he could be distant at times. I looked down at my stunning white gown, adorned with diamonds, fitted perfectly to my ankles and flowing beautifully behind me. This dress was super expensive, and having enough money wasn't enough to get it, but Alex didn’t think twice about getting it for me just because I said I loved it. I guess that’s what happens when you’re loved by a super-rich billionaire. Subconsciously giggling, I felt his warm hand gently squeeze mine. He leaned in, his deep voice sending a flutter through me. “What’s making you giggle, princess?” His intense ocean-blue eyes made me blush, and the way he addressed me as a princess made me look away shyly. Just as I was about to answer, my dad appeared, clearly delighted by our affection. “Alexander Russo, today I hand over the Whitmore Corporation and my daughter to you. I trust you will take good care of them.” Being my father’s only child, I understood why he was giving Alex the company he worked so hard to build. I hugged him tightly, tears of joy streaming down my face. He had been my rock throughout my life since my mom passed away during my birth. I had always blamed myself for her death, and he had filled both parental roles for me. “Do you mind if I borrow your husband for a minute, Mrs. Russo?” My dad teased, and I felt flustered. “Dad!” In the blink of an eye, I found myself standing alone once more, my smile still bright as I graciously accepted the compliments showered upon me by the guests. Just as I was savoring the moment, a young woman around my age appeared before me. Intriguingly, half of her face was veiled in a striking white cloth, adding an air of mystery to her presence. “Sophie…” she called, taking my hand and pressing it against her belly. “The child I am carrying belongs to Alex.” Time seemed to freeze as I processed her words. My eyes locked onto her smug smile, and I frowned, sensing something was off. I instinctively took a step closer to check if she was okay, when Alex’s voice boomed from across the room. “Leave her alone!” As soon as she noticed Alex’s attention on us, the girl pressed down on my hand and stumbled. She let out a scream, twirled dramatically, and fell hard to the ground, clutching her stomach. “Sophie, why did you push me? I just wanted to congratulate you,” she cried weakly, her body going limp. As I stood there, still grappling with the whirlwind of events, Alex suddenly dashed over, his expression etched with worry. He carefully moved her aside, and my heart sank when I noticed the dark-red stains seeping through beneath her legs. The reality of the situation hit me hard, amplifying the urgency of his actions. He turned to me with anger in his eyes. “How could you push a pregnant woman?” My feet were rooted to the spot, unable to utter a word. Around me, a crowd began to form, their murmurs rising like a storm, each hurtful comment cutting deeper than the last. “I thought the Whitmore daughter was well-behaved and kind, but I guess that was all an act!” “Yeah, why would she push someone innocent?” “Did you know that girl used to work for the Russo family? Alex elevated her status, and some say she’s his first love.” “Isn’t that sad? Maybe the Whitmore girl was jealous and wanted revenge.” Revenge? I scoffed. I don't even know the damned girl. I fought to push their words out of my mind, but the weight of their accusations pressed down on me like a storm cloud. All I craved was clarity amidst the chaos. Taking a deep breath, I knelt beside Alex, my hand gently resting on his shoulder, hoping my presence would help bridge the gap between us. “Alex, you have to trust me. That’s not how it happened. She fell all on her own.” My voice shook with urgency, each word laced with my desperate plea for his belief. As I reached out to him, my heart brimming with hope that he’d finally understand, he suddenly shoved my hand away, sending me sprawling to the ground. The sting of betrayal cut deep as I watched him carry her bridal style with tenderness and urgency as he hurried toward the waiting ambulance that had just arrived. I lay there, heart racing and mind in chaos. I couldn’t believe it—he actually left his own wedding for her? The reality of it hit me like a tidal wave, and suddenly my makeup was a mess, streaked with tears I hadn’t even realized were flowing. The atmosphere around me buzzed with disbelief as I grappled with this shocking turn of events. What was I going to do next? The string quartet had stopped playing and an eerie silence hung over the stunned guests. Of course, it had to be my own wedding. I guess this was going to be tagged the “most ridiculous wedding of the year”. My eyes scanned the crowd who were looking at me with pitiful eyes, slowly I stood, afraid I’d break down here, and walked out of the hall.