Chapter 2: The Return of the First Love
956words
As a rising designer in New York, her career was just taking off; as the fiancée of billionaire Gavin Fraser, her personal life was enviable. Their wedding was scheduled for three months later, and all preparations were proceeding smoothly.
Until Sophie Winters returned.
Sophie was Gavin's childhood sweetheart, his college girlfriend, and the unextinguished flame in his heart. Six years ago, Sophie had chosen her fashion career, leaving for Paris and a heartbroken Gavin behind. A year later, Gavin met Mona, a talented design student. They fell in love and spent five years together.
Mona would never forget the day Sophie returned. It was at the Fraser Investment Group's annual gala, where she stood beside Gavin in a deep green gown of her own design, receiving congratulations from guests.
Suddenly, the doors opened and an elegant blonde woman walked in. She wore a Chanel haute couture dress, exuding the sophistication and confidence of the Parisian fashion world.
"Sophie?" Gavin's voice carried unmistakable surprise and delight. "You're back?"
Sophie smiled, her blue eyes meeting Gavin's directly: "I promised I would return, didn't I?"
In that moment, Mona felt her world beginning to crumble. She saw the light in Gavin's eyes, a kind of eagerness and longing she had never witnessed before.
The following two weeks were like a nightmare. Gavin began "working late," canceling dates with her, hurriedly leaving after receiving mysterious late-night calls. Mona tried to trust him, tried to convince herself this was just temporary confusion, until she witnessed Gavin and Sophie's intimate moment in his office.
"It's not what you think," Gavin tried to explain, but his eyes betrayed him.
Three days later, Mona discovered she was pregnant. Standing in the bathroom, looking at the two lines on the pregnancy test, she felt both joy and fear. This child came at such an inopportune time, with her relationship with Gavin hanging by a thread.
But she decided to tell Gavin, hoping this new life might save their relationship.
However, fate dealt her a cruel blow.
On the very evening she planned to tell Gavin about the pregnancy, Fraser Investment Group hosted a charity gala. Mona dressed carefully, hoping to find the right moment to speak with Gavin privately.
But Sophie beat her to it. At the height of the evening, she raised her champagne glass and announced "good news."
"Everyone," her voice was crisp and melodious, "I'm delighted to announce that I will be the new creative director for Fraser Investment Group's fashion division. More importantly," she cast a meaningful glance at Mona, "Gavin and I have decided to rekindle our relationship."
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Mona. She stood there, feeling her blood freeze and her heart stop beating.
Gavin didn't deny it. He stood beside Sophie, his expression complex but unrefuting.
"Mona," he finally approached her, his voice low, "we need to talk."
In a quiet corner, Gavin told her he had always loved Sophie, that his relationship with Mona had only existed because he thought Sophie would never return.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice carrying a hint of guilt but more relief, "we can't continue."
Mona felt the world spinning, but forced herself to remain calm: "What about our wedding? Our future?"
"There is no future, Mona," Gavin said coldly. "I've made my decision."
At that moment, Sophie approached, holding two glasses of champagne: "To celebrate your breakup," she smiled, offering one to Mona.
In a daze, Mona accepted the glass and drank it all. She needed something to numb her pain, even if only temporarily.
She didn't tell Gavin about the baby. After being so easily discarded, she didn't want to use the child to bind him. This baby would be hers alone, her only hope and future.
But Sophie seemed to see through everything. As Mona prepared to leave the gala, Sophie followed her out.
"I know you're pregnant," she said bluntly, her blue eyes flashing dangerously. "I've noticed your reactions these past few days, and how you've been refusing alcohol."
Mona stared at her in shock: "That's none of your business."
"Oh, but it is very much my business," Sophie sneered. "Do you think Gavin would allow his child to be kept from him? Even if he doesn't love you, he would maintain contact because of the child. I can't allow that to happen."
Mona felt a wave of fear: "What are you saying?"
"That champagne," Sophie's smile turned evil, "I added something special to it. It won't harm you, but for the little life inside you... I'm afraid it won't be friendly."
Mona felt dizzy, her stomach beginning to cramp: "You... you drugged me?"
"Don't worry," Sophie said dismissively, "it will only look like a natural miscarriage. No one will suspect anything."
Fear and anger swept through Mona, but more terrifying was the pain beginning in her abdomen. She staggered away, refusing the driver's help, taking a taxi back to her apartment alone.
She hoped Sophie was just trying to scare her, hoped it was all just a malicious joke. But when she got home, the pain intensified, and blood began to appear.
On the bathroom floor, Mona Ellis lost her child, and with it, her last hope.
And when Gavin appeared at the hospital, accusing her of deliberately aborting their baby, she knew that everything between her and this man was truly over.
Now, lying in the hospital bed, Mona made her decision. She would leave New York, leave these painful memories behind, and start anew. But someday, she would return, strong enough to face everything.
And when that day came, Gavin Fraser and Sophie Winters would pay for what they had done.
