Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Shattered Dreams

~Sara Pov~

The Taxi stopped at the right place and the driver's voice saying we were here jolted me out of my daze. I looked out of the window and my eyes lit up with happiness on seeing the familiar place, David, my Boyfriend's home. 

I wonder how he would react seeing me travel from New York to Los Angeles just to see him. picturing his reaction—the way he'd light up when he saw me standing there, I couldn't help the mischievous smile that popped up on my face. David always said I planned things like surprises, and he wasn't wrong. This was going to be his best Christmas present ever.

I stepped out of the car; my suitcase dragged along with me. The biting cold of the winter's eve wouldn't even be felt on my skin, all that filled my heart was anticipation. 

Three years—that was how long we had lasted. Three years of laughter and shared secrets and whispers of dreams. Three years planning our life: a house, children, everything.

Now, everything has fallen into place.

My hand instinctively went to my stomach. I hadn't told him yet. I had wanted it to be perfect—to see the light in his eyes at the exact moment I told him he was going to be a father.

I smiled to myself and went up the stairs, my heels stepped softly on the stone. I knocked softly at the door once, and—

No answer.

I frowned and tapped again. Nothing.

"David?" I called out, leaning in. There was no answer.

He must still be at the office. But what was he doing there at this time? Workaholic! 

My excitement was a little dimmed by that thought, but it didn't matter. I'd just surprise him there instead. I turned back to the waiting taxi and waved it down once again.

"To Packer Enterprises," I told him, giving him the address of his office 

building.

The driver nodded and off we went.

In no time we got there, I thanked the driver and stood before a sleek, modern building. 

David would sometimes stay late at the office. I wasn't surprised, for he was that kind of very dedicated man who always wanted to do more and was never content with what he was doing. That was one thing I could respect in him.

But tonight, I just wanted to remind him to slow down and appreciate the little things in life. I squeezed the box in my hand hard as I pictured how his face was going to light up the moment he tore open the lid and found that ring inside it.

The ride up to the highest floor seemed to take forever. Each soft tinkle as the elevator passed the floors was a test to my patience. And finally! We got to his office. 

His office was at the end of the hall, I saw the door slightly ajar to let in a warm light flow into the dim hallway.

My eyes lit up thinking of meeting him soon. I walked nearer and then heard s

Voices—or should I say Sounds? 

I raised my eyebrow. “Is he with someone?”

I took a step nearer, then as if I was shot, I went still with what I just saw.

David. His arms were wrapped around Emma Lane, his secretary. Her blouse half-open, her lipstick mussed. His lips on hers, his body pressed to hers in a way that turned my stomach inside out.

My body shook with agitation, The world turned upside down at that moment, My chest got tight, and the air in my lungs just vanished. I stood there, unmoving, as my head struggled to make sense of what my eyes were seeing.

The box slipped from my fingers and fell onto the floor with a soft thud.

Then David's head jerked up, and he separated from Emma like he'd taken an electric shock. His lips were still reddened from the kissing, his shirt wrinkled from where her hands had been. His face bleached the minute his eyes met mine.

“S-Sara?" he stuttered, his voice cracking.

The room started spinning around me. My vision began to blur. My chest was heavy, squeezed tight, making it difficult to breathe. 

I swallowed hard, "David…"I muttered, My voice was barely audible, but it was shaky.

He took a step forward, his hands upraised in a gesture of placation, but I took an instinctive step back. "Sara, I… I can explain-” 

"Explain?" I cut him off. My voice cracked and trembled. My legs felt like they were going to give out any second, but still I forced myself to stand. I glared at him, "I saw you! What, exactly, do you plan on explaining?!”

I looked at Emma who didn't bat an eyelid. She just leaned back against his desk, blouse still half undone, lipstick smudged over her mouth, with the smallest curve playing about her lips like she was expecting this.

"I…” David looked from her to me, his shoulders slumping very slightly. "Look, Sara, maybe this isn't the time-”

"Not now?" My voice shot up sharp, splintering. "I came here to surprise you! I came here to spend Christmas with you and to give you this!" I thrust my hand towards the box on the floor. My hands were shaking so hard, I felt like it wasn't my own anymore.

He looked shocked then flicked a glance at the box, looked away, almost as if he couldn't look at it himself. "Sara, I—"

"Don't!" I cut him off again. my chest heaving. "Don't you dare make excuses! Don't you dare stand there and act like this isn't what it looks like!" I yelled angrily. 

He sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair. Frustration carved on his face as he muttered, "Fine," his voice no longer filled with the hesitation it had been. "You're right. This isn't what it looks like."

For a moment, hope flared to life in my chest, a wild, foolish hope. Maybe he will say it was a prank.   

“It's over," he finished, voice now icy, bitter.

The room began to spin, I immediately held a table to stabilize myself.

My throat constricted and I forced out the words. "Wha… what did you say?” 

He snorted and crossed his arms. "I'm telling you this isn't new, Sara. Emma and I… we've been seeing each other going on almost a year now."

The floor dropped out from under me.

"A year?!” You are lying to me right? This is a Christmas prank right?!