chapter 1

Rose

I stood in the middle of the crowd, my heart pounding with hope, then slowly twisting into fear as my eyes darted from face to face, scanning every corner of the room.

But he wasn’t here.

It was Lucas, my husband's birthday. I spent weeks planning this celebration, staying up late decorating, baking his favorite cake from scratch, and even ironing his favorite color into every detail of the hall. Yet now, the guests were here, the music was playing, the lights were glowing… but the man I did it all for was missing.

Where are you, Lucas?

Just as I reached into my purse to bring out my phone and call him, I heard the crowd break into a loud cheer.

“Happy Birthday to you…” My heart leaped. I turned quickly, a small smile forming on my lips.

But my smile died down when I saw him.

Lucas was walking in, hand in hand with Catherine, his so-called best friend. Her fiery red hair cascaded over her shoulders, matching the tight red dress clinging to her body like a second skin. People gasped in admiration, some even whispered how perfect they looked together.

Perfect?

My knees felt weak.

Before I could move, I saw my daughter, Eva, run towards me with a bright flower in her tiny hands. Not to me, but to Catherine. She giggled, handing it to her and pressing a kiss to her cheek.

God, when was the last time Eva kissed me like that?

She used to run to me like that. She used to laugh at me. Now all she gives me are frowns and silence. Even her hair… she dyed it red, like Catherine’s.

My throat tightened.

How did I become a stranger in my own family?

Then the MC’s voice echoed across the hall, announcing, “Time for the birthday cake! Let's have Mr. Lucas and his beautiful wife come forward!”

Yes. His wife. That is me, right?

But Lucas didn’t reach for me. He reached for Catherine.

He held her hand gently, and Eva’s, and walked toward the cake I baked with love. The cake I poured my tired soul into and no one seems to see anything wrong with that.

No. I wouldn’t let them erase me like I didn’t exist. I’m still his wife. I still have a name.

I straightened my shoulders, pushed past the murmuring guests, and stood beside Lucas, right where a wife was meant to be.

He didn’t even look at me. But Eva did, her face twisted in annoyance. She let go of Lucas’s hand and moved closer to Catherine, like I was a plague.

I couldn’t breathe.

Lucas leaned toward me, his voice a sharp whisper behind his smiling lips. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“What do you mean?” I whispered back, keeping my eyes on the crowd. “Didn’t you hear what the MC said? They called your wife.”

His smile didn’t falter, but his words cut like a blade. “And you think showing up here with your fat, ugly face is something to be proud of? Aren’t you ashamed of yourself, Rose?”

His voice rose, and I heard some of the people laughing. Even Eva, my own daughter, was laughing at me.

I stared at Lucas, stunned. His words echoed in my mind like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from.

“Lucas, please,” I whispered, barely able to speak. “Let’s not do this here…”

“Oh, now you want to be quiet? Embarrassed now, huh?” he sneered, loud enough for everyone to hear again.

I could feel their eyes on me, pity, mockery, judgment. Some were even… laughing.

Gush, I was humiliated. I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole.

“I stayed up all night, Lucas,” I said, tears slipping down my face. “I did all of this for you, just for you. The decorations, the food, the cake...”

Lucas groaned and stepped back from me like I was poison. “Do you want to ruin my birthday just like you ruin everything else in life? You should be happy and thank Catherine for stepping in where you failed.”

What!

I laughed, bitter, broken. “So I should thank the woman who destroyed my family? Who seduced my husband and stole my daughter away from me?”

I stood there, tears blurring my vision as Lucas smiled for the cameras, cutting the cake with her, snapping photos with her, celebrating with her while I stood in the shadows like a ghost.

I couldn’t take it anymore. I turned to leave, ready to find peace, anywhere but not here.

I was leaving the party when I heard. “Rose! Rose!” Someone called.

I stopped. I looked back and I frowned when I saw Catherine. 

What does she want? Hasn't she done enough?

She approached me, that smug smile playing on her lips like she owned the world.

“What is it?” I said flatly.

“Running away again? Gonna go cry in your room like you always do?” she mocked, flipping her hair. “Have you looked at yourself lately? Did you see how fat, sloppy, and miserable you look? Gush, no wonder Lucas doesn't want you anymore."

I clenched my fists, holding in the storm brewing inside me.

“You really are shameless,” I said, my voice cold with quiet fury.

“Me? Shameless? How?” she laughed.

“Yes. You are so shameless. You couldn't find your own man, so you destroyed my home?” I smiled darkly. “You are not just shameless. You are a Whore. A cheap, pathetic whore!”

"What! You called me a whore? How dare you?" She said as she raised her hand and slapped me on my cheek. 

I barely reacted before she poured her wine over herself and dramatically collapsed to the floor, crying.

What…?

The room turned silent, then loud and chaotic.

“What did you do to her?!” Lucas roared, pushing through the crowd and cradling Catherine like she was made of glass.

“She... she slapped me and pushed me,” Catherine sobbed. “All I did was try to apologize…”

Lies. All lies.

“Lucas, I didn’t... she’s the one who...”

“Enough!” he barked. “ Haven't you embarrassed me enough? Why are you so shameless and heartless?”

His words pierced my heart like a thousand arrows. My words dissolved into the air. No one was listening. People began recording, and some were calling me a monster, a bully, a disgrace.

Then Catherine started screaming about her legs.

“I think I sprained it... I can’t move!”

Lucas lifted her in his arms as people shouted for an ambulance. The party turned into a frenzy.

And I? I just stood there. Like I was invisible.

Even my daughter… She ran after them. But I grabbed her hand before she could leave.

She's still my daughter, right? and she should be by my side.

“Eva,” I said, choking on my tears, “Come back. I’m your mother.”

She looked at me with eyes full of anger.

“Why did you hurt aunty Catherine? I hate you! I hate you!!.” She said and left, leaving me trembling with broken heart.