Chapter 1: A night of shattered dreams

~Melissa’s POV~

The Mondragon family estate, present time……..

“Here we go again!” 

I muttered silently, yet enthusiastically through my breathe, as I stood awkwardly in a corner glancing at the magnitude of guests that filled the grand ballroom to a lavish capacity. 

It was the 50th birthday and golden jubilee celebration of my father-in-law, Mr Tate Mondragon. The pillar and head of the Mondragon family dynasty, being one of the most powerful and wealthiest families, structured in Romania, Central Europe.  

Everyone who mattered in the city was in attendance as laughter and chatter buzzed across the room, with the air thick…….with the scent of champagne and expensive cologne. 

I was dressed elegantly as far as prying eyes could behold and thought to myself I radiated grace, but just like always nobody noticed my presence. As though I blended in with the asthethic decor pieces.

 A familiar feeling I was now accustomed to.

My eyes scanned across the room filled with important dignitaries. Before my gaze fell on my father in law, who stood in a far end engaged with a guest, as I moved towards his direction. 

“Happy birthday dad!” I utter ecstatically to him as I stretch out my hands, presenting him with the finely wrapped gift box I had prepared in his honour. 

“Oh! You're here” he responds while trying to mask the hint of disappointment laced in his voice, almost like he was’nt expecting me to show up. His gaze quickly averts, looking over my shoulder, roaming around in search of something. 

“And where is Robert, your husband?” he asked 

“Why bother ask her darling, it's not like she ever knows about his whereabouts”. My mother in law, Tessa's voice dripping with obvious disdain, chimed in, popping out of nowhere just when I was about to make up an excuse. 

“You know, if I didn't know better I would have asked if you're sure your actually married to my son. Since you never seem to have any idea of his daily schedule as his wife”. she spat out more hurtful words, not giving a damn how it stung at my emotions. 

Since the moment I married Robert my husband, the only son and heir to the Mondragon fortune. Every day of my life became unbearably daunting. Despite my efforts to prove my worth to his family, most especially his mother….Tessa Mondragon. A fierce woman in her prime, who despised my very existence and deemed me unworthy of bearing the Mondragon name. 

Because of my modest background. 

I could still remember her words from the early stage of my marriage to Robert, that now stuck in my mind like a serenade or childhood lullaby of how a Mondragon is supposed to act;

A Mondragon does not show weakness.

A Mondragon is fierce and strong at heart like a real dragon. 

A Mondragon always wins no matter what and at any cost. 

I could go on and on, but no matter how polished and refined I tried to become they just couldn't bring themselves to accept me as their own.  

“Good evening mum. I'm sure he's on his way. Probably stuck at work or in traffic” my lips utter through a tight smile formed across my face in a bid to save face. 

“Hmmm…..I see” she says with a slightly humorous tone, sounding almost like she knew something I didn't, while taking a sip from the champagne filled flute held firmly in her hands. Before walking away to attend to other guests. 

A wave of embarrassment surged through me knowing her words held a depth of truth to them, making my makeup contoured face to turn pale. 

“But not to worry” I said reassuringly to myself as I shrugged my shoulders. The night was young and I was not about to give her the satisfaction of ruining it for me.

 For you see, I had a special announcement to make. One that would finally earn me the respect I deserved, giving me a stance in this family. 

I groped my stomach where life was growing.

Yes! I was finally pregnant with a child and heir for my husband Robert. After five long years of not being able to conceive a baby, countless medical checkups, and I planned on breaking the news tonight in front of everyone at the party, but most especially Robert who was yet to arrive. 

I looked at my phone, clutched in my hands to see if he had responded to any of my unanswered missed calls, that always went straight to voicemail and texts. But there was nothing, but dead cold silence, consuming my mind with worry. 

One which made me bite hard on the corner of my lips. 

Just when I was about to dial his number for the umpteenth time, the grand ballroom doors swung open capturing the attention of everyone. 

I swiveled my head to the direction and there he was. Robert! the husband of my youth, strutting in looking charming as ever. Dressed in a finely tailored royal blue tuxedo that I had laid out for him just this morning. 

“Finally he's here”; I mutter with a bright smile on my face, as I gently walked over to welcome him and ask why he was late. 

Just as I get close enough my steps quickly falter, bringing me to a halt as I glare at the horrification before me, now realizing he was not alone.  

In his company was a beautiful woman dressed seductively as her evening gown clung to her curves, with her hands wrapped around his left arm, as her presence effortlessly captured the attention of spectators around, who fawned over them. Including Tate and Tessa who offered warm smiles and embraces like she truly belonged.  

As though they instantly forgot I was the one married to Robert and not her. 

I take a closer look at her face that seemed awfully familiar, when an instant realization jogged my memory. 

I couldn't believe it, there she was in the flesh. 

“Jodie Sanchez!”. Roberts first love and ex girlfriend. The very woman whose existence had constantly overshadowed mine in Roberts heart, making me an outsider and contender for his affection for years.

Our marriage had always been devoid of love, one that was spun under the binds of a contract. But that never stopped me from optimistically hoping that one day, the only man I had only ever loved would eventually learn to love me back. 

Days turned to months and then a year. It's been five years of turmoil with me still hanging on to a loose thread. And now that she's back I may have just lost any lingering hope I had left. 

“Is that his wife? I must say she's gorgeous” a womans voice trailed across the room. 

“They make a fine couple” another guest said, causing me to feel a jab in my chest. 

The absolute nerve of these people. How could they forget that I stood amongst them. Was I really that insignificant? I wondered, or they just didn't care enough to bat an eyelash. 

I stared intently at Robert, who was too distracted to spare me a glance. 

Smiling warmly at Jodie, as his eyes flickered with affection. A moment I had always wished he would share with me. 

Frustrated…….turning green with envy, I clutched my fists at my side as my long nails dug deep into my palm. 

To avert their attention to me, I stomped my heels against the tiled floor, right after I grabbed a glass of water laid out on the dessert table, as I made my way to the stage to make my announcement. 

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. May I have your attention please!” I nervously spoke into the microphone clutched in my hand. The sound of my voice alerts them as their eyes darted to the stage where I stood. 

“I’m certain you all know me by now, but to those oblivious of who I am. I am Melissa Mondragon! Roberts wife”. 

“And if my husband would be so kind to join me on stage , I have a very important announcement to make” I said for a final time with my eyes fixated on Robert, who had a cold yet perplexed expression on his face, while I waited in anticipation of his arrival. 

He gave a light pat on Jodie's hands, before walking down to the stage, now with an unreadable expression worn on his face.

As soon as he meets me in an intimate close range, he whispers into my ear, fanning them through hot breathes.   

“What the hell do you think your doing Melissa?” he asked with an annoyed tone.

“I’m not doing anything, I just……..

“Enough Melissa!” 

“Come with me” his voice thunders, cutting me off, now clearly infuriated as he grips my arm tightly. Just enough to make me wince out in pain, and drags me off the stage in front of the guests whose prying eyes followed us until we were out of sight. Before conversations of hushed whispers circulated through out the hall. 

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

As soon as we approached the hallway leading to the kitchen, he roughly let's go of my arm, causing me to loose my balance and slump hard to the floor on my knees. 

“Ouch!” 

“Why did you do that Robert?” I wailed out in pain. 

“Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is, knowing my own husband dragged me off like some piece of discarded furniture in front of so many people”. Looking up at him, I charged with a hoarse voice that now betrayed me. While fighting back tears that stung at my eyes threatening to trickle down my flushed cheeks. 

“I didn't want to do this here, but you've left me with no choice Melissa.……”

After what felt like an eternal pause…. 

Came his words like a wrecking ball.

“We’re getting a divorce!” 

The man I had devoted my life to, the same man I had loved wholeheartedly for years. Spitefully blurts out, as he stood looking down at me through glaring eyes devoid of any emotion, still clung to the cold tiled floors beneath me.