Ingrid Holdings leapt on one leg, laughter escaping her lips as she checked out herself in the mirror. She was in the most beautiful gown she'd ever seen, and she got it for a special occasion.
The brown colour of the gown complimented her hazel coloured eyes, making the colour pop, and she couldn't have been more satisfied.
Finally, things were in place. She'd get to spend the rest of her life with the man she loved. To others, it might not be a reason to be overjoyed, but as someone who had to grow up in the confines of an orphanage with no family, this was something she had always wished for.
Holding her crutch under her right arm, she leapt out of the room in search of him.
"Simon?" Ingrid called as soon as she got to the living room, but he was nowhere to be seen.
She turned in the direction of his study-he had been working hard these past few months as a major investment was on the way-but abruptly stopped.
Her eyes moved to the front door that was slightly ajar; she almost missed it.
Curious, she went over to check, and her lips parted in surprise, her eyes nearly popping out of their sockets at the sight before her.
There he stood. In front of their home porch with his arms encased around another woman.
"Simon!" Ingrid called out, and he looked back immediately.
His face held no expression of guilt. Instead, he pulled out of the unknown woman's hold and held her hand in his.
"Finally, I can stop the pretence. Let's break up, Ingrid." Simon stated coolly.
Ingrid felt her stomach drop at those unexpected words. He had promised her heaven and earth. Tomorrow was meant to be their special day.
The function for major investors was tomorrow, and he had been working towards it. She recalled his words a few days ago.
'Baby, the moment I get this investment, let's get married.'
"You don't mean it, Simon. We were supposed to get married. You were going to propose tomorrow. Look," she gestured to the dress she had on. "I bought this dress to wear to the function tomorrow."
Simon let out a scornful laugh.
"Who would want to take a disabled girl like you to the biggest event of the year? Do you want me to ruin my chances?"
Ingrid felt his words cut through her like a hot, searing knife.
Where were all these words coming from?
Simon loved her. They had been together for over three years now. He knew she had no one else and nowhere to go. Why was he being cruel?
She looked down at her left leg, which was wrapped tightly in a bandage. Her mind drifted back to the accident that almost left her crippled two years ago. It took her months to be able to get on her feet, yet he stood by her.
Why now? Why couldn't it be a day after tomorrow?
Tomorrow was a very special day, not just for him but also for her.
It was her 23rd birthday, but most importantly, the day she had planned on telling him she was pregnant.
She had found out a week ago but wanted it to be a surprise.
Hurdling down the porch stairs, she managed to make it to his front without falling and reached out for him.
"Simon I-
"Get your filthy hands off me." He slapped her hand away, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the ground.
Ingrid let out a gasp of pain. She felt something wet drip down her legs.
"Simon don't. I'm -
"Shut it!" Simon roared, leaving her behind as he pulled the unknown woman into the house.
Ingrid remained on the ground, groaning in pain as she thought about where it all went wrong.
After a while, the door was pulled open, and Simon threw her suitcases at her feet.
"Don't come back."
Then he slammed the door shut.
Ingrid wept. She felt confused. She had nowhere to go and no one to run to for help. She felt a sharp pain in her stomach and knew she had to get to the hospital as soon as possible.
But it was late, and with her condition, she doubted if she could make it there by herself.
Pulling herself up, she grabbed onto her crutch and suitcases, willing herself to go on despite the pain. She had only made it down a few blocks when another wave of pain hit her, and she stumbled to the ground.
Before she had enough time to pull herself together, the sound of a loud blaring horn filled her ears, and Ingrid watched as a blinding bright light filled her wide eyes.
The last thing she remembered was screaming in terror before everything went dark.
