A Love Derailed Chapter 1

Theodore Thorne doesn’t love me.

He doesn’t hold our child. He pays no mind to my career. Whenever reporters mention my name in public, his lips press into a thin, hard line. He never responds.

During our last fight, I asked him with a hollow laugh, "Theo, don't I even deserve an introduction to your friends? Am I that embarrassing? Or am I just not good enough for you?"

He would always counter with reddened eyes, his voice strained. "Evelyn, please don't do this. Just… wait a little longer, okay?"

I laughed until tears streamed down my face.

"Then let's get a divorce."

* * *

The day our daughter was born, Theodore was nowhere to be seen.

I glanced at the tiny infant nestled beside me, then shifted my gaze to his aunt, who was pacing by the window. Her brow was furrowed in frustration as she dialed his number again and again, each call going straight to voicemail.

"Aunt Carol, please, just stop," I said, a bitter sense of absurdity washing over me. "He's not coming back."

Tonight was the opening night of the renowned violinist Seraphina Claudio's European tour in London. Yesterday evening, after marathon sessions to close a major project, Theodore hadn't even bothered to come home. He’d booked the first flight to London, all to witness the premiere of his old flame.

My phone screen lit up silently, pushing a news alert.

Violinist Seraphina Claudio’s Opening Night a Resounding Success.

I put on my headphones and played the interview.

On camera, Seraphina was the picture of grace in a champagne-colored gown, her makeup flawless, her smile gentle and warm. "Thank you all so much," she said. "I'm deeply honored to begin my tour here and to receive such a wonderful reception."

A reporter pressed on with a smile. "Ms. Claudio, backstage we saw so many legends of the music world showing their support. Is there anyone in particular you'd like to thank tonight?"

Seraphina offered a sweet, knowing smile to the camera. "I'm grateful to every mentor and friend who came." She paused, as if choosing her words with care. "But tonight, the person I want to thank most is a friend I've known for many, many years."

She lifted her head, her gaze boring directly into the lens. "There's so much I don't know how to say to him in person, so I hope he'll let me borrow this special moment."

Her voice trembled, just slightly. She seemed to choke back a wave of emotion.

"Even though, all those years ago… we were separated by… circumstances beyond our control, in my heart, he will always, always be my dearest friend."

"I want him to know," she continued, her voice soft but clear, "that I've always known he is a good, truly good man."

My heart stuttered to a stop. A chilling numbness spread through my fingertips.

I opened the comments section, and my breath caught in my throat.

【OMG, she's totally talking about Theodore Thorne! It’s so obvious!】

【100% him. They were the perfect couple back in the day—the tragic high-society romance, the beautiful artist and the brooding heir. It’s a classic story!】

【"Friends?" Who is she kidding? That look in her eyes is pure, undiluted love.】

【I'm crying. The one that got away will always be the one. No one else ever stands a chance!】

【Theo is so devoted. He flew across the ocean just for her opening night. Turns out even titans of industry have someone they can't let go of.】

【I bet Mrs. Thorne is crying her eyes out in the maternity ward right now. Well, that's what you get for marrying a man with an epic lost love in his past.】

【Losing to the old flame… how humiliating. But it’s not like Evelyn Reed has any right to be upset. Their marriage was just a business arrangement. You can't compare that to true love.】

Every word was a barb, a fresh twist of the knife.

I switched off my phone, a final, cold resignation settling over me.

Theodore is my husband.

Seraphina was the great, passionate love of his youth.

And I… I am just a joke.