I Regret Ever Loving You

My husband has slept around thousands of times, yet he has never agreed to a divorce.

His family calls me a low-class nobody who's unfit to be seen.

Five years ago, the first time I asked for a divorce, Hugo Hudson said nothing. He simply locked me inside the villa for a full month. A month later, I discovered I was pregnant.

Three years ago, I brought it up again. That very night, Hugo returned to his family's estate. Soon after, I was granted the right to see my child once a week.

Today is the third time. And this time, I can finally leave.

Because I've realized something at last: my child doesn't love me, and my marriage was never real to begin with. I'm no different from the women he keeps outside.

When we met again later, Hugo's eyes reddened the instant he saw me.

My friend's wedding used the very plan I once created for my own.

Back then, I spent half a year designing every detail of the ceremony. Hugo Hudson rejected it in less than a minute. After a perfunctory wedding ritual, he made me a promise. No matter how much he played around outside, I would always be his legal wife.

And today, he brought his mistress to this wedding.

The moment I stepped into the venue, all kinds of looks shot my way. Curious. Gossipy. And some, tinged with pity.

Only Hugo remained as calm as ever, his expression light and indifferent. "You're here."

I glanced at the young girl clinging to his arm and nodded calmly.

After seven years of marriage, his affairs were nothing new. I'd long since grown used to it.

The groom looked awkward, clearly unprepared for this scene.

"Hi, Mia. Please, take a seat."

I gave him a restrained smile, grateful for his attempt to smooth things over.

My assigned seat was already taken. The uninvited guest occupying it had Hugo's protection. He flicked a glance at me and spoke casually, as if it were nothing.

"Your seat's taken. Find another one."

Years of swallowing everything without protest had carved obedience into my bones.

"All right."

The moment I sat down, I could feel the stares around me grow even more blatant.

The groom looked apologetic. When he was called away, he even asked his family to look after me.

Compared to Hugo, even he cared more about how I felt.

The wedding began as scheduled. The bride, wearing the wedding gown I had designed, walked down the red carpet I had arranged. She married into the happiness I never had.

Everything looked exactly like the dream I once envisioned. Except the one living that dream wasn't me.

The girl on Hugo's arm was very young; her expression was innocent and lively.

"Mia, I heard from Hugo that you're really good at flower arranging. Could you make me a bouquet too? Just like the one the bride's holding."

The atmosphere froze instantly. Everyone at the table exchanged glances,