Chapter 3
1187 Words
Isabella
Morning came too quickly. Or maybe, I just never truly made it to sleep. I wasn't sure how long I spent crying in William’s study, but eventually, I walked back to our room.
I stood by the window, fingers lightly gripping the curtain as pale sunlight spilled into the room. It felt too bright, too normal, like the world expected me to move on so quickly from everything that
had happened last night.
Behind me, I heard movement. The sheets rustled and then a quiet exhale followed.
“Bella?” William called gently, his voice calm,like nothing had happened. I closed my eyes for a brief second before turning around.William was already sitting up, running a hand through his hair, his expression softening when his
gaze landed on me.
“You’re up early,” he said, then paused, something flickering across his face. “About last night…”
I braced myself for the apology that was coming and he didn't disappoint.
“I’m sorry,” he continued, his voice sincere. “I shouldn’t have left you waiting like that. I know it was
important.”
“No.” I swallowed, forcing a small smile. “It’s alright."
“No,” he shook his head, swinging his legs off the bed. “It’s not. I messed up.” He stood, walking toward me with slow, deliberate steps. “So… I cleared my schedule today. I’m all yours.”
All yours.
The words landed strangely, like I couldn't believe he'd actually said that. I searched his face, looking for something, anything, that might tell me last night hadn’t meant what I thought it did, but all I saw was a sense of calm that just didn't sit right with me.
“You did?” I asked quietly.
He nodded, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. The gesture was gentle, almost tender, but it stopped there.
Always there.
“We’ll stay in,” he said. “Do whatever you want. Make up for yesterday.”
For a moment, just a moment, I wanted to believe him, to take that offer and pretend everything was fine, but the echo of a voice whispered in the back of my mind.
Elisa.
“I’d like that,” I said instead, my voice soft.
His lips curved slightly. “Good.”
For a brief second, it felt almost normal, but it didn’t last. His phone rang less than an hour later and I watched the way his expression shifted as he glanced at the screen, subtle, but there.
A flicker of urgency made its way to his face, but before I could dwell on it, he answered the call quickly, turning slightly away.
“Yes?” His tone dropped, more serious now. “Alright… I’ll handle it.”
“I said I’ll handle it.” he added again after a pause, before the call ended.
“I thought you cleared your schedule,” I said gently, breaking the awkward silence that had settled between us.
“Yeah.” He sighed, already reaching for his jacket. “I did. But something came up. It’s urgent.”
“When will you be back?” I asked.
“I don't know. You know how things can be at the office.” He hesitated, for a fraction of a second. "I'll try not to be long.”
“Okay.” I nodded, because what else could I do?
“yeah.” He walked over, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead. “Don’t wait up this time.”
“Sure.” I managed a faint smile. “I won’t.”
But we both knew I probably would. The door closed behind him, and just like that, the house was quiet again.
Hours passed after William had disappeared, and since I couldn't shake off the unease crawling in my, lower belly, I decided to hang out with Lina, our nanny.
“You shouldn’t stay cooped up all day, madam.” She'd added after our first round of card games.
“No, it's okay.” I turned slightly, offering her a small smile. “I’m fine.”
She gave me a look that said she didn’t believe me.
“Go out,” she insisted gently. “A little fresh air might help. Maybe the mall? You used to like it.”
Used to. The words lingered more than I would like. While she waited for an answer, I glanced down at my hands, then back up. Ever since I lost the ability to walk,I hadn't gone out in a long time, and when I did, William was always there with me.
Maybe she was right, maybe I needed something..Anything, and even a change.
“Alright,” I said finally. “I’ll go for a bit.”
“Good, let me help you with that.” Lina gave me a small smile as she rushed to get me my wheelchair. While I didn't particularly need it, Lina always made sure to have it in handy. We even had a tradition where she accompanied me to get groceries every Thursday.
“I'll push you.” She said when she'd come back. “We can check out your favorite place and…”
“I think I'll go alone this time.” I cut her off gently. “I don't mind using my cane.”
I watched her face fall, but I told myself it was the best. Lina had been around for the longest time, and while this was part of a routine, I didn't want her to come with me today.
What if she'd heard William in the bathroom last night? Or she'd heard me crying in his study? If she had, the last thing I wanted was feeling pity for me for my husband's infidelity.
“Okay.” She let out after what seemed like forever. “Be careful.”
“I will.” I muttered, before heading out.
The mall was busy when I arrived. Soft music and the hum of conversation echoed around me, but still, it felt distant. I moved slowly, my cane tapping softly against the polished floor with each step.
Store after store blurred together, none of them holding my attention for long.
I didn’t even realize where I was going until I stepped inside a watch boutique.
The air shifted immediately at the glass displays gleaming under the soft lighting, rows of elegant watches laid out with precision.
I took a few steps in, my gaze drifting to admire the pieces when I stopped abruptly.
My breath caught as something caught my eyes.
No, not something. Someone.
William was standing near one of the displays, and he wasn’t alone. She stood beside him, close enough that their shoulders almost brushed.
I didn’t need time to recognize her, I had seen her just last night in that video. She was even more striking in person, effortlessly beautiful, and her presence commanding without trying.
Time seemed to slow to a halt as I took them in, and worse? I felt my heart break into a million pieces all at once.
Shit.
- Writer
