Broken Marriage

Chapter 3

"I must have misheard you. There's no way you want us to get a divorce, right?" William asked, laughing, trying to convince himself he'd heard wrong.

"You didn't mishear me, William. I want a divorce."

"W-what?" William's eyes widened, and he glared at Isabelle. "I don't want a divorce, Isabelle!"

"Then what do you want, William?!" Isabelle retorted, her voice rising. "Our marriage can't continue like this. So, let's just get a divorce. I'm sure you'll be happier with that woman."

"No, I told you, she's nothing to me, Isabelle. You're the only one in my heart, believe me."

Isabelle sighed, trying to calm herself while dealing with William. She'd wanted to be alone after what happened at the office, but William had followed her home. She hadn't expected it, thinking he would have chosen to be with that woman. Still, just because William had followed her didn't mean Isabelle would soften and forget everything that had happened at the office.

"Okay, I'll give you one more chance. Who is that woman, William?"

"And what's your relationship with her? Why does it seem like you have a special connection? Have you been having an affair with her behind my back all this time?"

Isabelle rattled off the questions, hoping William could at least answer them so she could make a decision. Even if his answers weren't what she wanted to hear, at least she'd understand. However, Isabelle's hopes were dashed as William remained silent, seemingly unwilling to answer.

"Answer my questions, William!" Isabelle shouted when William just stood there.

"I can't explain it now, Isabelle. I need time, but I promise I'll explain everything later. I will—"

"Enough!" Isabelle interrupted, not wanting to hear anything more William had to say. Because everything he said was just empty words. Isabelle just needed an explanation, but William couldn't provide one. "We need to get a divorce immediately, William. I don't want to save our marriage!" Isabelle stood up, glaring at William.

"Don't make decisions when you're angry like this, Isabelle." William pulled Isabelle's hand, asking her to sit back down while he sat next to her. "I will never agree to a divorce."

"You're so selfish, William!" Isabelle looked at William with hurt in her eyes. "I promise I'll explain, but not now. I still have a lot to take care of."

"I need an explanation now! If you can't explain, we might as well get a divorce!" Isabelle threatened again, hoping this time William would explain so she wouldn't think he was cheating.

"I know—" William's words were cut off by his ringing phone, which he immediately answered. "Yes, hello. What is it, Roger?"

"Mr. William, Miss Victoria has fainted," Roger said on the other end.

"What!? I'll be right there!" William looked panicked, standing up and looking back at Isabelle. "We'll talk more later. Calm down first; I won't be able to explain if your mind is in such a mess," William said before leaving Isabelle.

Watching William leave brought a bitter smile to Isabelle's face. She had heard what Roger said, "So you're that worried when that woman has a problem. How am I not supposed to think something's going on, William?"

Days passed, and since that incident, Isabelle had become more withdrawn. She never greeted William when they met at home, and she never went to William's office like she used to. Isabelle only went to the boutique, spending time there until night, and then she'd go straight to her room. Isabelle was completely avoiding William. Even William didn't seem to care much about Isabelle's changed attitude, which hurt Isabelle even more.

"Miss Isabelle..." Molly, seeing Isabelle lost in thought, became worried, as Isabelle had been acting like this for more than just a day or two. "Miss..." Molly called her boss again, this time tapping Isabelle's shoulder until she finally snapped out of it.

"What is it, Molly?" Isabelle finally looked at Molly.

"Mr. William is here, Miss. He wants to see you," Molly said, relaying William's presence.

"Tell him I don't want to see him," Isabelle said.

Before Molly could convey what Isabelle had said, William entered Isabelle's room without being asked. Seeing this, Molly immediately left, knowing Isabelle and William needed to talk alone.

"Isabelle, how long are you going to keep avoiding me like this?" William asked.

Isabelle pretended not to hear him, busying herself with paper and pen. In reality, she wasn't drawing clothing designs, but just scribbling on the paper.

"Looks like someone needs your help. You better go," Isabelle said just as William's phone rang.

William answered the call, "Yes, I'll be right there."

After hanging up, William looked back at Isabelle, "When we're home later, we need to talk, Isabelle." After that, he really left.

Night had fallen, and as usual, Isabelle would go straight home as soon as the sun set. She came home feeling unwell, her head throbbing. Fortunately, William wasn't home yet. At least while she was sick like this, she wouldn't have to argue with William.

"O-oh, my head hurts so much." Isabelle held her aching head.

Isabelle put down her bag and immediately looked for headache medicine. She could have asked the maid for help, but she didn't want to talk to anyone connected to William. Because the maids in this house listened more to William than to her. If she asked for help finding medicine, the maid would definitely report it to William. It wasn't that she didn't want William to worry; she didn't care about that. Isabelle just didn't want William to come because of that report; her head would hurt even more if she saw William here.

Isabelle opened all the drawers in the room, and when she didn't find it there, she looked outside the room. Seeing that the maid wasn't around, Isabelle immediately searched for the medicine she needed.

"I usually keep the medicine box here, why isn't it here?" She opened all the drawers, hoping to find the medicine quickly so the pain would subside.

While searching for the medicine box, Isabelle found a letter in one of the drawers that piqued her curiosity, "What's this letter?"

Curious, Isabelle read it. Isabelle's hands trembled as she read a letter stating that the woman, Victoria, was currently pregnant.

"S-she's pregnant? With William's child?"