Broken Marriage

Chapter 4

"This can't be happening; this has to be wrong." Isabelle was in denial.

"But maybe it is," Isabelle said again, her voice barely a whisper.

"No wonder William has been so attentive to that woman. Their affair has gone this far." Tears streamed down Isabelle's face as she recalled the scene at the office.

"This is why William couldn't answer my questions. He's gotten that woman pregnant." Isabelle crumpled the letter in her hand and threw it away.

Isabelle ran to her room, curling up on the floor. Tears flowed freely, ruining her makeup. The headache she had felt earlier seemed to disappear, replaced by a deep heartache.

"I knew you were cruel, but I never imagined you could be this cruel, William."

"This hurts so much; I just want to leave this world."

Isabelle's emotions and heartbreak were beyond her control. She even tugged at her hair until it was disheveled, hoping the physical pain would ease the ache in her heart. But no matter how hard she tried, the pain only deepened, especially when she remembered William intimately embracing that woman at the office.

"Why!? Why are you doing this, William!? What did I do wrong that you would cheat on me? Hasn't our relationship been fine all this time? Why do you have to hurt me so deeply?" Isabelle began to scream, releasing her pain through sobs and cries, as if she were shouting in front of William himself.

"My chest is tight, my heart aches. It's all your fault, William!" Isabelle pounded her chest, not caring if it intensified the pain.

"You're terrible, William. You bastard!"

"I regret falling in love with you."

"I regret that we had to get married. I should have controlled myself and not fallen for a man like you, William!"

Fortunately, the room was soundproof, so no one could hear her screams. Isabelle completely vented all her emotions alone. That night, she cried and screamed to her heart's content until she fell asleep on the cold floor.

Isabelle woke up in the morning with her body aching all over. Her eyes were swollen from crying all night. Her hair was disheveled, like a shirt that had never been ironed. She truly looked like a madwoman.

"What time is it?" Isabelle forced herself up and searched for her phone, which was lying haphazardly on the floor.

When she looked at her phone, she saw that it was already 8 a.m. Isabelle sighed deeply and went to the bathroom to clean herself up. She couldn't face William looking like this. Isabelle didn't want William to feel like he had won by seeing her in such a disheveled state. Isabelle felt she had to appear strong in front of William. She didn't want to be seen as weak by her husband, because he might feel proud to see her broken like this.

After showering and getting ready, Isabelle emerged from the room looking much fresher than before. However, it couldn't hide the fact that she had been crying all night; her eyes still looked swollen, even though she had tried to cover it with makeup.

"Good morning, Miss Isabelle. Your breakfast is ready," said one of the maids.

Isabelle simply nodded and went to the dining room. When she arrived, she only saw three maids setting breakfast on the table. There was no sign of William. Isabelle wondered if William had already left for the office early in the morning.

"Where's William?" Isabelle asked.

"Mr. William called last night and said he couldn't come home yesterday, Miss," replied the maid, causing Isabelle to feel another pang in her chest.

"Oh, I see." Isabelle tried to act nonchalant, even though the maid's words bothered her.

After breakfast, Isabelle returned to her room to grab her bag. She intended to go to her boutique, but before that, a call came in, and it was from William. Isabelle wanted to ignore the call, but William kept calling, so she finally had to answer it.

"Finally, you answered."

Isabelle remained silent, waiting for William to speak. Maybe her husband would explain why he didn't come home last night.

"Isabelle, I'm sorry I didn't come home last night. Victoria suddenly had to be hospitalized; I felt sorry for her. There was no one to take care of her. I promise I'll explain everything to you, but for now, I have to be at the hospital until Victoria recovers."

Hearing William's reason for not coming home last night made Isabelle want to laugh, or rather, she wanted to laugh at her unfortunate fate. Tears fell again unbidden; even though she tried to be strong, her heartbroken self couldn't hold back her tears.

"It's okay; take care of her like you take care of me, William."

"I'm leaving now." Isabelle immediately hung up the phone.

"I can't take it anymore; William has gone too far. Just because he knows I love him, he does as he pleases without caring about my feelings."

"You're a strong woman, Isabelle; you shouldn't cry anymore." Isabelle tried to be strong and not cry again.

"If William doesn't want to divorce me, then I'll leave."

Isabelle's decision was final; she would leave. She quickly packed her clothes, put everything in a suitcase, and left.

"Miss, where are you going?" asked the maid who saw Isabelle leaving while pulling a suitcase.

Isabelle didn't answer at all; she kept walking until she finally arrived at her car. After putting the suitcase in, she drove away, leaving the house. Isabelle would go to a place where William wouldn't know her whereabouts.

"Goodbye, William. Maybe this is the best way for us," Isabelle murmured.

Isabelle finally arrived at a place where only she knew. She immediately got out and dragged her suitcase towards a house located near the beach. The house was one that her parents had built specifically for their vacations. The house looked deserted because it was indeed her family's private property.

"Mom, Dad, I'm sorry I have to come here in such a sad state," Isabelle said as she opened the door.

When she entered, the house looked clean and well-maintained because Isabelle paid someone every day to clean this place. Isabelle went to a wall where there were photos of her childhood with her father and mother, memories that Isabelle would never forget.

"I miss when Mom and Dad were by my side. I miss you; I want to hug you."

"Belle..."

A deep voice startled Isabelle from her reverie. She turned and was surprised to see the man who was now smiling at her.

"Why are you here?"