Billionaire’s Forgotten Bride

Chapter 3

A moment later, Vicky Soriano strode into his office, her presence commanding the room the way it always did. She was beautiful, of course, with her sleek black hair falling perfectly around her shoulders, her lips painted in a shade of red that matched her power and confidence. She was the epitome of sophistication, a woman who had always known how to get what she wanted. And now, what she wanted was Alejandro.

"Alex," she purred, using the nickname she had always called him, her eyes lighting up as she walked toward him. "It's been too long."

He stood up from behind his desk, forcing a smile as she approached. "Vicky," he said, his voice smooth, though his mind still lingered on Isabella. "You're back sooner than I expected."

She laughed softly, the sound almost rehearsed. "When I heard you were getting divorced, I couldn't stay away. I had to see you." She reached out, brushing her hand against his arm, her touch intimate in a way that should have felt familiar but instead felt... wrong.

Alejandro's jaw tightened, but he kept his expression neutral. "It's not finalized yet," he said, glancing at the divorce papers on his desk, still unsigned. "But it will be soon."

Vicky's eyes followed his gaze to the papers, her lips curving into a satisfied smile. "Good," she murmured, stepping closer to him. "We can finally be together, like we always planned."

Alejandro nodded, though the weight of his words felt heavier than he anticipated. This was what he had wanted, wasn't it? To end things with Isabella and pick up where he and Vicky had left off. But for some reason, it didn't feel as simple as it once had.

He turned away from her, walking toward the large windows that overlooked the city. The skyline stretched out before him, the morning light casting a golden hue over the bustling streets of Manila. He had built this life-this empire-with calculated precision. Everything was under his control, everything went according to his plan.

Except now, for the first time in a long time, he wasn't so sure what the plan was anymore.

"Alejandro?" Vicky's voice pulled him back, her tone softer now, more questioning. "Is everything alright?"

He hesitated for a moment, then turned to face her. "Yeah, everything's fine," he said, forcing another smile. "Just thinking about the future."

Vicky stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Our future," she whispered, her breath warm against his skin. "We'll have everything we ever wanted."

He nodded, though something about her words felt hollow. He placed his hands on her waist, holding her loosely, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn't shake the image of Isabella walking away last night, her face so composed, so strong, even as he told her their marriage was over. She had always been stronger than he gave her credit for.

"You seem distracted," Vicky said, pulling back slightly to look at him, her brow furrowing. "Is this about Isabella?"

Alejandro stiffened at the mention of her name, but quickly masked his reaction. "No," he said, a little too quickly. "It's nothing."

Vicky studied him for a moment, her eyes sharp. "You're not having second thoughts, are you?"

"No," he said firmly, though the word felt heavy on his tongue. "Isabella and I were never meant to be. She knew that."

Vicky's smile returned, satisfied once more. "Good," she said, leaning in to kiss him. But as her lips met his, Alejandro felt nothing. No spark, no passion. Just the weight of the decisions he had made, and the ones he was still struggling to come to terms with.

Isabella woke early the next morning, her body aching with exhaustion, but her mind already racing. She had barely slept, her thoughts consumed with the whirlwind of emotions that had engulfed her since last night. But today, she had no time to wallow in her heartbreak. She had a plan to set in motion.

Her hand rested briefly on her stomach as she sat up in bed, the quiet promise of her future growing inside her giving her strength. For the first time in a long time, her decisions weren't just about her-they were about the life she was carrying, the baby she would raise on her own.

She would leave this marriage, leave Alejandro behind, and she would do it with her dignity intact. But more than that, she would rebuild her life. And she wouldn't do it quietly.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, and she reached for it, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the name on the screen.

Marco Reyes.

Marco had been one of Alejandro's competitors in the business world, a man who had always respected her, even when others dismissed her as nothing more than Alejandro's wife. He had always seen more in her, seen her potential. And now, as the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the country, she would have all the leverage she needed.

She opened the message.

I heard about the divorce. If you ever want to discuss business, my door is always open.

Isabella's lips curved into a small, determined smile. She had never been the type to rely on a man to make her way in the world, and she wasn't about to start now. But allies were important. And if Marco was offering his support, she would take it.

She typed a quick reply.

Thank you, Marco. I'll be in touch soon.

After sending the message, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, the morning sun filtering through the curtains. Today was the first day of the rest of her life, and she wasn't going to waste a second of it.

She walked to the bathroom, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her eyes were still red from crying, her cheeks pale from the lack of sleep. But beneath the weariness, there was a new strength-a fire that hadn't been there before.

This wasn't the end. This was just the beginning.

And she would make sure Alejandro Santiago never forgot that.

Later that evening, Alejandro arrived at the dinner party, the event hosted by one of the wealthiest families in the country. It was a gathering of elites, the kind of place where deals were made and alliances were forged. Normally, this was the type of environment where he thrived-where he could focus on his business, his goals, and nothing else.

But tonight, his mind wasn't on the deals he could make or the connections he could strengthen. His mind was on Isabella.

He hadn't heard from her since their conversation last night. She hadn't called, hadn't tried to fight the divorce. She had simply... disappeared. And for some reason, that bothered him more than he cared to admit.

He scanned the crowd as he entered the grand ballroom, his eyes grazing over the familiar faces of CEOs and politicians, socialites and power players. But then, as the doors at the far end of the room opened, the atmosphere shifted.

The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at the new arrival.

Alejandro's breath caught in his throat as he saw her.

Isabella.

But she wasn't the woman he remembered. She wasn't the wife he had known. She was something else entirely.

She walked into the room with a confidence he had never seen before, her head held high, her posture regal. Her dress was an elegant deep red that clung to her figure, accentuating every curve, and her hair was swept up in a style that highlighted the sharp angles of her face.

She looked... breathtaking.

And she wasn't alone.

Marco Reyes stood beside her, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back as they entered the ballroom together. Alejandro's jaw clenched at the sight, his chest tightening with something he refused to name. Jealousy? No, it couldn't be. He had no right to feel jealous. Isabella was no longer his wife. She was free to be with whoever she wanted.

But seeing her with Marco, seeing the way she moved through the room with ease, commanding attention, made something twist inside him.

He had underestimated her. He had thought she would crumble without him, that she would walk away quietly and disappear from his life. But here she was, stronger than ever, standing beside one of the most powerful men in the country.

And for the first time, Alejandro realized he had made a grave mistake.

Isabella's eyes met his across the room, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. There was no warmth in her gaze, no softness. She looked at him with a cool, measured indifference, as if he were just another face in the crowd.

And then, with a small, graceful nod, she turned away, her attention back on Marco.

Alejandro's fists clenched at his sides as he watched her, his heart pounding in his chest. He had let her go. He had told himself it was for the best, that they were never meant to be.

But now, watching her with another man, seeing the way she had transformed in the span of a single night, he wasn't so sure anymore.

He wasn't sure of anything.