CHAPTER 1

ISABELLA’S POV

Ryan Mitchell, do you take Isabella  as your wife?

Yes, I do.

I felt bitterness as I thought back to the day we got married. He accepted me into his life. He said yes so quickly, and I did not realize he could also let go so  fast too. I had been in love with Ryan Mitchell since we were in college. So when he suddenly asked me out, I took the opportunity, despite the arrangement and terms he wanted. I married him, hoping I could make him fall in love with me. We were getting along well. So I couldn’t understand why he asked for a divorce on our first anniversary. Was something wrong with me? I really couldn't understand it. I gave him everything I had.

“Sign the divorce papers, Isabella. I’m giving you five days to sign it.

Tears trickled down my face. “Why?”

His forehead wrinkled. "Why? We had a deal, Isabella .I will marry you and you will give me a son. It is as simple as that.

Right. Why did I even forget the only reason behind this marriage?

“But we still have time, and you never told me you would divorce me if I couldn’t give you a son.

He let out a mocking laugh. His cold eyes bore to me intensely.

"It was a simple logic, Isabella. You know me very  well. I’m a businessman. I don't invest in something that won't benefit me.

My heart dropped. He is so heartless.

"So, that’s all this means to you? Just business? Don’t you have any feelings for me, Ryan? Don’t you feel anything at all? We have been married for a year. Today is our anniversary. Is this really how you want to celebrate our anniversary?

He glanced at me with annoyance.

"Do we really need to celebrate, Isabella? There’s nothing to celebrate any more. I’m divorcing you, and I won't change my mind.

 I shook my head while tears kept falling from my eyes.

Ryan please! Don’t leave me. I need you, Ryan. I really need you. Did I do something wrong? Do I smell unpleasant? Am I not attractive enough? I’ll change for you, Ryan. Please… just don’t leave me.

"Enough, Isabella!

I shook my head and cried even harder. I knelt before him.

“Ryan! You know how much I love you. Please… don’t do this to me.

He shoved me to the floor as he glared at me aggressively. His face was red with anger. I cried and looked up at him.

“Ryan…

Have some shame, Isabella! At least save a little dignity for yourself.

I bit my lip and shook my head slowly. “I would rather lose my pride than lose you,Ryan.

He stared at me mockingly. “Have you gone mad, Isabella?

I cried. “Ryan…

He shook his head firmly. “I don’t want you here anymore, Isabella. 

I tried to hold his hand, but he turned away and began walking away. I wanted to follow him, to run after him, but I felt too weak to move. My knees couldn’t even hold me up. I don't want to lose him,losing him would shatter me.

Ryan! Ryan, come back, please!” I cried while struggling to get to my feet. I would swallow my pride, I am  ready to take another risk. I don’t want to be alone!

As soon as I managed to stand, I didn’t think twice. I ran out of the house, determined to follow him, but I bumped into someone who steadied me by the waist.

“Isabella. Oh my gosh! What happened? Why are you sobbing?

My tears came harder when I saw my Aunt Evelyn’s concerned expression. She raised me after my parents died when I was little. I held onto her arms weakly as I cried nonstop.

“Aunt Evelyn… Ryan… please, bring me to Ryan.

“What? What exactly happened, darling? Did you fight with your husband?

It made me so weak that my knees could no longer hold me. Aunt Evelyn kept talking, asking questions and trying to calm me, but I couldn’t answer. I felt my senses slowly drifting away until I finally lost consciousness and collapsed ,still crying.

I woke up in a hospital bed, staring at the ceiling as I remembered what had happened. Ryan was divorcing me. It hurt so much, it felt unbearable. I loved him deeply, and I couldn’t afford to lose him. I didn’t want to lose him.

I swallowed hard and licked my dry lips as my eyes scanned the room. I needed to leave. I needed to see Ryan. I needed to talk to him again.

Covering my face, I sneaked out of the hospital quietly. I took a cab heading to the Mitchell Group. I was so lost in thought that I didn’t even realize I had no money to pay the fare.

You shouldn’t have taken my taxi in the first place. What the heck is this, miss?

I lowered my head apologetically. “I’m sorry.

“How much is her fare?” a man’s voice cut in. I glanced at him, but his face remained unclear. He paid for me. I thanked him politely and quickly ran into the Mitchell Group building.

My hands were shaking and I was still feeling dizzy but I ignored it. I stepped into the elevator and went up to Ryan's office floor. His assistant looked stunned the moment he saw me, quickly adjusting his glasses.

“Miss Isabella…

I swallowed hard. “Where is Ryan?

“Uh…mm, Miss Isabella…

“Is there a problem?” I interrupted him. He looked worried, and it scared me. Did something happen? Was Ryan okay?

He shook his head hurriedly and swallowed hard. The thing is… Miss Isabella , It’s because…

My brows furrowed. “What’s going on, Johnson ? Where is your boss?

He looked away and drew in a breath before responding. “He is  in a meeting. He is  busy, Miss Isabella, I think you should just wait for him at home tonight.

I nodded and looked at his elusive eyes. "Then I will wait for him in his office.

"Wait... Miss... Miss Isabella, please don't.

I did not listen to Johnson because my mind was crowded with so many  thoughts. I opened Ryan’s office door, and  I almost collapsed again when I saw him  sitting on the couch and a familiar woman was sitting on his lap, and they were kissing passionately.

Tears streamed down my cheeks like bullets as my entire body went numb. So this was it. This was the reason he wanted a divorce. He pushed me away because he had gone back to his first love. The pain was unbearable.