Chapter 1

Isabelle

My heart lurched against my chest as Jason slid a stack of papers across the dining table. As I took hold of it, my hands trembled as I scanned its content.

"What's this?" I asked, my voice shaky.

"Exactly what the front cover says." He answered, his tone cold and distant.

My breath caught in my throat. "A divorce? How?"

"I think it's high time we stopped deceiving ourselves. This…marriage. It's not working anymore." His tone was dismissive.

"I don't understand, Jay. Where did I go wrong?" My voice came out small. Tears welled in my eyes, threatening to escape.

"Come on, Issa. It doesn't always have to be about you. Just sign the damn papers, let's get this over with."

"You're…you're divorcing me on our anniversary? Our fourth anniversary?"

My gaze drifted to the set of plates I'd arranged on the dining table. I had spent hours in the kitchen, preparing appetizing dishes which I plated just right for lunch. The realization that my efforts were all for naught hit me harder than a punch in the gut.

He quirked an eyebrow. "So what?"

A surge of anger swept through me at his aloofness.

"Tell me Jason. Tell me. Did our marriage mean anything to you?"

I fixed a steady gaze at him, awaiting his response. His eyes met mine, cold, piercing. Then, he averted his gaze, not answering my question.

Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating.

My gaze wandered to the tall glass windows, the afternoon sun streaming through them, casting a warm glow across the dining table. The light reflected over the polished floors, filling the room with certain beauty. Soft music played faintly from the built-in speakers — a playlist I had selected specially for our lunch, today.

My hands tightened around the divorce papers.

“I asked you a question, Jason,” I said, my voice cracking at this point.

Jason leaned back into his chair, his arms folded across his chest. My heart broke at this sight. Nothing about him seemed like a man who was ending a four-year marriage. His blue shirt was rolled slightly at the sleeves, and the watch on his wrist gave a glint under the sunlight.

“I don't have time for this, Isabelle,” he said, his gaze sharp. “You might just oblige to my request, let's not waste each other's time.”

A sharp pain rose in my chest. I was now a waste of time to him? I looked down at the gold ring on my finger, one he had slipped on my hand four years ago. I still remembered the vows. I remembered the way he looked at me then, like I was the most important thing in his life.

"Why didn't you say anything? Why did you let me believe we were good?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. My gaze bore into him, my eyes gleaming with accusation. “I thought…I thought we had a chance.”

He scoffed, finally dragging his gaze to me. “You’ve always thought things were fine. I don't blame you though. How could you notice anything amiss, when all you did was play the loving wife? Immersing yourself in all the household chores?”

His words stung me, harsher than any slap. My eyes turned red, tears prickling at the corners.

“I gave up everything for you,” I whispered, my voice choking with emotion.

“Everything, Jason. My job. My family. My dreams. I did everything you asked, without complaint. I cooked, I cleaned, I smiled when your mother insulted me. I stood by you when you shut me out. Why more did you want from me?” My voice has risen against my wishes. Only that I didn't care if I was shouting now.

He swept a blank look in my direction.

“It was never enough,” he said matter-of-factly.

My heart shattered into pieces, the air in the room being sucked out by his words. My chest felt constricted as I struggled to take shallow breaths.

My gaze hovered over the room, the table I had carefully set caught my eyes. I had never felt more foolish in my entire life.

My knees almost gave way, but I stood my ground.

“You could’ve at least let me eat before destroying me,” I said, my lips trembling.

Jason shrugged, his gaze cold. “Just sign the goddamn papers.”

I stared at the pen lying beside the documents. My fingers hovered over the pen but I could barely see it now through the blur of tears. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop a sob from escaping my lips.

Then the door clicked, footsteps following almost immediately.

I turned toward the hallway, confusion evident in my gaze. However, Jason didn’t even flinch.

A figure appeared in the doorway, walking in as though the house belonged to her.

“Lila?” I breathed. "What are you doing here?"

She stepped into the room, smiling. Her dress clung to her curves, but what caught my eye was the swell of her stomach.

She was pregnant.

Lila moved closer to Jason and slipped her arm around his, her grip firm, possessive. Her head leaned slightly against his shoulder, and the smugness in her eyes said everything. It all clicked.

The late nights. The sudden distance. She was the reason why Jason had begun giving me the cold shoulder. Jason had not just cheated on me with any random person. Of all people, my cousin was the best choice?

Their betrayal hit me harder than a punch to the gut. A lump formed in my throat, thick and painful, but I refused to let it show. Not now. Not in front of them.

I reached for the pen again, this time without hesitation. My fingers were steady as I scrawled my signature across the page.

“There. It’s done,” I said, my voice low but firm.

Jason said nothing, just staring at me with coldness. While Lila watched me, a triumphant look over her face.

I stood, my spine straight but heart in pieces. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me fall apart.

Without another word, I turned and walked out the door.