1. Losing Isabel

Theodore 

“Isa wait. Let's talk about this baby, you can't say something like that and just leave,” I plead with my wife softly, trying to get her to rethink her decision. Isabel has always been much too stubborn for her own good. 

“No! There's nothing to talk about Theodore and you know it,” she says calmly while staring at me, daring me to fight her on this.

Usually, at this point I back off and let her have her way but not this time. This time I have to be more stubborn than she could ever be.

“You're not leaving Isabel, I won't let you. How could you even think about leaving us? Are you even thinking about me? Our family? Our children?!” I ask with quiet anger. 

She laughs loudly and that makes my blood boil. She knows that Ethan and Emile are in the next room but she makes no effort to avoid disturbing their sleep. Another instance of Isabel being too selfish to be a good mother.

“Am I even thinking about us?” she asks incredulously after her deep laughter. “We both know there is no ‘us’ Theodore. The farce has gone on for as long as it can and I can finally call quits.”

“Isa-”

She puts her hand up to cut me off while pacing up and down the large master's bedroom. I look out the door, concerned that her loud voice is causing a disturbance to our twins.

“And our families? They have gotten what they wanted after forcing us into this loveless marriage. Why keep on going with it when they have moved on?!” 

Her sea blue eyes stare at me defiantly.

I want to oppose her, but even I can't deny it. The business between the Renaults and Thompsons that made both families decide to have their heirs marry each other has long since been concluded, leaving Isabel and I to live out the consequences. 

I would never have agreed to the arrangement if Isabel wanted no part of it so we both agreed to resign ourselves to a loveless marriage. We have been comfortable going about our lives living under one roof for the past three years. At least, that's what I thought.

“This-this is not what we agreed to Isa,” I say quietly as I think of her request for a divorce.

Even though we never fell in love, we developed a unique friendship surrounding our situation and her decision to leave feels like a betrayal.

Her eyes soften as she holds my gaze. “Theodore, I'm sorry for going against our initial agreement. You're a wonderful friend…but I want more. I want my freedom.”

I stare into her eyes and I see just how serious she is. If I let her leave, she won't come back. This isn't one of her usual hasty decisions.

“You want your freedom? If I let you leave what do I get from that?” I ask quietly as I walk out of the French windows while massaging my head. I can already feel the headache coming.

Isabel's heels announce her joining me on the balcony.

“Do you remember your life before we got married?” She asks behind me. “Don't tell me you’ve forgotten that carefree young boy who was in love. You can go back to that time, Theodore. You can leave everything, the kids, the businesses, our families. You don't have to pretend anymore.”

As the soft breeze hits my face, I think about the past. Isabel has a point. I was much happier before getting married and inheriting my family's business empire. 

A soft smile graces my face as I think of the person behind that happiness but that smile is short-lived when I remind myself how much things have changed.

I turn around to face my wife. “Neither of us are nineteen anymore Isabel!” 

I watch as her face hardens and her eyes become fierce once again but I continue. “We have responsibilities to bear. We are parents, we have businesses to run, we can't afford to be so naive Isabel!”

“You might choose to be stuck in a stagnant fucking life cleaning up after babies but I refuse to deal with that! The divorce papers will be here tomorrow morning.” She marches out of the room and heads downstairs.

“Isabel!” I bolt after her, fuelled by anger.

Waiting for me on the ground floor is Mrs Jenkins, longtime housekeeper for my family. Her wide eyes and concerned expression make me pause my pursuit. 

“Theo-”

“I'll be back. Watch over the kids for me-” 

The loud and luxurious sound of Isabel's car engine steals our attention. With my fists clenched in frustration, I sprint out of the house and into my car, racing after Isabel. 

She drives carelessly, as someone who has had a chauffeur her entire life. As I swerve after her, I wonder if I should just let her go. It was clear to anybody who knew her that Isabel was not meant to be domesticated. After all, she has always been rebellious and spoiled silly. Maybe dissolving our marriage would be best…

But when I think of Ethan and Emile, my foot presses harder on the gas. I won't allow my children to grow up without the presence of both parents, like I did.

As I trail behind her, my thoughts consumed by deperation and frustration, I watch as Isabel's car suddenly swerves to avoid a vehicle cutting her off.

My heart sinks as I watch it all onfold.

A second later, Isabel's car hits a lamppost, spinning out of control. The sound of glass breaking and metal making contact with metal fills the air.

I slam the brake and jump out of my car, racing to the crash.

“Isabel!” My voice is so raw with pain that I hardly recognise it and a million thoughts run through my head.

I drag open the car door and the world immediately goes silent.

“No…no…no…” 

I reach out and wrap my hands around hers in a daze, searching for a pulse or any other sign of life, refusing to believe this is anything but a dream. It becomes harder and harder to deny reality when witnesses surround me and the sound of sirens in the distance grows louder.

Isabel is gone.