Leaving Without Looking Back

The bedroom that had once belonged to Robin and Regina was unusually quiet.

An open suitcase rested on the king-sized bed, half-filled with neatly folded clothes. Regina moved slowly from the wardrobe to the suitcase, packing only the things she had brought into the marriage.

Simple dresses.

A few pairs of shoes.

Her favorite books.

The framed photograph of her late grandmother.

She ignored the expensive handbags Robin had bought during business trips. The diamond necklace his grandparents had given her on the wedding day remained inside the jewelry box.

None of it belonged to her.

She wanted to leave the Moretti mansion with the same dignity she had entered it.

The only jewelry she slipped into a velvet pouch was the pair of diamond earrings her grandfather had given her on her twenty-first birthday.

She smiled faintly.

"They're all I need."

As she zipped another travel bag, voices echoed from downstairs.

The front door opened.

A familiar laugh followed.

Isabella Moretti.

Regina paused for a second before continuing to fold another sweater.

A moment later, the sound of expensive heels approached her bedroom.

Without knocking, Isabella pushed the door open.

Her sharp eyes immediately landed on the packed suitcases.

"Finally," she said with a satisfied smile. "It seems you've accepted reality."

Regina continued arranging her belongings without looking up.

"I'll be gone today."

"I certainly hope so."

Isabella walked farther into the room, admiring herself in the full-length mirror before turning back to Regina.

"You've lingered long enough."

Regina quietly closed another drawer.

Not a single reply left her lips.

That only seemed to encourage Isabella.

"You know..." she began, folding her arms, "Robin made the right decision."

Silence.

"He deserves a woman who complements him."

Regina carefully wrapped one of her books in tissue paper.

"A woman with confidence."

Another shirt disappeared into the suitcase.

"Someone from our world."

Still nothing.

Isabella let out a small laugh.

"His sweetheart has finally returned from abroad."

For the first time, Regina's hands paused.

Only for a heartbeat.

She continued packing.

"I always knew they belonged together," Isabella said proudly. "She comes from an influential family, she's elegant, highly educated, and knows how to stand beside a man like Robin."

Regina lowered another dress into the suitcase.

Inside, her heart tightened.

So...

There really had been someone.

Maybe not during their marriage.

Maybe before it.

Either way, it explained why Robin had never opened his heart to her.

"You should have seen Robin when he heard she'd come home," Isabella continued with a pleased smile. "He looked happier than I've seen him in years."

Regina silently folded the last blouse.

"He'll marry her."

The words hung heavily in the room.

"And this time," Isabella added, "it will be for love."

A faint ache settled in Regina's chest.

Not because she envied the unknown woman.

But because she had once dreamed of hearing those words herself.

Robin would never say them to her.

Never.

"You really should leave before she visits the mansion," Isabella continued. "Imagine how awkward it would be for Robin's future wife to find his ex-wife still wandering around the house."

Regina carefully closed her suitcase.

The zipper sounded unusually loud in the silent room.

"I suppose you've been hoping Robin would change his mind."

Regina lifted the suitcase from the bed and placed it beside the door.

"I hate to disappoint you."

She reached for another bag.

"But Robin has never once regretted his decisions."

Another pause.

"Neither will this one."

Regina looked down at the wedding ring still resting on her finger.

Slowly...

Almost ceremonially...

She twisted it free.

For three years it had symbolized hope.

Today...

It was simply gold.

She placed it gently inside the bedside drawer.

Not dramatically.

Not angrily.

Just quietly.

Exactly the way her marriage had ended.

Isabella noticed the gesture and smiled.

"At least you're being sensible."

Regina finally spoke.

Her voice was calm.

"I've finished packing."

Isabella blinked, almost surprised to hear her speak.

"Good."

Regina picked up her handbag.

"I'll be leaving shortly."

"I won't pretend I'll miss you."

Regina met her mother-in-law's eyes for the first time since the conversation began.

There was no hatred in her gaze.

No anger.

Only peace.

"I hope," Regina said softly, "that one day Robin finds the happiness you're wishing for him."

The simple sincerity in her words caught Isabella off guard.

For a brief moment, she had expected tears.

Or pleading.

Or bitterness.

Instead...

She received grace.

Regina lifted her suitcase and walked toward the bedroom door.

She stopped beside Isabella.

Without another word, she stepped into the hallway.

She didn't look back.

She didn't know that somewhere across the city, a phone call was about to change everything.

Robin's grandfather had just learned about the divorce—and he was furious.