Chapter 3: I Am No Longer Your Wife

ISABELLA’S POV

“Dominic Sterling?” I repeated, wondering whether I had heard Michael correctly.

“Yes, Isabella. Your grandmother appointed him as the second trustee of Laurent Holdings.”

I stood beside the bedroom window, watching the evening traffic move outside while trying to understand why my grandmother had connected my inheritance to one of the most powerful businessmen in the country.

“Why would Grandma involve someone like him in our family business?”

“She had her reasons, but I believe it would be better if you heard them from Mr. Sterling himself. There are documents I need you to sign before the inheritance can be transferred.”

“How soon can we meet?”

“Tomorrow morning. I’ll arrange everything.”

After ending the call, I sat quietly on the edge of the bed, staring at the wedding photograph beside me.

Alexander was smiling in it, his arm wrapped around my waist while I leaned against his chest. I remembered how happy I had been that day, believing I was beginning a new chapter with the man I loved.

Now, the photograph looked like a cruel reminder of how easily someone could turn love into a weapon.

I removed it from its frame and placed it inside the drawer.

I wasn’t going to carry another reminder of a marriage that had never existed.

I was still packing when Alexander entered the bedroom without knocking.

“Are you seriously doing this?”

I continued folding my clothes.

“What does it look like?”

He picked up one of my suitcases and dropped it onto the bed.

“Put those things away. You’re not going anywhere.”

I looked at him.

“You don’t get to decide that anymore.”

His expression darkened.

“Isabella, I have been patient with you, but you’re taking this too far. Vanessa and I have been together for years, and nothing you do will change that.”

“Then why did you marry me?”

He looked irritated.

“Because I wanted you.”

“And what did you want Vanessa for?”

He didn’t answer.

I zipped my suitcase and reached for another.

Alexander stepped in front of me.

“Listen carefully. I don’t want this situation becoming public. My business partners don’t need to hear about some misunderstanding between us.”

I almost smiled.

“A misunderstanding?”

“Yes. We can settle this privately. You can continue living here, and I’ll make sure you’re comfortable.”

“While your wife lives here too?”

His face tightened.

“Vanessa is my legal wife, Isabella. You need to accept reality.”

I stared at him, allowing his words to settle between us.

Then I nodded slowly.

“You’re right. I need to accept reality.”

His shoulders relaxed, and he reached for my hand.

“Good. I knew you would eventually understand.”

I pulled my hand away.

“But you need to accept something too, Alexander. I am not your wife, and I will never pretend to be one again.”

His expression changed.

“You have nowhere else to go.”

I picked up my handbag.

“That is no longer your concern.”

He laughed bitterly.

“You’re going to regret this.”

I walked past him without responding.

By the time I reached the living room, Vanessa was sitting comfortably on the sofa, scrolling through her phone.

She looked up when she saw my suitcase.

“Leaving already?”

I stopped in front of her.

“Enjoy your marriage, Vanessa. I hope it gives you everything you want.”

She smiled.

“Don’t worry about Alexander. I’ll take good care of him.”

I looked at her for a moment before turning toward the door.

Then Alexander called my name.

“Isabella!”

I turned around.

He stood beside the staircase, looking more annoyed than concerned.

“Don’t forget that Sophia loves you. She’ll be asking for you.”

That hurt more than I wanted to admit.

Sophia hadn’t done anything wrong, and despite everything, I still loved the little girl I had cared for over the years.

“Please don’t use her to manipulate me,” I said quietly.

Vanessa’s smile faded.

Alexander said nothing.

I opened the door and walked out.

For the first time in six years, I left without waiting for him to follow.

The following morning, I arrived at Michael Hayes’s law office shortly before ten.

He welcomed me into his private office and placed several documents on the desk.

“I’ve reviewed your grandmother’s instructions,” he said. “She transferred a substantial portion of her estate into a private trust in your name. You are the principal beneficiary.”

I examined the documents, my eyes widening as I read the list of properties, investments, and company shares.

“This is much more than I expected.”

“Your grandmother was a very wealthy woman, Isabella. She simply wanted you to have control over your future without depending on anyone else.”

I swallowed.

“I wish I had listened to her.”

Michael gave me a sympathetic look.

“She knew you loved Alexander. She only hoped you would never lose yourself trying to keep him.”

I lowered my eyes.

After a moment, Michael pushed another document toward me.

“There’s one more thing.”

I looked at the page.

It was an invitation to a private meeting with Dominic Sterling.

“He has agreed to meet you this afternoon,” Michael explained. “Apparently, he wants to discuss the future of Laurent Holdings personally.”

“Why does he care so much about my grandmother’s company?”

Michael adjusted his glasses.

“That is something I believe you should ask him.”

At exactly three o’clock, I arrived at Sterling Tower.

The building was impressive, with polished marble floors and glass walls that reflected the afternoon sunlight. A receptionist escorted me to the executive floor, where a man in a dark suit was waiting outside a large office.

“Miss Laurent?”

I nodded.

“Mr. Sterling is expecting you.”

The doors opened.

I stepped inside and immediately noticed the man standing beside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

He was tall, dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit, with dark hair and a sharp jawline. His presence filled the room even before he turned around.

“Miss Laurent,” he greeted.

His voice was deep and controlled.

“Mr. Sterling.”

He gestured toward the chair opposite his desk.

“Please, have a seat.”

I settled into the chair while he studied me with an expression I couldn’t understand.

“I assume Michael has explained your grandmother’s arrangements.”

“Yes, but I still don’t understand why she chose you.”

Dominic returned to his desk and placed a folder in front of me.

“Your grandmother and my father had a business agreement many years ago. She trusted my family with something important, and I intend to honor that agreement.”

“What exactly does that have to do with me?”

He opened the folder and pushed a document toward me.

I glanced at the first page, then looked up at him.

It was a proposal for a marriage alliance.

My eyebrows drew together.

“Is this some kind of joke?”

“Do I look like a man who jokes about business?”

I pushed the document away.

“I came here to discuss my inheritance, not to find another husband.”

For the first time, something resembling amusement crossed his face.

“Interesting. I was told you had recently discovered that your previous marriage was never legally registered.”

My fingers tightened around the armrest.

“Who told you that?”

Dominic leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on mine.

“Someone who knows Alexander Vance very well.”

Before I could ask another question, he added something that made my heart race.

“Miss Laurent, your husband isn’t the only person who has been keeping secrets from you.”