The Wife He Abandoned のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 8

“Why aren’t you here yet, Leon?”Her voice carried a mix of irritation and worry through the phone.Leonard Ashcroft let out a small smile, his breath slightly uneven as he wedged his phone between his ear and shoulder while opening his car door.“Traffic’s completely jammed,” he replied, glancing ahead. A long line of vehicles was at a standstill along one of London’s busiest streets. The city lights had begun to flicker on, reflecting against the rain-slick asphalt. “A truck overturned. I won’t make it on time.”On the other end, Arabella Whitmore fell silent for a moment.“It’s our wedding anniversary, Leon.”Her tone shifted—softer, deeper.And for some reason… it made Leonard’s chest tighten.“I know,” he said quickly. “That’s why I’m getting out of the car now. I’ll run.”“You’re serious?”“I’m not going to make you wait alone tonight.”There was a pause.Then Arabella’s soft laughter came through—warm, full of love.“I’m already in front of the restaurant. Don’t fall on your wa

Arabella Whitmore’s voice was hoarse, barely more than a breath. Yet it was enough to halt Leonard Ashcroft’s retreat.He fell silent.For a few seconds.Too long for a simple answer.But in the end, Leonard gave a small nod.“I’m here.”The words came out… but they didn’t reach his eyes.Arabella looked at him—or at least tried to. Her vision was blurred. The world around her felt like shattered glass that could never be pieced back together.But one thing she felt clearly—Something had changed.Not in herself.In Leonard.“Why…” her lips trembled, “why are you pulling away…?”The question was simple.Yet it struck hard.Leonard held his breath. His hands clenched at his sides. “I’m not—”The sentence faltered. He didn’t know how to finish it.Because even he didn’t understand.Or perhaps… he understood too well.“The doctor said you need to rest,” he cut in finally. His voice turned flat again—controlled, guarded. “Don’t talk too much.”Arabella fell silent.That wasn’t an answer.

The night in London felt colder than usual.City lights shimmered beyond the tall glass windows of an exclusive lounge. Soft music played in the background, nearly drowned out by the quiet clink of glasses and hushed conversations.Leonard Ashcroft sat in the corner, his body leaning back against a dark leather chair. A glass of whisky rested untouched before him. The ice had nearly melted, yet he hadn’t taken a single sip.His gaze was empty.As if his mind had been left somewhere else.Footsteps approached.A man sat across from Leonard without ceremony.Sebastian Rowe—Leonard’s old friend. The only person close enough to see the side of him the world never did.“You look like someone who just lost something,” Sebastian said casually, though his eyes studied Leonard sharply.Leonard exhaled slowly. “More than that.”Sebastian raised a brow. “I assume this is about Bella.”The name hung in the air.Heavy.Leonard lowered his gaze for a moment, then said without emotion—“I’m going to

The morning at the hospital felt cold and unbearably bright.Arabella slowly woke, her body still heavy with exhaustion. Elena had been taken back to the neonatal unit the night before. The room was empty again.But this time, something was different.Someone was standing near the window.Leonard Ashcroft.Arabella stared at him for a long moment.For days, Leonard had avoided her. He came only briefly before leaving again without truly looking at her. But this morning, he stood there longer than usual.And somehow, that made the feeling in her chest worse.“So you finally came.”Leonard turned slowly. “We need to talk.”The words sounded formal. Cold. Like a business discussion.Arabella swallowed hard. “Have you seen our daughter?”“I have.”“She’s beautiful.”Leonard didn’t answer.Instead, his gaze shifted to the brown folder in his hand.Arabella immediately sensed something.And suddenly, her entire body felt colder.“What is that?”Leonard walked closer and placed the folder on