For the past three years our marriage had looked normal even though it was never made public. We lived together like any husband and wife.
We talked about daily things and work and small worries.
Every morning I helped Alexander choose his clothes. I picked his suits and tied his tie carefully while he watched me with calm eyes.
After that we left the house together and drove to the company.
In the evenings if he had business dinners or meetings he always told me his schedule. Before sleeping he usually asked me to stay with him and we shared private moments like a real couple.
Sometimes we relaxed in a private hot spring bath together.
Every night ended with a goodnight kiss which never changed.
On anniversaries birthdays and special days he always prepared gifts for me.
Whenever I mentioned something I liked he tried to make it happen.
He made ordinary days feel important and warm. Because of all this I believed our life would continue peacefully forever until Isabella returned.
After hearing his words about divorce I started thinking about everything again. I remembered the woman's voice on the phone and suddenly realized it must have been Isabella Blackwood.
I wondered if she had already come back into his life long ago.
Maybe they had been contacting each other secretly during his trip. Maybe they met overseas and returned together. Maybe he spent the previous night with her instead of me. These thoughts felt like cold knives cutting through my chest. It felt like my heart was slowly being pulled apart.
Alexander spoke calmly and said that even if we divorced I would still be part of the Hawthorne family and that he would always treat me like a sister.
Hearing the word sister felt like a heavy slap. I had been his wife for three years. I had shared his bed and his life and now he wanted to push me into a distant role. I forced a smile and told him we could talk later because I was struggling to control my emotions.
He asked what I wanted to tell him earlier. I looked down at the documents in my hands and decided not to tell him about the baby.
I told him it was only about the new fashion collection launch and that I had already solved the problem myself.
There were words I could no longer say. He simply praised my work in a flat voice.
As Brand Director I had always performed well and he never doubted my abilities. My projects in fashion jewelry clothing and luxury design often became popular quickly.
I said I would go to work and turned to leave before my emotions broke. Suddenly he said we should go together and headed upstairs to change clothes.
My chest felt tight with bitterness and tears filled my eyes. He could calmly talk about work after asking for divorce.
He clearly no longer loved me. I told him it was better to avoid going together since we were divorcing soon and I left quickly before he could see me cry.
When I reached the garage I sat inside my car without starting it. My hands shook as I opened social media. I searched through updates until I found a post from Victor Sinclair one of Alexander's friends who often shared things online.
The post showed a table full of expensive wine. The caption welcomed Isabella back and mentioned celebrating Alexander's future wedding.
The location showed the private club they always visited.
Tears fell onto my phone screen and my chest felt tight and painful. It meant Alexander met Isabella immediately after landing.
He introduced her to his friends while I waited alone at the airport like a fool. For three years our marriage had been hidden from almost everyone except his family. He never introduced me to his friends and they all believed I was only an adopted daughter.
James noticed my car still parked and called out to me but I quickly wiped my tears and drove away. I forced myself to focus on work because it was the only way to stop thinking.
At the office I sent him project files through email and he replied shortly approving them. I answered simply and continued working like nothing happened.
That evening he sent a message saying he had plans and that I should go home alone. My heart hurt as I replied with a short answer. In the past he always explained his meetings in detail but now he gave only short messages.
I knew he was probably spending time with Isabella.
Later he messaged again saying he brought me a gift from his trip and that I could get it from his suitcase myself. I answered briefly again.
As I left the office I heard employees whispering about a beautiful woman who had come to see the CEO. They said she wore a mask and looked like Isabella Blackwood.
Some said "she matched Alexander perfectly".
Someone noticed me and greeted me formally and the whispers stopped. I kept my face calm and told them to continue working. Inside my heart felt heavy and bitter but I kept walking because I was afraid to see something painful.
More whispers followed behind me. Some employees said I was capable and beautiful and called me the CEO's sister.
Others discussed rumors about my background. I ignored everything and continued to the underground parking lot. When I sat inside my car and looked up I saw Alexander walking nearby.
He wore the white suit and red tie I had chosen that morning. Beside him stood a woman wearing a mask and cap with her arm linked around his. She leaned toward him and spoke softly while he listened with a warm expression. She acted playfully and he smiled and agreed to whatever she said. I recognized her immediately as Isabella.
The red tie felt like a painful reminder. I had picked it happily to celebrate my pregnancy but now he wore it while standing beside his first love.
At that moment I felt the distance between us grow wider than ever and my heart felt heavy and empty as I watched them together.