Chapter 3
“Isla, I want to apologize for whatever happened back there.”Alec said, his tone disappointed as he stared at Isla after the private nurse finished tending to her.
He kept glancing at the bandage on her forehead, but there wasn’t much sympathy behind his eyes. “I don’t know what’s gotten into Vanessa. She used to be a calm woman.” He could still picture the moment in the parking lot, where it looked like Vanessa was dragging Isla from her wheelchair. The thought of her hurting Isla out of sheer jealousy sent a jolt of irritation through him.
After all, Isla had become sick because of him, and now his wife’s jealousy seemed to be making things worse for her. Alec felt very guilty.
“Please I really hope you can forgive Vanessa. I don’t know what got into her, I prom She usually doesn’t act like this,” Alec sighed.
They were leaving the private hospital he had rushed her to, Islawas leaning against him as he picked her up and put her in the car. She was so weak and helpless that he had to carry her everywhere.
Isla smiled weakly, her hand reaching out to touch his face, as if trying to comfort him despite everything. “Alec, please don’t blame your wife, this isn’t Vanessa’s fault. I fell on my own… I think the floor was a little slippery and I wasn’t strong enough to hold my weight.”
Alec’s eyes narrowed slightly. “So, Vanessa didn’t push you?Are you sure because I don’t want you to lie just to protect her.
Isla shook her head, biting her lip. “No, she didn’t. Please, don’t blame her for this. I don’t want to cause any trouble between you two.”
Alec’s brow furrowed, irritation creeping in as he thought back to how he had yelled at his wife and roughly shoved her aside without a second thought. He hadn’t even checked on her after she hit the ground.
“Misread the whole situation, didn’t I?” he muttered, though there was little warmth or regret in his tone. His voice was cold, almost detached.
Isla gave him that same gentle smile. “Go and talk to her, clear things up.”
Alec glanced at her, noting how she still seemed as soft and forgiving as ever. Nodding, he finally said, “I’ll speak with her. But first, I’ll get you home. I’ve called someone to bring you back home.”
“I can wait here. You don’t need to worry about me,” Isla said softly. “Go to Vanessa before it gets worse.”
“She’ll understand when I explain things,” Alec replied, his voice void of much emotion.
Meanwhile, Vanessa was seated at a diner with her best friend, Amber, trying to process everything.
“You’re pregnant?” Amber exclaimed, her eyes wide in disbelief. “That’s huge news!”
Vanessa’s lips tightened into a sad smile. “I’m not sure it is. You were right last night. The man you saw… it was Alec. And that woman with him? She’s Isla, his ex and the one he’s always loved.”
Amber’s expression darkened instantly. “Are you kidding me? Is he seeing his old flame behind your back?”
Vanessa shook her head, looking down at the cup in her hands. “I’ve always known there wasn’t love between us but I agreed to marry him because I loved him and I always hoped he would love me back one day. But seeing him with her… maybe it’s time to do what I’ve been avoiding for so long. I need to let him go.”
“You can’t be serious. You’re pregnant! Why would you leave now?” Amber scoffed. “You’ve got the upper hand here. That woman has no claim on him. You’re the wife, Vanessa.”
“And what’s the point?” Vanessa’s voice was quieter now. “You didn’t see the way he reacted when he thought I pushed her. He shoved me aside without a second thought. I can’t keep fighting for a man who doesn’t want to be fought for.”
Amber’s face softened in sympathy, but her resolve remained strong. “Tell him about the baby, Vanessa. His little reunion with his old flame will mean nothing once he knows there’s a child involved.”
Vanessa’s hand instinctively moved to her belly, where her child was growing. But all she could think about was Alec’s coldness, his complete disregard for her when it mattered. What if he didn’t even want this child? What if he asked her to get rid of it, just to keep his life free of complications?
“I’m not telling him,” Vanessa said firmly, shaking her head. “He never actually wanted to marry me, Amber, he only asked me to marry him because he didn’t want any other man to have me. A child would only get in the way of his real happiness.”
Amber let out a long, frustrated sigh. She could see that Vanessahad already made up her mind. “Well, whatever you decide, I’m with you. Just promise me you won’t give up on your own happiness.”
Later that evening, Alec returned home to find Vanessa waiting in the living room. As he walked in, he replayed the events of earlier in his mind, his brief guilt mixing with frustration.
“Vanessa, about what happened earlier, I—” he began, his tone still somewhat distant.
“I have something to say first,” Vanessa interrupted, her voice steady and calm as she stood and handed him a stack of papers.
Alec glanced at the documents, a confused frown forming on his face. “What is this? Work papers? Can’t it wait? We need to talk about—”
“It can’t wait,” Vanessa said sharply. “Those are my resignation and divorce papers, Alec. It’s time we end this charade. Let’s part ways.”
Alec’s expression hardened, but he didn’t argue. “So, that’s it, huh? After everything?” His voice remained as cold as ever.
“Yes,” Vanessa replied simply. “It’s clear that we have never cared for each other so this has been overdue.”
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