Chapter 1: The Fairy Tale Ends

Yesterday morning, I received the most unexpected news of my life. I'd been noticing changes in my body for a while now -- the nausea, the exhaustion, the way certain smells made my stomach turn. I finally went to the doctor, and he confirmed it: I was just over two months pregnant.

I had no idea how Leonardo would take it. We'd never once talked about having children, and he'd always been careful to use protection, even though we'd been married for a year.

But I already loved this baby more than anything in the world. This was my chance to have a family again. My parents died a little over ten years ago in a factory fire. They couldn't make it out. After that, I was raised by Amelia Montgomery -- Leonardo's grandmother. She'd been close to my parents, and she took me in as if I were her own granddaughter. I owe her everything.

Leonardo came home last night from a business trip. We didn't have time to talk properly -- he'd been gone for two months\, and we were too busy making up for lost time. He'd never touched me like that before. Every caress\, every whispered word made me feel special\, desired\, *loved*. For the first time in our marriage\, I truly believed he felt something real for me.

Morning came, and as always, I was the first one up. I slipped out of bed without making a sound, brushed my teeth, and took a quick shower. Then I rushed downstairs to make breakfast. Today, I wanted the table overflowing with everything he loved. I wanted it perfect -- the perfect moment to share the news. I was practically bursting with happiness when I heard his footsteps on the stairs. I grabbed the fruit platter and hurried to set it down.

"Good morning, Leo! Did you sleep well?" I greeted him with the biggest smile I could manage.

"Morning, Bella. Slept like a baby." He glanced at the spread. "The table looks beautiful, as always."

"I'm glad you like it. I put a lot of love into it."

"We need to talk," he said.

"We need to talk," I said at the same time.

Since I was always the one starting conversations between us, I told him to go first.

And what came out of his mouth destroyed every shred of hope I had left.

"Angela's back. I want a divorce."

I lost the ability to speak. Deep down, I'd always known this day would come.

My ears started ringing. All the warmth drained from my body. I couldn't think straight. It felt like I was underwater, sounds muffled and distant. But if he already knew he was going to say this, how did he have the nerve to make love to me last night? And then sit here this morning and say it like it was nothing?

He kept talking.

"Bella, I don't want you to worry about anything. I'd never leave you with nothing. I've had an agreement drawn up that's fair to both of us." He paused. "You'll always be like a sister to me."

I tried to mask my shock. Tried to focus on his words. It was nearly impossible.

"Do you already have the papers?" I asked, surprised by how steady my voice sounded.

"This afternoon. I'll have my assistant bring them over so you can review everything. If it all looks good, you sign."

"Sure."

"But what did you want to tell me?"

I looked at him -- still eating his breakfast, casual as could be, as if he hadn't just detonated my entire world.

"It was nothing important. I was going to ask about the dinner at Grandma Amelia's."

A throwaway excuse. The first thing that came to mind.

"Oh, right. Since you brought that up -- I need to ask you not to mention the divorce to Grandma for now. You know her health hasn't been great, and I don't want to upset her. You know how much she cares about you."

"Don't worry, Leonardo. I would never intentionally do anything to hurt her."

He gave me a strange look but said nothing more. He finished his meal, said goodbye, and left for the office.

And I sat there, staring at my coffee, long since gone cold, trying to understand how the tender, passionate man from last night had turned into this block of ice by morning.

---

Isabella Carter Montgomery, 22. About to graduate with a degree in Business Administration from Ashford State University. Daughter of Grace Carter and George Carter, both killed in a factory fire that caused an explosion at the plant where they worked. Her parents are considered heroes -- though they couldn't save their own lives, they saved hundreds of others by recognizing the danger and triggering the evacuation alarm.

Leonardo Montgomery, 28. Graduated from Ashford State University with a degree in Business Administration. Holds a Master's in People Management and Finance. CEO of Montgomery Industries.

Chapter 2: The Interrupted Agreement

By the time it hit me that I'd been sitting in the same chair for hours, the breakfast had gone cold and stale. I finally dragged myself up, asked the kitchen staff to clear the table, and went back upstairs to my room to think.

But before I could gather my thoughts, my phone rang.

"Bella, my assistant will bring the divorce papers over after lunch. Review them and sign, please."

He hung up before I could even respond.

So this was how it was going to be from now on? Cold and transactional, like I was just another subordinate of the great CEO Montgomery?

I knew our marriage had been an arrangement to make his grandmother happy. But where had all the warmth and closeness gone -- everything we'd built over ten years of knowing each other? I'd known Leonardo since I was twelve, and he had never once treated me this way.

The night before our wedding, he'd asked to talk. He told me he'd agreed to the arrangement because he didn't want to go against Grandma Amelia's wishes. He said he'd always been in love with Angela, but she'd gone overseas. And if she ever came back, he would ask for a divorce and fight for that love.

I accepted it, even though his words cut deep. I was foolish enough to believe that living together might change his feelings. That he'd eventually see me differently.

For a year, Leonardo had been the husband any woman would dream of. Attentive, affectionate. He treated me like I was something precious, the most important person in his world. He knew me better than I knew myself, anticipating my needs before I even realized I had them. And I fell deeper in love with him every single day. I thought my feelings were finally being returned.

What a delusion. As my mother, Grace, used to say: "The higher you climb, the harder you fall." And mine was a long way down.

At lunch, I forced myself to eat some salad and roast beef. I had no appetite, but my baby needed the nourishment to grow strong and healthy. Despite the crushing weight on my chest, I couldn't neglect the one person who would now be my only family and companion. I knew Grandma Amelia would never turn her back on me, even after the divorce, but I refused to be a burden to anyone. And despite everything, I wanted Leo to be happy -- even if it wasn't with me. He'd always been respectful and caring toward me. He didn't deserve an ex-wife standing in the way of his happiness.

At one o'clock sharp, the doorbell rang. The staff informed me that Leonardo's assistant was waiting in the living room.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Montgomery. I've brought the papers."

I nodded and took the documents from Oscar's hands. I started reading through them and couldn't help letting out a bitter laugh. So Leo thought he could compensate for my love and devotion over the past year with material things. Houses, cars, and money. It would have been hilarious if every line on that paper wasn't killing me inside.

Eventually, I gave up reading and just signed.

"Here you go, Oscar. Everything in order?"

I handed back the document. He reviewed it, then frowned and told me he'd found a clerical error -- a typo that would invalidate the agreement. He'd have to go back to the office and draft a new one.

Just my luck. But there was nothing I could do about it. He excused himself and left, and I went upstairs to rest. The whole ordeal had left me completely drained.

Chapter 3: Meanwhile, at the Office

Leonardo Montgomery.

I was in my office wrapping up a video conference when I heard a knock at the door. I called out for them to come in. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw it was my assistant. I said my goodbyes to the partners and ended the call.

"So how did she react? Did she question anything? Ask for more?"

"Sir, she just... laughed. Then she signed without questioning a single thing." Oscar paused. "However, I found a clerical error. The agreement will need to be rewritten for her to sign again."

"She laughed? What do you mean, she laughed? She wasn't upset? Didn't push back at all?"

"No, sir. She seemed... indifferent. She just signed."

That didn't sit well with me. So this marriage meant nothing to her? I didn't matter? What happened to all that love she always claimed to feel for me? How could she sign like that, as if this past year didn't mean a damn thing?

I told Oscar there was no rush on the new agreement. We had more pressing matters at the office. He left to carry out my orders.

The rest of the day flew by. I barely had time to think about it again. I sat through three more meetings and closed another major partnership for Montgomery Industries. All I wanted was to go home, take a shower, and crash. But then my phone rang, and my plans changed.

"Baby, are you done with work? I miss you so much. I had such a hard day, and all I wanted was you by my side. Helping me forget everything that's been going on."

"Good evening, Angela. I've told you -- you shouldn't be stressing about anything. It's not good for your health."

"I know, Leo, but this whole situation makes me so anxious. Did you talk to her?"

"Angela, I already told you there's nothing to worry about. I'm on my way."

I called my driver and told him to have the car ready. The apartment I'd set up for Angela was less than fifteen minutes from the office -- close enough that I could get there fast in case of an emergency. She greeted me at the door, and I could see how worn down she looked.

"How was your day? You seem exhausted."

"It was rough. Hard to breathe today. I was dizzy and tired most of the time. You know how some days are worse than others."

"I'm going to arrange for someone to stay with you and help around the apartment. I don't want you straining yourself."

"You spoil me too much, Leo." She smiled softly. "Come on -- I made your favorite."

"You shouldn't be working in the kitchen. You could've ordered from any restaurant you like."

She gave me that warm look of hers, and I went to help set the table so she wouldn't have to carry anything heavy. Dinner was pleasant. The food was perfect. We talked about our day, and before I knew it, it was almost eleven. I said goodnight and headed home. I had an early meeting the next morning.

When I arrived, all the lights were off. I went upstairs and saw Bella already asleep in our bed. I took a quick shower and lay down beside her, wrapping my arm around her waist. The curves of her body drove me crazy, but it was late and I had to be up early. No point starting something I couldn't properly finish.

When I touched her, she jolted awake. Her reaction caught me off guard. I told her it was just me, and she turned on the bedside lamp, her face a mask of shock.

"Leonardo? What time is it? What are you doing here?"

"It's late -- almost midnight. Go back to sleep. And where else would I be? This is my room."

"Sorry... do you want me to sleep in the guest room?"

"Why would you sleep in the guest room? You've always slept here. Why are you acting like you're surprised to see me?"

"Because you asked for a divorce."

"So what? You're still my wife. There's nothing wrong with me sleeping next to you."

I hadn't meant to wake her, but since she was up... I started kissing her neck. Things responded immediately. I moved to kiss her lips, my hands finding her full, firm breasts -- and she shoved me back.

"Leonardo, stop!"

"What's wrong? Is it your time of the month?"

Her cheeks turned bright red. I found the reaction even more attractive. But then she brought up the divorce again, and just like that, the mood was dead. Rather than start a fight, I rolled over and tried to sleep.

---

Angela Fox, 28. Leonardo Montgomery's ex-girlfriend.