Episode 4

Chapter 4: Preparing to Leave

I barely slept. As if everything else wasn't enough, I woke up in the middle of the night to Leo coming home late. In an entire year of marriage, that had never happened. But with Angela back, things clearly weren't going to be the same anymore.

What confused me most was that he'd tried to sleep with me. Not *make love* -- that word was reserved for Angela now. He just wanted to have sex. But I wasn't going to be used anymore. Enough. I had my baby to protect.

I saw him leave early the next morning. Probably rushing off to have breakfast with his beloved. The ache in my chest was sharp, but I refused to let it stop me from doing what I'd promised myself: moving forward with my head held high.

Since the divorce was inevitable, it was time to get organized. I needed to find a job. I needed a place to live. My parents had left me the apartment we'd grown up in. It wasn't luxurious, and it wasn't big. But for this new chapter of my life, it would be enough.

I started making a list of everything I needed to handle for the move. I'd begin packing my things quietly -- I couldn't let anything slip in front of the Montgomery family. The last thing I wanted was for Grandma Amelia to find out. If she did, all hell would break loose.

After my morning routine -- shower, breakfast -- I went to the kitchen to get the keys to my parents' apartment from Maria. Since I'd gotten married, she'd been an incredible help, always looking out for me. She was the one who'd suggested I keep the apartment maintained, cleaning it regularly so nothing deteriorated from neglect.

"Good morning, everyone! Maria, could we talk for a minute?"

"Of course, sweetheart."

I walked with Maria up to my room and closed the door.

"Maria, I'm going to separate from Leonardo, and I could really use your help. And your discretion."

Maria knew everything about my marriage. She'd been with us from the beginning. Her eyes went wide at the news, but once I explained the reason, her shock turned to anger.

"I never liked that boy with that Angela. She never sat right with me."

"But she's the love of Leo's life, and there's nothing we can do about it. He always made that clear."

She grumbled a bit more but promised to help. Maria had raised Leo since he was a child -- she loved him like a son. Having her on my side was a relief. Grandma Amelia was sharp as a tack and had eyes everywhere. Not that anyone in this house had ever wronged me. But I needed to be careful.

First, Maria helped me sort through my things for the other room. I had a lot -- thanks to Leo. When we got married, he'd bought me practically an entire new wardrobe, insisting that as the wife of a CEO, I needed to dress the part. After talking it over with Maria, I decided to leave those clothes untouched for now. That way, if Grandma Amelia stopped by, she wouldn't notice anything missing. I set aside a few pieces to take to the guest room -- I didn't want a repeat of last night. Everything else went into suitcases to bring to my parents' apartment. Once the divorce was signed, I'd be out the door. No scenes, no drama.

As I was heading downstairs with the bags, one of the housekeepers asked if I was going on a trip. Maria noticed the butler watching us too -- and we both knew he reported everything back to Leonardo. Quick as a flash, she jumped in.

"We decided to do a charity run -- donating clothes that neither Isabella nor Leonardo wear anymore to people who need them."

I smiled at her cover story. We loaded the car and left.

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