YSABELLE
My whole body trembles as I stare at the woman who smirks as if enjoying someone seeing her naked. Or she's enjoying it because I'm the one who's seen them both.
My swollen eyes welled up with tears… again.
“Can't you knock?!”
I flinched and awoke at Ronan’s shout, loud and firm.
He was now wearing his trousers while the woman remained on the bed, having a good life. Isn't she ashamed of what she did? I was baffled by how brave she was for sleeping with a married man.
“W-Why is she h-here?” My voice cracks as I try to get all the courage I have in my throat.
“I'm sorry for not introducing myself first thing in the morning.” She smirks. “I'm Candice… Ronan's ex.” She said confidently.
Ex? His ex?
“She's going to live here… with my son.” He casually said as if he didn't care how I reacted to his actions and words.
Tears streamed down painfully in my eyes as I replayed his words in my head.
“Y-Your son?” I said almost a whisper.
What son? Is she pregnant–
I suddenly heard a crying baby from another room. My chest tightened in pain as I couldn't grasp what he had just said and the baby crying inside our house.
H-He… H-He has a child… with his ex?
But he's only a months old baby… that means…
It was as if I was struck in my heart with a knife as I realized he cheated on me during our marriage.
He stared at me without emotions while I stood there, with tears falling off my face.
I understand that he was unable to develop feelings for me, but the thought of him having a son from another woman was unbearable.
“Yo-You cheated… during our ma-marriage?”
“I don't need to explain it to you!” He yelled. Rage was evident through his voice.
I slapped him hard enough for him to step back. But he didn't complain about the pain.
He shouldn't complain because I didn't even complain about how he treated me.
“You should have divorced me first before looking for someone else!!” I screamed as my heart exploded in pain.
Ronan instead grabbed something from the bedside table. He then flung the papers to the ground, enough to reach my feet.
“Sign that.” Was the only thing he could say.
I only sobbed at what was written in the paper.
Divorce Agreement.
This is what he has been waiting for.
He really meant it. He really wants me out of his life.
I bit my trembling lips while gazing down at the documents that Ronan already signed.
“Sign the divorce paper, pretty Belle.” The blond woman annoyingly said.
I felt my wrath threatening to explode as my hand curled into a fist. I want to rip her mouth open and seize her hair until she experiences the same agony as I am.
But as I took a step forward, Ronan blocked my view, protecting his mistress from my violence.
I glared at him, full of turmoil but he dragged me out of his room.
He violently let go of my arm causing me to fall on the floor of my room with a loud thud. Then, the divorce paper dropped in front of me.
The pain in my arm, my ass, and my heart collided.
“WHY?! WHY DO YOU HATE ME SO MUCH?!”
“I DON’T FUCKING LOVE YOU!”
My world stops for a second to hear what I don't want to hear all my life.
I know he doesn't love me… but… it's so damn painful to verbally hear those words from him.
Was all my effort not enough for him to build feelings for me?
“But I love you,” I whispered with all my heart.
“Stop it! I don't need you here! I don't need you in my life!” I tightly shut my eyes at the way he said those words coldly. “Please, let's stop torturing each other for god sake and go back to where you came from!”
Where I came from… But I don't have anyone right now.
He doesn't need me… but I need him.
However, even if the world turns upside down… Ronan is not mine. Only in papers that I could say he's mine.
The fact that Ronan impregnated his ex was more painful to accept. But how long can I endure the pain? How long can I hold myself back from leaving?
My hands were trembling as I couldn't see clearly due to the tears blocking my sight while grasping my chest.
The pain was deeper than before. I felt like my chest was about to explode. It is about to explode any moment now.
If this is what makes him happy. If this is what makes him satisfied with his life. His ex, who's his first love, with his child.
Now I understand what that DNA test result means. If I saw that… if I saw that earlier… If I had seen his name and the child with a 99% result, I should have prepared myself for this pain.
Ronan was waiting for me to sign the paper, emotionless while gazing down at me as he threw the pen on the floor.
Two years… For two years I endured the pain and harsh reality as a Belle Volkov. This marriage won't work even if I refuse to sign the divorce paper. He even found someone else just like what his mother wished for.
This isn't how miserable I should be. I'm not worthy of being in this relationship. All of this was forced, after all.
I slowly reach the pen on the floor. If this is what makes him happy, I will give this to him. All I wanted was to make him happy… so maybe, I succeeded but… those smiles are not caused by me.
With a tight grip and trembling fingers, I hold the pen as if it were my last breath. My last breath for being with him…
And finally…
I signed the paper.
The paper catches my tears as it painfully falls. Ronan immediately took the papers before they got wet.
“Pack your things and leave my premises.” Was only he could say before turning his back on me… without being remorseful.
He's so cruel… he only gives me pain throughout these years but I'm blind with my love for him.
I brushed off the tears from my eyes and caught a glance of myself in the mirror at my dressing table.
What have I done?
I did everything I could to fill the gap between us but he chose to ignore my effort and found someone else. And now… They have a baby.
Was he really in love with the blonde woman? Did she give him happiness that I cannot provide?
My sob grew louder on my palm.
This is not the Belle I used to. This is not Belle before she met Ronan. I must protect myself from the people who will ruin me. I should love myself first before anyone else.
I pack all my belongings. I heard the woman giggling in the opposite room before I finally left his house.
But I guess heaven was joining me with this unbearable pain. It's raining hard and loud.
I walked under the rain while pulling my luggage until I reached the gate. But before I could fully leave the mansion, the window of Ronan’s room was open, and there… I saw them hugging each other lovingly.
Shit! I never experienced that hug from him! This goddamn love caused me too much pain.
The woman met my eyes as she flashed her Cheshire cat grin.
I lost to Ronan… I lost to his first love.
YSABELLE The sun was almost completely hidden by those towering skyscrapers when I arrived in New York. I let out a deep breath as I descended the stairs from my biological father's private airplane. I left the US five years ago, but I'm returning today because my father urged me to. I need to close a deal with a Russian in a US state. In order to avoid running into the people I vowed never to see again, I have to close the deal in one swift. Five years. Even though five years had passed, the pain was still lingering inside of me when I felt the breeze of New York. Enough, Ysabelle! Give up dwelling on the past! I chastised myself. This is what I hate the most about coming back here but I don't have any choice because of my father. I need to get over this as early as I can. On the day when I was divorced, my real parents showed up. After receiving a billion dollars from my biological parents, my adopted mother must be living a happy life now and left unnoticed. I'm now Ysabell
YSABELLE Those ocean-blue eyes darted into mine, making my heart pinch in pain. His painful words back then, five years ago, echoed in my head. ‘I DON’T FUCKING LOVE YOU!’ That was the most memorable and yet, painful one I've heard from him. Despite all the words he throws at me, slapping me on the reality that he doesn't love me was the hell part. Candice and his son were only the bonus pain he created that turned into a scar in my heart. My chest twisted in pain again as the back of my eyes started to warm. No! I shouldn't give him a hint that I'm weak, that I'm losing my composure every time I see him, that I'm still in pain despite those years passing swiftly. I turned to Mr. Ivanov to divert my attention. I saw how he suddenly felt uncomfortable with a fake smile. Does he not know that he's my ex-husband? “Uhmm, Ms. Cortez, I'm sorry to say but I'm actually having a meeting with Mr. Volkov.” Anger surges in me. “Then why did you agree tonight, Mr. Ivanov?” I don't w
YSABELLE As soon as I heard the door locked, I suddenly felt nervous because Ronan was the first thing I saw when I turned around. My throat became dry, my inside trembled in fury, and my legs were giving in. I immediately grabbed the railings of the stairs as I stepped back away from Ronan. His scent was invading my nostrils and I don't like this old feeling escalating inside my chest. “What the hell are you doing?!” I firmly scowled. “Reminding you to not go in my way.” He said with full composure. He didn't even flinch when I raised my voice. He didn't even feel remorseful after what he had done to me. He didn't even sound sorry after seeing me again. He looks calm and, as usual, full of himself. I scoffed as his words sank in my head. “You can't control me anymore, Ronan!” I pushed him with all my strength but he only took hold of my wrist. The moment I felt his warmth, slowly merging with mine, my heart began to thump violently. This is not good. “Hearing my name
YSABELLE Two days… Two days have passed since Ronan messed with my mind and heart again. And it's been two nights that I couldn't sleep and eat properly because of that jerk. He's really a trouble in my life and I wasted a lot of tears and energy because of his jokes. Chance? Was he asking for another chance? What about Candice and his son? Is he nuts or just playing tricks with me again? For what? For his own entertainment! “Damn you, Ronan!” I yelled at my reflection in the mirror with a wet face. I hate to say it but he's all I think for the past two days and night. He caused me another trouble at the very last minute. A knock on the door woke me up from torturing Ronan’s face in my head. I hope I can also do it in real life. “Ms. Cortez, the rescheduled meeting with Mr. Ivanov is 1 pm–” “Tell him I'm only free this morning.” I need to finish my task here swiftly. I need to get the deal before I encounter Ronan again. I didn't know New York was this small for both of us
RONAN “Get it done.” I ended the call, and rage was still lingering inside of my chest. If I didn't purposely drop my phone in her bag, I wouldn't know where she is and what she is up to. My hand curled into a fist as I remembered how Mr. Ivanov looked at her with those suspicious eyes. But this woman didn't have any sense that danger was right in front of her. Is she that eager to get Mr. Ivanov’s partnership? I looked carefully at the bruises on Belle's wrists. It's still red and has wounds from the nails of that bastard. My jaw clenched as rage resurfaces again. That fucking asshole touched my Belle. He has the guts after knowing she's my ex-wife. Messing with what belongs to me… will definitely meet hell. I just ruined his face and fed him all the drugs he was hiding in his drawer causing him to overdose and pass out. I really want to curse George Cortez for throwing his own daughter in this trap. I know that he knew what Mr. Ivanov’s real personality was. I'm not real
YSABELLE My head was still pounding when I sprinted to the ladies' room, but my heart went crazy when Ronan snatched my phone while Ash was calling. I felt so nervous as I stared at Ronan and the phone, praying that he wouldn't answer the call. Ash has indeed left me 16 missed calls. However, the call I was expecting was not on my list. Father didn't even call me once. Does he really know about Mr. Ivanov’s true intention? No… that couldn't be true. Ronan was just spouting nonsense. I groan in pain out of frustration. Ronan added to the pain in my head. Just then, I remember what happened in Mr. Ivanov’s hotel room. That bastard! He drugged and thought of raping me. My hand began to tremble in fear as that asshole's face flashed through my mind. I splashed my face with cold water and stared at my reflection in the mirror. Thankfully, I'm safe… I'm safe. That's what all matters. By the way, where's Paul? I dialed Paul's number but it only rings. I tidy up myself before l
YSABELLE I swallowed the lump in my throat as I turned to Ronan, who was frowning while gazing down at my hand, held by Connor tightly. What is he doing here? How did he find out I'm here? Jeez, this is making me crazy. Why am I so nervous? “Let her go.” Connor started and I could sense the arrogance in his tone. “Do not give me orders.” I cursed silently upon hearing Ronan’s cold tone. “I said let her go.” “I don't talk and accept commands from strangers.” “Stop it, you two,” I hissed. But none of them listen. “Are you challenging me?” “Coming from you? Why not?” I turned to Ronan, and rage was evident on his face. “Ronan, please. Just let me go.” I said calmly to avoid getting the attention of people around us. They are already giving us side eyes with both of these men holding my wrist tightly side by side. “No.” Ronan firmly responded. Connor scoffed. “Let my fiancée go.” I immediately shut my eyes as my heart raced back and forth. Hearing the word ‘fiancee’ fr
RONAN My fingers clenched at the steering wheel as I accelerated the car at full speed. Rage erupted inside my chest as soon as I heard the word ‘fiancee’ from Belle. Fiancée? I never heard that the Cortez heiress is getting married. Are they making me a fool? I abruptly oversteer when a dog suddenly appears on the road. The car swerved off the road until it hit the lamppost. The impact was not that severe. I'm still alive and kicking… and fuming in madness. With a heavy breath, I slammed my fist on the steering wheel. She's engaged. But I won't believe it. “Mr. Volkov, are you alright?” My secret bodyguards gathered around with their guns prepared, searching for the suspicious people around. They are following me secretly to avoid the attention of the public. I don't want to look like a politician who has people always with me wherever I go. So I commanded them to follow me secretly. They opened the door and led me to another car. We made our way to my house safe and s