Chapter 4 Forced Divorce It Is

The bedroom was empty—every trace of Isabella had vanished.

Her collection of skincare products and perfumes that once cluttered the vanity by the window had disappeared without a trace.

The room was immaculate, as if no one had ever lived there at all.

William rubbed his temples as irritation surged through him like a rising tide.

He stepped out of the master bedroom and stood in the second-floor hallway, calling down to the expansive living room below, "Tammy!"

His voice echoed through the grand foyer, but received no response.

William's frown deepened as he called out again, his patience wearing thin.

This time, there was finally an answer. Tammy Hughes came running out of her quarters, phone in hand, obvious panic flashing in her eyes when she saw William.

She still had a face mask on and looked completely relaxed, as if she were the mistress of the house rather than the help.

Quickly peeling off her face mask, Tammy flashed William an ingratiating smile.

"Mr. Montagu, you're home! I wasn't expecting you."

William rarely came home, and even the housekeeper knew he and Isabella barely maintained the pretense of a happy marriage.

If it weren't for the two children keeping them together, they would have divorced long ago.

William didn't answer her question. Instead, he asked, "Where's Isabella?"

Tammy swallowed nervously. "Mrs. Montagu packed some things this afternoon and left with her suitcase. I assumed she was going on a trip?"

From Tammy's perspective below, she could only see William's silhouette move slightly. His sharp features were cast in shadow by the overhead lighting, making his expression unreadable.

Tammy was someone William had brought from the Montagu family, where she'd worked for many years.

It was precisely because of her dedicated service that William's mother, Amara Montagu, had trusted her enough to send her here to look after him.

Standing above, William caught every detail of the panic and confusion on Tammy's face.

She was well-paid, yet had been negligent enough not to know where the lady of the house had gone.

"Pack your things. You can leave tomorrow."

Tammy immediately panicked, "Mrs. Montagu has her own legs—where she goes is her business! I can hardly follow her around, can I?"

William didn't give her a chance to explain further, leaving her with only his cold, retreating figure and the sharp sound of the bedroom door slamming shut.

He pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts, his finger finally stopping on Isabella's name. After a moment's hesitation, he pressed call.

Isabella answered quickly but didn't speak, as if waiting for William to break the silence first.

William leaned against Isabella's vanity, one long leg casually bent as he relaxed his posture.

He let out a cold laugh, "Look at you, getting bold enough to run away from home now."

Isabella had just finished putting Olivia to sleep and was standing on her apartment balcony taking the call.

William's cutting voice traveled through the phone, colder than the night wind, sending chills throughout Isabella's body.

So he'd actually come home tonight for once.

Otherwise, if Tammy hadn't told him, he never would have called to interrogate her this quickly.

"Better than staying home waiting for you to throw me out," Isabella shot back sarcastically.

William let out another cold laugh.

Isabella heard the distinctive sound of a lighter flicking.

Because of the two children in the house and her own distaste for cigarette smoke, Isabella had never allowed William to smoke at home.

This felt like a deliberate provocation.

Isabella exhaled slowly, the cold curve of her lips lifting even higher.

"William, if you don't want an amicable divorce and refuse to sign the papers, that's fine too."

"I already asked Daphne today," Isabella said, leaning back against the glass balcony railing. "As long as we live separately for a full year, I can file for a no-fault divorce through the courts."

"By then, the children will be older, and the court will consider their preferences when determining custody."

Isabella was determined to win custody of Olivia.

The phone line carried only the sound of William's breathing.

It was late, and Isabella wasn't about to waste any more time on a meaningless conversation with William. After delivering her ultimatum, she hung up without hesitation.

Turning to glance outside, Isabella took a deep breath before pulling the curtains closed.

Olivia lay curled on her side in the queen-sized bed, still clutching the stuffed bunny Isabella had bought her for her birthday this year.

When Isabella had picked it out, she'd deliberately chosen two bunnies—one white, one yellow—giving one to Nathan and one to Olivia.

Isabella had always maintained strict fairness for the children's upbringing, but somehow she'd raised two completely different personalities.

Thinking of Nathan's self-righteous words, Isabella's heart felt like it was being pierced by needles.

Looking at Olivia with even more tender eyes, Isabella couldn't help but smile softly.

Just watching her daughter made Isabella's heart feel like it was melting, warm currents flowing through her.

So what if her husband and son were ungrateful?

She still had her angel baby!

Gently placing a kiss on Olivia's forehead, Isabella made a silent vow.

She would absolutely never allow William to take Olivia away from her!

The next morning, Isabella was awakened by gentle rustling sounds. Opening her eyes, she found Olivia kneeling beside her, holding her cartoon blanket.

Seeing Isabella wake up, Olivia's expression looked somewhat guilty, "Mommy, did I wake you up?"

Her sweet, considerate manner made Isabella's heart melt like warm chocolate.

"Of course not," Isabella said, placing a good morning kiss on Olivia's cheek before lifting her down from the bed.

After washing up, Isabella stood in the kitchen doorway wearing an apron.

"What would you like for breakfast? Milk and toast, or maybe a sandwich?"

Olivia's eyes lit up bright as stars, "I can really choose anything?"

Isabella laughed and crouched down, "Of course you can."

Although Nathan was the older brother, his health was actually much more fragile than Olivia's. He'd been diagnosed with severe dairy and seafood allergies from a young age.

When cooking at home, considering Nathan's condition, many foods were off-limits.

Olivia jumped up excitedly, "I want milk! And a shrimp and scrambled egg sandwich! Lots of kids at preschool say it's really delicious, but Tammy never made it for us!"

Isabella paused, startled. "Didn't I tell Tammy you could eat those things?"

Olivia's mouth drooped. "Tammy said making separate meals for Nathan and me was too much trouble, and besides, Grandma likes Nathan better anyway."

Those words stabbed into Isabella's heart like a sharp thorn.

She'd always known the family favored Nathan somewhat, but she hadn't realized even the household staff were reading the room and playing favorites!

Isabella personally prepared the shrimp and scrambled egg sandwich Olivia had requested.

After just one bite, Olivia was full of praise, her eyes crinkling with delight.

"Mommy, when are we going home?"

Isabella's hand paused slightly as she propped her chin and calmly addressed Olivia's question, "We won't go back for a few days. I brought Olivia out specially so it could be just the two of us."

"Where would Olivia like to go?"

Tilting her head thoughtfully, Olivia smiled and said, "I want to go to the amusement park!"