Chapter 1

Isabella Sinclair stared at the signed divorce papers on the table, her ex-husband's name already inked in bold strokes.

Her vision blurred as she looked out the window, tears threatening to spill.

Nathan Prescott stood framed by the golden afternoon light, his tall figure exuding an aura of cold dominance. Even his shadow seemed indifferent.

"I've signed. It's your turn now." Nathan didn't bother turning around, his voice clipped. "The prenup ensures no messy disputes. You'll get two million and a villa in Wye. Consider it compensation—enough to convince Grandpa you weren't discarded like trash."

Isabella felt like she'd been struck by lightning. "Does... does Grandpa know?"

"Would it change anything if he did?" His tone was mocking.

Her knees nearly buckled, but she gripped the table for support. "Nathan," she whispered, voice trembling, "can we... not do this?"

Finally, he turned, his piercing gaze locking onto hers.

Those deep eyes, those sculpted lips—still enough to make her heart stutter.

"Why?"

"Because I love you." Her voice cracked. "Even if you don't feel the same... I still want to be your wife."

Nathan scoffed. "Enough. A loveless marriage is torture. You knew this was temporary—a rebellion against Grandpa. You knew my heart belonged to someone else."

His phone buzzed. The moment he saw the caller ID, his entire demeanor softened.

"Victoria," he answered, voice warm. "You're here already?"

Isabella flinched. That tenderness—was this the same man who'd just crushed her heart?

"I wanted to surprise you!" Victoria Sterling's cheerful voice carried through the speaker.

Nathan was already moving toward the door. "Wait for me. I'm coming."

And just like that, he was gone.

The study door clicked shut, sealing her in suffocating silence.

Ten years of unrequited love. Three years of marriage. She'd given everything—only for him to walk away without a backward glance.

Now, he was free to marry the woman he'd always wanted.

The pain was unbearable.

Isabella took a shaky breath, staring at Nathan's signature on the papers. A single tear splashed onto the page.

That night, Nathan returned to Windermere Estate with Victoria in his arms.

The frail woman clung to him, their intimate display drawing stares from the staff.

"Nathan," Victoria murmured, fingers tracing his chest, "should we really be doing this? Isabella might—"

"She won't care." His reply was ice-cold. "Our marriage was a contract. She knows her place."

The Prescott family fawned over Victoria while Isabella remained invisible—hidden in the kitchen, preparing dinner like a dutiful ghost.

Then, chaos erupted.

"Sir! Sir!" The butler burst in, frantic. "Mrs. Prescott—she's gone!"

Nathan frowned. "What?"

"She left through the back! A black Rolls-Royce picked her up!"

He stormed to their bedroom. The divorce papers sat on the nightstand, tear-stained but signed.

Outside, a luxury car sped away, vanishing into the night.

She couldn't bear to leave this afternoon—now she flees like the devil's chasing her?

Nathan yanked out his phone. "License plate EWA 9999. Find out who owns it."

Five minutes later, his secretary's voice was hesitant.

"Sir... it's registered to the Ashbourne family. Specifically—Cassius Ashbourne."

Nathan froze.

Isabella—a small-town girl with no connections—was linked to the Ashbourne heir?

Impossible.

"Sir," the secretary added carefully, "did you really file for divorce today?"

Nathan's jaw clenched. "What of it?"

"...It's her birthday."

The words hit like a sledgehammer.

Meanwhile, inside the Rolls-Royce, Cassius Ashbourne gently squeezed his sister's hand.

"Welcome back," he murmured. "We've prepared fireworks for you tonight."

Isabella—no, Evadne Ashbourne—leaned against her brother, eyes swollen. "Not in the mood."

Her phone buzzed. Not Nathan—Victoria.

[Told you I'd take him back. Stop dreaming.]

Evadne laughed bitterly, the last tear sealing her resolve.

"Still can't let go?" Cassius pulled her close.

"Cassius," she whispered, "today was my birthday."

"I know. And that bastard brought her home on purpose."

Her next words were steel. "There's nothing left to hold onto. Nathan Prescott shattered my heart."

When she lifted her head again, all traces of love were gone.

Evadne Ashbourne was done being invisible.

"I clawed my way here. Looking back would be my biggest regret."