Chapter 2: The Wife He Never Wanted

The door closed behind her.

And just like that…

Isabella Carter was not realising, Collins.

She stood at the entrance of the mansion for a moment longer than necessary, her fingers shaking slightly around the handle of her small suitcase.

It looked… out of place.

Too small, too insignificant and three years of her life reduced to this.

A quiet breath left her lips as she stepped forward, heels clicking softly against the marble floor before transitioning onto the cold outside.

The wind hit her instantly.

Sharp and unforgiving, but she didn’t stop.

Didn’t turn back.

Because if she did…

She wasn’t sure she would be able to leave again.

Behind her, the Collins Mansion stood tall and unmoved.

As if she had never existed inside it.

Isabella paused at the gate.

Just for a second.

Her eyes move slowly, taking in the place she had once called home.

The place where she had waited with hope, loved and alone.

A faint smile touched her lips.

Soft and bitter.

She said to herself “The wife he never wanted…” she murmured.

The title fits perfectly now.

Because no matter how much she had tried…

She had never truly belonged there.

Inside the mansion.

Andrew Collins stood by the window, his eyes fixed on the driveway below.

He wasn’t sure why.

She had already signed the papers, the marriage was over and everything had gone exactly as planned.

So why was he still standing there?

His eyes followed her figure as she walked away.

Step by step without hesitation.

No tears, no pleading and she didn’t even bother looking back.

It was… strange.

That wasn’t how he expected it to go.

His brows furrowed slightly.

For three years, Isabella had been quiet.

No complaints and always there.

And yet today…

She had walked away to realise that being alone mattered.

Like it didn’t matter.

The thought irritated him more than it should have.

“She’ll be back.”

The voice came from behind him.

Smooth and confident.

Andrew didn’t need to turn to know who it was.

Abigail Scott.

She has nowhere else to go, Abigail continued, stepping further into the room. Women like her always come back when reality sets in.

Andrew remained silent.

His eyes didn’t leave the window.

But his expression hardened slightly.

“She won’t,” he said finally.

Abigail raised an eyebrow.

“Oh?”

She refused the settlement.

That caught her attention.

For a brief moment, surprise flashed across her face before she masked it with a smile.

“Pride,” she said lightly. It won’t last.

Andrew didn’t respond.

But something about that didn’t sit right with him.

Outside the gates.

Isabella stepped onto the sidewalk, the noise of the city slowly surrounding her.

Cars passed, people walked and lives moved on.

She grabs her suitcase and begins walking.

No destination and no plans either.

Just… forward.

Her phone rings in her bag.

She ignored it.

It rings again. And again.

With a quiet sigh, she finally pulled it out.

Unknown Number. For a moment, she hesitated.

Then answered.

“Hello?”

“Isabella.”

Her entire body stilled.

That voice“…Daniel?”

“It’s me.”

Daniel Hayes.

Someone from her past life.

Someone who knew her well….Before she became Andrew Collins’ wife.

It’s been a long time, he said, his tone softer now.

I heard about the divorce. Isabella replied “of course you will”.

News like that don't stay private for long.

But it's fine.

There was a pause at the end.

Daniel now replied “you don’t sound fine.”

Isabella forced a small smile, even though he couldn’t see it.

“I’ll be okay.”

You don’t have to rely on yourself always, Daniel said gently. If you need somewhere to stay.

“No.”

The answer came faster than she expected.

Too fast.

She closed her eyes breath.

“I mean… Thank you. But I’ll handle it.”

Silence followed.

I know you, Daniel said quietly. And I know that tone. You’re trying to be strong.

Her hand tightened around the phone.

“I have to be.”

Because this time…There was no one else.

Her free hand moved slowly to her stomach.

Resting there and Protective

I’ll call you later, she said quickly.

“Isabella…..”

But she had already ended the call.

She stood still for a moment.

Breathing slowly.

Then she looked down.

Her fingers pressed gently against her stomach again.

A small, vulnerable life.

A secret.

One that changed everything.

“I’ll be fine,” she whispered.

Not just for herself.

But for the child she was carrying.

Because now…

She wasn’t alone anymore.

Back at the mansion.

Andrew finally stepped away from the window.

“She made her choice,” he said coldly.

Abigail smiled faintly.

“And you made yours.”

Their eyes met.

A silent understanding passes between them.

But beneath that…Something unspoken lingered.

Something neither of them acknowledged.

That night,

Isabella sat alone on a bench at a quiet bus stop, her suitcase beside her.

The city lights flashed softly in the distance.

She looked small and delicate.

But her eyes…They were different now, stronger and determined.

“I won’t go back,” she whispered. No matter how hard it got. No matter how painful it became.

She would never return to that life again.

Because this time…She was choosing herself.