Chapter 7: The Woman Who Disappeared

Morning arrived quietly.

Soft sunlight slipped through the curtains of Daniel’s apartment, casting a warm glow across the small living room.

But Isabella was already awake.

She sat near the window with a cup of tea untouched in her hands, her thoughts drifting endlessly.

The city outside moved normally.

Cars passed, people walking, noises everywhere, and life continued as if nothing had happened.

As if her entire world hadn’t collapsed days ago.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the cup.

Then slowly, her hand moved to her stomach again.

The gesture had become natural now.

Protective, careful and real.

A small breath escaped her lips.

“I’ll protect you,” she whispered.

Even if she had to do it alone.

Behind her, footsteps approached quietly.

“You’re awake early.”

Daniel’s voice broke the silence gently.

Isabella turned slightly and gave a faint smile.

“So are you.”

Daniel walked into the kitchen, loosening the sleeves of his shirt.

“I had work to finish.”

His eyes moved toward her face briefly.

“You didn’t sleep much.”

It wasn’t a question.

Isabella looked away.

“I’m fine.”

Daniel sighed softly.

“You should stop saying that when it’s obviously not true.”

A small silence followed.

Then Isabella forced a lighter tone.

“You sound like an old man.”

That earned the faintest smile from him.

“And you sound stubborn.”

For the first time in days…The atmosphere felt almost normal.

Almost peaceful.

But deep down…Neither of them truly relaxed.

Because reality was still waiting outside that apartment.

And both of them knew it.

Across the city.

Andrew Collins stepped out of his car in front of Collins Group headquarters.

The moment he appeared, the employees immediately lowered their heads in respectful silence.

“Good morning, Mr Collins.”

Andrew acknowledged none of them.

His expression remained cold.

But the moment he entered the elevator, the silence returned.

And once again…His thoughts drifted toward Isabella.

He felt annoying and his face turned cold.

For three years, she had quietly existed beside him without demanding anything.

Now suddenly…Her absence followed him everywhere.

The elevator doors opened.

Andrew walked directly toward his office.

But before he could enter, his assistant approached carefully.

“Mr Collins.”

Andrew stopped.

“What is it?”

The assistant hesitated briefly before speaking.

“We still can’t locate Mrs Collins.”

Andrew’s eyes darkened slightly.

“I didn’t ask you to locate her.”

The assistant immediately stiffened.

“My apologies, sir. I only assumed because the documents were refused again and…”

“Enough.”

His voice turned colder.

The hallway instantly fell silent.

Andrew entered his office without another word.

The door shut firmly behind him.

But the moment he sat down…something about the conversation bothered him.

We still can’t locate Mrs Collins.

Why did that sound wrong?

Isabella had always been easy to find.

Always waiting at home.

Always reachable.

Always there.

Now suddenly…She was gone.

Completely gone.

And for reasons he refused to examine too closely…That unsettled him.

Back at Daniel’s apartment.

Isabella sat across from him at the dining table, reviewing job listings on her laptop.

Her expression remained focused and determined.

Daniel watched quietly for a moment before speaking.

“You don’t need to rush into working immediately.”

“I do.”

Her answer came instantly.

“I can’t sit around depending on people.”

“You’re not depending on anyone.”

“That’s easy for you to say.”

The words came out sharper than intended.

Silence followed immediately afterwards.

Isabella closed her eyes briefly.

“I’m sorry.”

Daniel shook his head.

“You don’t have to apologise.”

But his expression softened slightly.

“I know you’re scared.”

That made her freeze.

Because she was terrified.

Not of motherhood.

Not of hardship.

But of failing.

Failing herself.

Failing her child.

Failing the tiny life depending completely on her now.

“I’ll figure it out,” she whispered.

Daniel studied her quietly before asking.

“Why didn’t you tell him?”

She already knew who he meant.

Andrew.

Her fingers slowly curled together.

“Because it wouldn’t change anything.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do.”

Her eyes finally lifted to meet his.

“Andrew doesn’t love me.”

The words were calm and steady.

But hearing that loud still hurts.

Daniel remained silent.

Because there was nothing he could say against that.

After all…Andrew himself had proven it.

Meanwhile…

Abigail Scott stood inside Andrew’s office, elegant and composed as always.

She placed a cup of coffee on his desk carefully.

“You skipped breakfast again.”

Andrew barely looked up from the documents in front of him.

“I’m busy.”

Abigail studied him quietly.

Then finally asked.

“Are you still thinking about her?”

That made his pen stop moving.

His eyes lifted slowly.

“What?”

“Isabella.”

Her name lingered briefly in the air.

Andrew’s expression changed instantly.

“There’s nothing to think about.”

Abigail smiled faintly.

“Then why are you distracted?”

That word made his office go silent.

She stepped closer carefully.

“You wanted the divorce.”

“I know what I wanted.”

“Do you?”

The question irritated him immediately.

Andrew stood up slowly from his chair.

His presence instantly shifted the atmosphere in the room.

It becomes cold, dominating and dangerous.

“Be careful, Abigail.”

But Abigail didn’t look intimidated.

Instead, she smiled softly.

“I’m just saying… You look more bothered than relieved.”

Andrew’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Then after a moment…“My personal life is none of your concern.”

Abigail looked into his eyes for a second longer before stepping back.

“Of course.”

But behind her calm smile…Something darker flickered briefly in her eyes.

Because this wasn’t part of her plan.

Andrew was supposed to move on easily.

So why was Isabella still affecting him?

That evening.

Rain began falling softly across the city.

Daniel stood near the kitchen preparing dinner while Isabella sat quietly on the couch reviewing apartment listings again.

The atmosphere felt calm and safe.

Until her phone suddenly rang.

Her expression changed instantly when she saw the caller ID.

Unknown Number.

For some reason…Her chest tightened.

Slowly, she answered.

“Hello?”

“Mrs Collins?”

Isabella froze slightly.

“This is Attorney Williams from Collins Group.”

Her fingers tightened around the phone immediately.

“What is it?”

“I’m calling regarding the final divorce processing. There are still financial assets assigned under your name.”

“I already said I don’t want them.”

A brief pause followed.

Then Attorney Williams said.

“Mr Collins insists.”

The words instantly made her expression harden.

“I don’t care what Andrew insists.”

Daniel looked toward her immediately, noticing the tension in her voice.

Isabella stood up slowly and walked toward the window.

“I signed the divorce papers. That’s enough.”

“Mrs Collins..”

“No.”

Her voice turned firmer now.

“I don’t want his money, his properties, or anything connected to him.”

Another silence followed.

Then the lawyer spoke carefully.

“Understood.”

The call ended shortly afterwards.

Isabella lowered the phone slowly.

Her breathing felt uneven suddenly.

Daniel approached carefully.

“Andrew?”

She nodded once.

“What did he want?”

“The same thing he always wants.”

Daniel frowned slightly.

“Control?”

A bitter smile touched her lips.

“Yes.”

Because even after the divorce…Andrew Collins still expected things to go his way.

Still expected her to accept whatever he decided.

But this time…She wouldn’t.

Daniel studied her quietly before speaking again.

“You know… disappearing like this is driving him crazy.”

That made her blink.

Then she let out a soft humorless laugh.

“He’ll survive.”

But somewhere far away…Inside the massive silence of the Collins Mansion.

Andrew stood alone near the window again.

His phone rested in his hand.

Unread messages open on the screen.

No replies.

No answers.

Nothing.

For the first time in years…Andrew Collins realised something terrifying.

He no longer knew where Isabella Carter was.

And for some reason…That bothered him far more than it should have.