CHAPTER EIGHT

ALARIC’S POV

It was a shock when I returned from my work trip from Columbus and found the house empty. There was no sign of her or her things. Even after pacing the house and calling her number, I still couldn’t reach her. At first, some of me believed she was playing hard to get. She wanted me to chase her and give her the attention she sought, but I couldn’t. I had told her from the very start that I would never learn to love her if she took my father’s offer to wed me to protect the family’s reputation. Growing up, I despised being seen as a tool, just a means to keep something together or in place, just like my parents did. Father was only with Mother cause she had me. After all, his family cared too much about reputations, and they would risk anything to keep the Wolfe’s name untainted. I never saw Isabella as desperate until she agreed to their offer without caring about how I felt or what I thought was right.

It was funny how the nerdy girl who made my heart flutter with her big glasses had morphed into a power-hungry adult.

Days passed, and she still didn't show up. I had people search for her to no avail until the day I opened my home g***l and found a message from her.

A divorce settlement. An address. And worse, the date was when I made the urgent trip to Columbus.

And I couldn't help but wonder if it meant she was gone. When days morphed into a month, I knew she wasn't returning. The house had lost its touch now. Its spark. Her vanilla perfume no longer lingered in the air. The bathroom rank that used to hold her hair products looked so empty with just my bath soap. Not even when I filled it with unwanted hair products did the slight ache in my heart leave? I found myself trying to replace everything she used to own. I bought a replica travelling bag, her body mist, oil and perfume, and even some dresses I knew she would like, but it didn't feel the same.

If only Isabella hadn't married me out of desperation for money and power. I would have asked her out if she had waited until the right time. If only….

A knock on the door pulled me back to the present. I was sitting in my office, tapping my right second finger on the table. I watched it open, and Henry stepped in.

“Sir. I have news of Mr Carl’s whereabouts.”

I paused. “Where?”

“An auction here in Alabama, sir. An insider at his company informed me.”

Mr Carl was exactly what the company needed and was the right man to invest here. He had the money, fame, and the right reputation to save this company hanging by a loose thread. The disappearance of Isabella had caused me a lot. I was missing work and meetings, neglecting business, and running whenever someone told me a brown-haired woman who looked like her was found somewhere. It had always turned out to be a false alarm, and soon, every investor was pulling out, saying they couldn't work with a man who couldn't keep family away from business.

How could anyone not be bothered that she was missing? Maybe kidnapped.

So tell me why I was sitting here and witnessing a perfectly healthy Isabella climb up the stage with grace and elegance. My heart fluttered a little for a while, and when her eyes met mine, I sent her a smile that signified that I had found her. She had ruined my perfect little life from the start and made herself visible in everything I did, from cheering for me at basketball matches to screaming in her lungs every time I played the school guitar. She must have thought I never noticed her stealing glances at me from my classroom window. Or when she would slip letters into my locker with the name anonymous. It felt good and satisfying.

That was why I was so pissed when she manoeuvred her way into marrying me. It must have meant she planned it from the start.

Imagine the shock on her face when I stood so close to her, a glint on my lips again.

“Missed me, wifey. Cause I missed you.”

I watched her jump in fear, and the darkness her eyes held was alarming. It no longer sparked for me.

“What do you want, Alaric? I have work to do.” She said, her voice firm and rigid. She sounded nothing like the soft Isabella I used to know. The one who would go on her knees begging to have me back.

Seeing how she meant it, my jaw tightened. I was angry, pissed to know I was the only one whose life had fallen apart during those years.

“What didn't you tell me? Where have you been? Is something going on, Isa? You can tell me.” My eyes searched her face. She looked prettier now. Her lashes were fuller, and her red lips were slightly parted. I could hear her soft breathing. The way she swallowed saliva. My breath was stuck for a second. It felt as though she was certainly a new person. Our gazes were glued for a while before she looked away again, then back at me.

“Firstly…” She cleared her throat. “My business is mine. Secondly, as my ex-husband, I would appreciate it if we don't meet in the future, and I’m sure you would love that too.” She informed me and turned around to leave.

In a second, I was grabbing onto her arm, my heart hammering against my chest.

“What do you mean? I don't remember signing the document.” My voice trembled.

“Then do just that, Mr. Wolfe!” She screamed. Her neck veins were standing. “My life is so much better without you, and I will be damned to let you back into it.”

I froze. I was speechless. Isabella wasn't kidnapped over the years. She had left. She had grown.

“Isabella, please…”

“Miss Crawford is the right word, Mr. Wolfe.” She reprimanded and pulled her arm free. “I would appreciate it if this doesn't happen next time. My lawyer will get in touch.”

She stepped away before I could grab her, and my legs were as heavy as steel. She still used the same Vanilla perfume. She still smelt the same. My heart was bleeding as I watched her leave, and not for once did she look back. Not for once did she run back into my arms, and in that second, I felt a stabbing pain course through me.

I had hurt her. Broken her till there was nothing left to break. I felt miserable because I knew I had lost her just because I refused to forgive her and make us work. I had pushed her too far by making her jealous by letting Elena in.

Soon, she was out of sight, but I couldn't stop staring at the space. I was a fool. I was…

Was she dying? Was that what that man meant by she needed a checkup?

Henry tapped my shoulder from behind.

“I found Mr Crawford, sir. He is about to leave.”

Even though the words were supposed to stir something in me, they didn't. I was broken more than I could take. Isabella didn't care anymore.

“Let him go, Henry. Just let him go.” I whispered, clenching hard on my teeth.

“But sir, we had waited for this for a long time. You know he is the only one who might invest in us and….”

“Shut up!” I yelled, breathing heavily as I turned at him. “Shut the fuck up, and look into this exhibition. I want to know how she got here. Where she has been all those while. Look into everyone who came here, and find me the doctor. Look into everyone around her, and I need to know everything.” I was panting. My mind was reeling with a lot of things.

Henry stared at me, confused. “Who, sir?”

“My wife. The one who gave the speech just now.”

“Oh!”