Chapter 4

LISTOWELL'S POV

It’s been three days since I left the mansion. I had received a call from my butler that I had to come to the office as soon as possible. A rival company had something on my company, Gordon Inc so I had to rush out and get it sorted.

Later in the day, I received a call from Mr. Macinni, Wendy’s grandpa. I had a meeting with him and in the course, I lost my phone. I had wanted to call Lisa and inform her that I wouldn't be coming home but I stopped because I thought she might be angry with me.

I still can't wrap my head around her reaction, the other day. Our marriage is purely contractual, and she's aware of that.

Well, I’m home now, we can sort things out and if it is money she needs, I will triple it up for her.

As I walked through the front door, an unfamiliar scene greeted me. I was expecting to see Melissa standing by the door, her graceful smile playing widely across her face. She would have come to hug me and take my briefcase while asking if I had a great day at work.

But the entrance was unusually gloomy. Is she not awake? I peeped the time and it was 9 am. “She’s probably taking a shower” I whispered to myself.

A few steps into the mansion my heart skipped a beat.

Something’s different.

The usual scent of her favorite lavender candle is gone, replaced by the faint, sterile smell of furniture polish.

My eyes scan the room, and it hits me—the place looks exactly like it did before Melissa moved in. The colorful pillows she loved, the framed photos of us on the walls, even the throw blanket she always draped over the armchair—it’s all gone.

“What is the meaning of this?” I thundered, earning the immediate attention of the maids. They looked at me with a pityful look and I caught on instantly.

“Where is my wife!”

I rushed upstairs, taking the steps two at a time, my heart pounding heavily in my chest. The hallway was unusually quiet as I reached our bedroom door. I pushed it open, half-expecting to see her sitting on the bed, waiting for me with that familiar smile. But the room is empty. And not just empty—bare. Her clothes, her scent, every trace of her presence is gone.

I could feel a lump forming in my throat as I stumbled over to the closet. I yanked the door open, my eyes frantically searching for any sign of her. But it’s just rows of my suits, lined up like soldiers, everything meticulously in place as if she was never here.

“No…no, no, no…” I muttered under my breath, as reality dawned on me. She’s gone. Lisa is gone.

My legs felt weak, and I collapsed onto the bed, lots of unanswered questions hovering in my mind.

How could this have happened? I was only gone for a few days. I lost my phone—there was no way to call her, no way to explain why I had to leave so suddenly. Wendy’s grandfather had called me, insisting that I come to the countryside where there’s no network. I had no choice. I thought Melissa would understand, that she would wait for me, just as she usually does

I stood up abruptly, trying to shake off the shock. I need to find her. She couldn’t have gone far. I fumble for my phone, trying to dial her number, but it doesn’t go through. I try again, but the call fails once more. My frustration boils over, and I slam my fist into the wall.

“Where is she?!” I shouted, storming downstairs. The maids scatter as I approach, their eyes wide with fear. “Where’s Melissa? Did any of you see her leave?”

They shook their heads, murmuring that they didn’t see her leave. My anger flares, but I force myself to stay calm. Yelling at them won’t bring her back. I grabbed my butler by the arm as he passed by, pulling him close.

“Delay all flights out of the city by an hour, search every nook and cranny, and bring her to me. She couldn't have gone far,” I ordered, my voice cold yet steady. “I don’t care how you do it, just make it happen.”

He nods and rushes off, leaving me alone in the middle of the empty, lifeless house. I sunk into a chair, my hands trembling as I tried to process what’s happened. I never thought she would leave. Why does she have to leave now at all times?

“She can’t leave just like that!” I thundered through gritted teeth as I slammed a vase against the wall, scattering its components on the floor. My eyes were bloodshot, my knuckles white from my clenched fist.

Pain, loss, anger, betrayal and several other emotions coursed through me.

“What about the divorce? Isn’t she aware some paperwork needs to be done?”

At the thought of divorce, I rushed to the bedroom, and yanked my side of the closet door open to see the paper gone.

I was about to throw tantrums again when my gaze suddenly fell on a brown envelope by the bed. I approached it and immediately saw Melissa’s ring on the envelope.

My heart suddenly sank at the sight of the ring. Guilt washed over me as I realized she had indeed signed and left.

My eyes reddened and tears welled up in it as I stared at the graceful signature of hers embodied on the paper.

Why am I suddenly feeling this way? Why am I regretting ever telling her of the divorce? Why are my instincts telling me one thing and my heart otherwise?

I sat in my study, staring blankly at the walls. Lots of questions playing in my mind? How did it come to this? How did I let her slip through my fingers? My jaw tightened as I replay the last few weeks in my head. The arguments, the distance I put between us—was I too blind to see the pain I was causing her?

“No”, I said to myself firmly. She’ll come back. She has to. She doesn’t have the means to live on her own. She’ll realize she needs me, that I’m the only one who can provide for her.

But even as I say it, at the edges of my thoughts, I have doubts. What if she doesn’t? What if she is truly done with me?

I bury my face in my hands, trying to block out the nagging voice in my head. I should’ve been more careful. I should’ve told her the truth, I should have explained everything to her. But now it’s too late.

My phone buzzes, snapping me out of my thoughts. I grabbed it, hoping against hope that it’s her, but it’s just a message from my lawyer.

The divorce re-enactment.

I closed my eyes, the weight of the situation pressing down on me.

A bitter taste fills my mouth as I realize the full extent of my mistake. Maybe Melissa was just a pawn in my game. But she was something more, I don’t know what exactly but……

I stare at the empty space where her things used to be, the silence in the house is almost unbearable. "She’s coming back, I know she will" I whispered to myself.

I lean back in the chair, an unsettling pain in my chest, hoping they bring her to me soon.