After Divorce, She Shines

Isabella Capulet never imagined that the family camping trip she'd looked forward to for so long would end with her being abandoned in the wilderness.

After struggling through the night and finally catching a ride home with a kind stranger, she walked through her front door to find her husband, William Montagu, and Laura Smith sitting cozily on the sofa, with her son Nathan nestled between them.

The three of them were laughing and chatting about something, looking like a perfect family.

Isabella limped forward on her aching legs, finally catching Nathan's words clearly.

"I wish Laura could be my mom. I really, really want Laura to be my mom."

Laura smiled tenderly, running her fingers through Nathan's hair. "If that's what Nathan really wants, then I can become Nathan's mom right now."

"Really? Mom!"

Nathan practically bounced with joy, throwing himself into Laura's arms and calling her mom over and over again.

William watched them with the same doting, gentle expression.

Isabella felt her heart plummet to rock bottom, her eyes stinging as if someone had thrown sand in them.

All the physical pain in her body couldn't compare to even a fraction of what she felt in her heart.

When she'd given birth years ago, she'd nearly died from complications during the delivery of the twins. She'd literally risked her life to bring them into this world.

All these years, she'd sacrificed her career and dreams to focus entirely on caring for her two children and managing William's household.

But her son happily called another woman "Mom," completely unaware that he had left his real mother behind on the mountain!

And William wasn't even trying to stop it!

Isabella clenched her jaw and forced herself to walk into the room.

"Why didn't anyone wake me before you left last night?"

Her voice was angry, but her heart felt like it was being stabbed with razor blades.

Finally, the three of them noticed her.

William's handsome face immediately showed irritation, such a stark contrast to the gentle affection he'd just been displaying.

"You're fine, aren't you? Isabella, could you please stop being so dramatic?"

The pain in Isabella's eyes intensified as she asked bitterly, "That forest is full of wild animals. You left me alone out there. Didn't it occur to any of you that I might be in danger? Even if you had to leave, why didn't anyone wake me up?"

She'd only fallen asleep for a moment, but when she woke up, everyone was gone.

Alone in the wilderness in the middle of the night, with the occasional roar of wild animals echoing through the darkness.

No one knew how she'd huddled in that tent, shaking with terror and panic, afraid she'd die on that mountain and never see William and the children again.

All the hurt, pain, and betrayal crashed over her at once. If just one person had called her name, it would have made all the difference.

William's expression flashed with annoyance. "But you're fine, aren't you?"

Laura quickly jumped in with an explanation. "Isabella, if anyone's to blame, it's me. I suddenly felt sick last night, and when William and Nathan found out, they were so worried about getting me to the hospital that they forgot to tell you."

Before Isabella could respond, Nathan was already glaring at her accusingly.

"Mom, how can you be so selfish and heartless? Laura collapsed! Dad and I had to rush her to the hospital. Wasn't that the right thing to do? And now you're here blaming us for not waking you up."

Isabella felt all the fight drain out of her in that instant.

She could see it clearly now, the identical irritation in both father's and son's eyes, as if her words were some kind of unforgivable crime.

The wound in her chest felt like it was being torn open, cold wind howling through it, chilling her to the bone.

Ever since Laura had appeared, her relationship with Nathan had grown increasingly strained. Eventually, Nathan stopped sharing anything with her, choosing to confide in Laura instead. William spent less and less time at home, and their arguments became more frequent.

Isabella had planned to use this camping trip to repair her relationship with her family.

But because of one word from Laura, she could be abandoned in the wilderness without hesitation?

Last night, she'd even encountered wolves, which hunt in packs!

Those glowing green eyes had stared at her in the darkness. She'd nearly become their prey. If she hadn't had fire-starting supplies nearby to scare them off, she'd be dead right now!

They say that when people face death, their life flashes before their eyes. They would think about their biggest dreams and deepest regrets.

Her mind had gone completely blank in that moment, filled only with regret that she'd spent her entire life confined to love and family.

She still hadn't completed her flying car prototype. She still hadn't lived up to her mentor Marcus Murphy's faith in her. She'd promised Marcus she wouldn't let him down.

Isabella took a deep breath, her expression growing calm.

"William, I want a divorce." She spoke each word slowly but with unwavering determination.

Both William and Nathan looked momentarily stunned, while Laura could barely suppress the smile tugging at her lips.

Laura quickly spoke up, her voice full of self-reproach and hurt, her eyes nearly red with tears. "Isabella, divorce isn't something to take lightly. If my presence really caused your marriage to fall apart, I'd regret it for the rest of my life."

William's brow furrowed as he said coldly, "Isabella, you've mentioned divorce more than once. I don't have the patience to keep indulging these childish games."

Isabella's hands clenched into fists inside her sleeves.

She had threatened divorce before, but back then, she'd hoped it might make William pay more attention to her.

But this time was different, she was calm, with no ulterior motives.

"Have you ever actually indulged me?"

Isabella's sudden question hung in the air.

William pressed his lips together, looking increasingly impatient.

"How long are you planning to keep this tantrum going?"

He didn't answer her question, but Isabella already knew the answer—never. Not once.

William would only look down at her from his high horse, telling her he was too busy to deal with her.

But if Laura so much as stumbled, William would panic. Just like last night, one phone call from Laura had him driving through the night with Nathan to rush her to the hospital.

Nathan chimed in with his own displeasure. "Mom, could you please stop being so awful? We were all happy before you came back. Why do you always ruin our good mood?"

Isabella was quiet for several seconds.

Compared to William's words, Nathan's cut even deeper.

"After the divorce, Nathan can stay with you. I'll take Olivia."

Olivia Montagu was their daughter, Nathan's twin sister.

William let out a cold laugh. "Don't even think about getting custody of Olivia."

Isabella ignored his words, scanning the room frantically. "Olivia? Olivia?"

She hadn't seen Olivia anywhere since she'd come home.

"Olivia, where are you?"

Isabella called out several times, panic rising in her voice as she stared at William. "Where is Olivia?"