Countdown to "I Do" novel Chapter 3

**Midnight Roads Unseen by George Orwell**

**Chapter 3**

That night, Adrian did not return home.

Isabella found herself in the dim light of their bedroom, surrounded by memories that now felt like shackles. She meticulously gathered every item that reminded her of Adrian—photos capturing fleeting smiles, gifts that once felt meaningful, and a small button he had carelessly discarded, which she had cherished like a secret treasure. With each piece she tossed into the cardboard box, a weight seemed to lift, yet the ache in her chest remained.

But then, her hand brushed against something soft and delicate—a tiny pink baby outfit. The fabric felt like a whisper of what could have been, and in that moment, her composure shattered. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched the outfit tightly, memories flooding back to her.

When she first learned of her pregnancy, excitement had coursed through her veins. She envisioned their future together, dreaming of their wedding and the life they would build as a family. But now, the three-month-old fetus, once a symbol of hope, lay extinguished by Adrian’s actions.

Isabella fought against the sharp, piercing pain in her heart, the kind that felt almost physical. With a heavy sigh, she lifted the overflowing box and marched to the trash can, where she unceremoniously discarded it.

The remnants of their love—gone.

And with it, her love for Adrian—also vanished.

The following day, Isabella made her way to the Foster Group, her mind made up. She was determined to quit.

Adrian’s life had been a series of unfortunate events—disabled, stripped of his inheritance, and overshadowed by an illegitimate son who had taken his rightful place. But when his legs healed, he had thrown himself into a high-stakes performance agreement, a gamble that required him to double the company’s revenue within three years to reclaim his lost status.

In a bid to support him, Isabella had thrown herself into the role of his secretary, attending business dinners that stretched late into the night, drowning her sorrows in drink until her stomach protested, and working until she fainted from exhaustion.

All of it had been for love, she had convinced herself.

But in the end, what had she truly gained?

At least now, she vowed, she would never be so naïve again.

As news of her resignation spread through the office, a wave of disbelief washed over her colleagues.

“Isabella, are you truly leaving?”

“Please, reconsider! We’ve been a great team!”

“Why the sudden decision? You trained us all; we can’t function without you! And Adrian—he needs you!”

He needs her?

Isn’t he managing just fine without her now?

A self-deprecating smile crept onto Isabella’s lips as she pondered their words.

“I’m really leaving. I’ve been worn out for years. It’s time for me to take a long, well-deserved break.

“No one is irreplaceable. You’ll all manage, and Adrian… he’ll be okay too.”

After bidding farewell to her bewildered coworkers, Isabella stepped out of the office, clutching a box of her personal belongings, each item a fragment of her past life.

Later that day, as she settled into the silence of her home, her phone rang.

Adrian’s voice came through, laced with disbelief. “You quit?”

Isabella’s tone was steady, betraying none of the turmoil within. “Yes. I’m getting married. There’s so much to prepare, I can’t continue working.”

Adrian didn’t pause to consider her words deeply; he assumed she had accepted his proposal and was now busy with wedding plans.

“I’m sorry, but I have a project that requires me to travel for business. I won’t have time to help with the wedding.”

Before she could respond, a sweet, soft voice interrupted from the other end—Ella’s voice.

She felt weak, the life force draining from her with each passing second. As the blood continued to flow, her vision blurred, and she succumbed to unconsciousness.

When she awoke, the sunlight streaming through the window signaled it was already noon the next day.

Pushing herself up, she felt an urgency to check on Adrian’s condition.

But as she approached his hospital room, she overheard him speaking with Julian.

“Adrian, you were hurt so badly for Ella, and yet she abandoned you again! If Isabella hadn’t given you blood, you would have died! Can’t you see Ella for who she really is and treat Isabella right?”

A silence lingered before Adrian responded, his voice low and defensive. “Ella just had a kidney transplant. She’s not well. It’s understandable that she didn’t donate…”

Julian’s incredulity was palpable. “Ella’s not well? What about Isabella? Look at what she’s sacrificed for you over the years! You treat her so poorly. Are you really not afraid that she’ll leave you for good?”

Adrian’s tone was firm, unwavering. “She won’t.”

“Isabella loves me deeply, just as I love Ella. She would never leave me.”

Isabella stood frozen outside the room, her heart shattering at his confident declaration—*“She would never leave me.”*

The pain was suffocating, like a dull blade pressing down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

So this was what it felt like to be favored, to live without fear.

But Adrian, you are mistaken.

I no longer love you.

This time, I will leave you for good.