The Unwavering Heart That Broke novel Chapter 1

On the day of their fourth wedding anniversary, Nathalie asked Lance for a divorce.

“Just because I spent the anniversary with Felice instead of you, you want to call it quits?” Lance’s eyebrows pulled together, a mix of confusion and disbelief on his face. “Nathalie, we’ve been together for eight years. Doesn’t that count for something?”

She gave a small nod. “There are a lot of reasons, but right now, this is it.”

Just last night, she’d made sure everything was perfect. The housekeeper had dinner ready, fresh flowers were in a vase, and she’d picked out a special gift for him. It was their little tradition every year. Every anniversary, they’d always celebrated in their own way.

Nathalie had even slipped into the new dress she bought, something a little daring, just for him. But right as she was unbuttoning it, Lance’s phone started to ring. On the other end, she could hear a woman sobbing.

Lance froze. He slid out of bed and walked straight to the bathroom. The shower started running while Nathalie lay there, skin burning, unsure what to do.

When he finally came out, she asked softly, “Can you just stay tonight?”

He was already dressed again, buttoning his shirt, his face tense. “Jasper’s running a fever. I need to check on him. I’ll be quick, I promise.”

He left right after that. Nathalie waited the whole night, staring at the door, telling herself he’d come back. But he didn’t. She was still up when Felice sent a message just before sunrise.

He always gave Nathalie the same reason. “Jasper is Jackson’s only child. Jackson’s gone now. As his uncle, I have to look after them. You understand, right?”

She used to convince herself he was just doing what was right, being responsible for Jackson’s son. But today, she realized she couldn’t pretend anymore.

Was all this about Jasper... or Felice? Who could say for sure?

Nathalie opened a drawer and pulled out the divorce papers she’d tucked away. Before she left, her eyes landed on their wedding photo hanging on the wall. In the picture, she was smiling so brightly. Four years of dating, four years of marriage, and now, this was how it ended.