Isabella - Prologue - Chapter 1

Ashley bit down on her bottom lip nervously and looked over at the clock.

It was half past nine. Three hours haves passed since Dante should have been home.

She stood up from her seat and started fiddling with her fingers, staring out the window every few seconds.

Where is he? She thought as she listened for the sound of a car driving in. He has never been home this late before. He didn't even call.

Ashley knew that she sounded like a clingy wife right now but she couldn't help but worry for her husband's safety. He was never one to come home late but yet, three hours have passed and he still wasn't home.

She took her phone off the table and stared at the screen.

Zero new messages.

A small groan escaped her lips and she stared at the window, as if her husband was going to magically appear right before her. She sat down on the couch again and turned on the T.V. hoping that it would keep her mind occupied.

The sounds coming from the T.V. did nothing to cease her worry. Ashley felt her heart beating faster and faster as the seconds passed. She breathed in slowly to calm down her breathing knowing that being stressed out wasn't going to help out her situation one bit.

A small noise emitted from her phone and she snapped her head down. A disappointed sigh came out of her lips when she saw that it was only her mother-in-law, reminding her of tomorrow's gathering.

The nerves grew even more now that she remembered that tomorrow is Dante's twenty-fifth birthday.

She still haven't gotten Dante anything yet but she planned on giving him news that would change their lives forever. She looked down at her stomach and smiled.

Placing her hand on her belly, she gently whispered to it. "Hello my little darlings."

Dante knew that they were expecting but what he didn't know that they weren't just expecting one. They were expecting two babies.

Two miniature versions of either Dante or her.

She was hoping for a boy who looked exactly like Dante with a few traces of her in him. Dante also hoped it was a boy so that he could help his father protect their younger girls from possible suitors. She knew that he would be happy with either a boy or a girl though.

All that matters is that their babies come out healthy and happy.

She closed her eyes and dreamed about her babies.

The birth of them, their first word, first step, first birthday.

She thought of all the happy memories that she and Dante would make with their two beautiful babies. How Dante and her would teach their children to ride a bike for the first time, how they would teach their children various sports to teaching them how to clean and cook.

She knew that she shouldn't be thinking that far ahead but she thought about their children's graduation and their prom night. How Dante would stare down their daughter's date and how she would fuss over her son's tux.

She thought of how Dante and her will sit in the porch and watch their grand kids playing in the sand.

That would her happy ending. That's how she wanted their lives to live out.

A sound of screeching tires snapped Ashley's out of her thought and she moved the curtains to look out the window again.

A huge grin made its way to her face when she saw that it was her husband's Audi. She squealed lightly and opened the door up, waiting for him to reach the steps.

As he came closer to the light, Ashley frowned when she didn't see the happy-go going smile that was usually plastered on her husband's face no matter how rough the day was. As he came to her, she leaned in to kiss him but met his cheek instead.

Thinking nothing of it, she took his blazer and hung it up. Turning around, she almost bumped into Dante, who was staring at her with the coldest look ever.

"Dante? Are you feeling okay?" she asked worriedly, putting her hand to his forehead.

He looked at her and took her hand, pushing it away from him. It was gentle but at the same time, had an underlined roughness to it. Ashley felt hurt when he did that but she quickly covered it up and sent him a smile.

"I have some news for you," she said, smiling brighter.

"I have news for you too Ashley," Dante's business-like voice rang through her ears and she frowned. He have never used that voice on her before.

"Well, why don't we sit down and you—"

"I want a divorce." Dante stated calmly, looking her straight in the eyes.

Ashley's eyes widened and she felt her heart beating against her chest rapidly. "What? Dante what did you just say?"

"Did I stutter? I want a divorce Ashley." He repeated again.

As soon as those words came out of his mouth, Ashley knew that her life would never be the same ever again.

Chapter 1

"Hi there. May I sit down?"

Ashley looked up from the book that she was reading and glanced at the man. Her eyes widened when she saw a handsome man standing in front of her.

With his dark hair and piercing grey eyes, he was a sight for sore eyes. His jaw was strong and slightly clenched while his lip was tugged upwards in a nervous smile.

She looked him up and down, biting down on her lip.

Ashley blushed as she looked up, seeing the knowing look on his face. She can't believe that she was caught checking him out.

She nodded her head quickly and hid her face behind her book. Ashley felt her stomach fill up with butterflies. She tried to focus on the book but it was hard to when a Greek god was sitting right in front of her.

"You know, you're being a little rude right now." She heard him saying as he took a seat across from her. He slammed his books down on the table making her jump slightly.

Ashley pushed her book down a bit and rolled her eyes at him before returning back to her book. She bit back a retort and tried to distract herself again.

"Did you not hear what I just said?" The man asked, annoyance lacing his voice.

Oh god. Even with an annoyed tone, he still sounds hot.

"Oh I heard." Ashley snipped back coolly with a small hint of a scowl. She read the first few lines of the chapter and sighed.

It was impossible for her to concentrate with him sitting there.

Her forehead became hot and she knew it was from his piercing gaze.

"Well, it would be polite if you would say something or even acknowledge me." He had a husky and deep voice.

It made Ashley's inside churn with unwanted desire and she did all that she could to not let that desire show in her eyes.

Ashley looked around the cafe. A frown marred at her face at the sight of the emptiness. She started questioning why on earth the man would sit near her when there were many other tables still available.

She turned back to the man and raised her eyebrows at him. "I didn't find a reason as to why I should acknowledge you let alone be nice to you. Now if you would excuse me, I would like to continue reading my book." She gave him a pointed look before returning back to her book.

"Harsh." He muttered. "Pride and Prejudice? You're into literature?"

Ashley groaned and glared at him over her book. "Yes. Do you have a problem with that?"

Though the man was good-looking, Ashley knew better than to associate with people like him. He had the whole playboy attitude and it would be troublesome to get involved.

"People like me? Now what do you mean by that, mia bella? Please, amuse me." he asked with amusement.

"A player." She replied coolly. "Someone who thinks he's above everyone else and who have no problems with breaking the hearts of many innocent and young girls."

She put her book down on the table and leaned back against her seat. She looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

He chuckled and then crossed his arm over his chest. "And how would you know that?" he picked up her book and flipped it around.

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Ashley glared at him.

She didn't like it when other people touched her stuff without asking.

"I just do." She snapped before snatching her book back.

"Feisty." He said with a wink before leaning back against his seat. "Well, that isn't right mia bella. Ever heard of never judge a book by it's cover?"

God he's such an annoying idiot. She thought to herself.

She watched as he raised his arm up, signaling for the waitress. His muscles flexed as he did so and she bit down on her bottom lip.

A hot idiot.

"A hot idiot you say?" he asked her in amusement.

Ashley cursed at herself for saying it out loud. Great. Just great. Now he knows that she was checking him out. Lord why must she always say things out loud?

A light blush made its way to her face and she glared at him before picking up her bag. Placing the book inside, she stood up and placed a twenty dollar bill under her coffee cup.

Sending a last glare to the man, she walked out of the cafe and into the fresh Californian air.

Ashley felt her whole world crashing down when he said that. Her heart felt like it was going to break into a million pieces and she could feel her head becoming lighter. Her eyes burned with unshed tears and her hands shook.

She backed into the wall and placed her palm on it, praying that that was enough to hold her up. "Dante. What do you mean? W-why would you want a divorce?"

"I don't love you anymore." He said coldly. "You're nothing to me." His cold and piercing grey eyes stared deep into hers.

Ashley let the tears fall.

He doesn't love her anymore?

"I don't understand. Dante, our children." She said softly, subconsciously putting her hand over her belly. "They can't live in separate homes. Whatever I did wrong, please tell me so that I can fix it. Our children need both of their parents."

Dante raised an eyebrow up at her. "Children? What do you mean by children? You don't mean?" he asked coldly.

Ashley nodded her head. She grabbed his hand and placed it over her stomach. "Yes, Dante we're having twins. I found out earlier today."

He gave her a cold look and roughly took his hand away. "Don't touch me." He hissed out at her.

Ashley whimpered and she backed up against the wall again.

Dante glared at her and took off his tie. "As for them, you don't have to worry. I'll sign away my rights. I don't even know if they're truly mine or not." He said before walking away from her.

"Dante wait! I don't know what's going on! What bought this upon you?!" Ashley shouted after him with her tears falling down excessively.

He paused for a second in his step. "I think you know exactly what I mean." He said coldly again but there was no mistaking the crack that was in his voice. "I trusted you." He said softly before leaving the house, slamming the door behind him as he left.

Ashley's knees buckled down from beneath her and she fell down. Loud sobs escaped from her mouth as her tears fell down one after the other. She buried her head into her hands and screamed loudly. She felt nothing but pain in her heart as it broke into tiny shards.

"What did I do wrong?" she asked herself out loud. Her hands reached out and touched the base of her stomach. Her heart broke even more if that was even possible knowing that there was a strong possibility that they won't even have a father.

She pushed herself up from the ground and winced in pain. She rubbed her stomach and sighed in relief when it went away. Wiping her tears, she told herself to calm down. Hiccups left her mouth and she let out a few more tears.

Using the walls as support, she started walking up the stairs and into her and Dante's room. Opening the door, she felt her heart constricting with pain as his familiar smell filled her nostrils. She let out a small sob before walking over to her bed.

She laid down on Dante's side and grabbed his pillow tightly. Inhaling his smell, she relished in it, knowing that possibly, this is the last time she'll be ever to be in the comfort of him. Tears continued soaking his pillow and she buried her head into it, sobbing softly.

She closed her eyes and prayed. Prayed that this was all just a nightmare and that she would wake up the next morning in his arms. Prayed that today had never happened. God how she wish it never happened.

A ring of the phone drew her away. She took her phone from the bedside and wiped away her tears. Without seeing who it was, she picked it up and answered it. "Hello?" she tried to hide any evidence in her voice that she was crying.

"Ashley? Sweetheart?" the voice of her best friend spoke up. "Are you okay? You sound like you were crying."

She felt herself tearing up again as she heard the words.

Never in her life has she hated the phrase 'are you okay' more than she did then.

"Mayla," her voice cracked and she clutched the phone tightly. Her eyes closed and tears continued to fall down.

They were endless and relentless. No matter how much Ashley willed they to stop, they wouldn't.

"Ashley what happened? Did you tell Dante the news?" Mayla asked her in a worried tone. "Did he not take it well?"

"I told him" she said quietly, "but."

"But what? What happened?" Mayla pressed on.

She wiped away her tears and took a deep breath. "Mayla, he wants a divorce."

There was a long pause at the other end. It was silent for about five minutes before Mayla spoke up again. "What are you going to do sweetheart?"

Ashley opened her eyes and stared at her wedding picture. She clutched the bed sheets tightly as she knew what she said next would impact her future for the rest of her life. "What is there to do Mayla? I'm going to give it to him.

Ashley woke up the next morning with a pounding headache. She groaned and clutched her head, sitting up on the bed. She looked over to Dante's side and frowned when she didn't see him laying there like he usually was.

Looking at the time, she frowned when she saw just how early it was.

He was never up this early. And if he was, he would always wait for her to wake up before doing anything else. So where was he?

She stood up from her bed and walked into the bathroom. Looking into the mirror, she cringed when she saw her red blood shot eyes and dark circles.

How did that happen?

Sighing, she started washing her face. Taking her toothbrush, she started brushing her teeth while rubbing her stomach with her other hand.

When she was done, she patted her face dry and walked into her closet. She put on some of Dante's sweats and one his t-shirts before walking down to the kitchen. "Dante?" she shouted out.

When she got no reply, she frowned and walked into the kitchen. When she didn't see him, she felt worry stirring in the pit of her stomach. She sat down on the table and grabbed the home phone. She quickly dialed his number and waited for him to pick up.

When it went straight to voice-mail, she frowned and placed the phone on the table. Putting her head into her hands, she prayed that wherever he is, he was safe.

When she removed her hands, she saw a white envelope sticking up from where the napkins were supposed to be. Curiosity took over her and she took the envelope. She grabbed the contents that was inside and she felt her whole body froze.

Legal Separation of Marriage.

The memories of last night flooded her brain and she felt the tears falling down again. Her vision blurred and her hands shook as she read through the divorce papers. She put her fist on her mouth to muffle her sobs. He had done everything. Had signed everything.

The only thing that was left was her signature on both the divorce papers and the custody. She snapped her eyes shut and prayed that this was just a dream. She pinched herself and cried even more when she realized that this wasn't a dream.

This was reality.

She looked to the side and saw a pen next to the napkin holder. Her hands reached out and took it. Ashley looked down at the papers again and did the only thing that she could do right at that moment.

She signed the papers.