Eight Years Married Was A Lie

Isabella’s Pov

On the day of my eighth wedding anniversary, I received a call from the school. My sevenyearold son, Jeremy, was found dead in the storage room.

He had died from an allergic reaction and the perpetrator was Hayden, the tenyearold son of my husband’s first love, Mia Dennis.

“Do whatever you want, Bella, Mia’s son has gone too far and I can't protect him this time,” my husband, Heron said, supporting me.

However, two days before the trial, the CCTV footage of the crime went missing.

“Drop the case, Bella,” Heron’s cold voice sliced through the air as I searched for the tape.

I froze, whirling to stare at him in shock, “W…what? How could you ask me that?”

He shrugged, “Taking this case to court won’t bring Jeremy back. Just drop it before you ruin two people’s lives.”

“Ruin two people’s lives? Our son is dead and he doesn't have a life anymore. How could you say this?!” I yelled at him.

Heron had dragged me and threw me inside the storage closet even though he knew I was scared of the dark and small spaces.

“Let me out of here!” I cried, pounding the door.

“I’m not letting you out until you rethink your decision!” he snapped.

True to his words he kept me locked up for two days with no food and water.

As I curled up on the cold floor, shivering and sobbing I realized I had lost my husband.

Even after eight years together, It will always be her and now it’s time for me to leave because he would never choose me.

—

On the third day he unlocked the door to find me shivering, my skin pale and my lips pale.

He offered me water and as I reached out to take it, he pulled his hand back and gave me a document instead.

“Sign it and you can have water to drink,” he said to me.

I stared at the form and my heart broke. It was a form of consent stating I was dropping my son’s case.

“I will never sign this, Heron, I’d rather die of thirst!” I snapped.

My eyes were filled with hatred as he sighed.

“Don’t make this thing difficult, Bella, just sign the damn form. The kid is dead, he's never coming back,” he hissed at me.

I stared at him like I couldn't recognize him, “You told me to seek justice! The kid is your son, Heron! Why are you doing this?”

“Listen if you go through with this Hayden will be sent to juvie and Mia will lose custody of her son. You're a mother, surely you don't want another woman to lose her child,” Heron said to me.

I scoffed, “I was a mother, Heron, but Mia and her son took that away from me. Why should I care if she loses her son when I've lost mine?!”

Heron sighed, “I didn't want to do this but you caused it.”

He showed me a video on his phone and I gasped, my eyes widening in horror.

It was a video of my sick mother, strapped to a chair and held over the edge of the cliff, her oxygen mask just out of reach.

Her face was pale and her lips were blue as she gasped for air, clawing at the empty space.

“What are you doing, Heron? She's the only person who’s ever taken care of me since I was born. How could you do this?” I cried.

“Sign the document and she will return back to the hospital and continue her treatment. So make the choice — your dead son or your adopted mother,” Heron sneered.

I grabbed the pen from his hand and scrawled my signature across the document.

“There! Release my mother now,” I yelled.

Heron smiled, “You’ve made the right choice, darling. Your mother will be waiting for you in the hospital.”

Heron picked up the document and left without sparing me another glance.

With tears filling my eyes, I tapped my phone, my heart raging with fury.

“Hello, it’s me,” I said once the call connected, “I accept your proposal but on one condition.”

“Anything, Princess,” the voice on the other line said.

“I will come back and take my place beside you but I need you to make arrangements for my adopted mother. She's very sick,” I stated.

“How soon do you want to return?” he asked.

“Two days,” I answered, hanging up the phone.

In two days I will leave Heron for good except I won’t leave him in peace, I will take away everything he's taken from me and leave him in pieces.

Isabella’s Pov

After the phone call, I managed to leave the storage room and drank a cup full of water.

I dressed up and took my tired body to the hospital. I wanted to tell my mom that we were leaving.

My adopted mom has been taking care of me ever since she found me at the orphanage.

My mother had died while giving birth to me. Six months ago I met my father by chance.

After the DNA test, it was confirmed I was truly his daughter. Overjoyed, he asked me to come back with him. He hadn't known my mom was pregnant with me when he traveled.

I had declined his offer because six months ago I was happy. I thought my husband loved me and my son was alive.

But three months after Heron’s first love suddenly appeared out of the blue after abandoning him ten years ago, he changed.

Mia and her son caused a lot of issues but Heron was always defending them. He said Hayden had just lost his father — Mia’s late husband so he was troubled and acting out.

Until he had my son killed, one week ago. I had seen it on the CCTV footage. How he forced grapes down Jeremy’s throat even though everyone in their class and the cafeteria knew my son was allergic.

I had seen how he shoved Jeremy into the storage closet and how he and his friends had clapped and laughed while Jeremy scratched the door, gasping for air.

By the time the teachers realized what was happening and found them, Jeremy was rushed to the hospital with a swollen face and hives but it was too late.

My poor baby was gone. He even had metal embedded under his broken nails from how hard he scratched the door.

Hayden had said it was a prank. Heron supported me to seek justice and when I showed the lawyer the CCTV footage he assured me my son will get justice.

But suddenly the footage had disappeared and Heron had switched sides. I struggled to understand how he could let someone get away with killing his son.

But I wouldn't try to figure it out anymore. I won’t try to stay either because I've lost the will to do that. All I wanted to do was to make Heron suffer.

I arrived at the hospital still freezing and I went straight to my mother’s ward but I was met with a shocking scene.

Standing above my mother was Mia, a smug smile playing on her lips.

“Get away from her!” I snapped.

Mia whirled around and stared at me, “Sure.”

It wasn't until Mia moved away that I realized she was clutching my mother’s oxygen mask and my mother was struggling to breathe.

“Give me that!” I snapped, trying to reach for it.

Mia raised a hand to me, “If you come any closer I’ll destroy it.”

I stopped moving and glared at her, “What do you want? Your son is free, leave me alone.”

Mia laughed, “I came to thank you. I also came to thank your mother, I didn't know she would be the reason you signed the document.”

I glared at her, “Your son will still get what is coming to him.”

Mia giggled, “Yeah, no, I don't think so because Heron loves me and now his father is dead there's no one stopping us from being together after ten years.”

I scoffed, “I don't care. Take Heron, he's all yours. Now get out!”

Her face morphed with anger as she stomped on the oxygen mask, crushing it beneath her feet.

All I felt was rage as I lunged toward her, slapping her hard.

Mia’s head snapped to the side and her lips split from the force of my slap.

“How could you?!” I yelled.

Mia laughed, “Walked right into it.”

Then Mia stumbled and purposely fell, hitting her head on the wall as she let out a shrill scream.

The door flew open immediately as Heron appeared, his eyes widening with shock.

“Heron, quick call the doctor. My mother —” I started to say when Heron cut me off with a sharp slap.

“How could you hurt her?!” he yelled at me.

I clutched my cheeks in shock, “She… she… my mother…”

“Save it!” he snarled, as he rushed and picked up Mia.

“I only came to thank her and then she attacked me,” Mia cried pitifully in his arms.

Heron walked out, crushing my mother’s oxygen mask underneath his feet without realizing it.

“If you touch her again, I’ll make you regret it!” he snapped.

Isabella’s Pov

“Mrs. Henderson, this can't happen again. If your mother loses oxygen one more time she might not survive.”

I blinked, nodding as I stared at the doctor as he rattled off various dos and don'ts.

After Mia left with Heron I had hurriedly called the doctor who replaced her oxygen mask immediately, stabilizing her blood pressure and injecting her with sedatives to rest.

“I’ll leave now,” he said to me.

I nodded and checked my phone. There was still time to achieve one more thing today.

My father had already booked our flight for tomorrow afternoon. I couldn't wait for my mom to get better so she could meet him.

I left the hospital and hailed a cab heading to a lawyer’s office.

When I arrived at the office I stated my business without wasting time.

“I’d like to file for a divorce,” I said.

The lawyer stared at me, “Names, please.”

I gave him my name and my husband’s name but he frowned.

“There’s no record of your marriage to Heron Henderson,” the lawyer said.

I shook my head and chuckled softly, “That has to be a mistake. I've been married to Heron for eight years.”

The man’s frown deepened, “There’s a marriage registered to Heron Henderson but you aren't his spouse. It’s Mia Dennis and they’ve been married for ten years. They even registered their son, Hayden Henderson under them.”

I shook my head, a bitter smile on my lips.

“How’s that possible?” I asked.

The man shrugged and showed me his laptop, “It’s there. There's proof of marriage certificate and birth certificate.”

I laughed, “So I've never been married to Heron all these years.”

“Is that all, Ma’am?” the man asked.

“There’s just one more thing,” I answered.

After I left the lawyer’s office, I clutched the documents in my hands and dialed a number.

“Hello, Wrights Real Estate, I have a property for sale,” I stated.

I completed the transaction over the phone and arrived at the mansion where I had lived with Heron for five years.

Three years after we got married I saved up enough money from selling off my clothing designs and I was able to afford this house.

I gave it to Heron as our fourth anniversary unknown to me that all this while he's been lying to me.

I walked inside the house just as I saw Mia and Heron hugging. They jumped apart at the sight of seeing me.

“Carry on, don't stop because of me,” I said.

“What nonsense are you saying, Bella! You hurt Mia and I was just consoling her. Are you here to apologize?” he asked.

I laughed and threw the documents in his face.

“Stop your act, Heron. I know everything. Mia is your legal wife and Hayden is your son. That's why you didn't care that Jeremy is dead,” I stated.

Heron caught the documents, his eyes widening with shock as he glanced through them.

“It’s not what you think, Bella, I can explain,” he said.

I scoffed, “Save it! You spent eight years with me when you were married to someone else. Guess how I found out, I went to file for a divorce and they couldn't find our marriage certificate so thank you for saving me to go through the hassle of having you sign the divorce certificate.”

Mia gasped dramatically, “Please, Bella. Don't fight on my account. I was supposed to marry Heron and we got married secretly when his father refused but he chose you instead. He has taken care of you, your sick mother, and Jeremy, you can't possibly want to leave him.”

Suddenly egged up, Heron snapped, “Yes! I took you in. You were just a wretched orphan and I took care of your mother’s medical bills. What happened with Jeremy was unfortunate but I’ll make it up to you.”

“I don't want anything from you, Heron. Just leave me and my mother alone,” I hissed.

“You have nowhere to go,” he stated.

I shrugged, “I’d rather sleep in the streets than be here with you.”

I went into the bedroom we've shared for years and packed up my bags. I trashed everything he's ever given me over the years as they all reminded me of his lies.

When I returned to the sitting room Heron was waiting for me with Mia.

He stood in my way, “Stop being so dramatic. You have nowhere to go. If you leave I’ll cut your mother’s funding to the hospital.”

I stared him dead in the eyes, without flinching, “I dare you, Heron.”

He looked startled and stepped away from me. As I passed Mia, she suddenly grabbed my hand.

“Please, Bella, don’t leave. I’ll leave instead,” she said.

I yanked my hand away and she gasped, falling dramatically.

Heron was beside her immediately as he glared at me, his eyes burning with hatred.

“How dare you, Bella?! If you want to leave then never come back but if anything happens to Mia’s pregnancy I won’t let you get away with it!” he snapped.

My breath caught in my throat as he picked up Mia and left while she gave me a smug smile.

So Mia is pregnant for their second child while they've killed mine.

Just one day left and I’ll make them regret all they've done.

Isabella’s Pov

After they left I imagined I would feel a twinge of sadness with everything I’ve just discovered in a day but all I felt was anger.

For eight years Heron betrayed me and let the woman he betrayed me with take away what mattered most to me — Jeremy, and they denied me justice.

I had no tears to give them, only anger and revenge. I picked up my suitcase and left the mansion, heading to the hospital.

My mother was awake when I arrived. She smiled warmly at me.

“I was wondering when you'd return,” she said weakly.

I smiled happily, tears clouding my eyes. Six months ago my mother’s health failed and she had to stay alive with oxygen and hospital machines.

“I’m so happy to see you awake,” I said, tearfully.

She smiled, “Oh my sweet girl, don't cry.”

I hugged her, finding comfort in her embrace. We stayed like that for a while before she released me.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

I shook my head, “I’m just so happy. Also, we’re leaving tomorrow, I have someone who would like to meet you.”

“Leaving? To where? How can you afford it, Bella?” my mom asked worriedly.

I shook my head, “Don’t worry about it. I'll be able to afford it. Just focus on getting better.”

I dozed off on my mother’s body until a loud cry woke me up.

It wasn't until I opened my eyes that I realized some men were dragging my mother roughly from the hospital bed.

“Stop it, let her go!” I screamed, trying to run toward her but some men held me.

“Shut up!” a cold voice sliced through the air.

I whirled around to see Heron staring at me coldly with Mia standing beside him, a smug look on her face.

Before them was their son, Hayden. As he stood beside Heron I could see he was his exact replica, I wondered why I hadn't noticed before.

The boy stared at me with a furious expression, “You evil woman! It was an accident. Why are you trying to kill me?”

I blinked, confused, “W…what is going on here, Heron?”

Heron stared at me with so much hate, I shuddered.

“How could you have Hayden kidnapped, huh?” Heron yelled at me.

“I didn't —” I started to say when Heron slapped me hard.

My head snapped to the side and I tasted blood but he didn’t stop.

He kept slapping me on both cheeks while my mother cried and begged.

“Please, spare my daughter. She didn't do anything!”

By the time he was done slapping me I was already kneeling on the floor, my cheeks swollen, my lips split, and my eyes seeing stars.

“I didn't do it!” I hissed out in pain.

“How dare you deny it?! The men were arrested and they confessed you sent them. Even the ransom money was paid into your account,” Heron said.

He shoved his phone toward me and through blurry eyes, with tears clouding my vision I was able to see the money deposited in my account.

“It’s not mine… I don't know how… Heron, you know I would never hurt a child,” I choked out.

Heron stared at me, his gaze suddenly wavering when Mia suddenly cried.

“Please, spare my son, Bella,” Mia suddenly cried dramatically.

Heron’s face hardened, “You are a disgrace, I wish I never married you!”

“Well, you never did so you got your wish!” I retorted, furious.

“Yeah, well, maybe it’s ‘cause I know you're unfortunate and that's probably why your son died!” Heron snapped.

My mouth hung open in shock as I glared at him. The remaining feeling I had for him died at that instant.

I stood up, wobbling slightly, “My son wouldn't have died if it wasn't for your whore!”

Then before anyone could react, I yanked Mia’s hair and slapped her.

Mia let out a shrill scream just as Hayden joined, crying.

“Leave my mom alone!”

“Have you gone mad, Bella?” Heron yelled, kicking me in my stomach.

I gasped as I sprawled on the floor, clutching my stomach.

“You want to show me you're wild, I'll teach you a lesson. Lock up her mother till morning,” Heron stated.

“No! She can't be without oxygen for long,” I cried, but they grabbed me and took my mother away.

“This is a lesson!” Heron snapped.

I ran after them but it was futile. They left as I banged the door with my mother inside.

“It’s alright, Bella, I’m fine,” my mom whispered behind the closed door.

But we both knew she wasn't fine. I stayed with her for two hours when she started gasping for breath.

That was when Mia arrived, smiling wickedly.

“Heron had a change of heart. He said I should give you this key,” she said.

As I scrambled to get the key, she tossed it outside into the fields.

“Oops, guess your mother will die now,” she chuckled wickedly and left.

I ignored her and went to the fields to search for the key but it was futile.

I was able to gather some people who tried to break down the iron door.

But by the time they could get to my mother, the doctor declared her dead from lack of oxygen.

I stood in the middle of the room, my mind blank and my heart numb.

The following morning I took my mother’s ashes and left for the airport after sending a quick text message.

‘I’ve received the money. The house is yours.’

When I arrived at the airport, I stared at my mother’s flight ticket and a tear rolled down my cheeks.

They've taken everything from me now they'll feel ten times the pain I felt.

Heron’s Pov

I woke up the following day and tiptoed out of the bedroom. I wondered if Bella had returned during the night and seen Mia lying on my chest.

However when I got to the guestroom it was empty. I frowned, it’s possible she didn't return and spent the night in the hospital.

I got dressed and went to the hospital but I couldn't find Bella or her mother.

Then I went to the doctor, my face already morphing into a frown.

“Where’s Bella and her mother?” I asked.

The man stared at me like I’d grown two heads, “What do you mean? Her mother is dead and she left this morning.”

I gasped, reeling back with shock, “Her mother is dead? But I asked that she be released. I sent Mia. How did you let her mother die?!”

The doctor frowned, “I didn't let her die. She was locked up all through and before we could break the door she was already dead.”

I frowned, dialing Bella’s number but it kept going straight to voicemail.

I left her a series of messages but none of them were delivered. That was when I realized she's blocked me.

I called my police friend immediately and the call connected immediately.

“I need you to help me find Isabella, she left the hospital this morning and I can't reach her on the phone,” I said.

“Alright, I’ll let you know when I find something,” he said and hung up.

I left the hospital and went back home. I confronted Mia immediately I stepped inside.

“How could you? I gave you the key to release Bella’s mother, why didn't you? Now she's dead!” I snapped.

Mia started crying immediately, “I went to meet Bella but she attacked me and said she didn't want my help. I left there out of fear for our baby and I forgot to give her the keys.”

I sighed, suddenly realizing it wasn't Mia’s fault. I pulled her into my arms.

“Bella is so stupid and stubborn now she's lost her mom!” I snapped.

“Oh that's so sad. Let me go console her,” Mia said but I stopped her.

“There’s no need, Bella is gone,” I said.

Mia frowned, “Gone? Gone to where?”

“She left and blocked me. I don't know where she is,” I admitted.

Mia gasped, “Oh no! This is all my fault. I'll get Hayden now and we’ll leave so you can work things out with her.”

“That’s not necessary, Mia. Bella will return; she probably left to cool off. She’ll be back and we’ll work things out and give her mother a befitting burial,” I said.

Just then the doorbell rang. I went to answer it and was surprised to see unfamiliar men in suits.

“How may I help you?” I queried.

They handed me some documents.

“We’re just here to make it official. You have twentyfour hours to vacate this house,” one of them said.

I scoffed, “What nonsense are you saying? This is my house.”

“Not according to those documents,” they said.

I checked the documents they handed me and I gasped.

The house was registered under Isabella’s name and it stated that she sold it.

“But… but… how could she…” I stuttered.

“Take it up with your lawyer if you don't want to leave but mind you, you'll lose,” they said and left.

I stood outside holding the document in hand, my mind spiraling with confusion.

I know Isabella had bought this mansion five years ago but she had gifted it to me, how had the house been in her name and why did she sell it and where the hell is she?!

Mia walked up to me, “What’s wrong? Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?”

I gave her the documents and she gasped, “This is all my fault. I never should have returned.”

I frowned, holding her possessively, “Don’t say that. We’ll handle this and when I find Bella I’ll teach her a lesson. She's just acting out.”

“But where are we going to live?” she asked me.

“Get packing. I'll go buy us a house,” I said to her.

I left the house and called a realtor. I found a bigger mansion and tried to make payment but my transfer couldn't go through.

“Hold on a sec, I’ll be back, let me quickly rush to the bank,” I told the realtor.

I went to the bank only to be met with shocking news — my account has been frozen.

I called my secretary immediately.

“What’s happening to our accounts?” I yelled at her.

“I thought you knew, sir, the Hudson group withdrew all their investment and liquidated all assets with us now we’re slowly going bankrupt as the bank has taken over a part of our company’s account to pay for the loan we took,” she explained.

The phone fell from my hands as realization suddenly dawned on me.

My company was going bankrupt and I was homeless.