Chapter 3: A Life Without Her

The next morning, Celeste's plane landed safely back in her home country.

As she stepped out of the airport, she inhaled the familiar air and felt an unexpected sense of relief.

For the first time in seven years, she wasn't rushing home to cook for Trevor.

She wasn't checking whether Jordyn had eaten breakfast.

She wasn't wondering when her husband would finally have time for her.

Everything that had once consumed her life was now thousands of miles away.

"Ms. Rodriguez!"

Her assistant, Mia Carter, hurried over and took her suitcase.

"Welcome back. I thought you were staying in Andostan for another week."

Celeste smiled faintly.

"My plans changed."

Mia noticed the tiredness hidden beneath her calm expression but wisely chose not to ask any questions.

"The board meeting has been moved to tomorrow. Several clients have also requested to meet you this week."

"Arrange everything as usual," Celeste replied.

"Yes, Ms. Rodriguez."

During the drive back to the city, Celeste looked out the car window.

The familiar streets reminded her of the woman she had once been before marrying Trevor.

Back then, she was confident, ambitious, and passionate about her career.

After marriage, she had willingly given all of that up.

She convinced herself that family mattered more than success.

Now she realized how much of herself she had lost.

Meanwhile, in Andostan, Trevor was preparing to leave for work.

As he walked downstairs, he instinctively glanced toward the kitchen.

For years, Celeste had always prepared breakfast before he woke up.

She knew exactly how he liked his coffee.

She remembered which foods upset his stomach.

This morning, only Hannah stood there arranging breakfast.

"Good morning, sir," Hannah greeted politely.

"Morning."

Trevor sat down.

After taking one bite of his toast, he frowned.

"The eggs are overcooked."

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Mrs. Fleming usually made them differently."

The words left his mouth before he even realized what he had said.

Hannah remained silent.

Trevor put down his fork.

For some reason, he suddenly wasn't hungry anymore.

At school, Jordyn excitedly told her classmates about her trip to the beach with Wynn.

"She's really nice," Jordyn said proudly.

"She even promised to take me to the aquarium this weekend."

One of her classmates asked, "Is she your aunt?"

Jordyn hesitated.

"Not really... but Dad and I like her a lot."

"Does your mom know?"

Jordyn lowered her head.

"Mom went home yesterday."

"Didn't she say goodbye?"

Jordyn shook her head slowly.

For the first time, she felt something strange inside her little heart.

That afternoon, Celeste officially returned to work.

As she walked into Rodriguez Group's headquarters, employees immediately stood up to greet her.

"Welcome back, Ms. Rodriguez!"

"We've missed you."

"Congratulations on the new overseas project."

Celeste smiled politely at everyone.

Inside the conference room, the board members were already waiting.

"Ms. Rodriguez," one director said with relief, "thank goodness you're back. Several major negotiations have been delayed because they insisted on speaking with you personally."

"Let's begin," Celeste replied confidently.

For the next three hours, she discussed investments, acquisitions, and future expansion plans.

Every decision she made was quick and precise.

The confident businesswoman everyone admired had finally returned.

Even Mia couldn't help smiling.

This was the Ms. Rodriguez she remembered.

Not the woman who constantly rushed home to wait for someone who never appreciated her.

That evening, Trevor returned home earlier than usual.

Jordyn immediately ran into his arms.

"Dad! Can we call Mom tonight?"

"Alright."

She happily grabbed her tablet once again.

Video Call...

Calling...

Then...

"The user is unavailable."

Jordyn's smile slowly disappeared.

"Dad... why isn't Mom answering?"

"She's probably still working."

"But Mom always answers my calls."

Trevor didn't reply.

Instead, he picked up his own phone and dialed Celeste's number again.

Switched off.

He frowned.

It had already been two days.

She had never disappeared like this before.

Later that night, Trevor opened the study drawer and looked at the divorce agreement once again.

This time, he read every page carefully.

Property division...

Financial settlement...

Custody arrangements...

Everything had been prepared thoroughly.

There wasn't a single emotional sentence.

No accusations.

No complaints.

No requests.

Only signatures.

It didn't look like something written in anger.

It looked like someone who had already made peace with her decision.

For the first time, Trevor felt a trace of panic.

"Could she really be serious?"

Just then, his phone rang.

It was Wynn.

"Trevor, don't forget the aquarium this Saturday. Jo has been looking forward to it all week."

Trevor remained silent for several seconds.

"We'll see," he answered.

"Is something wrong?" Wynn asked with concern.

"Nothing."

After hanging up, Trevor leaned back in his chair.

The villa felt unusually empty.

He suddenly realized that no one had reminded him to take his medicine today.

No one had asked whether he had eaten lunch.

No one had waited for him to come home.

Those small things had once seemed insignificant.

Now, their absence made the entire house feel lifeless.

Trevor slowly closed the divorce agreement.

He picked up his passport from the drawer beside him.

Perhaps...

He should go back and bring Celeste home before she did something she would regret.

Little did he know...

The woman waiting for him had already disappeared.

The Celeste who loved him unconditionally no longer existed.