Divorce And Shine: Too Late To Say Sorry

"You're pregnant."

That single sentence kept repeating in Caitlin Hewitt's mind like a quiet hum she couldn't shut off. She sat frozen, staring blankly ahead as the soft sound of water running in the bathroom filled the room.

Behind the frosted glass, Isaac Mason's tall frame moved in and out of view.

She and Isaac had been married for two years, always careful, always using protection-except once.

There was only one slip-after a business dinner, when Isaac came home drunk. It had happened just that one time, and now here she was, carrying a baby.

The bathroom door creaked open, letting thick steam roll out into the bedroom. Isaac stepped out, water still clinging to his skin, a towel slung low around his waist. His toned body loomed over Caitlin, each step bringing him closer until his sculpted abs were just inches from her face.

He leaned down, the scent of soap and heat wrapping around her, and slid a hand beneath the hem of her nightgown.

Caitlin tensed. She caught his hand and held it firmly. Her eyes lowered, her voice soft and trembling. "I... I don't want to."

There was still a flicker of heat in Isaac's gaze, but he pulled away without a word. He gave her a quick kiss, and then disappeared into the walk-in closet.

Her thoughts tangled even more, spiraling in chaos.

Everything between them had started with one reckless, wine-fueled night-her first time. Isaac had promised to make it up to her in some way, but back then, she hadn't taken his words seriously.

Then, his grandfather had fallen seriously ill, and in a rush to fulfill the old man's wish, Isaac came to her with a proposal-not of love, but of convenience.

Around that time, the Hewitt family's garment business had collapsed, dragging them into a pit of debt. Her mother struggled just to keep things going and ended up falling ill. They needed help badly.

And Isaac... he was the man she'd secretly loved for years. So despite everything, she agreed to the unthinkable.

They signed the prenup, filed the paperwork, and officially became husband and wife.

There was no ceremony, no vows exchanged. And from the beginning, both had agreed-no kids.

Just like that, two quiet, distant years went by.

Never in a million years did Caitlin think she'd one day be carrying Isaac's baby.

After mulling it over, she knew she couldn't keep it to herself. No matter what their marriage looked like, this child was theirs.

Isaac was still in the closet when his phone, left carelessly on the bedside table, began to buzz.

The name glowing on the screen made Caitlin's chest tighten-Emmalyn Rowe.

The one woman Isaac had always loved... but never truly claimed.

The closet door eased open, and Caitlin instinctively turned her face away, trying to hide the hurt in her eyes.

Isaac stepped out in a fresh set of pajamas, his hair damp and slightly tousled. The soft lighting made his handsome features look even more unreal-almost dreamlike.

He caught sight of her weary face and the quiet glisten of tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. Walking over, he gently cupped her cheek, his voice unusually soft. "You don't look well. Want me to call the doctor?"

Caitlin shook her head. She was about to speak, to finally say what had been weighing on her chest all day, but before a single word could escape, Isaac's phone buzzed again.

He gave the screen a quick glance, and then, without a word, turned and walked out onto the balcony. The glass door slid shut behind him with a soft click, leaving Caitlin on the other side.

A while later, he returned. This time, he didn't linger. He went straight back into the closet and came out wearing a crisp white shirt and tailored slacks.

He was leaving. No doubt in her mind-he was going to see Emmalyn.

Caitlin's heart sank. She couldn't stay quiet anymore. Watching him grab his car keys, she called out, "Isaac... it's late. Do you really have to go now?"

He turned around, a familiar smirk tugging at his lips. His deep-set eyes shimmered with quiet amusement. "What? Don't you want me to leave?"

That smile. It was the same one that used to make her heart flutter back in their younger days, when everything between them still felt new. That same crooked grin that made her fall harder, even now when she knew better.

Her heart jumped, and she quickly chased after him. "I... I have something important to tell you."

She wanted so badly to tell him that he was going to be a father. Maybe, just maybe, it would change something between them.

But Isaac didn't stop long enough to listen. "Let's talk tomorrow," he said casually, already turning away.

Moments later, the sound of his car engine hummed up from downstairs, slowly fading into the night.

Caitlin stood frozen for a long time before her lips parted and a whisper escaped. "Okay."

No one answered her. Her voice disappeared into the silence, just like all the unspoken feelings she'd been holding inside for so long.

That night, sleep refused to come. Caitlin lay in bed, eyes wide open, staring into the darkness. Then, sometime past midnight, her phone rang beside her pillow.

It was her aunt, Phyllis Hewitt. "Caitlin." Her voice trembled on the other end. "Your mom's condition has taken a turn. It's bad. The doctor says... she needs emergency surgery."

Caitlin's exhaustion vanished in an instant. She bolted upright from the bed. "I'll be there right away!"

"Don't come just yet," Phyllis said gently. "We still don't have a way to pay for the surgery."

Caitlin froze halfway through grabbing her coat. "How much is it?"

"Five hundred thousand, just for the operation. But with post-surgery care and medication... it'll be at least a million."

Her voice softened, laced with quiet desperation. "Caitlin, we've already drained everything to pay off old debts. Why don't you ask Isaac? He's family, isn't he? He wouldn't ignore us."

"Alright. I'll figure it out."

As soon as the call ended, Caitlin immediately dialed Isaac.

The call rang just once before it was declined.

She redialed.

While waiting, a news notification popped up on her screen.

"Mason Group CEO Drops 10 Million on Luxurious Yacht for Actress Emmalyn Rowe's Birthday Bash."

The picture attached showed a gleaming, opulent yacht with Emmalyn's name elegantly carved into its side.

As she scrolled further, her eyes landed on a photo-a tall, familiar figure with his arm loosely wrapped around a woman in a glittering gown. Even though their faces weren't fully shown, the closeness between them said it all.

Caitlin stared blankly at the screen. So it was true. He really was with Emmalyn.

Ten million-a sum that could have saved her mother's life-had been casually spent on a birthday gift.

It wasn't until she had called him a thousand times that Isaac finally answered. His voice was clipped and impatient. "What now?"

Caitlin's mind spun with flashing images-his back turned coldly on her, his arm around Emmalyn, his distant eyes.

Her lips parted, but she couldn't bring herself to mention her mother's condition. Instead, the words that came out were off-topic. "Where are you?"

There was a pause, and then his voice came back, more irritated than before. "Where do you think? I'm in a meeting."

Liar. He wasn't in any meeting; he was celebrating with Emmalyn.

At the thought of her mother fighting for her life, Caitlin swallowed her pride and forced herself to speak, tears stinging her eyes. Her voice was shaky, her throat tight. "Isaac, my mom, she..."

Before she could finish, he cut in. "Caitlin, I'm busy. I don't have time for your drama."

And then-click. He hung up.

The empty tone droned in her ear as she stared down at her phone, numb. Every part of it disgusted her.

Isaac's lies. His relationship with Emmalyn. His indifference. But most of all, she hated herself-for still caring. For still reaching out. For still hoping.

How could she be so blind for so long? How many times had he proven he didn't care, and how many more would it take? The bitter realization sank in as her stomach twisted.

She stumbled into the bathroom and gripped the sink before vomiting violently. Tears spilled without permission, hot and fast, as the weight of everything crashed down.

Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined sinking this low. Reduced to begging for kindness from someone who saw her as nothing more than an inconvenience. She felt like a stray-bruised, unwanted, scraping for crumbs while others feasted.

Leaning against the sink for support, Caitlin stared at her reflection in the mirror.

At twenty-six, she was still young. While she didn't possess the dazzling beauty of a movie star, there was a quiet, understated charm about her-something uniquely her own.

Yet, the past two years had taken their toll. Her body had withered away, collarbones protruding sharply, her complexion ghostly, and the spark that once shone in her eyes was now gone.

She wiped the fog from the mirror and whispered to herself, "This wasn't how it was supposed to be..."

Once upon a time, she had been a rising star in the design industry-brilliant, full of potential, and brimming with creative energy in everything she did.

But she had sacrificed her dreams of becoming a successful designer, married Isaac, and settled into the role of a mere assistant beside him.

For two years, she had clung to Isaac, living in a shadow of herself, with no dignity left to hold on to.

Caitlin dropped her gaze and dialed Phyllis.

"Aunt Phyllis, I have over a hundred thousand in my account. Use that for now. I'll find a way to cover the rest."

Caitlin stayed awake the entire night, going through her old possessions-college awards, magazines featuring her work, and certificates she had earned.

At dawn, she arrived at Mason Group, exactly on time.

Her role as an administrative assistant had been Isaac's idea, but all she ever did was deliver coffee and run errands. She was never included in anything important, never invited to meetings that mattered.

Over time, people stopped noticing her altogether; she became just another invisible face in the office.

When she first joined without going through the normal recruitment process, her sudden arrival had raised quite a few eyebrows. Rumors spread like wildfire. Some whispered that she'd used her looks to land the job, others claimed she was secretly related to the Mason family, and a few even speculated that she was some higher-up's mistress.

But as time went on, and they saw her handling only menial tasks without a hint of anger, their disdain for her became more and more apparent.

Robert Kirby, Isaac's personal assistant, was one of the offenders.

After a meeting with Isaac, Robert tossed a file onto her desk with a smug look. "Here's next month's project proposal. Take it to Mr. Mason for his signature."

Caitlin had grown used to it. Without a word, she took the file, her resignation weighing heavily on her, and made her way to Isaac's office.

The door to Isaac's office was slightly ajar. Through the crack, Caitlin could make out two figures on the sofa, their voices carrying through the gap.

Caitlin raised her hand to knock but froze when she heard her own name.

"Isaac, tell me you're not falling for Caitlin?"

It was Vernon Jenkins, Isaac's childhood friend.

Isaac's voice followed, his tone dripping with derision. "As if."

Vernon laughed. "Then why haven't you just divorced her?"

Isaac replied without a care, "I'm used to the present way of life."

Caitlin's eyes flickered as she gripped the file in her hand, those words hitting her harder than she expected.

He had never loved her. Two years of marriage, and to him, it was just a habit.

Vernon pushed further. "So when do you plan on divorcing Caitlin?"

Isaac didn't hesitate. "When the time's right, I'll do it."

Vernon's tone shifted, the amusement gone. "Just letting you know-Emmalyn's not someone like Caitlin."

Isaac was clearly getting annoyed by how often Vernon brought her up. His voice turned sharp. "Obviously they're different. What, you like Caitlin or something? I could help set it up."

Vernon let out a dry laugh. "Nah, man. I'm not interested in someone you've already been with."

Tears pricked at Caitlin's eyes, her chest tightening painfully as if her heart was being squeezed.

She couldn't stand there any longer. Quietly, she turned and started to walk away.

But before she could take a step, the door opened wide suddenly. She hurried to wipe away the tears in her eyes.

Standing there was Vernon, clearly shocked to see her. "Caitlin?"

Within a heartbeat, Caitlin composed herself, her face settling into its usual calm.

She forced a polite, practiced smile and gave Vernon a slight nod. "Mr. Jenkins, I'm just here to drop off a document for Mr. Mason."

Vernon blinked, momentarily caught off guard, and moved aside without a word.

As she stepped into the room, her eyes briefly met Isaac's. The thick carpet muffled her footsteps as she approached.

She avoided his gaze and held out the file with both hands. "Mr. Mason, here's the proposal Robert wanted me to deliver. He asked you to sign it."

Her voice was clipped and distant, her posture straight and professional, as though she were speaking to a stranger, not her own husband.

A strange irritation stirred in Isaac's chest, though he couldn't figure out the reason.

Their marriage was nothing more than a secret, hollow agreement-no celebration, no vows, no real commitment.

But whenever Caitlin slipped into her role too perfectly, acting like none of it mattered, it unsettled him. As if she didn't care.

He took the document, gave it a quick glance, and signed it without hesitation. "Thanks," he said simply.

Caitlin accepted it and turned to leave, showing not the slightest hint of hesitation or regret.

Once outside, she quietly placed the signed file on Robert's desk.

Entering the break room, she reached for her phone and texted Phyllis, asking how her mother was doing.

Phyllis replied, saying her mother's condition was stable that morning, but warned her to arrange payment soon-the hospital was pushing for it.

Caitlin wiped away the sting in her eyes, took a shaky breath, and slipped her phone back into her pocket.

A moment later, a few employees entered the break room chatting casually.

They didn't see Caitlin tucked quietly in the corner and started talking without restraint.

"Did you hear? Emmalyn's back! The superstar herself."

"That's old news! Mr. Mason gifted her a yacht, and he even named it after her."

"He totally spoils her."

"Obviously! She's from the influential Rowe family, and she and Mr. Mason practically grew up side by side. If she hadn't gone abroad for her career, they would've been married a long time ago."

"But what's going on with Mr. Mason and Caitlin then? Someone saw her stepping out of his car once. Rumor is she's trying to seduce him..."

"Please. Have you ever seen Mr. Mason act like he actually likes her? Even if they did hook up, he's just messing around. Now that his real girlfriend's back, Caitlin's out of the picture."

"She needs a reality check. Who does she think she is, acting like she suddenly matters?"

...

The coffee in Caitlin's hand had gone cold, and her palm felt chilled.

Just then, the woman who had been the most sarcastic finally noticed Caitlin sitting quietly in the corner.

"Well, well, look who's been eavesdropping. Ms. Hewitt herself!"

Caitlin knew the voice. It was Leanne Barnett from HR, a known Emmalyn fanatic.

Honestly, most of what Caitlin had ever heard about Isaac and Emmalyn's history had come straight from Leanne's endless gossiping.

But she had no interest in hearing more. She stood quietly, picked up her cup, and turned to leave.

Leanne, however, wasn't finished. She stepped in Caitlin's way, smirking. "What's wrong? Can't handle the truth? When Emmalyn marries Mr. Mason, are you going to wish the ground would just open up and swallow you?"

Caitlin stayed silent, but Leanne's taunts only escalated. "Oh, I see what's going on. You're just here to be some rich man's toy. If it's not Mr. Mason, maybe one of the other older executives at Mason Group? Is that your type?"

Caitlin turned slowly, her eyes like ice. "Leanne. You'd better watch what you say."

Caitlin hardly ever raised her voice, but in that moment, something about her presence was enough to make the air feel heavier.

Leanne laughed and looked around at the others. "See that? She's getting all defensive now. I must've hit a nerve. Bet she's already looking for her next sugar daddy..."

Before she could finish, Caitlin's hand flew up and landed a hard slap across her face.

The crack echoed through the room as Leanne's head jerked to the side, a bright red handprint blooming on her cheek. She turned back slowly, eyes wide in shock. "Did you just hit me?"