Chapter 3
It took Lance ten seconds before his voice finally came through, a mix of uncertainty and barely contained excitement. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah," I replied.
"Where are you? I'm coming over right now," Lance blurted out, his voice tinged with a panic he didn't even realize he was feeling, and maybe even a hint of joy.
He'd been hoping for this baby for so long.
Jessie had been talking about it over and over.
What a pity.
It was too late.
"No need," I cut him off. "I just wanted to tell you."
"What do you mean?" Lance asked.
I stared at the distant gray sky, my words deliberate and clear. "I've booked an abortion for Friday. Since we're getting divorced, it's only right to tie up loose ends.
"I wouldn't want to leave any mess for you and Ms. Duke."
Without waiting for Lance to respond, I ended the call, cutting him off.
Lance always used our love to humiliate me. Now, I was using our child to cut off everything between us. It must hurt. But this was only the start.
Over the next two days, my phone was blowing up.
Calls came from Lance, Jessie, and even some relatives whose names I couldn't remember.
I didn't answer a single call. I switched my phone to airplane mode.
I checked into a cheap motel, sat down at the old computer, and started sorting out my thoughts and plans.
For the past ten years, I wasn't just a housewife stuck at home making dinner.
I was the unseen force behind Lance's company.
Back when Lance first started his company, he skipped hiring any legal or financial pros to cut costs.
Every contract went through me, and every account was handled by me.
I majored in finance with a minor in law, always at the top of my class.
For Lance, I'd given up a guaranteed spot in graduate school and turned down an offer from one of the world's top accounting firms.
Every single shady transaction in his company's early days passed through my hands.
To put his mind at ease, I didn't even keep a single paper trail.
He thought I was stupid, that I was so in love with him that I'd lost all sense.
He couldn't have been more wrong.
My biggest asset was that I never forgot a thing.
Every number, every loophole in those contracts, every shady move, etched in my mind, clear as day.
All of it had become my deadliest weapon.
It took me two days to compile everything I remembered into a thorough file.
After encrypting it, I sent it off to a special email address, one I had set up long ago, for a day like this.
On Friday, I showed up at the hospital right on time.
Outside the operating room, I spotted someone I never expected to see.
Lance was there.
He wasn't alone. Jessie, his ever-imperious mother, was right by his side.
Lance looked wrecked. Dark circles were etched under his eyes, and his expensive suit was all wrinkled, like he hadn't slept in days.
When Lance saw me, he rushed over in a blur, grabbing my arm tightly, his eyes red and wild with emotion.
"Celine, do you really have to go through with this?" Lance cried out, desperation in his voice.
His voice was raw, almost begging me.
Jessie was right on his heels, pointing straight in my face as she unleashed a fresh wave of insults.
She yelled, "You heartless woman, how could you be so cruel? That's the Mayer family's grandson. How could you? How dare you do this to him!"
Jessie, furious, lunged at me, trying to tear at me, but Lance quickly stepped in and held her back.
"Mom, that's enough," Lance cut her off, his voice urgent.
He turned to me, his voice softening. "Celine, let's go home and talk, okay? Please, let's not do this here. I know I messed up.
"I shouldn't have said those things about you at the party. It's all clear between Danielle and me now, and I..."
"Lance," I cut him off, my eyes steady as I looked at his hand gripping my arm. "You're hurting me."
Lance let go instantly, as if he'd touched a hot stove.
I stared at him, and suddenly, a bitter laugh escaped my lips.
I said, my voice flat and unforgiving. "You finally realize you messed up? It's too late.
"This isn't some emotional outburst. I'm dead serious."
I pulled out the divorce papers I'd prepared and slapped them right against his chest.
"Sign it," I said, my voice cold and unyielding.
Lance stared down at the papers, his whole body going rigid.
Jessie snatched the papers from his hands, and the moment she saw the section on property division, she shrieked.
She cursed, "Are you insane? You want Lance to leave with nothing? You shameless, greedy woman! Who do you think you are?"
Why? Because half of that company was thanks to me. For ten years, Jessie treated me as a housekeeper, and Lance tossed me aside like I was nothing.
I couldn't even be bothered to argue with Jessie. I fixed my gaze on Lance.
I said, "I'm only asking for what I deserve. The company is marital property.
"All the work and expertise I put in before it went public? That entitles me to a share. The judge will make sure of it."
Lance's face went pale.
He wasn't an idiot. He knew exactly what I meant.