Chapter 2

That afternoon, I visited four different law firms.

Every single one gave me the same answer. "There's no prenuptial agreement and no postnuptial agreement.

"Even if he was the one who cheated, unless he agrees, there's almost no way you can force him to leave with nothing to his name."

My heart sank little by little.

This way wasn't going to work.

I had to come up with another plan.

My phone buzzed.

It was Barry.

"Honey, it's already ten. Why aren't you home yet?" he said.

His voice was gentle, and his tone was full of concern, just like always.

I clenched my phone so tightly my knuckles turned white.

I said, "I've got something to take care of. I'll be home soon."

After hanging up, I sat in the car for ten minutes before starting the engine.

When I got home, only one light was on in the living room.

Barry was sitting on the couch, looking at his phone.

He looked up when he heard the door.

I noticed him quickly turn off the screen and put his phone face down on the coffee table.

I never paid attention to that before.

Now, it looked like a clear sign of guilt.

Barry stood up and walked over to take my bag.

He asked, "Tired? Want something to drink?"

At forty, he was still in great shape, with thick hair, and carried himself with quiet confidence.

He looked like the perfect husband.

But a good husband wouldn't keep a mistress and have kids behind his wife's back.

I said, "No, I'm going to take a shower."

I didn't even look at him and went straight to the bedroom.

I could feel his gaze on my back as I walked away.

I could sense he was watching me closely, trying to figure out what was off about me today.

But he didn't ask.

People with a guilty conscience never have the guts to break the silence first.

*****

Two weeks later, the atmosphere between Barry and me had grown increasingly tense.

I had kicked him out to the guest bedroom.

I told him it was because his snoring was disturbing my sleep.

Barry didn't argue.

I only replied to his messages with one or two words.

I told him I was busy when he asked me out to dinner.

Barry must've known something was up.

But as long as I didn't say anything, he wouldn't dare to ask.

That night, I was in the study, going over the financial reports.

Barry pushed the door open and stood there for a long moment.

He said, "Gwen."

I didn't look up.

I replied, "Yeah?"

"Hey, you've been acting kind of weird lately. Is something wrong?" he asked.

I flipped a page in the report and replied flatly, "No."

Barry hesitated for a few seconds, then said, "Uh, about the finances—"

"Speaking of finances," I cut him off, looking up. "There are three major expenses from last quarter that don't match the books. Any idea what's going on?"

Barry's expression stiffened for a moment.

His right hand instinctively clenched.

But he quickly regained his composure.

"Those were my expenses. I put some money into a small investment with Dale. I didn't want you to worry, so I kept it from you," he said.

Dale was his universal excuse for everything.

I didn't push him for answers.

Barry didn't bother to explain any further.

He walked out of the study, quietly closing the door behind him.

As soon as the door closed, I put my pen down and leaned back in my chair.

He knew I knew.

And I knew he knew I knew.

But neither of us was willing to tear down that last facade.

Because I wasn't ready yet.

I needed time.

I needed time to shift the assets that needed shifting and lay out my plans.

When I was ready, Barry, you would get what was coming to you.

*****

The next morning, I met up with Ashlyn.

At the coffee shop, I handed her the investigation report.

She flipped through a couple of pages, and her face fell.

"Three years? He kept this from you for three whole years?" Ashlyn asked.

"Yeah. His entire family helped him hide it from me," I replied.

Ashlyn slammed the report down on the table. "That bastard. So, what are you going to do?"

"Divorce," I replied.

"And then?" she asked.

"Make him lose everything," I said.

Ashlyn looked at me. "How are you going to pull that off? Didn't the lawyer say—"

"The lawyer was talking about the standard route," I said, taking a sip of my coffee. "But I'm not sticking to the legal path."

Ashlyn asked, "What do you mean?"

"We built this company together. I know every project, every client, every supply chain like the back of my hand," I said.

I set my cup down.

"I'm not after a share of his money. I want to make sure he ends up with nothing," I said.

Ashlyn was stunned for a few seconds, then she slowly understood what I meant.

"You're insane," she said.

"I'm not insane. I'm sharper than ever," I replied.

I looked out the window, watching the people come and go on the street.

I said, "He thinks because I have no children, there's nothing I can do. He thinks his illegitimate child will inherit everything, and I'll have to accept it.

"But he's wrong.

"I'd rather walk away with nothing than let her and her kids take a single cent from me."

Ashlyn was silent for a long time.

Finally, she asked, "Alright, so what do you need me to do?"