Chapter 3

I sent Claire a text with the time and place to finalize the divorce.

She never replied. Instead, her assistant called me.

"Mr. Whitmore, we need approval on a client proposal. Claire is traveling abroad with her boyfriend, and the other executives can't make the final call."

"There's no one at the company who can make a decision right now. I'm sorry to bother you so late."

Five years of marriage, and no one at her company even knew Claire was married. No one knew I was her husband.

Everyone just knew she had a first love she couldn't let go of.

My body was still throbbing with a dull ache.

"That is no longer my responsibility. Hand it over to legal and the interim manager. I'm still in the hospital."

I hung up.

I rested in the hospital for two more days before returning to the home we used to share.

I sold everything of value to second-hand dealers.

Whatever was left that belonged to the two of us, I threw into a pile and burned to ashes.

By the time Claire returned from her trip, the place was an empty shell.

She walked in, fingers intertwined with Adrian's, and threw the divorce agreement right at my face.

If I hadn't dodged, the heavy folder would have smashed my nose.

"I saw your text."

Claire's tone was dead flat.

"I was on vacation with Adrian for the past two days, so it slipped my mind."

"Since you're the one asking for a divorce, sign this. And don't ever come to the company again."

Adrian picked up the agreement, skimmed it, and frowned.

"Claire, isn't giving him fifty thousand dollars a bit much? You built this company with your own blood, sweat, and tears. I think five thousand is plenty."

"Adrian, he's been with me for a few years. Five thousand is a bit low."

Seeing his pout, Claire finally turned to look at me.

"The house, the cars—I earned all of it. You're leaving empty-handed."

"Honestly, I've never seen a wife give a husband this much money. You're a man. Fifty thousand is too much."

"I'll give you ten thousand. Sign it, and we're even."

When she married me, she had almost zero assets.

I covered almost all our living expenses before we got married, and I paid two hundred thousand dollars out of pocket just to get this marriage started.

After the wedding and during the early days of her startup, her company bled money.

When we lived in that cramped apartment, I was the one paying the rent, the bills, the car payments, and her company's debts.

But I didn't offer a single word of explanation.

I looked down and signed the papers.

Adrian flashed a smug, victorious smile right in my face.

"Ethan, once the divorce is finalized, make sure you come to my and Claire's engagement party."

I pulled the cheap silver wedding band off my finger and dropped it into the trash can.

For the last time, I looked Claire dead in the eye.

"I hope you don't regret this."

Claire scoffed.

"You're waiting for me to regret losing you?"

"Ethan, look at yourself. What exactly is there to regret?"

She looked me up and down.

"But I do wish you luck finding some ugly, fat woman for your second marriage."

"That's all you deserve."

I didn't answer. I just turned and walked away.

The moment I stepped out of the Bennett residence, I got a call from Eleanor.

She was already back in Chicago. A private helicopter was on its way to pick me up.

"Grandma, cancel all partnerships between Whitmore Holdings and Bennett Industries."

"And make sure the announcement drops right in the middle of her engagement party."

Chapter 3

I sent Claire a text with the time and place to finalize the divorce.

She never replied. Instead, her assistant called me.

"Mr. Whitmore, we need approval on a client proposal. Claire is traveling abroad with her boyfriend, and the other executives can't make the final call."

"There's no one at the company who can make a decision right now. I'm sorry to bother you so late."

Five years of marriage, and no one at her company even knew Claire was married. No one knew I was her husband.

Everyone just knew she had a first love she couldn't let go of.

My body was still throbbing with a dull ache.

"That is no longer my responsibility. Hand it over to legal and the interim manager. I'm still in the hospital."

I hung up.

I rested in the hospital for two more days before returning to the home we used to share.

I sold everything of value to second-hand dealers.

Whatever was left that belonged to the two of us, I threw into a pile and burned to ashes.

By the time Claire returned from her trip, the place was an empty shell.

She walked in, fingers intertwined with Adrian's, and threw the divorce agreement right at my face.

If I hadn't dodged, the heavy folder would have smashed my nose.

"I saw your text."

Claire's tone was dead flat.

"I was on vacation with Adrian for the past two days, so it slipped my mind."

"Since you're the one asking for a divorce, sign this. And don't ever come to the company again."

Adrian picked up the agreement, skimmed it, and frowned.

"Claire, isn't giving him fifty thousand dollars a bit much? You built this company with your own blood, sweat, and tears. I think five thousand is plenty."

"Adrian, he's been with me for a few years. Five thousand is a bit low."

Seeing his pout, Claire finally turned to look at me.

"The house, the cars—I earned all of it. You're leaving empty-handed."

"Honestly, I've never seen a wife give a husband this much money. You're a man. Fifty thousand is too much."

"I'll give you ten thousand. Sign it, and we're even."

When she married me, she had almost zero assets.

I covered almost all our living expenses before we got married, and I paid two hundred thousand dollars out of pocket just to get this marriage started.

After the wedding and during the early days of her startup, her company bled money.

When we lived in that cramped apartment, I was the one paying the rent, the bills, the car payments, and her company's debts.

But I didn't offer a single word of explanation.

I looked down and signed the papers.

Adrian flashed a smug, victorious smile right in my face.

"Ethan, once the divorce is finalized, make sure you come to my and Claire's engagement party."

I pulled the cheap silver wedding band off my finger and dropped it into the trash can.

For the last time, I looked Claire dead in the eye.

"I hope you don't regret this."

Claire scoffed.

"You're waiting for me to regret losing you?"

"Ethan, look at yourself. What exactly is there to regret?"

She looked me up and down.

"But I do wish you luck finding some ugly, fat woman for your second marriage."

"That's all you deserve."

I didn't answer. I just turned and walked away.

The moment I stepped out of the Bennett residence, I got a call from Eleanor.

She was already back in Chicago. A private helicopter was on its way to pick me up.

"Grandma, cancel all partnerships between Whitmore Holdings and Bennett Industries."

"And make sure the announcement drops right in the middle of her engagement party."