Chapter 4

A week later, the private investigator delivered a thick dossier.

I sat in the study and read it carefully. Each page felt like a knife cutting into my heart.

The photos showed Megan and Samuel together in various places, evidence of their intimacy.

They were at a café in the mall, a resort on the outskirts, and even in my living room while I was away on business.

Most ironically, several pictures were taken during Eileen's illness. There they were at a restaurant near the hospital, clinking glasses and smiling brightly.

The investigator had also dug up more dirt on Samuel.

That so-called hospital VP looked squeaky clean on the outside, but his private life was a total train wreck. Besides Megan, he had two other long-term lovers.

One was the hospital's head nurse, and the other was a sales rep from a pharma company.

I stared at those photos of Samuel with the young sales rep, caught on hotel security cameras. The timestamp said it happened just last month, right in the middle of Eileen's health crisis.

"True love?" I just sneered, stuffing the folder back into its case.

The doorbell rang, and when I answered it, Lucas and Abby were standing outside.

"Dad, we came to check on you," Abby said, holding up a grocery basket. "Thought we'd cook you something nice."

Lucas clapped me on the shoulder. "You've lost weight."

I forced a smile. "Come on in."

Abby was busy in the kitchen, while Lucas and I sat down in the living room.

"Dad, did you find anything out?" he asked, lowering his voice.

I handed him the folder. I watched his expression change from shock to anger to disgust as he flipped through the pages.

"That bastard!" he spat, jaw clenched. "He doesn't deserve Mom!"

"Does your mom know about this?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No, at least she's never said anything. She... she's living with Samuel now, and honestly, she looks pretty happy."

I nodded, but I couldn't hide how much it hurt inside.

"Dad, what should we do now?" Lucas asked, his eyes flashing with payback.

I hesitated for a moment. "I'm going to have a serious talk with your mom and lay everything out for her."

After dinner, Lucas and Abby headed out.

I sat alone in my study, restless thoughts swirling through my head.

Late at night, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Megan. [Can I see you? There's something I want to say.]

I replied: [Tomorrow at 3 pm. Same place as always.]

I got to the café early, the same spot we used to hang out back when we were young.

Megan stepped in right on time. She looked even more haggard than the last time we met, but there was a kind of resolve in her eyes I couldn't quite decipher.

She sat down across from me and spoke softly, "Thanks for seeing me."

I didn't respond. Instead, I pulled the investigation file from my briefcase and slid it across to her.

"Take a look," I said.

Megan flipped through the file, her brows furrowing at first, then her whole face twisted in shock, until finally she just sat there, shattered and in total disbelief.

"This… this can't be…" she whispered when she saw the photos of Samuel with the other women, her voice trembling.

I said calmly, "They're all real. The dates and locations are recorded. Your 'true love' was bedding other women while Eileen was sick."

Megan covered her mouth, tears pouring down before she could even blink.

I slid a tissue across the table. Megan took it without a word, almost like a robot, dabbing at her tears.

"Bruce..." Megan finally looked up, her eyes lost and raw with hurt. "I didn't know... I really didn't know..."

"Well, now you do," I replied, calm and cold. "You betrayed forty years of marriage. You betrayed me, you betrayed our kids. For what? Just to chase after someone who was never worth it."

She sat in silence, her tears refusing to stop. "So what should I do now?" Megan's whisper was barely more than a breath.

I stared at her, the woman I'd shared four decades with, and she looked more like a stranger.

"That's your choice, Megan," I said, voice cold. "You can stay with him, or..."

"I want to come home," Megan suddenly cried, clutching my hand. "Bruce, please... forgive me. I messed up. I really did."

I pulled my hand away. "It's too late, Megan. Some things are broken for good. Sorry isn't enough to fix what you ruined."

Megan broke down, sobbing so hard that people around us couldn't help but stare.

I waited for her to calm down, then said, "I've already talked to a lawyer. The divorce papers are ready, just like you wanted. All assets will be split fifty-fifty. Just sign when you're ready."

"No, I don't want a divorce!" Megan burst out, voice trembling. "Bruce, we've spent forty years together. Are we really going to throw it all away like this?"

"You made this choice, Megan," I said, getting to my feet. "I'll send you the documents. Take your time to think it over before you sign."

As I stepped out of the café, the setting sun touched the horizon, bathing the street in golden light.

I took a deep breath, and for the first time in ages, the weight on my chest felt a little lighter.

The truth was right in front of me now. Next up, a flawless plan for revenge.