At our five-year anniversary, I caught my spouse cheating with my helper. In our divorce, he forced me sign away my company, and I did so without hesitation. He thought he won. What was unknown? He was marching into my trap.
As I buttoned my blouse and watched Ethan knot his tie in the mirror, morning light spilled through our bedroom windows. After five years of marriage, seeing him still made my heart race.
“Happy anniversary, babe!” I put my arms around his waist from behind. “I can’t believe five years have passed.”
He carelessly rubbed my hand. “Time flies when building an empire.”
My cheek touched his back. “I considered closing the office early today. Have a proper evening celebration!”
“Can’t,” he responded, checking his watch. “Big client arriving. Maybe this weekend?
I resisted the customary disappointment. “Sure. This weekend.” Stepping back, I smoothed my skirt. “I’ll go to work later. Want those cupcakes done.”
Ethan finally faced me. She’s my gal. Always anticipating.” He grabbed his briefcase after kissing my forehead. Don’t stay up tonight. Client dinner.”
Another client dinner? The fourth this week.
I forced a smile, “Right.” “Good luck.”
After he departed, I stood alone in our bedroom with fine furnishings, artwork we couldn’t buy three years earlier, and our penthouse windows’ downtown view. Everything started with Wildflower Boutique, my internet boutique that became a multi-million dollar enterprise.
My assistant Megan’s message buzzed my phone.
Running late. Traffic. Sorry!”
Texting back: “No problem. Take time.”
I surprised Ethan with coffee anyway. Maybe I can grab five minutes of his time on our anniversary in the office.
I whispered, “Surprise him.” What a concept!
Little did I realize I’d be astonished.
The office was silent when I arrived. Most workers thought it was too early. I carried two coffees and a bag of pastries down the hallway to Ethan’s corner office.
The sound immediately reached me… Women laugh breathily and intimately. A non-professional sound. A sound so familiar.
My pace slowed as I approached his office glass wall. When the shades were slightly open, I could see everything.
Meg wasn’t stuck in traffic. She was perched on my husband’s desk, skirt up, hands where they shouldn’t be, and fingers knotted in his hair as he kissed her neck.
I dropped my coffee mugs, spilling hot liquid on my feet. I felt nothing. Absolutely nothing.
They didn’t see or hear me. I quietly stepped away, my thoughts oddly still, recording details like inventory: her crimson lipstick on his collar, his wedding band glinting beneath the office lights, and the family portrait on his desk flipped face-down.
So convenient. How neat.
After leaving the building, I went into my car and stared at nothing for nearly an hour. Then I called my first contact.
“Jack? It’s Chloe. Still practicing family law?
“Chloe? Yes, I am. Everything okay?
“No. But it will. I need a divorce lawyer and business strategy. Can we meet today?
“Clear my schedule. My office in an hour?”
“Perfect. And Jack? Thank you.”
I hung up and started the car. The numbness faded, revealing a distinct, concentrated, and hard sensation.
Ethan would discover I was a better strategist than he thought if we played games.
“Game on,” I muttered.
***
What did he want? Jack leaned back in his chair, eyebrows raised, as I laid everything out.
I drank water and let the ice clink. “The whole company. He wanted to be a co-owner when I started Wildflower.”
Jack shook his head. But YOU started Wildflower. You built it from nothing.”
“Yes. Two years ago, I let him convince me to change the papers and make him a ‘investor relations’ co-owner. Everything now has his name.”
Do you want to do what? Jack asked, pen over notebook.
“I want to satisfy him.” I slid a packet across the desk.
Three months prior, I saw inconsistencies in his behavior before suspecting adultery. I began contingency planning.”
Jack scanned the incorporation papers for my secret new company in the folder.
“You already?”
“I did nothing wrong. I was prepared. I had a gut sensation for months, remembering late hours at ‘client dinners’ and texts he would hide upon entering. I was hit by reality following our five-year anniversary today. This is the moment to execute my plan.
Jack regarded me intently. “He really has no idea who he’s dealing with, okay?”
“No. He’ll find out soon.”
***
I pushed a manila envelope over our kitchen counter that night. These are divorce documents. My part is signed. I know you and Megan.”
Ethan pondered the envelope before lifting it up. After peppers, I chopped onions.
Have you known long?
“Long enough. I saw you in your office with her.”
He checked the first page of the paperwork with strained eyes. “So you’re doing this.”
“Yes.”
“One mistake?”
Not one mistake, Ethan. It was five years of errors.”
He frowned further as he turned the pages. It doesn’t mention the business.” Head snapped up. “Where is Wildflower’s settlement?”
Putting down the divorce papers, he looked calculating. “I want business. Every bit.”
You want Wildflower?
As much mine as yours. More, since I’ve represented it for years.”
I carefully set down the knife and grabbed my bag from the kitchen bench. I placed another set of documents on the counter without saying anything.
What’s this?
“Transfer of ownership. Complete Wildflower Boutique rights.” I pushed papers at him. Already planned. I thought you wanted that.”
“I—” My calm unsettled him. “I expected a fight.”
I shrugged and put diced peppers in a basin. “Why fight? You’ve stated your priorities.”
Are you talking about Megan?
This isn’t about Megan. About you and me. We built and you destroyed.”
His suspicious eyes peered at me. “Are you giving up? Sounds unlike you.”
I won’t quit. Moving on. They differ.”
“To what? You think you can start afresh at 50?
I said, “I guess we’ll see,” returning to cooking. “All papers are in order. Get company. Got the house. Clear slate.”
“Fine! My attorney will review these.”
“Sure.”
He halted before leaving the kitchen. “You’re better off this way. Your emotions are too strong for business.”
My knife remained steady on the board while I chopped. “Goodbye, Ethan.”
***
Jack signed one week later at his office. Ethan brought his lawyer, a sharp-suited woman who looked pitiful. If only she knew.
“This all seems in order,” she responded after studying the materials. Though I must say, this deal tremendously benefits my client.”
“I’m aware,” I said, taking Jack’s pen. “I want this over with.”
Ethan witnessed my triumphant signing. After the documents were signed and notarized, he stood and offered his hand.
“No offense, Chloe. You created something special using Wildflower. I’ll look after it.”
“I know you will.”
Jack’s aide gave Ethan a small gift package as we left the conference room.
He inquired, “What’s this?”
“Just a parting gift,” I said. “For new starts.”
He later opened it to find an empty box with a note: “This is what you earned from our marriage. Enjoy.”
Petty? Perhaps. After five years of having my accomplishments and intelligence dismissed, I felt entitled to one brief moment of pettiness.
“Goodbye, Ethan,” I muttered, leaving without looking back.
***
Three months later, I started over. My converted warehouse workplace with high ceilings and lots of natural light was thriving.
Lisa, our production manager who left Wildflower the day I left, entered my office. Anderson order ready for review.”
“Perfect timing,” I murmured, getting up from my desk. Marcus arrived yet?
“Team conference room B.”
My heels clicked on the polished concrete flooring as I followed her down the hallway. I saw my crew gathered around newest collecting samples via the glass walls.
Our biggest buyer, Marcus, who had seamlessly transferred his business from Wildflower to my new company, stood as I approached.
“Chloe! Amazing new designs. Quality has improved.”
Running my hand over the fabric samples, I grinned. “We returned to our suppliers. The ones that value craftsmanship over shortcuts.”
Smart move. Have you heard?
“Heard what?”
Wildflower missed its delivery date last week. Rumor has stated they have supply issues.”
Is that so?
“Yes, and more. According to rumors, the IRS is closely reviewing their books.
Lisa looked at me across the table, reluctantly smiling. She was responsible for tax compliance at Wildflower until Ethan deemed her skills obsolete and fired her two weeks after taking over.
He didn’t realize that she had left extensive notes about all the corners he’d cut, notices he’d disregarded, and commitments he’d neglected while focusing on the glamorous side of the business.
What a shame! Shall we examine the Anderson collection?
Jack texted me “It’s happening” during the meeting. IRS agents at Wildflower this morning.”
I excused myself and called him in the corridor.
“How bad?”
“Three years of suspicious filings. Last six months’ payroll taxes unpaid. The business accounts are frozen.”
“And Ethan?”
“Full panic.”
“Looks like his messes are catching up fast.”
“Heard most of the staff quit this morning!” Jack chuckled.
I remembered my offers to Wildflower’s top employees last week—more compensation, better conditions, and respect for their accomplishments.
Where will they go? I asked innocently.
Jack chuckled. As if you didn’t know!
I grinned. “I must return to my meeting.”
Of course. And Chloe? Megan applied for a position at my office today.”
“Oh! And?”
“Yes. She discovered that being a bankrupt boss’s girlfriend wasn’t that secure.
“How tragic,” I murmured dryly. “Thanks, Jack, for updating.”
Back in the meeting, I sat down with fresh focus. My teammates discussed textiles, deadlines, and marketing tactics. The Wildflower success factors were transformed into something better.
“Everything okay?” Lisa whispered.
I nodded. “Everything is perfect.”
Ethan and I met at a downtown coffee shop six months after the divorce. Designer suits were replaced with worn-out casual clothes. A fatigued slouch replaced the confident swagger.
He saw me waiting for my order, hesitated, then smiled.
“Chloe.”
After an awkward silence, the barista shouted my name. After getting my drink, I faced him.
“How’re you?”
“Been better,” he said, scratching his neck. “The business is gone. Bankruptcy.”
“I heard.”
Eyes narrowed. Sure you did. Strange how everything went apart after you left.”
“Is it?” I took a coffee drink while staring at him.
“You knew, right? Regarding taxes. Supplier contracts due.”
Ethan, I told you you were cutting corners for years. Never listened.”
Was this revenge? For Megan?”
“No. This was a result of taking credit for unfinished work. For thinking you deserved achievement you didn’t earn.”
He stared at me, possibly for the first time in our relationship. “You changed.”
I corrected, “No.” “I’ve always been this. You ignored it.”
Lisa waved at me as she entered the coffee shop.
“I should go,” I said. “My team awaits.”
“Your team?”
Yes, my new firm. Our performance is good. Finally, I’m not ‘too emotional’ for business.”
After passing him, I hesitated. I’m sorry it ended this way.
I left with Lisa at the door feeling lighter than in years. Not because Ethan fell, but because I quit lowering myself for his ego.
Was that him? As we left, Lisa asked.
“Ancient history,” I said, linking arms. Come on. We must build our future.”
I didn’t need revenge. Justice did it for me. Ethan took my company, but he never understood that the actual value was never the name, brand, or office space.
It was within me… He could never take that away. Never!
Inspired by true events and people, this work is fictionalized for creativity. To preserve privacy and enrich the story, names, characters, and facts were changed. The author does not imply any resemblance to real people, events, or places.
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