I pushed open the heavy oak door to Aver’s office ready to surprise him with lunch. The sight punched the ar from my lungs. My husband had vanessa pressed against his desk his lips locked with hers hands tangled in her darkhar Papers scattered across the foor around them
They jumped apart at the sound of my heas dicking on the hardwood Vanessa wiped her mout, staghtening her sert while avoiding my pase
“Isabella-“Alex stepped toward me his te askew This is”
Theld up my hand. The wedding ring caught the light a mockery of everything to believed in “Don’t”
Baby please. Let me explain-
Five years.” My voice came out steadier man ft. Tive years of manage and this is what it meant to you?” Vanessa gathered her tablet, sinking toward the door. ” should go ”
“Say” The word cracked like a whip “You clearly belong here more than I do.”
Alex ran his fingers through his disheveled hair. “That’s not true. You’re my wife-
“Your wife?” laughed, the sound brittle. Ts that what I am? Because from where I’m standing, I look more like a
fool”
“It was a mistake. One moment of weakness-*
“Save it.” The bag of takeout dropped from my numb fingers 1 don’t want your excuses. I don’t want anything from you anymore.”
The perfect liferd built away from my family’s shadow crumbled around me. Every kiss, every promise, every morning waking up next to him- all lies.
“Isabella, don’t leave like this-*
“How should I leave then, Alex? With your permission? Your blessing? I yanked off my wedding ring, the metal warm from my skin. “Here Give it to someone who still believes your lies.”
The ring clattered on his desk, the sound echoing in the silence between us
Alex stared at the ring on his desk his face transforming from panic to something colder, harder. The mask of charm rd fallen for five years ago slipped away.
“You know what? He straightened his tie. “Maybe this is for the best”
My chest tightened. “What?”
“Let’s be honest, Isabella. I pursued you for a reason.” He perched on the edge of his desk, arms crossed “The wealthy Romano heiress – how could I resist? And you made it so easy, desperate to escape daddy’s money and prove yourself.”
Each word hit like shards of glass. The room spun as five years of memories shattered, replaced by calculation and manipulation.
“You left it all behind to run away with me. How romantic.” He smirked. “But now? I’m CEO of my own comp have options.” His gaze drifted to Vanessa, who stood straighter, a small smile playing on her lips. “Better options.”
I gripped the doorframe to steady myself “You married me for my family’s money?”
“The Romano fortune was appealing Though you’ve done your best to distance yourself from it, haven’t you? Playing at being normal.” He shook his head. “Such a waste.”
The irony of his words twisted in my gut. He had no idea what being a Romano really meant. The true nature of our family’s power. The weight of the name I’d tried to escape.
“I gave you everything.” I whispered.
NO His eyes turneo arctic. You gave me a boring line in a boring nouse while you pretendea to be something you’re not. At least Vanessa knows what she wants”
“We went through everything together.” My voice cracked. “Five years of marriage, building a life. The baby=” The memory of that hospital room two years ago sliced through me. The cold walls, the sterile sheets, Alex holding my hand as we made what he called ‘the responsible choice.”
their
Alex’s laugh cut through the air like broken glass. “The baby? That was just another play.” He leaned back against his desk, loosening his tie further. “I figured a grandchild might soften up your family, get them to open wallets a bit wider. But when that news didn’t seem to move the needle-” He shrugged. “Well, no point keeping it.
right?”
My
ty knees buckled. I grabbed the doorframe harder, my fingernails digging into the wood.
“Plus,” he turned to Vanessa with a smirk, “that was the night I met this firecracker here. Remember that hotel bar, sweetheart?”
Vanessa’s red lips curved up. “How could I forget?”
“While you were sleeping off the anesthesia,” Alex continued, “we had quite the celebration in that hotel room. Didn’t we, Van?”
The room tilted. That night, while I’d been unconscious, grieving our lost child-
*You fucked your assistant?” The words tasted like acid. “The same day I-”
“Best fuck of my life.” He winked at Vanessa. “No offense, dear wife. But some women just know how to please a
man.”
I wiped the tears that had betrayed me, furious at myself for showing weakness in front of them. The Romano in
me stirred, a part I’d buried deep these past five years.
“I want a divorce.” The words came out sharp, clear, “Tomorrow.”
Alex’s laughter filled the office, rich and condescending. “Tomorrow? That’s quite ambitious, even for you.”
“I know people. It can happen.” I straightened my spine. “And don’t worry about your precious money. I won’t ask
for alimony.”
“No alimony?” His eyebrows shot up. “Well, well. Here I thought we’d have to battle this out.”
“I don’t need a cheater’s support.” My lip curled. “Keep your money. I’m sure you’ll need it to keep your new toy happy.”
Vanessa’s face flushed red. “Watch your mouth
“Or what?” I cut her off. “You’ll sleep with my
? Oh wait
Alex pushed off from his desk, circling it to sit in his leather chair. “This is perfect actually. Makes everything so much easier.” He reached for Vanessa’s hand, pulling her close. “We can start planning our future, right baby?”
“Right” Vanessa’s smirk was all teeth. “I’ve always wanted a corner office.”
“And you’ll have it.” Alex’s thumb traced circles on her wrist. “Along with everything else Isabella was too proud
to appreciate.”
I watched them, these two serpents coiled together, thinking they’d won. How wrong they were
