My Seventh Divorce Was My First Freedom

The moment my five-year-old son called another man Dad, my hand gave a violent jerk. I was arranging a bouqueta gesture I now realize was patheticand an expensive bottle of $300 single-malt Scotch slipped from the counter, hitting the floor with a deafening crash.

I barely registered the shattering glass, but Victorias assistant, Kian, saw it. He clapped a hand over his mouth, his eyes red and brimming, and bolted from the room.

That night, my wife VictoriaToridemanded a divorce.

When I saw the text message at three in the morning, I thought it was a nightmare.

But the next morning, she was there. She rubbed the dark circles under her eyes and slid the divorce papers across the granite countertop. "Kian says you deliberately tried to humiliate him," she said, her voice heavy with fatigue and drama. "If I hadnt stopped him, he would have hurt himself last night. Hes young, Damon. He's sensitive. He hates people suggesting he only got the promotion by seduction."

She pressed her palms flat against the papers, urging me to look at them. "I have to be officially single to calm him down. As soon as he forgives you, Ill file the papers to withdraw the application."

Sammy, our son, stood beside her, his small arms crossed. "Bad Dad, you made Dad Kian cry! Mommy should punish you!"

In the past, I would have eruptedaccused her of infidelity, raged at Sammy for siding with the man destroying our family. But this time, I didnt shed a tear. The hand holding my coffee was rock steady.

I nodded calmly. "Fine."

I took a long, steadying sip. "This marks our seventh wedding anniversary, Tori. And, yes, our seventh divorce."

She looked relieved. "It's the last time, Damon. Once he's over this, I promise we'll go back to normal."

I laughed. A hollow sound that surprised even me. I signed the papers on the spot and submitted the final application.

She didn't know it, but this time, the separation wasn't part of her script. This time, I was playing for keeps.

When Tori finally called, seeking reconciliation, her voice was laced with a palpable, almost theatrical exhaustion. "Kian says he's ready to forgive you now. You can come home."

The only response she got was the gurgling sound of running water.

I raised an eyebrow and flicked on the speakerphone. A womans low, muffled groan filled the silent office.

"Who is this? Where is my husband?" Toris languid tone snapped, hardening instantly, followed by a faint, tight-jawed intake of breath.

The woman wrapped in my shirt laughed softly, tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear, and casually pressed the End Call button before slipping out the door.

Half an hour later, the front door rattled on its hinges as it was kicked open.

Tori burst in, her expression frantic, and rushed to grab my hand, turning me around to inspect me. Finding me physically unharmed, she let out a shaky sigh and pulled me into a tight embrace. "God, Damon, I missed you."

Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she nuzzled her chin into my shoulder. "You're punishing me, aren't you? Im so sorry, I wont do it again. Dont use random women to get back at me." She tightened her grip. "You know I love you, baby. Even if the split was just a formality, I still get jealous."

Missed me?

Shed spent the last month tagging Kian in photos as they chased whales in New Zealand and the Northern Lights in Norway. Her social media had been a relentless feed of smug happiness.

Hearing her earnest, heartfelt monologue now, I gave a quiet scoff. "It wasn't a formality."

The smile froze on her face. I looked at her, deriving a strange, twisted pleasure from her confusion. "Were officially divorced, Tori. I don't need to provoke you."

She offered two quick, dry laughs, her expression instantly regaining its studied composure. "Still jealous, hubby? Don't be mad. He's just a colleague. It's not like I did anything to hurt you."

She tried a new tack. "How about this? To make up for filing the divorce, let me propose to you again. We're a couple, we fight, we make up. Please, just forgive me one more time."

She reached into her expensive designer bag and pulled out a small, plush box. "Its a Cartier pendant. I picked it up on my last trip just for you."

My gaze dropped from the pendant to her right ring finger. There was a faint, pale indentation therethe mark of a ring worn constantly for a long time.

When we got married, shed insisted corporate women couldn't wear wedding rings. The existence of this new, expensive pendant, coupled with the glaring tan line, said everything about where her commitment truly lay.

Just then, Sammy ran in and hugged my legs. He opened his palm to reveal a small, beautifully crafted butterfly lapel pin. "Don't be mad, Daddy. The little butterfly is saying sorry."

I took the pin and attached it to my jacket lapel. The cold rejection Id been ready to deliver instantly died on my tongueI couldn't truly rage at my own child.

BOOM!

A series of fireworks exploded overhead.

Tori grabbed my hand and pulled me out the door. Nine hundred ninety-nine drones were slowly forming a massive heart over the street. As they paused above our house, the formation shifted into letters:

[DAMON SHAW, HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY.]

Sammy looked up at me, his eyes full of earnest expectation. Tori smiled, radiating the same sweet, eager glow shed had a decade ago when shed surrounded my car with a thousand flickering candles to declare her love.

It was cheesy, but undeniable.

Passersby stopped and applauded. "How romantic! What a great wife!"

"Kiss her! Kiss her!"

I looked into Tori's eyes, saying nothing. She bit her lower lip, slowly rising on her tiptoes, trying to close the small distance between us.

That was when a car came screeching to a halt, its headlights blinding me, followed by Kian's high-pitched, wounded cry.

Kian stumbled out of the car in thick-soled leather shoes, his eyes swimming with tears. "We just finished our wedding shoot, and you're already trying to cheat on me? Victoria Bellwether! You said I was the only man youd ever love! You lied! Im going to kill myself!"

He made a dash for a street-side oak, but Tori intercepted him.

"Victoria, if you're going to betray me, just let me die!" he sobbed dramatically.

Sammy rushed over to wipe Kians tears with a small, comforting hand. His voice was soft. "Dad Kian, don't cry. Mommy and I only love you."

Instantly, the judgmental whispers of the crowdwho had just been cheering ussharpened and turned on me. "Wait, so he's the side piece?"

"Must be. The kid is already this old. How does he have the nerve to prey on a married woman?"

I opened my mouth to explain, but Tori cut me off with a cold stare. "Go, Damon. I can't let Kian suffer for this."

Sammy ran back to me and ripped the butterfly pin from my jacket, tearing a small piece of the fabric. He also snatched the pendant box from my hand. "Did you really think this was for you? This is a gift Mommy and I got for Dad Kian."

In just one month, my son had replaced me.

Tori gave me a cool, almost amused smile and took Kians hand. "I always felt I owed you something, Kian. Perhaps it was this Cartier."

Sammy carefully clipped the butterfly pin onto Kians lapel. "Dad Kian loves butterflies. I bought it special for him."

As the scene played out, one of the onlookers' live-streams went viral. The tag #HusbandGoals rocketed to the top of the trending list.

[That guy has a wife and kid who adore him! He's the real winner!]

[OMG, is that the Star of Polaris diamond on that ring? Its a custom design, took three years to cut, easily seven figures!]

Basking in the onlookers' adoration, Kian shot me a look of pure contempt before clinging tightly to Tori. She wrapped one arm around his shoulder and used the other to guide Sammy away.

I didn't panic or lash out this time. I simply took out my phone, screen-grabbed all of Kians public poststhe pictures with Toriand then blocked and deleted them both from my contacts.

The whole pathetic drama of the side-piece rising to the top? I was officially done watching.

Camillas video call came through immediately. "Damon, Ive finalized everything at the company. Im on my way back. Want me to grab takeout?"

I seriously considered it. "No, Cami. I don't really have an appetite."

Her expression instantly tensed. "Whats wrong? Did that person call you again this afternoon? She... she didn't hurt you, did she?"

She turned her head, feigning casualness, but her tightly pressed lips gave away her concern.

I smiled and shook my head. "What are you thinking? Its just the heat. And look, forget that number. It was just a spam call."

When Cami arrived home, she found the living room empty and rushed toward the bedroom. Seeing me packing a suitcase, she let out a sigh of relief. "I thought we weren't flying out until next month. Why the early packing?"

I gave her a quick hug, returning to my task. "I moved the flight up three days. We'll leave early and take a proper vacation before we start setting up."

I had hesitated over the ticket purchase for weeks, but the final decision to leave this country had taken only a second.

There was nothing left to hold me here. Except

The next morning, I rushed to the bid conference.

The small, remote island up for auction was rumored to hold the only lead I'd found regarding my parents' disappearance years ago during their round-the-world trip.

I hadn't even reached my seat when a leather loafer hooked my ankle, sending me sprawling.

Kian sneered down at me. "Seriously, Damon? Just because your son calls me Dad now doesn't mean you have to bow down to me." He made a disgusted noise. "Youre so much older. I'm worried it'll shorten my life."

He stayed put, however, letting his friends pull me up. "Such a performance artist. If I were a woman, I might actually feel sorry for you. Too bad, Tori is deeply devoted and only has eyes for me."

I slapped away the hand holding my arm. "Must be great being a home-wrecker, huh? Is that why you're grinning so wide?"

Kian's smile vanished. "You're all talk, Damon. Let's see if you're still smiling in an hour."

I thought he meant Tori, and I didn't carewhy worry about a woman who had betrayed me?

But when the bidding for the island began, one of Toris top executives walked onto the stage and began presenting my meticulously prepared tender.

My proposal had been stolen.

I looked at Tori, who sat across the room, unable to believe what I was seeing. She quickly turned her head away. Id spent a month of sleepless nights on that proposal, all to secure the use of this tiny island and search for clues about my parents.

I hadn't thought she was capable of doing this to me, even for Kian.

Kian tilted his head, pointing at the projection screen. "Nice presentation, Damon? Just so you know, this island is mine. Im claiming it."

To find the truth, I had to swallow my pride and call my assistant. "Add ten points to the budget. I dont care what it takes; secure this island."

Tori started to stand up, opening her mouth as if to explain, but Kian tugged her arm. "Tori, you promised to give me this island. You cant let Damon use your money to steal it!"

A bitter laugh escaped me. Wed built her company from the ground up together, but in their eyes, I was just a leech living off her success.

I was about to tell Tori Id fight her to the end when she suddenly stopped Kian. "An empty island? Why bother? I have a much better gift for you, Kian."

After my employees presented the new, dramatically inflated bid, the auctioneers and the board members all nodded in approval. Seeing his hopes dashed, Kian stormed out of the conference room. Tori gave me a quick, uncertain glance and followed him out.

I frowned slightly, wondering what petty, desperate stunt they would pull next. To maliciously increase the bid and secure the island, I had just sold off all my remaining personal stocks.

Just before the auction adjourned, Kian returned, draped over Tori's arm, flashing me a smirk that promised disaster.

As I made my way out, people were pointing at me, whispering fragments of cruel gossip that quickly killed my brief moment of satisfaction.

Just as I reached the main exit, a furious man stepped into my path. "You're the one, aren't you? The one who keeps sending my wife those disgusting torso pictures?"

Before I could react, he slammed his fist into my face, knocking me to the ground. "Couldn't get laid for one day, could you? Sending videos in that ridiculous uniform, wearing a collar, calling her 'Wifey'?"

A crowd quickly gathered, including several of my professional partners.

"Wait, he sent one to me, too. I didn't realize Mr. Shaw had so much going on under that suit. And all those props he's quite the player."

"Well, how else do you think he managed to hook Tori? That must have been how he got ahead back then, too. Cant blame her. What woman would put up with him?"

I was stunned by the impact of the punch, but my heart plummeted when I saw the explicit video flashing on his phone.

The man in the video, with the collared, submissive clothes, was unmistakably me.

I tried to explain, but someone from the crowd hurled a cup of coffee. The hot, dark liquid showered down, soaking my shirt.

Then, the final clip played, and my voicevulnerable, breathlessechoed through the hallway.

A thick silence fell over the crowd. Every single pair of eyes settled on my coffee-stained face.

The man's wife rushed forward to pull him away, but he bellowed, "Everyone, look! This is the real Damon Shaw!"

At that moment, the giant advertising screen on the high-rise building across the street flashed to life, broadcasting the video on a loop, accompanied by blaring sound.

Traffic stopped. Pedestrians paused, staring and shouting with revulsion. "Disgusting! Filth! No shame!"

"No, thats not true. I didn't send that to anyone."

The footage was from early in my relationship with Tori. Shed claimed she loved that specific dynamic, that she wanted to keep it as "private evidence of our love." Now, it was a spear aimed directly at my throat.

"So, what do you think? Isn't this a much better surprise?"

Kian pouted, clutching Tori's waist. "Ugh, Tori, youve scared me. I'm a sensitive, innocent guy. I've never seen anything so vile."

He couldn't hold back a triumphant smile, then looked at me, a challenge in his eyes. "Why aren't you laughing, Big Brother? Isn't it funny?"

Tori curled her lip. "Of course, its funny. Anything that makes Kian happy is hilarious. Guards! Make him laugh."

My eyes were burning, but I held her gaze. "Victoria, do you think this is funny? I was blind to ever fall for you."

Despite my detachment, the coldness was absolute.

She kicked the back of my knee. As I buckled, her bodyguards rushed in and pinned me down, raining down a flurry of blows. "Still defiant?"

She leaned in close. "Do as I say, Damon. You know our history. Just make Kian happy, and I can forgive everything."

My expression was stone-cold. I forced a laugh that was closer to a snarl. "You two acting like jackals? Yeah, that makes me want to puke-laugh."

As the video continued to loop, the crowd swelled.

Someone threw a piece of food. Then came eggs, bread, and then a heavy coffee mug that struck my forehead, opening a gash.

"Doing perverted stuff and acting innocent! I've never seen a man who loves being a dog so much!"

"Hes still playing the victim? Pathetic. He's probably been passed around. No wonder his wife wanted a younger man."

A flicker of doubt crossed Toris eyes, but my defiant look hardened her resolve. "I told you, if you just apologize, the video disappears instantly."

"My heart is clean. I dont care what people think. Let me go, or I call the police."

My words caused a hush to fall over the crowd. Public opinion was beginning to turn.

"He's right. Tori cheated first, and now shes publicly humiliating him. Thats low."

"Private intimacy between a couple is normal. Why is she weaponizing it?"

My expression didn't change, but Tori suddenly looked uneasy. She realized I had reached a point of total detachment. She started to reach out to me, but a new hand clamped onto her wrist, yanking it away.

A woman knelt quickly, throwing her arms around me. "Dont be afraid, Damon. Im here."