She Signed My Divorce By Mistake

After Margots affair came to light and she crawled back to our marriage, I gave her three chances. Three opportunities to meet with that boy and cut the cord for good.

She made the most of every second. She took him to dinners, spent hours at his side in pottery classes, and stayed overnight at the hospital when he claimed he was ill. When she finally returned for the last time, she purged every trace of himevery gift, every photoand reached for my hand with a look of practiced sincerity.

Trust me, Nick, she whispered. Ill never betray you again.

I almost believed her. Until the night my car collided with his.

As I sat dazed behind the wheel, the boysobbing and franticcalled for help. I didnt hear his voice; I heard Margots best friend through the cars Bluetooth speakers.

Margot, dont go, her friend warned. Youve used up all three of your passes. If you go to him now, Nick is definitely going to file for divorce.

Then came Margots voice, cold and brimming with a terrifying sense of security. Nick was a foster kid. He spent his whole life with no one to love him, no one to care if he lived or died. Hes more afraid of being alone than he is of me. He won't leave.

She paused, her tone dropping to a conspiratorial murmur. Just keep this between us. I know what Im doing. This is the last time. I promise.

I lay back against the seat, blood trickling down my face, feeling a chill that had nothing to do with the winter air. The crying boy in the other car, the one she was so desperately trying to protect, was the very same ghost I thought shed exorcised.

Twenty minutes later, Margotthe woman who had sworn her life to our homeraced into the emergency room like her world was ending.

Through the thin fabric of the hospital curtain, I heard Margots voice, a jagged mix of heartbreak and fury.

Why didnt you call me immediately? Do you think the number I gave you is just for show?

Toby, the boy, propped himself up, his face a mask of calculated innocence. You said your husband only gave you three chances. I was scared

Three chances? To hell with that! Margots voice rose, thick with emotion. If you need me, you call me. Do you have any idea what Id do if something happened to you?

I listened in the silence of the adjacent bay, my vision blurring. When the crash happened, I was the one who was conscious. I was the one who called her first. I called twenty-six times. She didn't pick up once.

Toby called once, and she answered within seconds.

She knew I had no one. She assumed I would simply wait, as I always did, for the crumbs of her attention.

The nurse walked in to change my dressings, pulling back the curtain. The white-hot rage on Margots facedirected at the "other driver"froze the moment she saw me.

She blinked, her brain struggling to catch up. But the first words out of her mouth werent Are you okay? or Thank God youre alive.

Did you stalk him? she snapped, her eyes narrowing. Did you crash into him on purpose just to see if Id show up?

I stared at her. Ever since Id discovered the affair, she had guarded Tobys identity like a state secret. His family is struggling, shed said. If you drag him into our mess, itll ruin his life.

Yet, she had no problem broadcasted my history as a lonely orphan to everyone in her social circle. She wanted the world to know how much I "needed" her, how much of a charity case our marriage truly was.

I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat and forced a hollow laugh. Thats four, Margot. You broke the deal.

When I had first demanded a divorce, she had stood on the balcony of our penthouse, threatening to jump. If you leave me, Im done! Youre the only person Ive ever loved!

I had softened. I had been weak. I gave her those three chances to wrap up her "affair." I had been naive enough to think I was winning the war for my own marriage. Today, the world had decided to slap me awake.

Does it really matter if its three or four? Margot hissed, leaning in so Toby wouldnt hear. He was in an accident. Are you really so heartless that youd expect me to just leave him here?

I looked at her. What was there left to say?

Should I tell her that Toby had walked away with a scraped knee, while my shoulder required ten stitches? Should I tell her I was the one who called the ambulance for both of us?

Toby called out from the other side of the curtain. Margot? Is the police report okay? Am I going to have to pay for the damage?

She rushed back to his side, her voice instantly turning into a soothing coo. Dont worry about it, honey. The other driver is fine. Just focus on resting.

The other driver.

I lay there and smiled. My shoulder burned, but it was nothing compared to the slow, agonizing death of my heart.

Margots only act of "mercy" was signing a stack of hospital forms on my bedside table while I drifted in and out of a feverish sleep. If she had bothered to looktruly lookat what she was signing, she would have seen the document tucked between the bills.

My signature was already on it. The petition for divorce.

That night, my wound became infected. My fever spiked to 104 degrees.

I pulled myself out of bed, shivering and delirious, to find a nurse and settle the bill. As I stood at the station, I heard the staff whispering.

The guy in the VIP suite only has a few bruises, but his girlfriend is acting like hes dying. Meanwhile, the guy who actually got hurt is wandering around alone.

I gave them a grim, self-deprecating smile and turned to leave, only to run straight into Margot.

Slap.

My head snapped to the side.

Nick, youve gone too far! she yelled.

Why did you use my secondary card to pay your bill? Tobys going to see the name on the transaction! Hell figure out who you are!

She stepped closer, her voice a frantic whisper. I told you, Im ending it. I just need time. Ive done everything you askedwhat more do you want from me?

My body swayed. The handprint on my face burned, a stark contrast to the deathly pallor of my skin.

Margots expression suddenly shifted to something resembling pity. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me. You know youre the only one I truly love, Nick. You have to feel that.

If you just wait, Ill be back home for good. I promise.

Years ago, as an unwanted orphan, I thought marrying Margot was the greatest stroke of luck in human history. People in our circle used to say, What did you do in a past life to deserve a woman as devoted as Margot?

I had drowned in that "devotion."

Until... Toby.

When Toby was bored, Margot would show him old videos of me being bullied in foster care just to make him laugh. She let her friends mock me as a "gold-digger" while she stood by and smirked.

Once, she left me stranded in the middle of a hiking trail in the Adirondacks because Toby called saying he had a nightmare. I had to walk ten miles in the dark, barely escaping the local wildlife.

It got worse. She let Toby call me in the middle of the night just so I could hear the sounds of them together in bed. When the stress landed me in the hospital back then, she told me I was "weak" and "dramatic" for not being able to handle a little competition.

Sweat poured down my face. Margot pressed my car keys into my palm.

You being here is making Toby anxious. He cant recover with you lurking around. I need you to discharge yourself and go home. Now.

My vision was tunneling into black spots. I just nodded.

Margots eyes flickered with a brief moment of confusion at my compliance, but then my phone buzzed. It was the director of the Saint Judes Home, the woman who had raised meMrs. Gable.

Shed had a massive heart attack.

I stumbled toward the elevator, dragging my leaden limbs to the cardiac wing. I found Mrs. Gable gasping for air, her face a terrifying shade of purple.

The doctor, mid-resuscitation, looked at me grimly. A young man was in here screaming at her just a few minutes ago. They got into a physical altercation. He said some horrible things.

My heart stopped. Mrs. Gable was the only mother I had ever known.

I turned around, and there was Toby, throwing himself into Margots arms, weeping.

That old woman called me a home-wrecker! I was just trying to talk to her, and she fell down to try and frame me! Shes trying to sue me, Margot!

Furry boiled over my fever. Youre lying!

Toby glanced at me over Margots shoulder, pulling back his sleeve to show a few faint, "clumsy" scratches. He wailed louder.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Gables arms were covered in deep bruises and jagged scratches from where he had clearly grabbed her.

Seeing his smug, mocking smirk hidden from Margot's view, I lost it. I stepped forward and slapped himharder than Margot had slapped me.

But a second later, a much heavier blow sent me reeling.

The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth instantly.

Margot stood over me, her hand trembling, a flash of guilt crossing her eyes before it was replaced by cold defiance.

How dare you lay a hand on him? Your family started this. Is this the upbringing youre so proud of? Violence?

I blinked back tears, unable to believe the words coming out of her mouth.

People always assumed orphans were feral, uneducated animals. Years ago, Margot was the one who smashed a wine bottle over a man's head for calling me a "stray." She was the one who promised to be my shield.

Seeing me tear up, Margots expression softened for a fraction of a second, but Toby buried his face in her neck, shaking.

Margot... if you hadnt come, they would have killed me together...

Margots pity for me vanished, replaced by pure disgust.

Tomorrow night at the Benefit Gala, you are going to stand up and publicly apologize to Toby. Dont think I dont know what youre planning. If you don't clear his name, Mrs. Gable will spend the rest of her life telling people hes a villain.

I shook my head, helpless. And if I dont?

If you dont apologize, Im pulling the funding for the Saint Judes renovation. And the card you use for Mrs. Gables private nursing? Canceled.

She leaned in, her voice like a knife. Think carefully, Nick. On your own, how long will it take you to find her a heart donor match? Hmm?

I looked at the woman in the bed, the woman who had taught me how to tie my shoes and how to believe I was worth something. I broke.

Fine, I whispered.

The next night at the Gala, Margot handed me a script. Toby walked up to me while Margot was talking to donors, digging his nails into the fresh stitches in my shoulder.

He smiled for the cameras. Nick, an apology requires sincerity.

Before I could react, he kicked the back of my knee. I buckled, falling onto the marble floor in front of the citys elite.

Like a broken marionette, I read from the paper.

I apologize to Toby Miller for the misunderstanding involving Mrs. Gable. I acted out of turn, and I will be covering all his medical expenses...

The room erupted into whispers.

I guess you cant take the gutter out of the boy. No wonder Margot is looking elsewhere.

Like mother, like son. Even if she didnt give birth to him, theyre both trash.

Toby looks like a true gentleman. I think Nicks time is up.

The shame burned hotter than my fever. Toby looked down at me with the eyes of a conqueror.

I tried to stand, but my head throbbed. Margot took a step toward me, her brow furrowing. Are you okay? You look gray.

I shoved her hand away. She cleared her throat, regaining her composure. Dont flatter yourself. I just don't want you making a mess at this event.

Toby made a show of helping me up, leaning into my ear.

Take care of yourself, Nick. But I just heard a rumor... the heart donor for your precious Mrs. Gable? They backed out. Changed their mind. Looks like shell have to wait another ten years.

He grinned. If she even has ten minutes left.

The world turned red. I lunged, my hands finding his throat. You played with her life? You monster!

Margot didn't hesitate. She shoved me back with everything she had.

Nick, have you lost your mind?

I tumbled down the steps of the stage, my bones screaming as they hit the hard floor. Toby didn't stop smiling. Behind Margots back, he was laughing.

I scrambled up, ready to tear him apart, when my phone rang.

It was the hospital.

Mr. Steven? Mrs. Gable... shes gone. Someone took her from her room!

My heart went cold. I looked up and saw Tobys smirk widen.

Ignoring the crowd, I stumbled toward him, my eyes bloodshot. Shes the only family I have left. What did you do with her?

My voice cracked. The guests were recording on their phones. Margot, humiliated beyond repair, shoved me again.

Nick, enough!

I fell into a pyramid of champagne flutes. Shards of glass sliced into my palms and back.

Margot took a step forward, but Toby beat her to it, leaning over me as if to help.

Youre so smart, Nick, he whispered. You figured out I took the old bat. But do you want to guess how Im going to make her suffer?

Panic seized me. Before I knew it, I was pinning him to the floor, my fingers digging into his neck. I will kill you if you hurt her!

A massive forceMargotyanked me off him and delivered a stinging slap.

I have been more than patient with you! Toby has done nothing but try to be civil, and look at you! Youre a savage!

In her eyes, I was a madman. A spectacle.

But I could only think of Mrs. Gable. I grabbed a steak knife from a passing waiters tray and lunged at Toby.

Help! Margot, help! Toby screamed.

Margot threw herself in front of him. The blade caught her in the shoulder, drawing blood.

She didn't even flinch. She turned to the security guards, her face a mask of cold fury.

My husband has had a psychotic break. Make him apologize. One hundred bows. Force him to his knees until he regains his senses.

The guards slammed me onto the floor. They forced my head down again and again until my forehead was a bloody mess.

During one of those forced bows, I saw Toby tilt his phone toward me.

On the screen, a live feed showed the old Saint Judes building. Smoke was billowing from the attic. I could hear a muffled screamMrs. Gables voice.

Let me go! Margot, please, let me go!

I fought against the guards, but Margot knelt down and gripped my face. You arent leaving this room until you show some goddamn remorse.

I stopped fighting. I dropped to my knees and started bowing on my own, faster and faster, blood blurring my vision. I didnt care about the dignity. I didn't care about the people laughing.

Margot looked startled, reaching out to stop me, but I shoved her away with a strength born of pure terror. I turned and sprinted out of the ballroom.

When I reached the orphanage, the fire had already swallowed the upper floors.

I charged into the heat, the skin on my arms blistering. I found her in the attic, tied to a chair. I fumbled with the ropes, my hands shaking.

She looked at me, a small, tired smile on her face. And then, her head slumped.

I froze. My soul didn't just break; it vanished.

A second laterBOOM.

The explosion threw me into the darkness.

Margot, as the lead donor for the gala, was escorted by a fleet of reporters to the orphanage for a "surprise" late-night visit.

But as she stepped out of her limo, the wall of flame reflecting in her eyes made her stop dead in her tracks.