Her Infidelity, My Divorce

My wife and I were a power couple. Ten years of what I thought was love.
That illusion shattered the day her boy toy stormed into my office behind her back.
The young mans arrogance was suffocating.
Claire will kick an old man like you to the curb for me, sooner or later.
I couldnt have cared less. In fact, I turned right around, told my wife I wanted a divorce, and threw her out of the company.
Suddenly, she was panicking, forcing her little lover to his knees in front of me, begging for my forgiveness.

1
Youve got no looks and no talent. What right do you have to monopolize Claire for a decade?
Claire said shes giving me the villa at The Waters Edge. She knows you wanted it, but she gave it to me anyway. Its only a matter of time before she kicks an old man like you to the curb for me.
Leo leaned over my desk, his hands braced on the polished mahogany, looking down at me with contempt.
The Claire he was talking about, Claire Thornton, was my wife of ten years.
Just a few days ago, a friend had given me a subtle warning.
Claires been getting awfully close to a new employee. Want me to take care of him for you?
Hed slid a folder of photos across the table. In them, Claire and Leo werent overly intimate. The most damning picture was of Leos hand on the small of her back as he held an umbrella for her in the rain.
I glanced at them, neither accepting nor refusing my friends offer. After a decade together, I wasnt going to resort to such ugly tactics.
So I gave her three days. Three days to cut ties with Leo, and I would pretend it never happened.
She agreed without a moments hesitation, her voice thick with guilt.
Im so sorry I made you worry. Its my fault.
And now, here was her lover, parading his arrogance in my office.
The Waters Edge was prime real estateexclusive, private, the perfect place to hide a secret.
Was Claire planning on keeping a lover?
A wave of revulsion washed over me as I looked at Leo. My decision was instant.
I picked up my phone and called Claire, telling her to get to my office. Immediately.
Leo stared at me in disbelief, then burst out laughing.
Who do you think Claire is? Some stray you can just whistle for? Calling her over will only make her despise you more!
I ignored him, pulling a cigarette from my desk drawer and lighting it.
Leo coughed dramatically, then had the audacity to try and snatch it from my hand. I cant stand the smell of smoke. Put it out!
The moment his hand shot forward, I flicked the cigarette twice. The hot ash landed squarely on his arm. He yelped and recoiled, staring at me like I was insane.
You son of a bitch, you burned me!
He lunged, aiming to punch me, but my free hand shot out and slammed him to the floor. Twenty years of professional combat training made dealing with a preening pretty boy like him effortless.
He was howling on the ground when the office door swung open.
Leos eyes lit up. He scrambled to his feet and clung to Claires leg, sobbing.
Claire, youre finally here! Julian burned me with his cigarette, and then he hit me!
Claires brow furrowedher classic tell for annoyance. She looked at me, her eyes a mixture of guilt and anger, as if furious that Id embarrassed her by roughing up her pet project in public.
Julian, hes my employee, you cant just
Dont, I cut her off, my voice ice. Dont you dare lecture me. He wouldnt have made it past security without the access you gave him. Claire, have I been too good to you all these years?
In our entire relationship, I had never raised my voice to her. Even when she made mistakes, I was the one who calmly cleaned up her messes. I would never have publicly humiliated her like this.
Those simple words made her eyes flash with shame and fury. You youve gone too far!
Leo, seeing her anger, immediately fanned the flames. Exactly, Claire! He clearly has no respect for you, or hed never say something like that.
He thought he was stoking her rage against me.
He didnt expect her to violently shake his hand off. Who the hell gave you permission to speak? she snapped, her voice dripping with scorn. What are you that you think you can lecture me?
I wasnt surprised. After ten years of marriage, no one knew Claire better than I did. She could coddle Leo, spoil him like a pet, but she would never let him jeopardize her interests. Our marriage was as much a business merger as it was a romance. If it fractured, the fallout would be catastrophic for both of us.
In the end, the only person Claire truly loved was herself. Her anger at me now was purely because I had embarrassed herI had kicked her dog without asking the owner.
The cigarette burned down to the filter. I crushed it out in the ashtray. I gave you three days to handle him, I said, my voice flat. You didn't.
Claire took a few steps closer, her voice softening. I was wrong, okay? If you dont like him, Ill get rid of him. Why stoop to his level? She glanced over her shoulder, her tone turning cold. You. Apologize to Mr. Shaw.
Leo stared at her, then at me, his pretty eyes welling up with tears.
Now! Claire repeated, her patience gone.
He scrubbed at his eyes with the back of his hand, his voice thick with resentment. Im sorry.
Claire finally smiled, gently shaking my arm. See? He apologized. Lets just drop it. If youre still upset, you can go find another woman. We can play our separate games.
She was protecting him, trying to smooth things over.
But I dont tolerate sand in my eyes.
I had given her a chance because I still had feelings for her, and because, technically, she hadnt crossed the line. Flirting was one thing. An affair was another.
But now, my decision was made.
I pulled my arm from her grasp, my voice laced with disgust.
Separate games? You think youre worthy?
Claire froze, her expression hardening. Julian, I admit youre more capable than I am, but Im no pushover. I run nearly half of this companys operations. Im offering you an out; you should take it. Were adults. We both know that monogamy is a myth. I have money and status now. I can have any man I want. This attitude of yours will only hurt the company.
Her voice grew sharper with every word, ending in a cold sneer. Besides, how would you benefit from a divorce? Id advise you not to push your luck.
I swiveled in my chair and sighed. I had fallen for Claire because of that fierce confidence, that courage. I admired her pride and her talent.
But she didnt understand. The company had grown far beyond what her abilities could manage.
You still dont get it, do you? I dont tolerate betrayal. I paused, my voice dropping. No matter how much I loved you, I will not have a wife who cheapens herself with trash like that.
Claires hands clenched into fists, her face crimson with rage. Youre calling me cheap? She grabbed my collar, her knuckles white.
My eyes drifted calmly from Leo back to her, a mocking smile on my lips.
Youre willing to associate with vermin like him. What does that make you?
Claire, Im done talking. My lawyer will have the divorce papers on your desk tomorrow. Were finished.
Her lips trembled, and her grip on my collar slackened. She stumbled back, repeating my words in disbelief. You you want to divorce me?
I wont accept it!
I gave her a cold look. Its already done. What makes you think you have a choice?
I had meetings to attend. I wasnt about to let this melodrama derail the entire company. I stood up and walked toward the door.
Claire tried to follow, but Leo grabbed her arm.
Claire, if you go after him now, hell know you cant live without him! he hissed. Youre amazing! You can have any man you want. That old fool doesnt appreciate you! Besides, youre the majority shareholder. You can just fire him and become the sole boss!
His words actually made her stop.
I walked into the conference room without a backward glance and started the meeting.
It was ten p.m. by the time I got home. My phone was ringing incessantly. Claire. I ignored it. She called again. And again. Finally, I answered.
Julian! Come get me, she slurred, her voice thick with alcohol. The background noise was a deafening wall of electronic music.
My first instinct was to hang up. But we were still legally married. If something happened to her, it would be my problem.
I grabbed my keys and drove to the bar.
The moment I stepped into the private room, a bucket of water crashed down on my head. I dodged, but not fast enough. My shirt was soaked. The metal bucket clattered to the floor, rolling to a stop at Claires feet.
She was draped over Leo, her arms around his neck, her eyes full of defiance.
Julian, I thought you wanted a divorce. Why did you come running the second I called? she taunted. The great Julian Shaw, pathetic as a stray dog you cant get rid of.
Leo roared with laughter. Not a stray dog, a drowned rat! Hahahaha!
I took a deep breath, trying to hold on to my last shred of reason. As I turned to leave, Leo leaped off the sofa and grabbed my arm.
Did I say you could leave? he snarled. You hit me today. Now we settle the score.
His fist came flying at me. I sidestepped and threw him to the ground. This time, I didnt hold back. He hit the floor hard, a line of blood trickling from his nose.
Claire screamed. Julian! How dare you hit him again! Do you want to be thrown out of this company? She raised her hand to slap me, but I caught her wrist and flung it away.
I had no idea what nonsense Leo had been feeding her, but it had clearly worked.
Leo staggered to his feet. Stop pretending youre so noble, he spat. You only came running because youre desperate to keep your job. One word from Claire, and youre out on the street!
I straightened my disheveled collar as my assistant arrived with a fresh shirt. Their childish provocations were laughable.
Go on then, I said. Try me.
The next day at the office, everyone stared at me. I walked calmly to my office, only to find all my belongings piled up outside the door.
Leo was lounging in my chair, his feet propped up on my desk.
He whistled when he saw me. Youre fired!
Thats when I noticed the company-wide email from Claire, announcing my termination. In the same breath, she had appointed Leo as the new CEO.
I remembered her threats from last night and almost laughed.
For years, I had worked in the shadows, quietly building the empire and letting her take all the credit. I had paved the way for her to live out her dream of being a powerful businesswoman. And to protect her from whispers that shed slept her way to the top, I never let anyone know the extent of my involvement.
Only a handful of major shareholders knew who really held the reins.
As soon as Claire appeared, they descended.
Claire! You cant fire Julian! Hes the heart of this company, our cornerstone!
Thats right! Wed be nowhere without him!
Claires lips curled into a cold smile. So what? Im the boss here. My decision is final. If anyone has a problem with it, you can get out too.
She thought her threats would silence them. She forgot these were seasoned veterans, not easily intimidated.
Julian built this company from the ground up. If anyone should be leaving, its you!
We all know whos done the real work and whos been coasting. You think your shares are all that matter?
Julian has poured his blood, sweat, and tears into this company for you, and you throw him away for some boy toy? Well pull our investments and stand with Julian!
The shareholders tore her apart, their words sharp and merciless.
She should have been furious. Instead, she hesitated. With so many people siding with me, could she really win this fight?
But Leo couldnt wait. Claire, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he urged. Get rid of these old fossils, and the company is all yours! Youll be the undisputed queen, and all the profits will be ours!

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