9.
I couldn’t get out. Every way I turned,
someone was blocking me.
So, I sat down on the floor.
“Fine. Stare at me all you want.”
No one spoke. They knew if they pushed me
too far, the company was done.
Finally, Brittany couldn’t take it anymore.
“You want the divorce? Fine!”
She ran back into her office and got the
divorce papers.
“If you help the company, I’ll sign them.”
Brittany looked humiliated.
“Brittany, you really think you’re suffering.”
“Look at their faces. Do you see shock?”
“They’re shocked that I, Ethan Hayes, was
married to Brittany Coldwell.”
“You never wanted anyone to know we were
married. Your family looks down on me. My
mother–in–law gives me the side–eye every
time I see her.”
“I’ve worked my butt off for your family for
years, and they don’t even look at me.”
“Now you’re feeling bad? Good for you!”
“But I suggest you go ask Chad. I can tell
you’ve found love in his arms.”
I said. I felt good.
Brittany started crying.
She signed the papers and threw them at me.
“Here! Is this what you wanted?”
く
“I gave you what you wanted. But this
company is your life’s work. Are you really
going to let it die?”
“What will you be without this company?”
I picked up the divorce papers.
Some people were getting ready to leave.
A few good people stepped aside and made a
path for me.
“Brittany, that was messed up. We’re all here
because of Mr. Hayes.”
“Mr. Hayes turned down national projects just
to be with you.”
く
I nodded at the people who had worked
alongside me for three years.
I walked toward the door. No one stopped
me.
“Signed.”
I whispered thanks as I passed them.
Then I stopped.
“Brittany, I used to love you to pieces. I would
have done anything for you.
“But you know what? On our anniversary, I
waited for you all night, and I couldn’t reach
you.”
“I went back to the office and saved the
company, and I saw a guy messing with the
server.”
“When I went to stop him, I smelled
something familiar.”
“Your perfume.”
“But I ignored my doubts and focused on
protecting the company.”
“Then you showed up, slapped me, and
locked me up.”
“From now on, you and I are done.”
“I’m going to find Ethan again.”