I was packing up my things in the office when Amelia walked in.
"I'm treating everyone to dinner tonight. You should come!"
She smiled.
"I'm busy."
I declined calmly, gathered my things, and turned to leave. Behind me, Amelia's voice followed.
"Ten years by his side, and what does it matter? It doesn't compare to a single glance Cole gives me."
This time, all I could do was stay silent.
That afternoon, Amelia sent a message in the executive group chat: Got my promotion today! Dinner's on me, everyone!
Cole didn't object. He was the first to respond. Then he sent me a private message.
Don't overthink it, babe.
I didn't reply.
That evening, Cole and Amelia were out celebrating with everyone.
I was at home packing suitcases.
"Mommy."
Finn ran over and tugged at my hand. "Mommy, are you leaving? Can you wait a few days?"
"Tomorrow's my birthday. You said there'd be a big surprise, remember? I'm gonna wish for you and Daddy to stay together forever! And for Daddy not to marry Aunt Amelia!"
"He'll say yes, I know he will!"
His small face was filled with panic, his words tumbling out in a jumble.
"Okay."
I nodded gently.
Cole didn't come home that night.
Finn and I didn't sleep.
"Daddy must be getting my surprise ready!"
Finn stared out the window, his face lit by the first pale glow of morning.
But one hour passed. Then two. The sun climbed and fell, and darkness settled in again. Cole still hadn't come home.
I couldn't hold back any longer and called him. "Today is your son's birthday. Where's the surprise you promised?"
"Oh, that... Check the nightstand drawer. There are plane tickets to Scandinavia. Take Finn on a vacation!"
Cole laughed. "I'm swamped today. Gotta go."
The call ended abruptly.
I turned and pulled the tickets from the nightstand drawer.
So that was it. Finn had become just another obstacle standing between Cole and what he really wanted.
Almost at the same moment, Cole's secret account posted on social media again.
Engaged! When you love her, you give her everything she wants.
Attached was a photo of a share transfer agreement.
My fists clenched.
Ten years.
For ten years, I'd worked myself to the bone at Farley Group, doing the work of ten departments single-handedly. From corporate policies to the company's strategic direction, from vetting partners to scouting factory locations, I'd poured every ounce of my mind into building it all.
And I'd been paid an ordinary manager's salary for it.
Now everything I'd built was being handed on a silver platter to Amelia, a woman who hadn't contributed a single thing.
"Mommy."
"Daddy's not coming, is he?"
My son's crying reached me.
I turned around. Finn was clutching his phone, trembling. On the screen, Amelia's daughter Olive had posted on social media too.
Thank you, Daddy, for the little cake you baked me yourself!
For a child, it was a devastating blow.
"Mommy."
"I don't want to stay here anymore. Please, take me with you?"
Finn wiped his tears as he spoke.
"Okay."
I nodded through my own tears, finished packing everything, left the divorce papers on the table, and walked out the front door with Finn.
We boarded a plane to Scandinavia.
...
Cole and Amelia held their wedding, spent a few days on their honeymoon, and didn't bother coming home afterward. He went straight back to the office for a regular meeting.
His gaze swept the room, and he frowned. "Where's my wife? Why isn't she here?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"She probably lost track of time on vacation."
Cole muttered to himself, stood up, walked out of the conference room, and dialed my number.
"Hey, babe!"
"You've never been late to work a day in your life. How come you're not at the meeting? Still not back from Scandinavia?"
