I was the first to fall in love with Melanie. I had loved her for twenty years. Even though it hurt, I was still willing to give her a chance.
But now, it was crystal clear that it had always been one-sided. Her heart and her eyes were filled with Hector and his kids.
Melanie didn't turn down the divorce because she couldn't stand to leave me. She declined because she couldn't bear giving up her golden goose.
Seeing that my words had taken a sharp turn, Melanie's face darkened.
Melanie gritted her teeth, and finally, she played her trump card.
"Zachary, if you go through with this divorce, I'll take half of everything. You can forget about taking the company public."
Melanie had figured everything out perfectly. She knew how much the company meant to me. It was like my own child, something I had poured my heart and soul into, and I had spent three long years preparing for its IPO. She was betting that I wouldn't be able to let it go, betting that I couldn't let her go. She thought I would give in.
But what she didn't know was that I had more than one child, and not just the company.
I had countless others.
Seeing the shift in my expression, Melanie softened her tone again, like she always did when she wanted something from me.
"Zach, you know I love you. Or else, why would I leave the kids behind and stay with you for twenty years? I just made a mistake. It doesn't mean I don't love you anymore."
She kept going, weaving her words like a silk thread, trying to make it all sound so reasonable.
"You always said that when we got older, we'd leave the company behind and travel together. We'd see the rivers and mountains of our homeland. Now we have heirs. They can help you manage the business. They carry my blood, and their character is strong. Better them than some outsider."
If I hadn't noticed the glances she kept throwing at the kids and the silent signals between them, I might have believed her for a moment. But I saw right through it.
The calculation in her eyes, how she was using her love to manipulate me, and now, how she was using her children to control the situation.
But that brief flash of calculation in all three of their eyes?
That wasn't something they could hide.
From the moment she proposed the child-free marriage all those years ago, she had been planning for this day, waiting for me to grow older and lose my ability to have children.
Then she'd pressure me, lure me in, bring in her boy toy, and those illegitimate kids to slowly take everything I'd built.
They had been mocking me behind my back for years, calling me a stupid, love-blind fool, doomed to die alone.
I didn't say anything as they left, all high spirits and smiles.
Her social media showcased a parade of happiness: the joyful 'family of three' on a shopping trip, Hector's victorious return at the airport, accompanied by 999 roses.
For three days straight, Melanie didn't come home.
I knew she was holed up at The Lakeside Mansion, completely lost in her bliss.
Every day, she messaged me to remind me to transfer the company shares—always ending with a kissy-face emoji.
[Honey, Hector just got back, everything's still new for him. Once I get things sorted, I'll come back to you. Love you! -xxx]
I watched coldly as she bought Hector a luxury car and an expensive watch. I saw him smugly post peace signs on social media.
The caption read:
[Twenty years of storms. Finally, we can embrace each other in the open.]
Scum like him aren't just manipulative. They're good at hiding it.
After twenty-two years, Hector didn't have to pretend anymore.
And so, I calmly liked his post.
That one small gesture was enough to convince them I'd given in.
The twins are taking over the company? That was a done deal in their minds.
After all, if I divorced her, I would lose my money, our marriage, and everything else. It might be better to stay and try to earn some affection.
Besides, I was already in my fifties. What good was more money if I had no one to inherit it?
Melanie had already begun reaching out to reporters, scouting locations, and organizing a press conference.
Meanwhile, Charlotte, my secretary, came to pick me up, carrying a thick stack of documents.
Then, Melanie smiled and gave me her final reminder.
"Be careful with the IPO process. Once it succeeds, the market value will jump by a billion. Then Archie and Noelle will have a much easier time taking over."
Charlotte replied with a smile, "Yes, having family to rely on definitely makes things easier, especially blood relatives."
Melanie didn't catch the edge in Charlotte's tone. She thought I'd already told her everything.
