Chapter 2: The Price of His Betrayal
Ethan stood so abruptly that his champagne glass toppled over.
"You're unbelievable," he snapped.
"You think three years of marriage entitles you to half my company?""
"I didn't ask for half your company.""
"You asked for forty million dollars!""
"You offered twenty.""
"Twenty million is generous!""
Vanessa crossed her legs and picked up a napkin.
"She's just trying to punish you, darling. Don't negotiate with her.""
I turned toward her.
"Vanessa, this is a conversation between my husband and me.""
She smiled.
"Not for much longer.""
Ethan picked up his phone.
"Call Richard.""
Richard Coleman was his personal attorney. He had handled our prenuptial agreement, the purchase of our penthouse, and nearly every major legal matter involving the Blackwood family.
Within fifteen minutes, he arrived carrying a leather briefcase.
He was a thin man in his late fifties who rarely showed emotion. He greeted me politely before Ethan began explaining the situation.
"Olivia wants forty million dollars to leave," Ethan said.
"I want this finished today.""
Richard removed his glasses.
"Mrs. Blackwood, may I see the proposed settlement?""
I handed him the folder.
He read it carefully.
"Mr. Blackwood, the original twenty-million-dollar offer includes a confidentiality clause, a waiver of additional financial claims, and a provision concerning future inheritance disputes.""
"Exactly," Ethan replied.
Richard turned a page.
"Forty million would require additional authorization and a revised agreement.""
"Then revise it.""
Richard glanced at me.
"May I ask why you've requested double the amount?""
I rested my hands on my lap.
"Because my husband has decided to end our marriage after finding someone else. I believe forty million is a reasonable price for the life I am being asked to walk away from.""
Vanessa gave a short laugh.
"Reasonable? You haven't worked a day in years.""
I looked at her.
"I spent three years managing this household, attending his business functions, and protecting his reputation. You should know. You were the reason I had to do all three.""
Her face reddened.
Ethan pointed toward the door.
"Enough. Richard, tell her what happens if she refuses.""
Richard folded his hands.
"The prenuptial agreement is quite restrictive. However, the circumstances surrounding the separation may affect certain provisions. We would need to review the details.""
"Don't complicate this," Ethan said.
"She gets the money. I get my divorce.""
Richard studied him.
"Then I recommend we document everything carefully.""
For the next hour, they negotiated.
Ethan rejected the first revised offer. Richard suggested a smaller amount. I refused.
Vanessa grew increasingly impatient.
"Can we hurry this up? Ethan has a doctor's appointment with me tomorrow.""
I looked up.
"An appointment?""
"Prenatal screening," she answered proudly.
"We need to make sure the baby is healthy.""
Ethan smiled at her.
It was a small smile, but I recognized it.
He hadn't smiled at me like that in years.
Something inside my chest tightened.
Not because I wanted him back.
Because I finally understood that the man I had spent three years trying to love had been capable of tenderness all along.
He had simply chosen not to give it to me.
Richard finally closed his briefcase.
"Forty million, subject to final execution of the revised settlement agreement and the agreed payment terms.""
Ethan stared at me.
"Congratulations. You've managed to make yourself very expensive.""
I picked up the pen.
"No, Ethan. You've made leaving you very expensive.""
I signed.
Richard collected the documents and promised to prepare the final paperwork.
Ethan walked toward the windows.
"Have your things out by tonight.""
"Fine.""
"And don't contact me again unless it's through Richard.""
I stood.
"That's perfectly fine with me.""
Vanessa rose too, placing one hand protectively over her stomach.
"Enjoy your money, Olivia. Some women are meant to be wives. Others are meant to be mothers.""
I stopped beside her.
"Be careful what you wish for.""
She narrowed her eyes.
"Is that supposed to be a threat?""
"No. It's advice.""
I went upstairs.
Our bedroom looked exactly as it had that morning. The white orchids on the bedside table were still fresh. Ethan's watch lay beside his wallet. My wedding photograph stood in a silver frame.
In the photograph, he was kissing my forehead.
I picked it up.
For a few seconds, I remembered the woman I had been when that picture was taken.
She had believed love was something you could build with patience.
She had believed loyalty would eventually be rewarded.
I placed the photograph face down.
Then I packed two suitcases.
While I was folding clothes, my phone buzzed.
A message from Richard.
Mrs. Blackwood, I need to speak with you privately about one clause in the agreement. Please call me when you can.
I frowned.
Before I could respond, another message appeared.
This time, it was from Vanessa.
It contained a photograph.
Ethan was sitting on the sofa with his lips pressed against her pregnant belly. His hand rested gently over hers.
The caption read:
Enjoy your money. I'm giving him the one thing you never could.
I stared at the photograph.
Then I opened my handbag.
The medical report was still there.
I unfolded it and placed it beside my phone.
NO SPERM DETECTED.
I wasn't a doctor. I knew a single test could not establish every detail of Ethan's fertility. There could be laboratory errors, unusual medical circumstances, or explanations that required further investigation.
But I also knew that Vanessa had just announced a pregnancy that she claimed belonged to my husband.
And the dates were impossible to ignore.
I called Richard.
He answered immediately.
"Olivia?""
"I need to ask you something. Did Ethan tell you that he had been tested at Harrison Fertility Center?""
There was a pause.
"Why?""
"Because I have his report.""
"Do you have the original?""
"Yes.""
"Don't send it electronically. Don't discuss it with Ethan yet. I want you to bring it to my office tomorrow morning.""
I lowered my voice.
"Richard, do you know something?""
Another pause.
"There's something unusual about the financial documents you've just signed. I noticed a company listed as the designated recipient of a future family trust.""
"What company?""
"Blackwood Legacy Holdings.""
I had never heard of it.
"Why is that unusual?""
"Because your husband established it six months ago. And according to the documents, a substantial portion of the family estate will eventually pass through it.""
My stomach tightened.
"Who controls it?""
"That's what I'm trying to determine.""
I glanced at the medical report.
"Richard, I think there's something wrong with Vanessa's pregnancy story.""
He exhaled.
"Mrs. Blackwood, I think you may be right. But I need evidence before making that accusation.""
I zipped my suitcase.
"I'll see you tomorrow.""
After hanging up, I booked a room at a hotel near Madison Avenue.
I left the penthouse just before midnight.
Ethan didn't come downstairs.
Vanessa didn't say goodbye.
As the elevator doors closed, I caught one last glimpse of the home where I had spent three years trying to become part of a family.
I expected to feel devastated.
Instead, I felt strangely calm.
The next morning, I entered Richard's office carrying the original medical report.
He was waiting with two cups of coffee and a thick folder.
"Before we discuss your husband's fertility results," he said, "I need to show you something.""
He opened the folder.
Inside was a copy of a medical authorization form.
I recognized Ethan's signature immediately.
But I also noticed the date.
It was dated six weeks before Ethan had agreed to visit Harrison Fertility Center.
"Where did you get this?"" I asked.
Richard leaned forward.
"From a second fertility clinic. Someone ordered a test under your husband's identity.""
I stared at the document.
"Who?""
Richard turned it around.
The signature at the bottom belonged to a man I knew very well.
Daniel Blackwood.
Ethan's younger brother.
May you like
His closest business partner.
And Vanessa's former boyfriend.
