substantial royalties for kitchen tool designs created alongside my father’s forge.
A massive portion of that private income had secretly saved Brian’s business from falling apart.
I had personally cleared massive debts that Brian assumed were covered by good sales months. I negotiated extended lines of credit with top food vendors and injected capital into his accounts through my firm whenever his restaurant was on the brink of closure.
I did all of that without ever demanding my name be placed on the front door because I had foolishly confused love with endless self-sacrifice.
Beatrice’s face drained of all color.
“That is a complete lie.”
Cooper opened the leather binder to show her the certified documentation.
“Here are the signed corporate contracts and bank transfers. Samantha does not own his restaurant building, but her firm was its primary financial safety net for years.”
Brian suddenly burst through the hotel doors,
his tie completely undone and his hair messy.
“Samantha! Tell me what these lawyers are saying isn’t true!”
“Every single word is true, Brian.”
“Why on earth did you never tell me how much money you were making?”
I let out a soft, sad laugh.
“I told you repeatedly. You always replied that you had no interest in listening to my foolish little pennies.”
Brian opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out of his throat.
“We can fix this whole situation,” he stammered, taking a step toward me. “We can get remarried and work together again…”
“I didn’t file for divorce to scare you into changing. I left because I finally stopped wanting a life with you.”
Beatrice nodded her head frantically, reaching for my hand.
“We can start fresh as a family!”
“You still don’t understand a single thing,” I said, stepping back from her touch.
I remembered standing in that cold kitchen at five in the morning, my hands cracked and sore from harsh cleaning detergents, serving their elaborate holiday dinners while they sat comfortably, and enduring the rumors of Brian’s affairs until I finally saw the proof with my own eyes.
Charles walked into the hotel lobby right at that moment.
“Beatrice, put your coat on. We are leaving right now.”
“Tell her to fix this for our son!” she demanded loudly.
“No,” Charles said firmly.
Beatrice turned around toward her husband in utter shock.
“What did you just say to me?”
