After His Betrayal, I Left Him Broken and Begging

At the company’s celebration banquet, I arrived ten minutes late. I stopped to buy a gift for my son.

My husband’s secretary greeted me with a smile, smoothing over the awkward moment.

“Eliana Wilson, you and President Thomas really are something. Eight years of marriage and still so sweet, it’s enviable.”

But my husband’s face immediately darkened.

“Sweet? We’re an old married couple. If the kid’s mom doesn’t feel like showing up, then forget it. Let’s just start.”

I stared silently at the livestream, then turned and walked out, headed straight for the law firm.

When the divorce papers were placed on the table, Maverick’s expression turned cold.

“Are you out of your mind? Just because I called you the kid’s mom, you want a divorce?”

I nodded.

“Yes. Exactly because of that.”

——

The company’s biggest project had just been finalized. Maverick had specially taken half a day off and arranged a celebration banquet.

I had been out buying a birthday gift for our son, and with traffic holding me up, I arrived ten minutes late.

The livestream on my phone was still playing.

Maverick sat at the center of the table, and the seat that should’ve been mine was already occupied by his secretary, Lainey Landers.

Some of the guests looked confused.

“Has sister-in-law not shown up yet? It’s been a while. Should we just go ahead and start?”

Someone beside them gave a discreet nudge.

“Haven’t you heard? Behind every successful man is a stronger woman. If it weren’t for the sister-in-law supporting him all these years, would the company have come this far? Maverick and Eliana have such a good relationship. What’s the harm in waiting a little? It’s not like anyone’s starving.”

Maverick’s face darkened slightly, though his voice stayed even.

“Back up? She’s just a housewife who stays home all day enjoying life. What help could she possibly offer?”

“If it weren’t for Lainey these past few years, even with three heads and six arms, I’d still be running myself into the ground.”

At the praise, Lainey blushed, lightly tapping his chest with a playful fist.

“President Thomas, you’re teasing again. Everyone knows how much you adore Eliana, right? You’re just trying to make the single guys here jealous.”

“Eliana’s beautiful and capable. Even after having a child, she continues to bring you clients. If I were a man, I’d fall for her too.”

The appreciation I’d once imagined never came. Instead, Maverick’s face turned frosty in an instant.

“Beautiful? You mean before she gave birth, right? These days… Eliana’s just…”

“Whatever. She’s a mother now, I can’t expect too much. Let’s drop it. Let’s just start eating. By the time she gets here, you’ll all be starving. So slow, who knows what she’s even busy with all day at home?”

The colleagues around the table raised their glasses in celebration, eagerly fawning over Lainey. No one spared me a second glance.

My fingernails dug deep into my palms as my body trembled.

“Driver, turn around. Take me to the nearest law firm.”

With the divorce agreement in hand, I didn’t head for the hotel; I went straight home.

On the way, messages from Maverick kept popping up one after another.

Each one colder, more impatient than the last.

[Still not here? How long do you expect us to wait? Do I need to teach you basic social manners now?]

[What’s with you? You used to be punctual. Is this some new attitude? Should I be begging for your presence now?]

[Forget it. Come or don’t, the celebration’s over. I’ve been drinking. Come pick me up. I’ll give you ten minutes. And bring hangover meds, I’m not feeling great.]

In the past, every time his social events ended, he would always send me a message.

And I’d drop everything, flag down a taxi, and rush over, afraid something might happen to him.

But this time, I simply felt tired. I couldn’t keep running anymore.

I turned off my phone and quietly reviewed the agreement laid out on the table.

When I finished signing the last page, the door slammed open with a thunderous crash.

Maverick barged in, eyes cold, and flung his suit jacket straight at me.

“What’s wrong with you? Is your phone broken? Or are you just blind?”