Kicking off my business was like surviving on crumbs. Pennies in the pockets, all we had were plain buns, day after grueling day.

But somehow, those lean times really brought us together.

She was my rock—every time I stumbled, she was there to pick me up.

She threw herself into solving problems, no matter how tough.

Once, she even joined me for drinks with a client, guzzling enough to impress but wound up in the ER.

Fast forward a few years, and our business was finally booming.

But the aftermath of my Everest climb for her love, combined with relentless business stress, had my health in the gutter.

Eventually, it knocked me flat.

Doc was blunt, "Take it easy at home, no more grinding."

Thankfully, the biz was on solid ground. We decided she'd take the reins while I played househusband.

At first, it was smooth sailing.

She hit the ground running.

But then, a year on, our fifth anniversary rolled around, and I was pumped for a surprise. Told her to be home early.

I went all out all day long for the special day.

And our place was decked out like a love nest, sheer heaven.

Balloons, flowers, candlelit dinner, red wine, and a huge throwback photo from our fifth year...

It looked like a scene from a rom-com.

But the clock ticked on, and I was microwaving dinner over and over.

She was a no-show.

At nine, her text hit, "Tied up with a client tonight, might run late. Hit the hay without me. Love ya, babe."

That text was a gut punch.

But remembering her hustle for our dream, I let it slide.

Just me and my wine, then.

Out of the blue, a buddy sent over a snapshot—

There was Elara, cozy with some dude at a bistro.

They were toasting with that "just married" look in their eyes, which shattered my heart.

She was supposed to be working with a client, but this? Smelled like date night!

Cheating? That's a one-way ticket to splitsville!

I was seeing red, and fired off a text to my buddy, needing the lowdown.

He shot back another pic quick.

Elara, cheers-ing with the mystery man.

He dropped the details too—the hotel name, table number.

I was a wreck...

I had given her the best years of my life, my purest love.

And just because of a few of her words, I tackled Everest because she dared me, and came back broken.

I left a steady gig to chase this pipe dream, worsening my health when she threw out her complains about current life.

I did it all for her—no regrets, never a peep.

I'd never seen this coming after all I had done.

This is how she repays me? With carelessness and cold betrayal?

She was still chasing thrills with other guys, never satisfied.

Though flashed into my mind as I stared at those anniversary photos I hung up, once sweet memories, now just bitter reminders.

Lost in thought for so long, I finally dialed her up again, "When are you coming home?"

"I... I'm neck-deep in a major deal. Can't talk... I'll fill you in when I get back..."

Her breathy excuses spoke volumes on the phone.

Clearly sidestepping the truth.

No doubt, she was hashing out a 'big deal' alright.

That was it!

The big deal!

I didn't think I can stand it!

That thought choked me!

My sickness flared with my spiraling thoughts.

Missed my meds, and everything went black.

Waking up disoriented, I checked the time—around one AM.

Still no sign of Elara.

I sat in silence, just waiting, no TV, no distractions.

She stumbled in at 2:15 AM, dead on her feet.

I was sitting there solo, doing nothing as she expected.

She blurted, "You're sick, why not crash early? Need help hitting the sack?"

She walked to me to brace me up.

I shot back, deadpan, "Do you think I can sleep?"

She paused, puzzled, missing the hint I dropped. "You been napping all day or what?"

I stayed silent, mulling over giving her a second shot—if only she'd fess up and swear off straying.

My silence and glare spoke volumes.

Holding her ground as if her conscience was clear, she soon seemed bewildered under the weight of my silent scrutiny.

Soon, she looked away and muttered, "If you're gonna stay up, I'll leave you to it. Been slammed at work. Gotta crash for an early meeting."

Having watched her turn away, I closed my eyes

My heart shattered in pieces for what she did.

"Let's get a divorce!"

Elara Thornfield stopped cold but didn't turn to face me. Her voice was steady, "Why this divorce talk all of a sudden? Haven't I cared enough? Or is there someone else?"

I cracked a smile, "You come home dead on your feet every night. I always thought it was the grind wearing you down."

"But today, it dawned on me: you're not just tired from work. You're drained from playing footsie under the table with him, dealing with the humping."

"Really, thanks for the hard slog!"

Elara stood frozen, her back to me, leaving me guessing her expression.

She paused, then threw over her shoulder, "Do you know all about it?"

Her nonchalance struck a nerve. I shot back, "If I hadn't caught on, you'd have kept this under wraps, huh?"

"Wouldn't that be simpler?" she retorted, which really skewed my perspective.

"Don't you see the daily grind of running a company and managing our home is already maxing me out?"

Elara finally turned around, her eyes piercing, "Shouldn't I have some outlet for all this stress?"

Her justification knocked the wind out of me.

How could she, a married woman, be so shameless like this?

I stood up and roared, "So, cheating's your way to unwind? Own up to what you are!"

"Mind your words!"

Elara fired back, pivoting to face me fully. "He and I? We're the real deal. He understands me, knows how to light up my days, brings the romance you've never managed. You've never given me half the attention he does!"

Her righteousness was astounding.

The elegant woman before me made her affair sound like a justified choice—like somehow, it was all on me.

She had every reason to cheat on me.

And she even made her cheating my fault!

Her brazenness left me at a loss for words.

Maybe splitting our assets was exactly what she was angling for.

Initially, I impulsively leaned towards divorce, but now, I'm not playing into her hands.

"If that's how it is, when do you want the divorce?"

Disdain flashed in Elara's eyes.

Her sneer cut deep, "I'm up to my eyeballs in work. Got a whole company to steer and my sweetheart to tend to. I don't have time to spare. You set the date, we'll make it official. It's for the best."

Watching her brazenness, my heart ached.

Maybe she's been repelled by me for some time.

Indeed!

She's a high-powered CEO now, living in the limelight.

And me? Just a guy swamped with issues, barely hanging on.

She's been itching to ditch me for good!

I faced her squarely, my resolve unwavering, "Divorce sounds about right, but the company stays mine."

"Huh?"

Elara scoffed, "Adrian Blake, you must be joking."

"You're just a husk of your former self."

"Think you still have what it takes to run the company?"

Her disdain and arrogance were palpable, but I kept silent.

Another word would just demean myself further!

Back to the here and now.

I watched Elara, tipsy and babbling.

My heart, once in turmoil, began to settle.

I made the final decision.

This woman doesn't merit my sympathy!

She can have the divorce, but not a penny of the assets!

I connected the former executives at the company.

For the next few weeks, I sat down with them one by one and synced up with our lawyers.

I started making my presence felt at the office again.

Elara was aware of my moves, but she just sneered, thinking after years under her command, she was the only game in town.

Big mistake. I might have been out of sight, but I was never out of the game. I was the puppet master, and the veterans knew it. They saw through many of Elara's half-baked schemes that lacked foresight.

At our annual company bash, Elara decided to parade her new flame.

"Mr. Blake, look who it is."

Leonard strutted up, hand outstretched, "Let's make this official. I'm Leonard Mosby."

I glanced at his hand and bypassed the handshake, "Excuse me, got to run!"

I tried to leave.

But Leonard blocked my path, eyebrow cocked, "Mr. Blake, heard you're not on board over this divorce thing?"

I stopped.

He leaned in, "Why the masochism?"

"You're cool with your wife stepping out?"

"Man, you're one patient saint!"

"If it were me? I'd have been out the door yesterday, no looking back."

"By the way, she's a firecracker, huh, Mr. Blake?"

His digs felt like child's play.

What does this kid know about life's real grit?

I shot him a look, then turned away, without saying another word.

Yet, he wasn't finished.

At the party's halfway mark, he swaggered over, wine in hand, "Mr. Blake, you're a saint. Mind if I pour the wine over your head and test your halo?"

Then, with a grin, he dumped his wine over my head in front of the whole crowd.

A collective gasp filled the room.

I wiped my face, looked him square in the eye, "Feeling proud?"

Unruffled by my calm, he shrugged, "You're one of a kind, I'll give you that!"

Smirking, he walked away, victor in his own mind.

Some colleagues came over, concerned.

I waved it off, "Nothing."

This? It's peanuts compared to startup days.

No way I was going to let Elara walk away from her mess without a fight!

As the evening was about to wrap up, Elara led Leonard to the stage and made an announcement, "With our new direction, I'm promoting a bold spirit to VP of Marketing. Please welcome Leonard Mosby!"

CLAPS!

The applause thundered.

Leonard beamed, as if he had just climbed Everest.

He was ready to speak.

I stood up, voice steady, "I object!"

That got me all the attention ,and silence enveloped the room.

Elara's smile vanished, she snapped, "Adrian, you've been MIA forever. What gives you the right to object!"

I turned and walked out, leaving the silence behind.

Then, one by one, the seasoned execs stood.

"I object!"

"I do too!"

"Why promote someone so green? I'm opposed too!"

"Mrs. Blake, you can't just play favorites. I object as well!"

"The kid's got no chops, and I object!"

The core management backed me up.

Elara was stunned.

She hadn't seen it coming—the loyalty I still commanded.

Not long after I got home, Elara stormed in after me.

I was in the shower when I heard her crash through the door.

SPLOSH!

She burst into the bathroom, rage in her voice, "Adrian! You think you scare me? I've got this company in my hands. Your allies? They're gone soon!"

I caught a glimpse of her in the mirror and turned away, leaving her fuming at the doorway.

My birthday rolled around, and I threw a bash with friends.

We were having a blast until Elara showed up with Leonard, clearly to provoke me. She thought she could irritate me.

The atmosphere nosedived.

Only Elara and Leonard were grinning, playing up their lovey-dovey act for all to see.

The room fell awkwardly quiet until Leonard tried to break the ice, "Come on, lighten up! It's Adrian's birthday, let's enjoy it!"

Then he turned to Elara, "Shall we toast to better vibes?"

"Absolutely."

Elara didn't hesitate.

Under the stunned stares of everyone, they shared a toast right in front of me.

The silence was deafening.

Leonard wore a smug grin, clearly enjoying the drama.

Especially Elara, who had thrown all caution to the wind.

Faced with this heart-wrenching scene, I didn't flip the table or storm out. Instead, I smiled and clapped, "Is it heating up in here? How about another kiss?"