On the company’s annual bonus day, my husband Derek cooked up a lie, accusing me of slacking off. He ordered me to hand over the massive, nearly completed project I’d been working on to his first love, Brianna. I didn’t get angry. Instead, a cold laugh escaped me. I even offered Brianna my partnership stake in the company. “Constant business trips every single day? Total burnout! Here, why don’t you take my partnership too while you’re at it!” For a moment, all my colleagues stared, convinced I’d lost my mind. But no one realized I still held the critical evidence for the project. Without me, that project would turn into a disaster. Derek would face massive blowback from the client for botching it, leaving him drowning in debt! “Brianna, this company owes its success to you. You’re our most valuable asset.” “This bonus pool? It’s all yours!” In the conference room, our CEO Derek wore a self-satisfied grin as he gently squeezed Brianna’s shoulder and handed her a thick stack of cash. Instantly, my coworkers swarmed around them, cheering and clapping: “With talent like Brianna on board, our company’s future is endless!” “Derek really knows how to spot talent! He and Brianna make the perfect team!” Watching the cozy scene in the conference room, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter chuckle, silently clutching the project files in my hand. Today was supposed to be the company’s quarterly bonus payout. But as I pulled into the company parking lot, Derek took a call and suddenly ordered me to run out and finalize a different project’s closing paperwork. After being his wife for years, I trusted Derek completely. Figuring it was an urgent client matter, I didn’t hesitate to turn around. I spent the whole day sweating through errands in the sweltering heat. But watching Derek hand over the entire bonus to Brianna—a new hire who’d barely been here two months—everything suddenly made sense. That “urgent client” was just Derek’s excuse to get me out of the way. He wanted to hand the achievement of my year-long work to his long-lost first love—the one he’d never really gotten over. Brianna turned and spotted me, feigning surprise: “Ava, you’re finally here? What kept you?” “I thought you had the day off, so Derek started the meeting early. My mistake.” Brianna’s tone was polite, but there was an unmistakable challenge in her eyes. She even waved the cash stack right in front of me, a blatant victory lap. Derek didn’t look the least bit sorry. Instead, he shot me an impatient glare, his voice icy: “Ava, what’s with the attitude? You expect everyone to wait around for you?” “No wonder you’re always dragging your feet on projects—you’re holding this company back.” “Since you’re here, just hand over that project you’re working on to Brianna. Save us from more mistakes on your watch.” Listening to Derek’s order, I clenched my fists as coldness spread through my chest. The project he was talking about? I’d slaved over it for a year—real blood, sweat, and tears. The client was a major regional player, and the retainer alone was a whopping five million dollars. But the case involved tangled international financial disputes. I’d logged countless miles, bouncing between time zones, my body breaking down from stress-related illnesses. Now, with the project almost wrapped up, Derek was trying to hand over a year of my hard work to Brianna with just a few dismissive words. I felt completely unappreciated. I still remember when Derek said he wanted to start a company. I didn’t hesitate—gave up my thriving career, emptied my savings, and built this business from the ground up with him. But he had zero experience in this field and honestly lacked the skills to run a business, let alone keep it going. So for years, I’ve carried this company on my back. I worked myself to the bone without a single complaint, and that’s why we’re successful today. Yet Brianna tags along on a few business trips, and suddenly she’s taking all the credit? Derek was really something—completely heartless. Ten years of marriage, and I’m worth less than the woman who dumped him years ago. He’d finally burned every bridge in our relationship. After a long pause, I nodded numbly, staring at the floor, and spoke in a monotone: “Fine. Whatever you want.” Triumph flashed in Brianna’s eyes, but she still played humble: “Ava, I’m just the new girl. How could someone like me handle a big case like yours?” “I just heard Derek say you’d been working on this for almost a year without closing it. I thought maybe I could help out, that’s all.” Derek patted Brianna’s shoulder affectionately, his voice turning encouraging: “Brianna, you’re an overseas-educated talent! If you can’t handle it, no one here can!” That almost made me laugh out loud. Brianna’s degree was totally fake—she couldn’t even recite basic legal terms during her interview. Only Derek, treating her like some prize, would pay her that ridiculous salary. After reassuring Brianna, Derek turned to me with a sneer: “Ava, you’d be nothing without me. You think you earned your spot here?” “Gotten too comfortable, forgot your role? Complaining about one project? If Brianna hadn’t stuck up for you, I’d fire you right now!” I rolled my eyes internally. Derek conveniently forgot he used to beg me to handle every deal detail when we started the company. I taught him everything, ruined my health, tapped my connections to land contracts for him. Now that we’re stable, he acts like I’m dead weight—insulting me to boot. With that, I walked straight toward Brianna. Coworkers’ eyes bounced between us, clearly expecting a showdown. But instead, I smiled calmly, pulled a partnership transfer agreement from my bag, and slid it across the table to her. “Constant business trips? Total burnout. Here—why not just take my partnership directly!”
The room went silent. Everyone stared, wide-eyed, clearly shocked. They thought I’d snapped—saying crazy things out of anger. “Ava, you’re a key partner here! It’s just one project! You’ve worked too hard to throw this away—think carefully, don’t act on impulse!” Derek, clearly thinking I was blackmailing him, immediately blew up: “Ava, are you done with this drama?!” “I say a few things and you throw a fit? Who do you think you are, disrupting everything? I’m the CEO here!” That was actually funny. I was practically handing Brianna a golden opportunity on a platter—he should be thrilled! Having his little favorite replace me completely—wasn’t that exactly what Derek wanted? Brianna clutched the agreement, greed flashing in her eyes, but she put on a reluctant act: “Ava, are you upset? Is that why you’re giving me your partnership?” “Please don’t misunderstand. Derek just wanted me to help you out for the company’s sake.” “I never meant to replace you. You’re a company veteran—how could a new hire like me become a partner?” “Everyone knows your hard work and sacrifices. Only you deserve this position, Ava.” With that, Brianna reached out like she was going to return the agreement. But her hand froze, clearly unwilling to let go of her prize. I smiled faintly and clarified: “Of course not! Why would I be upset?” “You’re an overseas talent. Fresh blood for the company? I’m thrilled!” “With you as partner, I couldn’t be more relieved.” Derek gave me a suspicious look, then scoffed: “Brianna, if Ava’s offering, take it. No need to be modest.” “Besides, with your skills, you’d make partner eventually. This isn’t about ‘deserving’—it’s a given.” “Everyone here can witness this.” Brianna stopped pretending. She gripped the agreement tightly, barely hiding her excitement. Watching her, I laughed coldly to myself. Derek, too busy fawning over Brianna, had no clue this project was way more complicated than they thought. I’d worked on it for over a year, and only I had the critical evidence needed to seal the deal. But they didn’t know that evidence hadn’t been submitted yet—it was still in my possession. Without me, that “golden opportunity” they thought they had would turn into a ticking time bomb. And Brianna clearly had no idea being partner meant real responsibility. Partners aren’t just title—they’re on the hook for everything that goes wrong. The client did pay a $5 million retainer, that’s true. But if we lost, we’d have to refund every cent plus massive damages. With how cutthroat this industry is, one failure would sink Brianna and the whole company. Since I’m such a “burden” to them, why bother warning them? Judgment day was coming for Derek, and I couldn’t wait. Derek, seeing I’d given up both the big case and partnership without argument, actually looked a little guilty. He cleared his throat, still sounding arrogant: “Ava, don’t just stand there.” “That case is practically done anyway. Today’s Brianna’s celebration—since you’re being reasonable, you can join.” Derek gestured with his chin like he was doing me a huge favor. I almost laughed out loud. This case alone had agency fees in the millions. He cut me out of the bonus entirely, then expects me to be grateful for a free meal? Besides, sitting across from Brianna would make me lose my appetite. I was about to say no when Brianna’s sickly sweet voice piped up: “Ava, we ordered before you arrived, and I forgot to save you a seat.” “My mistake entirely! You take my chair, Ava. I twisted my ankle earlier, but that’s no excuse for my carelessness.” “I’ll just grab a stool in the corner. Anyone want drinks? I’ll go get them.” Classic Brianna—playing victim to test Derek’s loyalty. Predictably, Derek panicked when he heard about her injury, immediately ordering her to sit: “Brianna, you’ve done enough for this company!” “You just landed this huge case. Someone with your talent shouldn’t be fetching drinks.” He turned to me, voice dripping with contempt: “What are you standing around for? No common sense after all these years here.” “Go get the drinks, or don’t bother coming to dinner.” Derek’s double standards were laughable. Derek always did this—yell first, then pretend to be generous. I’d worked nonstop for years, and company dinners were never for me. Like I was dying to crash their little party. Brianna looked even more smug, barely hiding her smile. She tried to sound polite, but it was pure gloating: “Ava, I’m so sorry—my ankle’s really bothering me. Thanks for grabbing the drinks.” “I’ll make sure to toast you properly later…” Before she could finish, I laughed coldly and kicked the chair out from under her.
Brianna yelped, scrambling to stand, knocking over a drink that soaked her dress. I smirked at her mortified face: “I thought you twisted your ankle?” “Seemed pretty quick on your feet just now.” Derek froze, clearly shocked. It took him a second to process. He frowned, checking Brianna over while snapping at me: “Ava, have you lost your mind?!” “What if Brianna had gotten hurt?” “I knew something was wrong with you today! You’re just jealous of Brianna’s skills—trying to hurt her on purpose!” I just stared at him, unimpressed. “Jealous? Of an empty pretty face?” “And…” “And I quit. So save the attitude—I don’t care anymore.” Derek’s jaw tightened with anger, but I didn’t let him speak. I turned and walked straight out of the office. Before I knew it, I’d wandered to the street Derek and I used to frequent. The shop owner recognized me immediately and pressed two iced drinks into my hands. “Ava! Perfect timing—just pulled these from the freezer. On the house, beat the heat!” Staring at the drinks, memories hit me like a truck. Derek and I weren’t always like this—at each other’s throats. Seven years ago, my startup crashed. I was broke, sweating through my clothes, standing outside this very shop. Derek bought me that iced drink, wiped my forehead with his big hand, and told me not to quit. We started dating, and he used his savings to launch our company—even fought his family for it. No matter how hard it got, he never complained—just stayed by my side, pushing me forward. To make him feel secure, I gave him majority shares. I was happy just being his partner. I really thought we’d be happy forever. Guess I underestimated how dangerous first loves can be. Then he hired Brianna a few years back. I knew she was his first love, but I ignored it—figured it was harmless. Turns out I was dead wrong. Derek started playing favorites, icing me out. We fought constantly—all because of her. I sighed, shaking my head. I should’ve seen it coming—Derek never really got over Brianna. He never made space in his heart for me. Just as I was leaving, Derek’s voice boomed behind me. “Big talk back there, huh Ava?” “If you’re so tough, why’re you waiting here for me to apologize?” I turned to find Derek and Brianna with the whole team in tow. Brianna tugged his sleeve, putting on her sweet act: “Derek, Ava must feel bad. She’s waiting to say sorry.” “Look—she even got your favorite drink!” Derek hesitated, then sneered: “Nice try with the drink, but it won’t work.” “I’m only cutting you slack because of Brianna…” He reached for the drink, but I cut him off. I frowned and tossed the drink straight into the trash. “Please.” “Who said that was for you? Don’t flatter yourself.”
Before Derek could respond, I hailed a cab and went straight home. I started packing—ready to cut ties with Derek for good. But I hadn’t even finished when the door slammed open. Derek stormed in, chest heaving, and started yelling: “What’s your problem today?!” “You’re deliberately making me look like an idiot in front of everyone!” Brianna followed, playing mediator: “Ava, I hate to say this, but today was a bit much.” “Is this about me and Derek? Are you upset we’re close?” “We’re just friends, I swear. If you can’t see that… maybe I should leave. I don’t want to come between you two.” She shuffled toward the door—obviously not leaving. Derek grabbed her wrist, voice softening: “Brianna, you did nothing wrong. Why would you leave?” He turned to me, eyes icy: “I’m so disappointed in you.” “You’ve changed. You’re not the woman I married.” “Apologize to Brianna right now, or we’re done.” I clenched my fists. This wasn’t the first time he’d threatened divorce. Ever since Brianna showed up, every fight ended with him using divorce as a weapon. But back then, I still loved him enough to keep forgiving him. I kept waiting for him to come to his senses. Now I see how delusional I was. He’s not worth fighting for. Derek assumed I’d back down like always. He straightened his collar, smirking: “I don’t want a divorce. Just apologize to Brianna…” I cut him off mid-sentence: “Save it. I want the divorce.” Derek’s eyes went wide. He gaped at me, speechless. Brianna jumped in: “Ava, you can’t mean that! Divorce isn’t something to joke about!” I pulled out a divorce agreement and set it on the table: “I’m dead serious.” “Sign here. Let’s make this clean.” Derek finally realized I meant it. He pointed at me, livid: “Fine!” “We’ll divorce! But don’t come crawling back!” Brianna could barely hide her excitement, but still played concerned: “Ava, think about your future. Without Derek, what will you do?” “Derek’s a CEO now. One word from him could ruin your career.” I saw right through her game. She was trying to break me down—make me think I owed everything to Derek.” Then I’d keep slaving away for them at the company. Derek joined in, sneering: “Exactly. Some people have way too high an opinion of themselves.” “Who’d want a washed-up woman like you without me?” “Brianna wrapped up that case you couldn’t finish in days. Verdict’s coming soon, and then we’ll be rolling in client money!” “You really think we need you?” I laughed out loud. Money? More like disaster’s coming. Without my evidence, their case was full of holes. They didn’t stand a chance. The other side had major connections. Messing with them wouldn’t just tank the deal—it’d drag the whole company down. Derek would be buried in debt for life. And right on cue— Derek’s phone rang before he could finish his rant. It was the court. He glanced at the screen and smirked at me: “See? All wrapped up!” “Once we win and get paid, Bri and I are taking a world tour. You’ll be stuck in your crummy apartment, seething with jealousy!” Derek answered, already daydreaming about his victory lap. But his face went white the second he heard the news. He gripped the phone so hard his knuckles turned white. “What?!” “We… lost?!”
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