Emily looked at him.
“So I’m bad for your stock price now?”
“It’s business. Don’t take it personally.”
He tapped the papers.
“The prenup says you get nothing. But I’m generous.”
He pulled out a black credit card and flicked it across the table.
“There’s money on that. Enough to get by. And you can keep the old car.”
The lawyer beside him cleared his throat.
“The car is technically—”
“Let her keep it,” Ethan snapped. “I’m being nice.”
He smiled again.
“Go ahead. Sign. I’ve got lunch reservations.”
Emily stared at the papers… then at the card.
Two years ago, he wasn’t like this.
He had been struggling, barely holding his startup together. She had listened, organized his life, believed in him when no one else did. She had even used her own savings to keep his business alive.
Now, none of it mattered.
“Do you really think I want your money?” she asked quietly.
“Everyone wants money. Especially people who have nothing.”
He scoffed.
“Sign it.”
Emily reached into her bag.
Ethan tensed.
But she only pulled out a cheap pen.
“I don’t want your money,” she said softly. “And I don’t want the car.”
She signed her name carefully:
Emily Reed Carter.
The sound of the pen seemed louder than it should have been.
She set it down and pushed the papers forward.
“It’s done. You’re free.”
Ethan smiled, satisfied.
“Good. Glad you understand your place.”
Vanessa clapped lightly. “Wow. That was almost dramatic.”
Emily didn’t respond. She stood, picked up her bag—
And then a chair moved behind them.
Everyone turned.
The man in the charcoal suit stood up.
Calm. Imposing. Controlled.
The lawyer recognized him first.
“Mr… Reed?”
Vanessa frowned.
Ethan blinked. “Who are you?”
The man walked forward, step by step, until he stood behind Emily. He placed a hand gently on her shoulder.
The most important part is just ahead — click NEXT »»
