The ninth time my husband called me an idiot in French, right in front of me, while chatting with his mistress, something inside me snapped. This marriage was a joke. So, I accepted an offer from a French company and booked a one-way ticket to New York City. The day after my visa came through, I slid the divorce papers into my resignation letter and handed it to him. As CEO, he was about to actually look it over, but then his mistress claimed she had a stomach ache. He signed the papers without a second thought and rushed off with her in his arms. I didn’t even bother to look back.
Months later, across the ocean, under the gleaming New York skyline, he cried himself raw, but he’d never find me again.
**Prelude ends**
“Ms. Brown, we’re so excited to have you join the team,” Sophia Garcia said, her voice full of enthusiasm after confirming my decision from across the ocean.
“When do you plan to start?”
I thought for a moment, then replied, “Two weeks from now.”
After hanging up, I turned to find Liam Johnson standing behind me, a frown on his face. “Where are you going?”
I glanced at him, unbothered. “Abroad.”
He snorted dismissively. “Oh, so now you’re pulling the ‘I’m leaving’ card just because it was our fifth wedding anniversary yesterday and I brought Emma with me?”
I didn’t bother explaining. He had no idea that I understood every word of the conversation he and Emma had at that French restaurant. He’d complained about me, calling me a complete idiot.
“Aside from work, laundry, and cooking, we have nothing in common. When I talk about the good things in life, she just rants about company numbers. No romance, no spark. Marrying her was like hiring a maid. I honestly regret it.”
Emma laughed, adding, “If I hadn’t gone abroad back then, would you have chosen me instead, Liam?”
He replied without hesitation, “Definitely.”
In the past, I would’ve exploded, made a scene, but not this time. I was shockingly calm. I finished the last bite of my steak, ignoring the waiter’s pitying gaze, and stood up. “You two enjoy your conversation. I’ll head home first.”
Emma pretended to stop me. “Charlotte, Liam and I were just talking work. Don’t overthink it.”
I didn’t even acknowledge her, just kept walking. That’s when I heard Liam’s angry voice shout, “Don’t listen to her, she’s just neurotic!”
The only person who followed me was the waiter. He hesitated, clearly wanting to say something. “Ma’am, I think there’s something you should know.”
I gave him a faint smile. “Thanks, but I already know.”
I still remember that waiter’s final, pitying glance, full of sympathy. It was as if he could see what I couldn’t bring myself to admit until that moment, this marriage was over.
