Chapter 5
Back at my office, I sat at my desk and picked up my damaged bag
The scuff wasn’t even that big. You wouldn’t notice it unless you looked closely.
But the moment a flaw appears–no matter how small–it’s never quite perfect again.
And because it was rare, expensive, and one–of–a–kind, restoring it would be nearly impossible.
Just like my marriage to Xavier.
The look he gave me this morning had lodged in my chest like a splinter.
Every day, our lunch was delivered from the private family kitchen at Ravenhurst. He’d always come over and eat with me.
Today, I waited until one
Just when I thought he wasn’t coming, he walked in.
And behind him–Sophie.
Her eyes were puffy and red. She kept her head down, hands folded, meek and delicate like some silent little lamb.
I set my forks down and didn’t say a word. Just watched.
Xavier sat beside me, let out a breath, and said, “After what happened last night, people have been giving Sophie a hard time around the office.”
I picked up my spoon, ladled some soup into my bowl, and didn’t even look at him..
“And? She’s your executive assistant. If she can’t handle workplace pressure, maybe she’s in the wrong job.”
“I’m asking you to talk to your people. Tell them to ease up on her.”
There was an unspoken agreement between our companies–we each had loyal employees embedded within the other’s rank.
What he was really saying was: Your people are bullying her on your behalf.
Last night’s corporate gala had employees from both companies in attendance.
Given what Sophie pulled, gossip was inevitable.
I stirred my soup, then took a sip.
“One, I didn’t instruct anyone to target your secretary. You should know that’s notny style.”
“Two, if she’s dealing with fallout today, that’s on her. She crossed a line.”
“You’re still too naive, Xavier. This favoritism of yours–this constant shielding–It’ll only make enemies for her. Sooner or later, it’ll all come back on her. You’re not helping her. You’re hurting her.”
Sophie suddenly stepped forward, speaking for the first time.
“This wasn’t Mr. Ford’s fault.‘
“Ms. Lane, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking clearly yesterday. It was the first time I’d ever received a gift like that, and I let the excitement get to me. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
Iblinked
Then laughed.
“Xavier, your secretary is fascinating. She doesn’t understand boundaries, but she sure knows how to shield you.”
I didn’t acknowledge Sophie’s apology. It didn’t feel real. It felt rehearsed. And I didn’t say a word to stop them. Why should I? Actions
Ask Al
6.25%
have consequences,
But Sophie’s teary eyes clearly pierced through Xavier’s carefully constructed calm.
For the first time, he lost it.
He slammed his palm against the table, stood up–and threw his soup bowl.
It shattered at my feet.
He told me to apologize.
To her.
I hadn’t done anything wrong. So why the hell should I apologize?
We ended that lunch in icy silence.
That same afternoon, Xavier left town on a business trip–with Sophie.
How convenient.
That night, I had drinks with Samantha.
Over drinks, she gave me the same speech she always did. That I was too damn capable. That guys like Xavier didn’t want woman who didn’t need saving.
That Sophie was the type they could play hero for.
Maybe she was right.
My mom passed when I was young. My dad never remarried.
I was raised to lead Lane Enterprises, to carry our entire legacy on my back.
There was no space for softness. No space for failure.
If I could uphold my values and discipline for thirty years, why couldn’t he?
It all came down to one thing: he didn’t love me anymore.
And I don’t cling to things that don’t belong to me.
“I actually dropped by Ford International today,” Samantha said, swirling her wine. “Wanted to see that secretary for myself.”
She let out a slow whistle.
“She looks like a limited edition Avery Lane fi
Lane figurine. Same eyes. Same dimples. No wonder Xavier’s confused.”
”
“He’s got the real thing at home but he’s out chasing some knockoff.”
“Tell me, Avery–does that man still love you, or does he just love the version of you that doesn’t fight back?”
My buzz vanished instantly.
No wonder Sophie had looked familiar from the very beginning
I scoffed.
“Who knows. Maybe the knockoff just cries on cue and makes him feel like a man.
My headache throbbed behind my temples, dull and relentless.
Samantha’s driver kept the car at a crawl, like even the pavement might upset me.
From the backseat, I heard her lean forward and whisper, “Take it slow. She’s had a hell of a day.”
Chapter 5.
Ask Al
We pulled up to my place, the silence between us soft but heavy.
As I reached for the door handle, Samantha finally spoke.
“The divorce agreement’s ready.”
I paused, then nodded.
“Mid–month,” I said. “He’ll be back for dinner with his parents at Ravenhurst. He never misses it.”
She didn’t press.
She didn’t have to. We both knew what I had to do.
Divorcing Xavier wasn’t a small decision. I had to time it right, protect my exits, stack my cards.
Meanwhile, Sophie wasn’t exactly keeping a low profile.
She updated her social media stories constantly.
Breakfast with the CEO.
Late–night work sessions in the penthouse suite.
Photos of her and Xavier overlooking the city skyline from the tallest building in Lockwood,
Her first time skydiving.
ip to a real coral reel.
Her first trip
Her first time seeing the northern lights with her own eyes.
All the things I used to do with him -now she was collecting them like postcards.
The joy practically leaked from her posts. She wanted the whole world to see it.
Colleagues at Lane Enterprises started giving me that look–half sympathetic, half wary, like I was the wife left behind.
Xavier knew what she was doing. And he let her.
It was brutal.
Calculated.
Cruel.
Samantha stayed with the nearly every night that week, helping legal with the asses split and paperwork.
Then one morning, she stormed into my office clutching a document envelope like it was a live grenade.
“Avery,” she snapped. “That man has officially lost his goddamn mind.”
I was mid–signature on a contract.
I looked up.
“What happened? He’s back?”
She slapped the envelope down on my desk. A USB drive and a handful of printed photos sild out.
Xavier and Sophie.
Lying on a hotel bed.
He was shirtless. Her lipstick left smeared red marks across his chest.
“The man didn’t come back–but his scandal sure did.”
Chapter 5
I sat straighter, but my spine slowly caved.
My heart twisted, breath locking in my throat.
With shaking fingers, I inserted the drive into my backup laptop.
The video opened on a rooftop terrace at sunset,
Xavier stood under the glowing orange sky, holding Sophie’s face in both hands, staring at her like she was his last miracle.
The camera zoomed in from a distance. The lighting was soft. Romantic.
They leaned in-
And I slammed the laptop shut.
My voice shook.
“Who sent this?”
“Courier delivery,” Samantha replied. “Reception signed for it this morning
inhaled deep, then exhaled slowly
Carefully, I gathered the photos and the drive, placed them back into the envelope, and locked it in my desk drawer.
H
“Don’t tell anyone about this. Find out who sent it ”
“Come on, Avery. Who else could it be? Sophie’s desperate to climb the ladder–she probably mailed it herself.”
The footage looked more like a hidden camera than a setup.
But honestly? It didn’t matter.
What mattered was this. Xavier was tainted now.
And tomorrow was mid–month.
Time to end this circus–for good.
