7
I stood at my office window, overlooking the
city, feeling lighter than I had in years.
Leo burst in, clutching a report.
く
“Mrs. Sterling, another thirty employees have
applied to work for us today!” He couldn’t
hide the excitement in his voice.
“We’ve poached over a hundred key members
from Sterling Corp.”
“Their stock plummeted again today. Fifth
day in a row.”
“Their major projects are on hold due to the
brain drain. People are saying they’re going
bankrupt.“.
I nodded, unsurprised.
Without me, without my people, Sterling Corp
was dead.
“Oh, and here’s a fun fact.” He grinned.
“Becky apparently gave a presentation at a
board meeting, proposing they transition into
the tech sector.”
“It was a disaster. Total chaos over there.”
I snorted. “She knows nothing about
technology. The nerve.”
Becky was nothing but a pretty face. No real
skills, no business sense.
Michael had been blinded to put her in charge
of anything.
My phone lit up. Michael.
Fifteenth call today.
く
I blocked his number.
I had no interest in his excuses, his apologies,
or his current state of misery.
After Sterling’s stock tanked and his projects
fell apart, he finally came to his senses and
fired Becky.
But it was too late. The company was
hemorrhaging cash and talent.
That afternoon, the security guard called.
“Mrs. Sterling, Michael Sterling is in the lobby.
He’s demanding to see you.”
“Not happening.”
“He says he won’t leave.”
“Let him stand. Make sure he doesn’t cause
trouble.”
I hung up and focused on my work.
He didn’t get it. It was over.
That night, my assistant told me Michael had
stood outside for two hours before security
dragged him away.
The next day, the security guard called again.
This time, it was Michael’s father.
I agreed to see him.
After all, his parents had always been decent
to me.
<
He looked terrible.
“Susan, Michael made a mistake, he’s
accepted his fault, can you give him another
chance?”
His voice was pleading.
“Mr. Sterling, I respect you, but this can’t be
undone.”
“I broke with him.”
“Not just the mistake, but the betrayal.”
“I won’t accept that, it can’t happen and
won’t.”
“If he doesn’t sign the divorce papers, I’ll take
Г
His face fell. “I understand. I’ll talk to him.”
“I’ll keep with custody of our child, his family
can see him.”
I wouldn’t change my mind.
Three days later, the signed divorce
agreement arrived on my desk.
