Chapter 1My husband's dying words? "Bury me with my first love."
My kids did exactly that. Even blocked me from his funeral.
Blamed ME for ruining his life. For keeping him from his TRUE LOVE.
We fought. My blood pressure spiked. Brain hemorrhage.
My kids just stood there. Watched me die.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back.
Back to the day his first love showed up at our door.
This man who'd never touched a stove in his life? Cooked her a feast.
Fed her by hand. Peeled her shrimp.
Then turned to me. "Marlowe, let's get divorced."
My son and daughter stared at me. Hoping I'd say yes.
Last time I flipped the table. Screamed. Begged. Thought I could save our marriage.
But he secretly drained our accounts. Threw money at her "art career." Left me with jack shit.
This time? I nodded.
"Okay."
This time I'm taking everything. His money. His rep. His little artist girlfriend.
And this time? I know his dirty little secret.
Sweetheart, game's not over.
It's just MY turn now.
---
Ryker Callahan didn't even flinch. Just pulled out divorce papers. "You okay with this? Sign it."
Everything was written down: he gets the kids, I pay sixty percent of my salary every month.
The house, our money, all of it? He wanted ninety percent.
I looked at Ryker. Guy I'd wasted years on. "You're getting nothing."
"Marlowe, I'm not arguing."
He leaned back like he was doing me a favor. "Talked to a lawyer. We do this quick, we're both done."
"Or I take you to court. I'll get what I want, easy."
"Probably more."
He crossed his arms. "I've been running this family for years. You? You're never home."
"Three hundred days a year you're gone. Miss Thanksgiving, Christmas, everything."
"You're home maybe two months. This doesn't feel like a home."
"When you're here? You ignore the kids. Any judge will see that."
"I'm letting you keep ten percent. That's generous."
"Only reason I'm being nice is we were married."
I looked at the table. Actual home-cooked food. First time in forever.
Every time I came back from a trip, he'd bitch about me not caring. Then make me do everything around the house.
Those three hundred days away? His idea.
"You gotta hustle while you're young. Listen to your boss, that's how you move up."
"Travel pays more. Holiday pay's triple. Can't say no to that."
I told him I was tired. Told him I missed home. He'd flip out, call me lazy.
So I stopped talking.
Not being around for the kids though? That's on me.
My days off, he'd make me drive Uber, deliver food. I had zero time for them.
But here's the thing—this do-over showed me what he's been hiding.
Chapter 2
I looked at him. "You leave with nothing, we're done. You don't like it, go file. I'll wait."
"Marlowe, you think there's anything left here?"
"Years of long distance—I'm done with this."
"We're adults. Let's not drag this out."
I'd begged him to let me stop traveling.
Every time he'd blow up, call me lazy.
Now distance was suddenly my fault. Something to throw in my face.
But I'm done arguing. Fighting with him just wastes my time.
I stood up.
"You wanna leave with nothing, call me. Or file. Your move."
Headed for the door.
His ex—Ivey Harlow—opened her mouth.
"Mrs. Callahan. Love's the most beautiful thing we have. You can't force it."
I looked at her. "If you had money, would Ryker be coming after mine?"
Ivey's face tightened. "Mrs. Callahan, I'm talking about you and Ryker. Why drag me into this?"
"Plus love isn't about money anyway."
"I'm an artist. I don't sell out."
I smiled. "Artist who needs other people's money? Yeah right."
"Marlowe, watch it." Ryker snapped at me, then turned to Ivey. "Ignore her. She's trash."
"I'm not mad. People like her don't bother me." Ivey's smile was fake as hell.
Ryker looked back at me.
"Marlowe, I'm trying to keep this clean for the kids. Don't push me."
"Ivey and I didn't do anything wrong. Seeing her today made me realize how different some people are. That's why I'm done."
"You don't give me what I want, I've got dirt on you."
"I've recorded us. Audio and video."
"Think about what happens when I show people."
"Don't believe me? Check this out."
Ryker pulled up a video.
Footage from when I came home one time.
I was handing him cash.
"Did it your way this time. Wasn't so clean about it. Made a hundred twenty grand under the table."
"Should've done this years ago. We'd be rich. Tell me how."
I told him exactly how I got the kickback.
Ryker stopped the video. "I've got more."
He stared at me. "Every time you came home I asked questions. It's all recorded."
"Only reason I didn't report you is we're married."
My job, I could've made serious money if I played dirty—especially on projects out of state.
I had access to everything. Ryker kept telling me I was scared, didn't know how to provide.
I argued with him about it. He'd stop talking to me for days.
I gave in to keep the peace. Now he's using it against me.
What he doesn't know: I only pretended to agree. I never actually did it.
"You make thirty grand a month base, plus bonuses. I'm not asking for much."
"Don't give it to me, we both lose."
"You got nobody. Think I'm scared?"
I didn't let Ryker finish. Just walked out.
Time to handle this divorce my way.
Chapter 3
"Think she'll give in?" Ivey sounded nervous.
"She's obsessed with me. Years ago she almost died saving me from a fire. She'll give in."
I didn't hear them. I had bigger problems.
Outside I just stood there breathing.
Weird that breathing feels like freedom.
Thirty-five, making a hundred twenty grand a year. Finally seeing Ryker clearly.
Even the air felt different.
I felt amazing. But I wasn't gonna let him win—not happening.
Forty minutes later I walked into Kirkland & Ellis.
Wasn't waiting for Ryker to file.
I was filing first. And I sure as hell wasn't playing nice.
The lawyer went through my evidence.
Told me I'd win. Ryker gets nothing. I'd get my money back.
Felt incredible hearing that.
Total relief. First time in forever.
I used to feel like I was drowning. Ryker wanted more every time I made more. Never felt like I was enough.
The second I decided to leave him, I realized—I make enough to live great.
That night I checked into a hotel and took the longest bath of my life.
Ordered wine. Ordered dessert. Ate both in the tub.
Slept in the middle of the bed—sprawled out, taking up all the space.
Next few days I felt like myself again.
Wore red lipstick to get coffee. Bought myself flowers. Flirted with the bartender.
Couldn't wait to be officially done with Ryker.
Two weeks went by.
Best two weeks since I got married.
For Ryker? Worst two weeks of his life.
I froze our accounts. He'd been calling nonstop. I'd blocked him weeks ago.
He tried catching me at work. Found out I was on leave.
Probably thought I was playing games.
Until today he got the papers.
Before the hearing even started, my company called.
Ryker showed up making a scene. I had to come in.
When I got there, people were everywhere.
He saw me. Pointed. "Marlowe, you know what I want. You doing this or not?"
"Say no and I'll get you fired."
"Security, get him out."
They moved in.
"What the hell?" Ryker started yelling. They tried talking to him but couldn't drag him out.
"Marlowe, you're ignoring me? Fine. One minute."
I called the cops.
Ryker's face turned red. "Marlowe, you're making me do this."
He pulled out his phone. Held up a video. "Everyone look! This is who Marlowe really is!"
"She's stealing from the company. Taking kickbacks."
Video played. People started whispering. Pointing.
"Sir, I'm VP here. Let me clear this up."
VP Hartley walked over. Looked at Ryker.
"What you're saying about kickbacks—it's not true."
Ryker lost it. "What? She pay you off?"
"She's trash. Fire her."
VP Hartley looked at our CFO. "Show him her real pay stubs."
CFO printed my salary records right there.
Ryker saw the numbers. His eyes went crazy. "Marlowe, you lied?"
I'd told him I made way less. Said the extra came from kickbacks or bonuses.
Kept him happy. Stopped him from bitching I wasn't working hard enough.
VP Hartley taught me that. He's my boss. Also my mentor.
"Marlowe, you're cold. This isn't over."
Ryker left.
I knew he'd come back—same way I wasn't done with him.
Hearing was in two days. That's when it would get real.
