CHAPTER 5 — The Mistress Finally Learned Who I Really Was
Sophia tried to leave.
She quietly picked up her purse and headed toward the ballroom doors.
She never made it.
"Miss Bennett."
My voice stopped her.
She froze.
"I think everyone deserves to hear your side too."
Hundreds of eyes shifted toward her.
She swallowed hard before walking back.
"I didn't know..."
she began.
"I didn't know your marriage was still—"
"Loving?" I asked.
"No."
"I knew it wasn't."
She hesitated.
"I believed Ethan."
"He told me you had been separated emotionally for years."
"He said the divorce papers were ready."
Ethan shouted,
"Sophia, stop talking."
She ignored him.
"He told me you only stayed together because of appearances."
"He said you didn't care about him anymore."
The room became even quieter.
Then she looked directly at me.
"I never wanted to hurt you."
I nodded slowly.
"I believe you."
Ethan looked stunned.
"You...what?"
"I believe she loved the version of you that never existed."
Sophia's eyes immediately filled with tears.
Because deep down...
She knew I was right.
She hadn't stolen a perfect man.
She had simply inherited a liar.
Then I reached into my purse again.
One final envelope.
"I was going to mail this tomorrow."
"But tonight seems more appropriate."
I handed it to Ethan.
He opened it.
His hands began shaking.
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.
He looked relieved for a split second.
Until he turned the next page.
His expression collapsed.
"You..."
"No."
"No, Madison..."
The audience watched in confusion.
Richard Lawson leaned closer.
"What is it?"
Ethan could barely speak.
"The prenup..."
"It's being enforced."
I smiled.
"Actually..."
"It always existed."
Fifteen years earlier, Ethan had insisted on signing a prenuptial agreement because he expected to become wealthier than I ever would.
He wanted to protect himself.
What he never imagined...
Was that the agreement protected me too.
Everything built separately remained separate property.
Madison Luxe Events.
Every investment.
Every commercial building.
Every company share.
Every patent.
Every account.
Mine.
The lake house.
Mine.
The downtown office tower.
Mine.
The investment portfolio Ethan believed belonged to both of us.
Mine.
His voice trembled.
"You mean..."
"I own almost nothing."
"You own exactly what you earned."
I replied.
"The rest was never yours."
Sophia looked at Ethan as if seeing him for the first time.
"You told me you were worth forty million dollars."
Ethan couldn't answer.
May you like
Because he wasn't.
Not even close.
Related Stories
