My Husband Stole My Life's Work

rce. He scanned the broken glass, the cracked display, the fury etched on Celina' s face.

nd dread washing over me. He hadn't se

elina. "Put that down, very carefully." His voice was low, but

ith a sudden, unfamiliar fear. "Who are you?" she

oncern in his eyes. He reached out, gently

peak. His touch was a

back to Celina, his voice calm, alm

t, to his calm, commanding demeanor, then back to me. The surprise o

l. "What, did she marry some local baker? A small-time shop owner? You think

hospitality industry. And these items you've so casually destroyed?" He gestured around the ruined shop. "They're not just

gance had completely vanished, replaced by stark terror. "

. The display case? Designed by a top architectural firm, built with specialized climate control technology. Another seven figures. And those glass cloches? Each one hand-

rhaps to witness my humiliation. Now, he looked like he'd seen a ghost. His eyes, full of a horrified realiz

y chest. This wasn't just about the money. This was about fin

lief and panic. "This... this is a

titution. Restitution for willful destruction of property. And given the value, that c

ed? That was a unique piece by a celebrated ceramicist. Its sentimental value to Avis is immeasurable, but its ma

is can't be right." Her carefully constructed image of

digging into my skin. "Avis, please," he pleaded, his voice ragged.

she did it deliberately. In front of my apprentice. In front of my customers."

t on his face. This was the Derek of six years ago, the one who' d watched impas

er voice shrill. "Derek! What are you doing? Don't

illion-dollar display case, Celina! And a six-figure bowl!" He stared at

elina screamed, but her voice cracked with

rstand what 'custom-made' and 'artisan-commissioned' means? These items can take years to replace. And the disruption to Avis'

erwhelmed. Her carefully constructed facade had complete

his voice low, his eyes never leaving Celina. H

ast and tried to ruin my present. "No," I said, my voice clear and steady. "Let them stay.

with hatred. Derek looked utterly defeated, a broken man. My past had finally caught up, but t