The Price of Her Fame

at smelled like money and ruthless efficiency. My lawyer, a sharp woman named Ms. Davies with an even sharper ha

support, the public humiliation, and the final, stagger

ice crisp. "This is not a divor

y lips for the first t

musical instruments, vocal coaches, all paid for with my credit cards. I even had the original bill of sale for my vintage car, and the subsequent deposit into her account. I had

ent for the mortgage on the property we were about to buy was coming from an inheritance from my gra

te my property immediately. It laid claim to reimbursement for a portion of the "career investments" I had mad

he thick stack of documents. "We could have a process server do it

I pr

s hospital next week. She and Liam are scheduled to perform a duet. It' s her first b

as exactly what she deserved. "Let'

d an occasion to wear in years. I looked like a successful architect, not a heartbroken fool. I wasn' t

utiful family" and their dedication to helping other children. The crowd ate it up. They were

angelic. Liam had his arm around her, a picture of the proud, protective partner. They looked out at t

She quickly recovered, but I saw it. Liam followed her gaze and saw me too. His smile tightened i

our living room, a song I had told her was beautiful. Now it sounded like a funeral dirge. The whole time, I j

applause. Olivia and Liam took a bow. As th

cut through the din. The people around me turne

me, starting

er this time. Ms. Davies stood up besi

had no choice but to stop and turn around. Her face was a mask of polite inquiry,

alked to the edge of the stage and held u

stepped forward, trying to block her. "What is this?

Olivia. "I' m the man who paid for your career. And this,

started going off like a strobe light. Olivia stared at t

nomous, her angelic facade cracking. "Coming here to

s is just some legal paperwork to finalize our separation. I thought you' d w

Liam' s face darkened with rage. "Get out of here,"

ritative. "This is a legal service of process. Refusing to accept it will only be

trembling hand, she reached down and snatched

Ethan," she whispered

ven years," I replied calmly.

ok back. We could hear the frantic questions from the reporters, the commot

about that, everyone," she said into the microphone, her voice shaky. "Just a troubled, obsesse

n. She was already spinning the narrative, painting me as the vil

whispering in her ear. She was trying to look brave, but I could see the panic in her eyes. The

lling, jealous ex. Anonymous "friends" were quoted saying I was emotionally abusive, that I was trying to sabotage her career out of spite. T

ing me a monster, a parasite. It was a vicious, calculated attack. A few

. I stumbled to the bathroom, my vision going black at the edges. I collapsed onto the cold tile floor, clutching

s thought was of Olivia' s face, her eyes burning with hatred. She wasn't just trying to ruin my reputation. S