Unexpected Husband, Unexpected Freedom Won

tmosphere of the car. The word "wife" echoed in the small space

lding a gaudy glass trophy. He slid into the passenger seat

s eyes glancing at me in the rea

aid, offer

nt?" he

er

ove, seeking his approval. This new brevity was a foreign language to h

y streets, heading towards hi

f millions. Julian had shown up, uninvited, and spent the entire evening lecturing the CEO of a robotics firm on the "soulless

ffice at 3 a.m. with a group of his friends, drunk and loud, wanting to show them the "cool tech stuff" his dad owned. They' d spilled a bot

cted species, and I

secret I was not privy to. At company events, he would put his arm around Richard' s shoulder, a casual display of ownership. He was mar

was my mentor, my partner. I respected him, even revered him. I told myself the strange attachment to his son was just a quirk, a blind spot. I was reluctant

e. He was certain I would crawl back, accept his terms, and put Julian on my board. He was certa

te. The long, winding driveway was lined with expensive car

of the mansion, Richa

n at the exchange had never happened. "We'll announce it tonight.

repeated, the word

rd, added, "It's for the best, Oliv

it up. For a moment, Richard looked pleased, thi

dropped the box onto the mani

ut in the quiet of the

a mixture of shock and fury. "W

nd clear. "I believe you said if

snapped, h

I said

ng to process the shift in power. "Fine?

ike ice. "NexusAI is my company. Liam is my new

"fine" from before hadn't been submission. It had been my

started, his voice

at you wanted. We part ways. Now, if you'll ex

riveway, not once looking back. The weight of three years of compromise and humiliation began to lift with

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