Chapter 5 - The Ashes of Sterling
"That is a formalized SEC filing," I announced, addressing both Beatrice and the judge. "It is my official proxy vote as a primary shareholder. I am voting 'No' on the Sterling acquisition. The merger is dead. And by Friday, so is your company."
Beatrice staggered backward as if she had been physically struck. Her hand flew to her pearls, her mouth opening and closing in silent, suffocating shock. The empire she had spent her entire life ruthlessly protecting, the legacy she had destroyed my marriage to save, was collapsing in real-time, burned to the ground by the very woman she had humiliated in front of five hundred people.
"Harper, wait!" Ethan shouted, scrambling out of his chair, panic finally overriding his cowardice. "You can't do this! You'll bankrupt us! We’ll lose the manor, the ports, everything! We can renegotiate! I love you!"
I looked at my husband—a man who was only brave enough to love me when it cost him nothing.
"You don't love me, Ethan," I said, picking up my pen. I signed the divorce petition with a swift, fluid motion, leaving the two million dollar settlement completely blank. "You love the comfort of your cage. I hope you enjoy the view from the bottom of it."
May you like
I turned my back on them and walked out of the courtroom, leaving the divorce papers resting on the table next to the execution order for their empire. I stepped out into the crisp Seattle air, the heavy gray clouds finally breaking to let a sliver of brilliant, uncompromising sunlight hit the pavement.
I was no longer a Sterling. I was finally, entirely, myself.
