The secretary and assistant stared at me, unsure of what to do. Part of me wanted to argue, to scream, to demand the respect I deserved. But instead, I turned and walked away.
Back home, it was no better. All the servants were doting on Emily again. No one even called me down for dinner.
Later that night, the lawyer sent over the first draft of the divorce agreement. We had many assets to divide and I needed time to review everything carefully. Just after midnight, I went downstairs to get some water.
The house was dark, except for Richard’s study. I heard muffled voices … and then soft crying. So, I followed the sound and peeked through the half-open door.
Emily was leaning on the desk, her back toward me.
“Richard, I’ve waited ten years for you. I was so scared I’d never get you back.”
He pulled her into his arms as he gently told her, “Silly girl. How could anyone forget you?”
“Everything that happens outside … it was just a performance.”
Emily lifted her face to his. Her lips brushed his jaw. Richard’s eyes darkened. Then, he picked her up and placed her on the desk.
I turned away the moment I heard the sound of fabric tearing. This was it, then. After all these years, I was nothing more than a performance.
Without further ado, I walked back to my room. For a while, I sat down. Eventually, I managed to sign the divorce agreement.
The next morning, it seemed that Richard was still high on romance as he actually called me downstairs for breakfast.
Richard served me bagels like he used to, even testing the temperature before placing it before me.
"Harriet," he called me with that tone of fake gentleness.
He then proceeded to shamelessly said, "I know you're upset, but you're still the wife of the Ford Family. That won't change."
"Even if Emily and the child live here, you'll be Bryan’s mother to everyone’s eyes. Do you understand?"
"If it still bothers you, I can arrange for them to live somewhere else."
My stomach turned. I dropped the spoon and stood up.
I coldly told the man, "Richard, I despise the idea of someone else’s child calling me ‘Mom.’ It disgusts me."
Richard slammed his bowl down as he said, “Harriet, don’t push your luck!”
“Five days from now is Bryan’s birthday,” he continued coldly.
After that, he said, “I’m throwing him a huge party and announcing him as my heir.”
“If you try anything, don’t blame me for what I’ll do.”