Ashes in Hand, Divorce in Tow

I gripped my phone but didn't move.

Just raised my glass—and drank.

The whispers weren't even subtle.

"Calling him her husband? Please. Probably just moans that in bed. Why else wouldn't she make the call?"

"She's got a kid, and this mystery husband won't even show? She's totally some rich guy's secret fling."

"Right? No real family would marry someone like her. Dressed like that? She's a toy. Use her, toss her, done. I even heard she sleeps with clients to close deals. Disgusting."

I kept drinking like I didn't hear a word.

Glass after glass, like that might drown it all out.

This was supposed to be my win. My celebration.

Instead, it was the most humiliating night of my life.

***

Any time I had a work dinner, Gerard made sure the butler, Raphael, left the lights on and waited—so he could barge in and start lecturing the second he got home.

Tonight was no different.

He rolled in around 3 a.m., after the lights had been burning for six hours.

He checked every room before finally opening the nursery door.

By then, I was already out cold, holding Nadine close.

He shook me awake, voice sharp. "Why didn't you wait up? You stink of booze—don't you care what that does to the baby?"

For three years, I'd always waited. Cooked for him. Talked to him. No matter how late.

But not tonight.

Tonight, I didn't cook.

Didn't say a word.

I didn't want to see him. Didn't want to think about why he was Peggy's boyfriend now. So I shut down, tucked myself into the one corner of the world that still felt safe.

Gerard frowned. Clearly didn't expect the cold shoulder.

He sighed and, for once, skipped the usual lecture about drinking. Instead, he tossed a bouquet at me. "Flowers. For you. Like 'em?"

He used to send them when I was upset. Back then, I thought it was sweet. Now? Just felt lazy.

I clutched Nadine and kicked the bouquet aside, face tight.

Did he really think flowers could fix cheating? The ego on this man.

His smile dropped. "Danielle Astor, what's that supposed to mean? Even if you hate them, don't be so rude."

Like flowers took effort.

I let out a low laugh, nose itching, and shoved them farther away. Petals scattered across the floor as the bouquet rolled.

Then I looked straight at him.

"I don't like them—and you still bring them home? Gerard, I'm allergic to pollen. Nadine is too. You cool with making us both sick?"

No fake smiles. No pretending it didn't happen.

Gerard snapped.

His jaw tightened so hard it cracked. He jabbed a finger at me, yelling, "So you're allergic—so what? You're always this damn delicate. This whole marriage was a trap!

"I went out of my way to buy those, and you're still ungrateful! Don't give me that allergy excuse—you're just bitter I care about Peggy! She's fun, sweet, actually lovable. Unlike you."

His voice rose with every word. "What made you think you could ever compete with her? Just 'cause I married you doesn't mean I can't love someone else. Don't act like you own me!

"You make me sick."