The Ex-husband Revenge

Richard stared at the paper in front of him, feeling like he'd been punched in the gut. His wife's personal assistant, Allison, slid it across the table with a casual air. "What is this?" he asked, already knowing the answer deep down. Allison gave him a patronising look. "Come on, Mr. Astor. Don't act surprised. I'm sure you saw this coming. Your gut must have told you." Richard swallowed hard as his eyes scanned the title - 'Divorce Papers'. His heart sank. "Since you're playing dumb," Allison went on coldly, "It's your divorce papers. Ms. Lockwood, your wife - or should I say soon-to-be ex-wife - asked me to present them to you. She's too busy with important business meetings." Divorce? And she couldn't even tell him face-to-face? A bad taste filled Richard's mouth. "Am I being pranked?" He quickly read through the stark legal language, his face growing stonier with each line. When he finished, rage and hurt burned within him. "I won't do this," he growled, flinging the papers into the air. They scattered like fallen leaves. "If she wants me to sign, she'll have to ask me herself." Allison rolled her eyes. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be, Richard. Ms. Lockwood is way out of your league now. She just hit a billion dollar net worth, while you're..." She waved a hand dismissively. "You're nothing but a stain on her sterling reputation." Her callous words landed like physical blows. Richard felt his tie choking him and yanked it loose. "We had a relationship built on love," he rasped. "Not business, money or power." "Had being the operative word." Allison smirked. "It was fun while it lasted. But now Ms. Lockwood has bigger fish to fry - new relationships to build, billion dollar business deals to make. She's the president of Rudolph Enterprises. And you..." She gave an exaggerated sigh. "You're just playing benefactor as usual. Sign the damn papers already." She gestured at the documents on the floor. "She's offering you ten million dollars, a car, a house. What more could you want?" Richard's fists clenched. "My wife! That's what I want. Or at the very least, some respect. I won't be bought off or coerced into signing this joke until Elena looks me in the eye and tells me it's over herself." Just then, the door opened. A woman in a curve-hugging black dress entered, cold beauty radiating from her like an arctic chill. Two hulking bodyguards flanked her. Allison scrambled over. "Ms. Lockwood! I'm so sorry, he refuses to sign without seeing you." Elena barely looked at her assistant. "It's fine, leave us." With a curt nod, the bodyguards and Allison exited. Richard felt a storm of emotions as he drank in the sight of his wife - the woman he once knew so intimately. The delicate, snowy features, the lush figure of a Renaissance goddess. But her eyes...her eyes were as hard and empty as diamond mines. "Hello Richard," she said coolly, taking a seat. "My apologies for the delay. I had pressing matters to attend to." Hot words spilled from his lips. "More important than respecting me? Sending your rude little lapdog with divorce papers? The insult, Elena...after everything I've done for you." He began pacing, anguish and anger coursing through him. "I was there when you had nothing. I dug your family out of debt. I loved you, gave you hope when you wanted to die. I took care of you, cleaned you up, sat by your hospital bed more times than I can count. And this is the thanks I get? Divorce papers?" "And ten million dollars," Elena interjected tonelessly. "A car and house as well." Richard stopped, staring at her in disbelief. "Money? You think you can buy me off after all we've been through? What we shared can't be bought!" A flicker of something crossed Elena's perfect mask before she regained control. "Then tell me what you want, if it's in my power." He laughed bitterly. "So that's it, just a business transaction to you?" A thought struck him and his eyes narrowed. "Is this because of the Andrea family? I see you've gotten cosy with their heir lately - all over the news and TV together." Elena said nothing, but didn't need to. The truth was written plainly on her striking features. "I hope he's a better business partner than I was," Richard spat. "Since everything is just business to you now." In a low, defeated voice he said, "Give me back the ring - my grandmother's heirloom I gave you when you became my wife. That's all I want." For the briefest moment, something flickered in Elena's eyes - grief, regret, a memory of happier times. Then it was gone as she slipped the diamond ring off her finger and handed it to him. Richard stared at the simple gold band, which had once shone so brightly with hope and possibility. Now it lay dull and lifeless in his palm. With a heavy heart, he signed the divorce papers and turned to leave. Elena's icy composure faltered as she watched the man who had loved her more than life itself walk away. She felt a cavernous emptiness open within her, as if she'd traded away a priceless treasure for a handful of ashes. The door opened and Allison bustled in, all business once more. "Is it done? Did he sign?" "Yes," Elena replied woodenly. "He signed." Allison grinned with callous triumph. "Of course he did! The man was nothing but a stain on your reputation. You've got bigger places to go without some nobody like him holding you back." Elena didn't react, suddenly feeling very small and alone despite her wealth and power. A sick realisation crept over her. "Allison..." she said quietly. "Do you know what today is?" The assistant frowned in confusion. "Some special day?" "It was Richard's birthday..." Elena stared sightlessly out the window as the gravity of what she'd just sacrificed truly hit her. "And our wedding anniversary.”