Seduced By My Ex-Best-Friend’s Father

Divorce agreement

Aria

By the time I reached Ethan’s office building, my hands were locked around the steering wheel, my knuckles white and throbbing. My heart slammed against my ribs, anger and heartbreak twisting together until they were indistinguishable.

I barely remembered pulling into the parking lot.

The moment I stepped out of the car, warm afternoon air struck my face, thick and suffocating. I didn’t bother checking my reflection. My mascara was probably streaked, my hair a disaster, but I didn’t care. Not anymore.

The security guard at the glass doors gave me a cautious nod, his eyes flicking to my face before darting away. When I walked inside, the receptionist—usually all smiles and chatter—froze. Her lips parted like she wanted to speak, but no sound came out.

I didn’t slow down.

I headed straight for the elevators. I've been here a hundred times. I knew every hallway, every corner. This place had once felt like home because it was owned my the man I love.

The doors slid open on the top floor, and the atmosphere shifted instantly.

Conversations died mid-sentence. Phones stopped ringing. Keyboards went quiet. Heads lifted—then snapped down again just as quickly, everyone suddenly became very interested in their work.

Their silence followed me down the hallway like a shadow. Normally, I’d be greeted with smiles, friendly nods, warm hellos. Today, there was nothing but tension. My stomach tightened.

They’re staring because I look like a mess, I told myself.

But even as the thought formed, doubt crept in.

When I reached Ethan’s office, I didn’t knock.

I shoved the door open hard enough for it to slam against the wall.

Ethan stood behind his desk, papers scattered everywhere like the aftermath of a storm. His face was flushed, his hair disheveled, fingers raking through it as he snapped into his phone.

“I don’t care how you do it,” he barked. “Just get that video taken down. Now!”

His assistant, Mateo, hovered near the computer, pale and sweating, eyes darting between the screen and Ethan like a trapped animal.

Whatever crisis they were dealing with stopped mattering the second I stepped fully inside.

“Ethan.”

He turned sharply, shock flashing across his face. “Aria? What are you doing here?”

I laughed—a short, bitter sound. “Since when do you question my presence in my own husband’s office?”

Before he could answer, I opened my hand and held it out between us.

The diamond caught the light.

“I just left your mistress,” I said coldly. “My so-called best friend. She was very proud of the engagement ring you bought her.”

His jaw tightened. “It’s not what you think.”

“Oh, really?” My voice trembled despite myself. “Because it looks exactly like what it is. You’ve been sleeping with my best friend. And apparently, everyone knew—except me.”

Mateo dropped his gaze, his lips pressing together.

That was when it hit me.

He wasn’t shocked. He knew too.

I looked back at Ethan, something inside my chest cracking wider. “Wow,” I breathed. “Even your assistant.”

His phone rang again. He cursed, pressing his palm to his forehead.

“What?” I demanded. “What could possibly be more important than this?”

He ignored me, snapped something into the phone, then slammed it onto the desk. “You made a scene, Aria. You embarrassed me!”

The words knocked the air from my lungs.

“I embarrassed you?” I shouted. “You cheated on me! You humiliated me!”

He rubbed his temples like I was the problem. “You shouldn’t have fought with Tessa.”

My mind went blank.

He couldn’t know that unless—

“She called you,” I whispered.

Rage exploded through me. “You stupid bastard!” I screamed, pointing at him. “You’re defending her. You’re angry because I fought your mistress!”

For a split second, I honestly thought I might leap across the desk and hit him. My hands were itching to connect with his face.

His phone buzzed again.

He groaned, then turned the screen toward me. “Take a good look.”

My stomach dropped.

The video started playing.

My voice echoed through the office—raw, furious. The footage showed me in that hotel room, screaming at Tessa, exposing everything. Then it shifted—hands grabbing, bodies crashing, me pinning her to the floor and striking her again and again.

My knees nearly gave out.

“Do you see that?” Ethan growled. “The entire world has seen our dirty secrets because you can’t control yourself!”

I slowly lifted my gaze from the screen to his face.

“Our secrets?” I repeated quietly. “Since when did your affair become something I’m supposed to protect?”

“The company’s stock could crash!” His office phone rang again. “This is all your fault!”

I stared at him—really looked at him.

The man I’d been married to for three years was gone. In his place stood a stranger. Cold. Selfish. Unrecognizable.

I didn’t know who recorded the video. I didn’t know who posted it.

But I was grateful.

The truth was out. I wouldn’t have to carry it alone.

“I want a divorce, Ethan.”

He pretended not to hear me, answering another call like I hadn’t spoken at all.

I shook my head, turned, and walked out.

Every eye in the office was on me again, and this time I understood why. They weren’t staring at my ruined makeup.

They’d all seen the video.

Do they pity me?

Or do they believe, like Tessa said, that I was never enough for a man like Ethan?

I kept my head high until the elevator doors closed. Only then did the weight threaten to crush me. I swallowed the scream lodged in my throat and held the tears back until I reached my car.

The second I shut the door, I grabbed my phone.

Three missed calls from my lawyer.

I called her back.

She picked up immediately.

“Draw up the divorce papers,” I said. “I’m done.”