Becoming My Ex-husband’s Mistress

Chapter Four

“You didn’t read this?” he questions, as if scolding me.

“I— I… don’t know. I don’t remember.” I stutter.

“You’re supposed to be smarter than this,” his face shows disappointment for a moment. “This means he owns everything.”

A wave of dizziness hit me and I slump on a couch nearby.
 I don’t remember signing any of these, I haven’t even read them and they’ve been in my mail all this while.

“He…he said it’s just temporary. Just until things stabilize…” I say, my voice sounding small.

“Well, based on these documents, that’s not the case,” he says. “I’m calling the lawyer, tell her everything.”

If I already signed away my life’s work, then what were they talking about last night? I doubt there’s anything more they can get from me.

What about the child?

No, there’s no way. They cannot be talking about my daughter. I’ll die before letting them take my daughter. Grant wouldn’t do this to me, would he?

I finish telling the lawyer everything and forward the documents to her. She pauses for a while before speaking.

“There’s no easier way to say this, but these documents mean you’ve given him full control. He owns everything; past, present, and future designs,” she says. I know she’s not done.

“The last file you sent, states that whoever initiates the divorce, regardless of the circumstances, is forfeiting their right to any compensation. And your signature there automatically means you agree to these conditions,” she continues. “But, just because it’s written there doesn’t mean a judge will definitely uphold it.”

The words hit me like a brick.

“But I didn’t sign it. I would never sign something like that! It’s my whole life’s work,” my voice is trembling now as I try hard not to cry.

“I understand. Is there any evidence of coercion?” She asks. “That might help us if we decide to go to court.”

There isn’t. It’s my word against his. My dad quietly stares at me, the reality of the situation dawning on me.

It’s all starting to make sense now, him bringing Isabelle home, his reaction when I asked for the divorce. They were trying to provoke me, to make me propose it. But what about the conversation I overheard, was it just to put me on edge?

A knock on the door breaks the tense silence in the room. Mia comes in calling us for dinner. Dad picks her up, then gestures for me to follow.

Everyone on the table is quiet, like they’re trying to not say something wrong to trigger me. The only person oblivious to the tension is Mia who keeps talking about colors and pencils, my parents nod from time to time. I forgot to get it for her when she asked.

“Mommy?” She pulls me from my thoughts.

“Yes?”

“Aunt Isabelle can get me the pencils if you’re busy,” she says meekly. “She says she’ll get me whatever I want.”

She’s grinning from ear to ear, unaware of the weight of things— or her words. I just stare at her, unable to say anything to defend myself or chide her. Luckily, mom comes to my rescue.

“Grandma will get you whatever you need tomorrow,” she says. “And what did we teach you about accepting gifts from strangers?” she asks sternly.

“To politely decline,” she pouts. “But daddy says she’s part of the family now.”

“Okay, now that’s enough,” Dad stands up abruptly. “Grandpa will put you to bed now.”
 I mouth a small ‘thank you’.
He picks her up and leaves for mom’s room. Now that I think about it, he never lets her walk, he’s always picking her up.

I let out a long sigh, my chest aching. Everything has been so hard and stressing that I forgot about her needs.

Mom holds my hands, squeezing them softly. She doesn’t say anything but her face says everything— it’ll be alright, trust me, we’re here for you. And that’s all I need right now.

I help with tidying up just to keep my mind off things although it barely helps. Mom comes behind me as I wipe my hands.

“Do you think it’ll really get to the extent of settling in court?” She asks.

I sigh, resting on the island. “I’m hoping it doesn’t get to that,” I pause. “But with my company and Mia in the picture, it’s likely.”

She pats my back nodding. “He’ll take care of it, I’m sure he will.”

My mom has always had faith in my dad and I’m not surprised why. He’s always been there, supportive and understanding. Unlike mom, he rarely says much, he’d rather take action or make a ‘few calls’, but that always seems to ease the situation.

When I got bullied in high school, the first time actually, the bully threw sand in my eyes. I couldn’t see clearly for a week and didn’t go to school that period. I went back, and was told by some, that the bully got expelled, and by others, that they transferred. I went home to tell my dad the news and all he said was “I took care of it.”

I don’t know if that will be possible this time around. The situation seems to be more than just a few calls. Hopefully, Mia isn’t hurt in the process.

We talk for a while, mostly about dad’s decision to step away from the day-to-day running of his textile business to let someone else handle it while he handles things behind the scenes.

It surprises me, but I understand. He’s been in the business for over three decades. I remember being fascinated walking through his warehouses. That’s where my passion for fashion design came from. I didn’t want in on the business, but I also wanted to feel close to it while doing my own thing.

We finish up and head to bed, but not before I check on Mia in mom’s room. She’s still wide awake with dad reading her a story. I kiss her goodnight and leave them be.

My phone buzzes with a notification. I open it and see it’s an update from a society blog I used to follow. I almost ignore it but I see Grant’s name and it piques my curiosity.

There’s pictures of him and Isabelle leaving Saint & Silk Restaurant— our used-to-be favorite restaurant as a family. She’s in a silk red dress, Grant’s hand on her waist. Both of them are smiling like it’s their first date. A knot forms in my throat.

Then I see the headline beneath the photo.

Walter Grant Steps Out With New Partner After Separation From Wife.

Partner? Not mistress?

It isn’t until a drop lands on my phone, that I realize I’m crying. He already replaced me. The worst part is realizing that he did a long time ago.

I grab my car keys from the table.