Divorce: The Price of Betrayal

***ERYN’S POV The soft hum of the air conditioning filled the penthouse as I stepped into the dimly lit study. Enzo sat at his desk, his eyes fixed on the screen, fingers moving across the keyboard. A half-empty coffee cup rested beside a pile of documents, his usual sign of a long night. “You’re still working?” I asked, leaning against the doorway. His shoulders tensed slightly before he sighed. “Just finishing up a few things.” I glanced at the clock—11:42 PM. “This is the third night in a row,” I pointed out. “I know.” He rubbed the back of his neck, finally turning to face me. He looked tired. His tie was gone, the top buttons of his shirt undone. I crossed my arms. “You said you’d be in bed by eleven.” His lips twitched, the ghost of a smile. “And I said I’d try.” I rolled my eyes and stepped closer. “Enzo, if you keep pushing yourself like this, you’ll burn out.” He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. “I can’t afford to slow down right now. The projects are piling up, and the board’s breathing down my neck.” I sighed, glancing at the mess on his desk. Contracts, architectural sketches, endless to-do lists. This was his world, and I understood it. But that didn’t mean it didn’t frustrate me sometimes. “You can’t solve everything in one night,” I said, nudging a stack of papers aside. “Come to bed.” “I will. Just give me ten minutes.” “You said that last night.” He exhaled through his nose, then stood up. “Eryn, I know you’re worried, but this is part of my job.” I met his gaze. “And part of being married is knowing when to step away.” He didn’t respond right away. Instead, he ran a hand through his hair, glancing back at his laptop like it was calling him. I softened my tone. “Look, I’m not trying to argue. I just… I miss having an actual conversation with you that doesn’t involve deadlines or emails.” His expression shifted, guilt flickering across his face. “I know,” he admitted. Silence stretched between us, the kind that felt heavier than words. Then, finally, he let out a breath and closed the laptop. “Alright,” he murmured. “I’m done for tonight.” I arched a brow. “Really?” He gave me a tired smirk. “Yeah, really. Before my wife forces me to sleep on the couch.” I scoffed but didn’t argue. Instead, I watched as he gathered his things, a small part of me relieved. As we walked back to the bedroom, he slipped his arm around my shoulders—a casual, familiar gesture. “You’re annoyingly persistent, you know that?” he muttered. I smirked. “And you’re annoyingly stubborn.” He hummed in agreement. It wasn’t a perfect night. But at least, for once, I wasn’t sleeping alone. ***ENZO’S POV The next morning, I sat in my office, staring at the endless figures on my screen. A deal worth millions. One that could elevate my company to new heights—if I played it right. A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Nathan Cole stepped in, his usual confident stride carrying him across the room. “You look like hell,” he commented, dropping into the seat across from me. I sighed. “Long nights.” “Well, they might get longer,” he said, leaning forward. “I heard from my sources that Richard Devereaux is still on the fence about the deal.” I tensed. Richard Devereaux was a name that carried weight in the industry. If he backed my firm for this project, we’d be set for years. If he didn’t… well, let’s just say I couldn’t afford that. I exhaled. “What’s the problem?” Nathan smirked. “Not a problem. More like an opportunity.” I raised a brow. “Celeste.” I frowned. “His daughter?” Nathan nodded. “She’s got influence. A lot of it. Richard spoils her rotten—if she wants something, he makes it happen.” I leaned back in my chair, already seeing where this was going. “And you’re suggesting?” Nathan chuckled. “I’m saying that if she likes you, this deal is basically in the bag.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Nathan—” “Relax. I’m not saying do anything stupid. Just… charm her a little. Let her think you’re interested. Flirt, even. Keep it professional, but make her feel special.” I clenched my jaw. “I’m married.” Nathan rolled his eyes. “I’m not telling you to cheat, man. Just use what you’ve got. Celeste is young, spoiled, and used to getting attention. If she likes you, she’ll push her father in your direction.” The idea made my stomach turn. I wasn’t the type to play games like this. Business should be about strategy and execution—not manipulation. Still… I needed this deal. Nathan must have seen the hesitation in my eyes because he leaned back, grinning. “Just think about it. She’ll be at the charity gala next week. A little conversation won’t hurt.” I let out a slow breath. “We’ll see.” Nathan smirked. “That’s all I needed to hear.” As he left my office, I stared at my screen, my mind no longer on the numbers. I didn’t like this. But in business, sometimes the lines blurred. And I wasn’t sure how far I was willing to go. ***ERYN’S POV I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I had been walking toward Enzo’s office, intending to drop off the lunchbox he had forgotten that morning. His secretary wasn’t at her desk, so I figured I’d just leave it on his table and text him later. But as I reached the door, I heard Nathan’s voice through the small gap. “… if she likes you, this deal is basically in the bag.” I froze, gripping the lunchbox tighter. Celeste. I knew the name. Richard Devereaux’s only daughter. She was young, rich, and undeniably beautiful. I had seen her name in business articles, seen photos of her draped in designer dresses, always at the center of attention. And now… she was the key to Enzo’s deal? Nathan kept talking, his voice laced with amusement. “A little conversation won’t hurt.” Enzo’s reply was quieter. Hesitant. “We’ll see.” We’ll see? I took a shaky step back, my heart thudding against my ribs. Richard Devereaux. I had met him before—not as my husband’s potential business partner, but as a man in need of legal help. Years ago, he had sought my expertise when one of his company’s contracts had been unjustly disputed. I worked tirelessly to ensure he won the case, and in the end, he looked at me with something close to admiration. "Eryn, if there’s ever something you need—anything at all—consider it yours." I smiled then, shaking his hand, thinking nothing of it. Now, the irony of it made my stomach turn. If I asked, Mr. Devereaux might have given Enzo the deal out of gratitude alone. But instead, Nathan was pushing him toward Celeste—toward his daughter—as if my husband had to earn it another way. Nathan left a moment later, and I turned away quickly, my mind spinning. Enzo hadn’t agreed to anything. But he hadn’t exactly refused, either. And that terrified me. I forced myself to breathe, my fingers tightening around the lunchbox. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe Enzo would shut this down the moment Celeste tried anything. But what if he didn’t? I wasn’t going to sit around and wait to find out. Stepping away from the office, I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found his number. Richard Devereaux. I hesitated only a second before pressing call. He answered in the third ring, his voice warm with recognition. “Mrs. Davis. What a pleasant surprise.” I swallowed, pushing away the unease in my stomach. “Mr. Devereaux, I hope I’m not disturbing you. There’s… actually something I’d like to discuss with you. If you’re available for a quick meeting?” A brief pause, then a chuckle. “For you? Of course. Name the time and place.” I exhaled slowly. “Tomorrow afternoon, if that works for you.” “It does. I’ll have my assistant set it up. I look forward to seeing you.” As the call ended, I lowered my phone, my heart still racing. I didn’t know if this was the right move. But I wasn’t about to sit back and watch my marriage turn into a business transaction. Not without a fight.