His Affair Cost My All

I stared at my reflection in the ladies' room mirror, smoothing down my navy blue blazer and tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. Tonight's dinner with Mr. Turner was critical—his investment could propel our startup to the next level. I couldn't let my personal life interfere with business, no matter how much my world was crumbling around me.

"You've got this," I whispered to myself, applying a fresh coat of lipstick. The woman in the mirror looked confident, put-together—nothing like the shattered mess I felt inside.

The restaurant was one of those upscale places with soft lighting and tables spaced far enough apart to ensure privacy for business discussions. Mr. Turner was already seated when I arrived, his silver hair and tailored suit exuding the confidence of someone who'd built and sold three successful tech companies.

"Ms. Martinez," he stood, extending his hand. "A pleasure to finally meet in person."

"The pleasure is mine," I replied, shaking his hand firmly. "I've admired your work with NexTech for years."

We ordered drinks and fell into comfortable discussion about market projections and growth strategies. I felt myself relaxing as we talked business—this was my element, where I knew my worth.

"Your proposal is impressive," Mr. Turner said, examining the collaboration documents I'd placed between us. "Especially the integration timeline. Most startups underestimate how long these transitions take."

I smiled, about to respond when a familiar scent wafted past me—a distinctive perfume I'd smelled on Julian's shirts. My stomach dropped as I looked up.

Raelyn Fisher stood at our table, her pregnancy now visibly showing in her form-fitting dress. Her eyes, cold and calculating, fixed on me with unmistakable hatred.

"So this is what you do while your husband is at home worried sick about our baby," she spat, loud enough for nearby tables to hear.

Mr. Turner looked between us, confusion evident on his face. "Ms. Martinez, is everything alright?"

Before I could respond, Raelyn reached down and snatched the collaboration documents from the table. "You destroy families and then sit here like nothing's wrong?"

"Ms. Fisher, please—" I started, my voice low, trying desperately to maintain some semblance of professionalism.

With deliberate slowness, she tore the documents in half, then quarters, letting the pieces flutter onto our dinner plates. "Stay away from my family," she hissed, then stormed out, leaving a stunned silence in her wake.

The restaurant had gone quiet, all eyes on our table. My cheeks burned with humiliation as I gathered the torn papers with trembling hands.

"Mr. Turner, I am so incredibly sorry," I managed, mortification making my voice shake. "That woman—she's—it's a personal matter that I never intended to affect our business."

He nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "I have digital copies of everything," he said finally. "But perhaps we should reschedule when things are... less complicated."

I barely remember leaving the restaurant, the valet bringing my car, or the drive back to my office to collect some files I'd need for the weekend. All I could think about was Raelyn's smug face, the deliberate way she'd torn apart not just my documents but my professional reputation.

The parking garage was nearly empty when I arrived, most employees gone for the day. I was shoving files into my briefcase when I heard rapid footsteps echoing through the concrete structure.

"Nina!"

Julian's voice made me freeze. I turned slowly to see my husband storming toward me, his face contorted with rage.

"How could you?" he shouted, closing the distance between us. "She lost our baby because of you!"

I stepped back, confusion washing over me. "What are you talking about?"

"Raelyn called me sobbing," he spat, his eyes wild. "Said you confronted her, pushed her! She's bleeding, Nina! They don't know if the baby will survive!"

"That's a lie," I said, my voice steady despite my racing heart. "I never touched her. She came to my business dinner and—"

The crack of his palm against my cheek echoed through the garage, the force of it snapping my head to the side. For a moment, everything went silent, the world narrowing to the burning sensation spreading across my face.

I heard gasps and realized several of my employees were walking to their cars, witnesses to my humiliation. Julian seemed to realize it too, his eyes darting around as people stared in shock.

"You're going to regret this," I said quietly, tasting blood where my lip had caught against my teeth. "All of it."

I walked away, back straight, tears refusing to fall until I was safely in my car. Only then did I allow myself to break, sobs wracking my body as I clutched the steering wheel.

My phone buzzed with a text from Lane: "Board members confirmed for emergency meeting tomorrow. We're going to fix this."

I touched my throbbing cheek, a cold determination replacing my tears. Julian had just made his worst mistake yet—and I was done being his victim.