My Professional Partner and My Husband Are Kissing

Jason and I were childhood sweethearts and grew up together in the same neighborhood.

We knew each other backward and forward. After a decade of marriage, respect was always the baseline.

Who'd have thought he'd resort to cheating over the business tanking?

And our son, born a preemie and frail ever since—I've been his rock, managing every meal and bedtime no matter how slammed I was at work.

And to think he resents me now.

The craziest part? I was clueless about all this until today.

That scene wasn't their first rodeo—it looked like they'd been playing house for ages, making me the odd one out.

I cried on the floor till the wee hours, while Jason and my son didn't bother to come home.

Around noon, I got a text from Jason: [We need to talk divorce. If you're not there, I'm filing.]

He included a reservation at a high-end restaurant that's a hit with the romantic crowd, somewhere I'd begged him to go since our third anniversary.

His usual brush-offs echoed in my mind, "Too busy, maybe next time."

"That place is a rip-off. We could cook a feast at home for less. Why waste money?"

Turns out, our first visit would be to hash out our divorce.

Looking at my ghostly reflection in the phone, I cracked a bitter smile, grabbed my bag, and headed out.

Jason was all dressed up in a crisp suit when I got there, looking slick and impatient.

"Took you long enough," he snapped.

"Subway was a nightmare," I replied.

His face soured at that.

"You broke or something? Taking the subway, crammed in like that? You're pregnant, remember?"

His concern felt like a slap. I shot back, dripping with sarcasm, "Yeah, kudos for marrying into wealth. This fancy spot's just a drop in the bucket for you now. I obviously can't compete."

He sighed, "Cut the snark. You think I wanted any of this? The company's going under—that's my life's work. You think you can help bail us out?"

"Look, we've been together ten years, and I swear I still love you. I talked to Sophie last night. After we get married, you're still in the picture. Jake can even stay with you for vacations."

"Fair enough?"

His proposal was ludicrous.

What was he suggesting? A husband sharing? Me, relegated to the other woman?

Sophie might be okay being the side piece, but I'm not settling for scraps.

Jason's brow creased as he saw my reaction, "I'm already stepping back here. What more do you want? Marriage is just a piece of paper, right? If the love's real, the rest shouldn't matter."

"And if you're set on keeping the baby, I'll support you financially. Emily, just sign the damn papers. Otherwise, when this hits court, you might lose everything."

"Sophie's got her dad's money and influence. Cross her, and you'll be the one regretting it," he concluded.

His threats were like a slow poison.

A decade of marriage reduced to cold calculations and threats.

Looking at the man I had loved for so many years, all I felt was revulsion.

I laughed coldly, "Threatening me? We've got all the proof of your affair saved on the home security system. You want to go to court? Bring it on."

Before, I might have paused, and thought about the baby, given the power of Sophie's so-called billionaire dad's name.

Not anymore.