When the Act Ended, So Did the Marriage

Gavin and I wrapped up the divorce quickly, but the moment I returned home, a cold jolt shot through me.

Where our wedding photo used to sit, proud and centered in the living room, there was now a photo of Gavin and Natasha. In it, they were all over each other like they'd been together forever.

Even the bedroom wasn't mine anymore. Her stuff was everywhere, spilling across every surface, while my clothes and makeup had been tossed into a corner like they didn't matter.

Natasha leaned against the doorframe, her voice thick with venom. "Rhea, you and Gavin are divorced. This isn't your home anymore, so pack your crap and get out."

Gavin backed her up. "She's right. You don't belong here anymore. This is my house now—mine and my wife's."

He was kicking me out so that Natasha could step in and take my place as his lawful wife.

I gave a nod. "Fine. I'll go."

I pulled out my suitcase and started folding my clothes, one piece at a time.

Gavin clearly hadn't expected me to leave. Panic flashed across his face as he pointed to a photo tucked in the corner.

"Wait, is that you in this photo? Why would I have a photo with you?"

I didn't miss a beat. "That was from a college volunteer trip. I was visiting psychiatric patients."

The jab landed hard. Rage twisted his face as he grabbed my suitcase and hurled it out the door with a crash.

"You wanna leave? Then get the hell out!"

The door slammed behind me, hard enough to rattle the walls.

I picked up my clothes in silence, packed them into my suitcase, and walked away without so much as a glance back.

After I'd gone a good distance, Natasha put on a show, forcing out a few crocodile tears as she cooed, "Gav, I never thought Rhea would actually blow up like that. This is all my fault. If I hadn't pulled you away from her, she wouldn't be this jealous. Maybe I should go apologize properly?"

Gavin's brows furrowed, but the moment he heard her speak, he rushed to comfort her. "Don't blame yourself. This is on Rhea. She's being ridiculously petty. I told you you'd be Mrs. Chapman for a whole seven days, and I meant it. Once we chalk it up to my 'memory loss' and I smooth things over with her, she'll come crawling back."

Gavin had it all wrong. This time, when we went our separate ways, there was no going back.

After I left, Chapman Pharmaceuticals's experimental project crumbled just as I had expected. Progress came to a grinding halt.

My old lab colleagues kept calling, one after another, all begging me to return and pick things up where I left off. Then one day, Peter Dunaway called.

"Rhea, you've got to come back. We can't even carry out the final experimental step without you," he said.

I was just about to turn him down when I heard a commotion in the background. Natasha had snatched the phone.

Her voice crackled with anger. "Rhea, have you no shame? The company fired you. Why are you still clinging to my experimental project?"

Peter snapped, "Your project? Rhea built this from scratch, Natasha! We're calling her because we're stuck. If this drug batch fails, do you have any idea what's at stake? This isn't just about money."

Natasha didn't even flinch. "What's the big deal? I'll take over her experimental project and get it finished in no time."

He stared in disbelief. "Are you serious? Only Rhea knows how to run that experiment. If you screw this up, people could die!"

Natasha spat, "Gavin has lost his memory, so I'm in charge now. And if any of you dare question me again, don't be surprised if you're next to get fired."

The line went dead.

The outcome was completely predictable.

Chapman Pharmaceuticals had no further dealings with me. And if giving up one of my experimental projects meant never having to put up with Gavin and Natasha again, then it was a price I'd gladly pay.