Marcus’s expression changed.
“He worked under me once.”
That could have ended the conversation, but it did not.
The next time Liam called my agency a hobby during a custody exchange, Marcus’s words returned to me, and I decided to ask for more.
“What happened between you two?” I said to Marcus a week later.
He stirred his coffee longer than necessary.
“He liked credit more than work.”
Marcus offered only one additional explanation:
“I declined to recommend him for a promotion. He hadn’t earned it.”
He never told me whose work Liam had claimed. He gave no names. He only said he had tried to deal with the matter privately and had probably been too lenient.
That was enough to disturb me because Liam had already begun telling people I had become unstable after the divorce.
He would have denied it, but I could feel his influence among the friends we once shared.
He skipped visits with our daughter, then posted affectionate photographs whenever he appeared. He mocked my agency publicly, yet I later discovered he had privately asked whether his company could receive spots in one of our parent-return placement programs.
He wanted the benefit without admitting the work had value.
For the gala, I wore an emerald gown that I had chosen entirely for myself, without anyone offering cruel advice.
No one approved the food on my plate either, and I ate exactly what I wanted before leaving home.
Jenna adjusted one of my earrings and said:
“You look like someone would give up their career for you.”
Marcus arrived to pick us up and smiled when he saw me.
“You guys ready?”
“Of course,” Jenna smirked. “Just look at her. She’s going to break a few hearts tonight.”
In the event program, Jenna was listed as Operations Director.
I was listed as founder.
For the first hour, Liam remained across the ballroom, moving among board members and donors exactly as he always had—shaking hands, laughing carefully, and watching people with hungry ambition.
Then he noticed me.
Shock crossed his face briefly.
The familiar smirk followed.
He approached with the same effortless arrogance he had carried throughout our marriage whenever he believed I would surrender first.
“Well,” he said, studying me. “This is unexpected.”
“Not for me,” I replied.
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