Chapter 9 - THE PROMOTION THAT DISAPPEARED
The audit concluded six weeks after the anniversary dinner.
North Harbor's board issued a formal statement.
Certain campaign forecasts had been materially overstated.
Vendor commitments had been represented as finalized when they were still conditional.
Supporting documentation had been incomplete or misleading.
The review identified failures in management oversight and disclosure.
Kyle was removed from his role as marketing director.
His employment was terminated shortly afterward.
Sophia's role was also examined, though the company did not publicly disclose individual findings beyond the necessary employment actions.
Kyle called me the day he was fired.
I answered because Meredith had advised that certain practical matters still needed discussion.
“Eleanor.”
His voice sounded hollow.
“Kyle.”
“They fired me.”
I closed my eyes.
“I'm sorry you're going through that.”
He laughed bitterly.
“Are you?”
I didn't answer.
“You must be thrilled.”
“I'm not.”
“Come on. This is exactly what you wanted.”
I looked toward the kitchen window.
“I wanted a husband who respected me.”
Silence.
Then he said, “I made one mistake.”
I shook my head.
“Kyle, one mistake doesn't create months of lies, an undisclosed relationship, questionable financial transfers, and misleading business records.”
His breathing changed.
“You don't know what happened at work.”
“You're right. I don't know all the details.”
“Then stop judging me.”
I took a breath.
“I'm not responsible for the audit.”
“You could have helped.”
“Not by compromising my job.”
He was quiet.
Then he said, “I don't have anywhere to go.”
I looked down at the legal documents on my desk.
The apartment lease with Sophia.
The hotel charges.
The money transfers.
“You have an attorney,” I said. “And we have a legal process for resolving our finances.”
“That's all you have to say?”
My throat tightened.
Once, I would have rushed to fix everything.
Found him another job.
Paid his bills.
Reassured him.
Told him he was still wonderful.
But I had spent five years being the foundation beneath a man who kept pretending he had built himself alone.
I couldn't do it anymore.
May you like
“I hope you take care of yourself, Kyle.”
Then I ended the call.
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