Chapter 8 - A DIVORCE SERVED AT THE SHAREHOLDERS' DINNER
Alexander's annual shareholders' dinner took place at the Plaza.
Three hundred guests attended.
Bankers.
Investors.
Developers.
Members of New York's wealthiest families.
For two years, I had accompanied him to events like this wearing beautiful dresses and pretending not to notice when he introduced me without mentioning anything about my work.
My wife, Erin.
Never Erin, the historian.
Never Erin, who knows more about nineteenth-century New York architecture than anyone I've met.
Just my wife.
An accessory to his success.
This year, I arrived without him.
---
Naomi had arranged for me to attend as an invited participant in the foundation's annual review, a role I'd retained independently of my marriage.
I wore a simple black dress.
No diamond necklace.
No expensive earrings.
Only my mother's silver bracelet.
When I entered the ballroom, conversations slowed.
I could feel people watching.
The rumors about the auction had spread.
So had the news that Alexander and I were living separately.
Sophia stood near the champagne table.
She looked surprised to see me.
Then nodded.
I nodded back.
We weren't friends.
But for the first time, we were no longer pretending not to know each other.
---
Alexander found me near the windows.
"Erin."
"Hello."
His gaze moved over my dress.
"You look beautiful."
I stared.
In two years, he had rarely said those words without first being asked.
Tonight, they sounded strangely inadequate.
"Thank you."
He looked around.
"Can we talk privately?"
"Later."
"Erin—"
"Your foundation review begins in ten minutes."
His expression changed.
"What are you planning?"
I looked at him.
"To listen."
---
The chairman began the presentation.
Grant Global's financial performance was strong.
Revenue had increased.
Several redevelopment projects were ahead of schedule.
Investors applauded.
Then the discussion moved to Mercer House.
A rendering appeared on the enormous screen.
The old waterfront building had been replaced by glass towers.
Luxury apartments.
Retail space.
A landscaped plaza.
Not one trace of the original arts institution remained.
The presenter described the site as a neglected corporate asset with no active community obligations.
I raised my hand.
A few people turned.
The chairman hesitated.
"Mrs. Grant?"
I stood.
"Could you explain the basis for describing Mercer House as an unrestricted corporate asset?"
The ballroom became quiet.
Alexander stood slowly.
"Erin, this isn't the time."
I looked at the chairman.
"I'm asking a question relevant to the presentation."
Naomi rose beside me.
She identified herself as counsel and explained that the ownership and charitable restrictions were under formal review.
The chairman looked alarmed.
"Are you suggesting the company lacks clear title?"
Naomi answered carefully.
"We're saying the company should not represent that the question is resolved while material issues remain under examination."
A murmur spread through the room.
Alexander's father, Richard Grant, stood near the front table.
His expression was cold.
"This is a family disagreement," he announced.
I turned toward him.
"No, Mr. Grant. It's a dispute about a charitable property and the people it was intended to serve."
The room fell silent.
Richard looked furious.
Alexander moved toward me.
"Erin, stop."
For a moment, I saw the same man who had abandoned our anniversary dinner.
Impatient.
Embarrassed.
More concerned with appearances than truth.
Then I realized I no longer needed him to understand me.
I reached into my handbag.
Naomi had prepared the documents.
I handed them to Alexander's attorney, who was standing nearby.
"What is this?" Alexander asked.
I looked at him.
"My petition for divorce, with a request that the court address our property and financial arrangements."
He went completely still.
The ballroom seemed to lose every sound.
"You're divorcing me?"
"Yes."
His face drained of color.
"Over Sophia?"
I almost laughed.
"No, Alexander."
I looked around the room.
At the expensive suits.
The polished chandeliers.
The people who had watched me disappear into my marriage.
"I'm divorcing you because I finally understand that I don't have to spend my life waiting to be chosen."
---
The dinner ended early.
Grant Global issued a statement saying the Mercer project would undergo further review.
The board requested independent legal advice.
And Alexander followed me into the hotel corridor.
"Erin!"
I stopped.
He approached, breathing hard.
"You planned this?"
"I planned to file for divorce. The opportunity to raise the property issue arose through the foundation review."
He stared.
"You humiliated me in front of everyone."
I looked at him.
"Do you remember our anniversary?"
His expression changed.
"Erin—"
"You left me standing beside a dinner I spent hours preparing. You told me not to ruin your evening with another woman."
He looked away.
"I know."
"And you gave me your credit card because you thought money would make my feelings disappear."
His eyes filled with tears.
"I was wrong."
I nodded.
"Yes."
He stepped closer.
"Please don't do this."
I took a breath.
"Alexander, I've spent two years asking you to stay."
My voice trembled.
"Tonight, I'm asking you to let me go."
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he whispered something I had never heard from him before.
"I'm afraid."
I looked at him.
"Of losing me?"
He nodded.
May you like
And for the first time, I didn't mistake his fear for love.
---
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