Chapter 10 - THE DIVORCE HE PLANNED FIRST
I didn't cry in Julian's office.
I waited until I reached Rebecca's.
Then I sat down and stared at the floor.
“He was going to leave me.”
Rebecca handed me water.
“That's what the available information suggests.”
I shook my head.
“Why didn't he just tell me?”
Rebecca didn't answer.
There wasn't an answer that would make sense.
Over the following weeks, the legal process began.
Financial disclosures were requested.
Independent accountants reviewed the marital assets.
The Eastbridge transactions became a central issue.
Daniel initially resisted.
He accused me of using Julian to destroy him.
I refused to respond publicly.
I communicated through counsel.
Then Daniel called one evening.
I answered because Rebecca had advised me to preserve communications relevant to the financial dispute.
His voice was rough.
“Claire.”
I said nothing.
He continued.
“You've made a terrible mistake.”
I looked at the wall.
“Have I?”
“Hart is using you.”
I took a breath.
“Then explain Eastbridge.”
Silence.
“Explain why you told Elise you were divorcing me.”
He exhaled.
“It's complicated.”
“No.”
My voice was steady.
“It's dishonest.”
Daniel sounded desperate.
“I was trying to protect the company.”
“From what?”
He hesitated.
Then whispered:
“From collapse.”
I closed my eyes.
For the first time, I heard fear in his voice.
Not anger.
Not arrogance.
Fear.
He explained that Mercer Logistics had lost several major contracts.
Debt obligations were increasing.
A planned expansion had failed.
He had been moving money between entities to maintain liquidity while searching for investors.
I listened.
Then asked:
“Why didn't you tell me?”
Daniel's voice broke.
“Because I couldn't stand you seeing me fail.”
I looked down.
“And you thought betraying me was better?”
He said nothing.
I ended the call.
Then cried.
May you like
Not because I wanted him back.
Because I finally understood how much damage pride could do when it became more important than honesty.
