“Miss Collins, this is Sarah from your attorney’s office regarding your divorce proceedings against Mr. Mark Miller and the division of assets. We have all the documentation prepared.”
The lawyer’s crisp voice cut through the chaos. Every word a sledgehammer blow to Mark’s heart. His face turned paler than a ghost’s.
“We have collected sufficient evidence to prove Mr. Miller’s infidelity and gross misconduct during the marriage.”
“Sarah continued her voice echoing through the room. Furthermore, Mr. Mr. Miller and his mother, Carol Miller, illegally transferred and dissipated a significant amount of marital assets without your knowledge.”
“According to state law, we are confident we can not only ensure the atfall party, Mister Miller leaves the marriage with nothing, but we will also pursue the full recovery of all misappropriated assets plus damages for emotional distress.”
“Additionally, regarding the 5 years of verbal and psychological abuse you endured from your mother-in-law, we have compiled the evidence and are prepared to file a separate civil suit at your discretion.”
Every sentence was a sharp knife twisting in Mark’s gut. Leave with nothing. Recover assets. Sue his mom. His mind went blank. He staggered backward, looking at me as if he’d never seen me before. The meek, timid, helpless Ella, who couldn’t survive without him. How would she become this terrifying stranger?
“No, it’s not possible,” he mumbled. “Ella, you’re bluffing right.”
I hung up the phone and looked at him, my eyes completely void of warmth.
“Bluffing Mark, do you really think I need to bluff at this point?”
I walked towards him, my presence commanding my posture confident. These past weeks had transformed me. With Alex’s help, I had not only studied finance and law, but also taken classes on poise and presentation. I had lost the stress weight, learned to apply subtle professional makeup, and was now wearing a chic, tailored pants suit. Standing before him now, I was calm, powerful, and in control. He was a disheveled, pathetic wreck. Our roles had been completely, satisfyingly reversed.
“You thought I couldn’t live without you.”
I let out a short, contemptuous laugh.
“Mark, you give yourself way too much credit, and you underestimated me far too much. For five years, I swallowed my pride, not because I was weak, but because I held on to one last shred of hope for you, for this family. But you, all of you, smashed it to pieces. You brought your mistress into my home. Your mother humiliated me at every turn. You treated me like garbage to be thrown away. Did it ever occur to you that even a rabbit will bite when it’s cornered?”
I pointed at Lily on the floor, then at the unconscious Carol on the sofa.
“For a woman like that, you scammed your parents out of their life savings. Are you proud of yourself? To please her, you kicked me out of my own home. Do you feel like a big man now, Mark? You’re not just stupid. You’re pathetic and cruel.”
My every word was a slap across his face. He stood there, taking the verbal lashing, unable to utter a single word in his defense. His eyes were filled with a terrible, dawning regret.
“Ella, I was wrong. I was so wrong,” he whispered, reaching for me.
“Please, let’s not get a divorce. We can start over. I’ll treat you right. I swear. Ha.”
I stepped back in disgust.
“Start over? Aren’t you nauseated saying that, Mark? When you offered me $5000 to get lost, did you want to start over? When you, your mother, and that woman ganged up on me, treating me like a slave, did you want to treat me right? Now that your gold digger is exposed and your family is broke, you remember me. It’s too late.”
My voice was as cold and final as a death sentence. Just then, the whale of sirens grew louder. Two police officers walked in, took one look at the scene, and walked directly to Lily.
“Lily Evans, we have a report. You’re involved in felony fraud and embezzlement. Please come with us to the station.”
Lily completely broke down, screaming and struggling, but it was useless. They cuffed her and dragged her away. As she passed me, she shot me a look of pure hatred.
“Ella, you I’ll get you for this.”
I just watched her silent. Why argue with someone whose life was already over? The police took Lily and an ambulance arrived for Carol. Mark followed the paramedics out in a days. A lively birthday party had ended in a disastrous, humiliating spectacle. The relatives had already scattered like rats. Their parting glances at me filled with a newfound fear and awe.
The house was finally quiet. It was just me and Alex.
“Thank you, Alex,”
I said sincerely. Without him, my revenge would never have been this swift or this complete. Alex looked at me with admiration in his eyes.
“This was our victory. You did brilliantly, better than I ever imagined. What are your plans now?” he asked.
“Win the divorce. Get back what’s mine and start my new life.”
My gaze was firm and bright. I would never depend on anyone again. I would build the life I wanted with my own two hands. Alex smiled, a warm, genuine smile.
“If you need anything, just ask.”
“I will,”
I nodded.
“But I’ll be paying you a consultant’s fee.”
He laughed.
“Deal.”
