Chapter 3 - Morning Without a Wife
Victor woke at seven thirty with Kendra asleep beside him.
He had slept beautifully.
That detail would later offend me more than I expected.
While I sat awake in my childhood bedroom replaying the sound of his hand against my face, Victor slept without interruption.
At eight, he poured coffee.
At eight ten, he discovered his corporate email access was malfunctioning.
At eight twelve, he called IT.
No one answered.
At eight fifteen, his company credit card declined at a coffee shop downstairs.
He cursed the cashier.
At eight twenty-two, Meridian’s chief financial officer texted him.
BOARD MEETING.
10:00 A.M.
ATTEND IN PERSON.
Victor smiled.
He assumed it meant another promotion.
That was the most remarkable thing about arrogance.
It could turn an execution notice into a congratulatory letter.
Kendra emerged from the bedroom wearing one of his shirts.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
He adjusted his cuff links.
“Something big is happening at work.”
“Good big?”
Victor smiled at his reflection.
“There’s been talk about restructuring.”
Kendra wrapped her arms around him.
“Senior vice president?”
“Maybe more.”
She kissed his cheek.
“Then last night was perfect timing.”
Victor looked toward the divorce papers.
Olivia had not signed them.
That irritated him.
But he was certain pressure would fix that.
“By tonight, she’ll understand.”
“Understand what?”
“That she has no leverage.”
Across the city, I sat beside Russell in a private conference room at Hartwell Tower.
A makeup artist had offered to cover the bruise.
I refused.
My father looked at me once.
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
Victor had spent years hiding behind polished appearances.
I was finished helping him.
At nine fifty-eight, surveillance footage showed Victor entering Meridian’s executive floor.
He smiled at the receptionist.
She looked away.
He walked toward the boardroom.
Inside sat twelve directors.
Meridian’s general counsel.
Two forensic accountants.
Russell.
My father.
And me.
Victor opened the door.
His smile disappeared.
For one long second, he did not recognize what he was seeing.
Then his eyes landed on me.
“Olivia?”
Nobody answered.
Victor looked at Arthur.
Recognition came immediately.
Everyone in Meridian knew Arthur Hartwell.
Victor straightened instinctively.
“Mr. Hartwell.”
Arthur did not offer his hand.
Victor glanced between us.
“Why is my wife here?”
My father leaned back in his chair.
“Your wife?”
Victor swallowed.
May you like
Arthur’s voice became almost gentle.
“I believe you mean my daughter.”
