Thanks, But We're Already Divorced

My husband stole credit for my work, gave it to his girlfriend, and waited for me to say thank you.

He assumed I'd never leave, so he missed me selling our apartment, cutting off his money, and meeting with divorce lawyers.

When he graciously offered me a second chance, I just smiled: "Thanks, but we're already divorced."

Isadora's POV

"Let me raise a toast to Cordelia for her dedicated work over the past three months. "

Aurelius held up his champagne, eyes soft as he looked at Cordelia.

"Without her tireless efforts organizing data day and night, the StarMap project would never have secured this Series B funding from Sequoia Capital."

The room exploded in applause.

I gripped my glass, knuckles white.

Three months of dedicated work? I'd pulled over seventy all-nighters for this project, made four trips to Silicon Valley, and worked through stomach pain so bad I was popping pills just to function. My doctor said I was heading for a perforation.

And Cordelia's "tireless efforts"? Making Aurelius coffee and staring at him while he talked business.

I used to fight back, used to argue. But when Aurelius asked me for the hundredth time to sacrifice my credit for Cordelia's sake, I'd agreed.

I'd even been nice to her. Everyone said I was finally maturing, but they had no idea I was done. None of this mattered anymore.

"Isadora, you're being really quiet tonight," Sarah, our CFO, walked over. "Didn't you write the core algorithm? How did it suddenly become Cordelia's achievement?"

"Yeah, you're not bothered, are you?" Tom from marketing joined in. "Cordelia's young, she needs opportunities. You're way too experienced to hold a grudge against some kid, right?"

I looked at them quietly. At first, these colleagues tried to stay on my good side when they saw Aurelius favoring Cordelia. Now they'd all switched camps, ready to kick me while I was down.

"Bothered by what? I won't be here much longer." I set down my champagne. "I don't give a damn about titles."

Sarah's eyes lit up. "You're leaving?"

"Goldman wants me. Triple the salary." I said flatly. "Talent always finds a home."

Tom's face darkened. Sarah slunk away.

They expected me to cry and demand answers like usual. Too bad—I was done with that show.

After the party, the valet brought Aurelius's car. I walked toward the passenger seat.

Cordelia was already there.

She wore Aurelius's cashmere coat, looking pitiful. "Sorry, Isadora. I get carsick in the back. You don't mind, do you?"

I looked at Aurelius. He was lighting his cigar, not looking up.

"Take the back," he said coolly.

I stared at him. Seven years ago, living in that basement, splitting sandwiches while building our startup, he'd sworn that once we made money, I'd get the best seat, the best life.

Now we had money. We had luxury cars. But the best seat belonged to someone else.

"Isadora?" Aurelius frowned. "What's wrong? Why are you standing there?"

"Nothing." I got in the back.

The car reeked of Cordelia's sweet perfume and Aurelius's cigar smoke. Made me sick.

"Cordelia's staying in our guest room tonight," Aurelius started the engine, eyes meeting mine in the mirror. "She lives in the Hamptons. Plus she's had too much to drink."

I said nothing. Objecting was pointless.

"Isadora," Cordelia turned around carefully, "about the project credit... you're really not upset, are you? I know you wrote the algorithm..."

"It's fine." I cut her off. "Doesn't matter."

"Exactly. You get it," Aurelius nodded. "You always see the big picture."

"Besides, Cordelia's still on probation. She needs this to prove herself," he continued. "You're a co-founder—you should support new talent."

"Of course."

Aurelius glanced at me in the mirror, surprised. "You're really quiet tonight. Don't you usually argue with me about this stuff?"

"What's the point?" I watched neon lights blur past. "You've already decided."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" His voice sharpened. "I'm thinking about the company. Cordelia has potential. As my wife, you should support my decisions."

Because I'm his wife, I should just go along with it. How many times had I heard that?

"I support you."

"Good." His tone softened. "Once we get through this, we'll vacation in the Maldives. Consider it compensation for your hard work. Deal?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I pulled out my phone and emailed HR: Effective immediately, I resign. Please prepare my exit paperwork.

Send.

At home, I ignored Aurelius and Cordelia whispering in the living room and went straight to the study.

I opened the desk drawer. The divorce papers sat there, Aurelius's signature clear at the bottom.

Three months ago, I'd tricked him into signing while he was hungover, saying it was company paperwork. He'd signed without reading.

I'd been too scared to sign myself, still hoping things might change.

Tonight, I finally saw clearly. I picked up the pen and signed my name.

The door burst open.

Cordelia's eyes went straight to the half-open drawer, where "DIVORCE SETTLEMENT" was visible.

My heart jumped, but I kept my face blank. I grabbed the quarterly report and slammed it over the papers, then locked the drawer.

"Cordelia." I looked up, voice ice-cold. "You knock before entering. Basic manners. Didn't your parents teach you that?"

Her face went stiff. She teared up immediately. "Sorry, I just wanted to check on you. Are you mad about the project thing?"

"GET OUT!"

Aurelius pushed through the door. Seeing Cordelia's tears, his face darkened.

"What the hell happened?"

"Nothing, Aurelius." Cordelia bit her lip, wounded. "I wanted to bring Isadora warm milk, but maybe I did something wrong..."

"Damn it, Isadora!" Aurelius's face was thunderous. "Cordelia was being thoughtful! She worked late and still wanted to take care of you, and THIS is how you treat her?"

I didn't feel like fighting. I stood and grabbed my purse. "I'm staying at a hotel."