Diane's POV
Joan and I drove to Liam's office, carrying the divorce papers and evidence file. My heart raced as we got on the elevator to his floor, but my resolve remained firm.
The manila package felt heavy in my hands as I stood outside Liam's office. Joan reassured with a squeeze on my shoulder.
"You've got this, Diane," she said quietly. "Rember, we're here to end this on your terms."
I nodded and took a long breath. The nausea feeling that had beco my regular companion over the last three weeks tried to overtake , but I pushed through it. I couldn't display any vulnerability at this ti.
His secretary seed astonished to see . "Mrs. Ashton!" We were not expecting you. Mr. Ashton is attending a eting, but—"
"That's fine, Amanda," I interrupted, striding past her desk. "He'll see ."
Without knocking, I opened the door to Liam's office. The scene that t was all too familiar. Liam and Sophie jerked apart, their unkempt appearance revealing what they'd been up to. For a minute, I was taken back to the two prior occasions when I had found them in similarly compromising positions. The pain and betrayal threatened to overtake , but I braced myself. This ti would be different.
"Diane!" With a voice that mixed astonishnt and fear, Liam exclaid. "What are you doing here?" I grinned, but it was a cold smile. "Hi Liam. Sophie. I feel like we should have a quick conversation, don't you?"
My shoulders felt lighter as I set the divorce papers down on his desk. It was ga over. It was ti for them to accept the repercussions of their behavior.
Both of their features had lost color. Liam moved ahead, his hands up in an apologetic gesture. "Diane, honey, I don't know what you think you know, but-"
Don't." I interrupted, my tone as piercing as a knife. "I dare you to try to deceive one more ti. Liam, I saw you. You two together. in this office. Likewise, this is not the first ti, is it?
With a gasp, Sophie reached for her mouth. Liam's mouth tightened, his gaze flitting from Sophie to .
"How long?" I questioned, astonished at how calm I managed to sound. "How long have you been fucking my sister behind my back?"
They both were shocked by the foul words. Alright. Let them feel uneasy. Liam took a deep breath.
"Please, Diane, let's talk about this in private. Sophie, I believe you ought to leave."
"Oh no," I exclaid as a nasty laugh broke out of . "Sophie stays. I want to hear from you both about this. For how long?"
It appeared as though Sophie was ill. Unable to look in the eye, she mumbled, "Six months,"
For half a year. Six months of deception and betrayal. I let the pain wash over and closed my eyes for a little while.
"Diane, I sincerely apologize," Liam said as he walked towards my direction. "It suddenly happened. We didn't intend to.
To what?" I finally lost my cool and my composure. "To cause harm? To ruin our union? To break every promise we have ever made?"
"It's not like that!" Sophie made a pitiful protest.
Years of sisterly love vanished in an instant as I turned to face her. "So, Sophie, how is it like? Give so insight. Because it appears like my sister and spouse are stabbing in the back from where I am standing."
Sophie felt tears rise up in her eyes. "Di, we fell in love." We didn't want for it to happen, but—"
"Love?" I spat the word like venom. "You don't know anything about love. Love is built on trust and respect. "All you have is selfish lust and betrayal."
Liam moved to stand between us, always the peacemaker. "Diane, please." I understand you are hurt, and you have every right to be. But we can work through it. We can go to counseling and spend so ti apart.
I let out a hollow, mirthless laugh that seed like it was coming from everywhere in the workplace.
"Resolve this? Are you crazy? Liam, there's no way to go over this. We were broken by you. You destroyed everything. "Please, Diane. I'll take any action. We can rebuild and start afresh."
"There's nothing left to rebuild!" I yelled, my composure at last totally crumbling.
"You've destroyed everything! Liam, everything is lost—our future, our family, and our marriage. And for what purpose? For the sake of a cheap thrill with my sister?
Sophie cringed at what I said, but I wasn't concerned about her feelings. "And you," I turned to her, years of sibling rivalry and bitterness rising to the surface. "I've always prioritized you and placed you first. So this is how you repay ? "By sleeping with my husband?"
"I'm sorry," Sophie sobbed, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"I am very sorry, Di. "I never intended for this to happen."
Stop saying that." I scread, finally losing control. "You are both adults!" You made decisions that ruined our family and damaged . Own up to it!"
Liam reached for , but I drew away. "Don't you dare touch ," I shouted. "Liam, I want a divorce. "It is over." "Diane, be reasonable," Liam implored. "We need to talk about this calmly, figure out our next steps-"
next step?" I echoed, astonished. "Divorce is the next step, Liam. You should not be in my life.
I pointed to the docunts lying on his desk.
"It contains all the information you require. I advise you to thoroughly study it.
" His eyes widened with every line as he skimd the first page.
Diane, you have to be kidding. This is absurd, this is!" "Is it?" I raised an eyebrow in question. "I think it's perfectly reasonable, considering the
Liam's astonishnt swiftly turned to fury. He slapped the papers on the desk. "Half my assets? . Shares in the company? "You must be insane!"
I leaned forward and placed my hands on his desk. "No, Liam." I'm thinking more clearly than I have in years. You seem to have forgotten that I was present from the beginning. "I helped build this empire while you were destroying our marriage.
" He rose abruptly, towering over . "You won't get away with this. The prenup— "
"Is void," Joan said calmly. "Infidelity clause, rember?"
Liam squinted his eyes as he concentrated on Joan. "And who the hell are you?"
"Joan Chambers, Diane's attorney," she said gently. "I advise that you read these docunts carefully, Mr. Ashton. You'll discover that Diane is entitled to far more than your prenuptial agreent allows.
" Liam's face reddened with rage. He grabbed up the papers again and began flipping through them furiously. "This is insane." You can't expect to receive all of this."
"Oh, but I can," I answered in a firm voice.
And I will. You see, Liam, I've been busy the last few weeks. While you were sneaking around with my sister, I was gathering proof.
I removed a big file from my purse and placed it on the desk. "Bank statents, hotel receipts, and pictures... I got it all, Liam. Every filthy detail about your affair."
Liam's cheeks turned pale as he flipped through the file. Sophie, who had been quiet until now, let out a choking sob. "How... how did you get all this?" Liam stuttered.
I tried to smile, but it didnt reach my eyes. "Darling, I took lessons from the greatest. I learned how to be ruthless in business from you. I simply used those teachings in our personal lives."
With all of his strength gone, Liam sank into his chair. "Please, Diane. We are able to resolve this.
Please, don't do this. I almost felt terrible for him for a split second. Nearly. But then I thought back to all the tis I had sobbed myself to sleep, all the betrayals, all the falsehoods. My determination beca more firm.
I whispered, "It's already done, Liam." "You choose what to do. You now have to bear the repercussions."
I turned to leave, but stopped at the door. "Oh, and Liam too? I would begin my search for a new secretary. When Amanda discovers you've been having extramarital affairs with her, I'm very sure she won't want to stay."
Liam and Sophie's expressions of complete surprise were nearly as painful as the pain they had caused . Almost.
As Joan and I walked out of the office, I experienced a peculiar combination of emotions. There is pain, rage, and betrayal, but also a sense of liberty. For the first ti in years, I felt in control of my life.
"You did good in there," Joan said as we got into the elevator. "How are you feeling?"
I took a big breath and contemplated the question. "Honestly? I feel... liberated. Like I can finally start living my life on my own terms."
Joan gripped my hand. "That is the spirit." Rember, this is only the beginning. There's a long road ahead of you, but I'll be there every step of the way.
As we stepped outside into the bright sunlight, I felt a gleam of optimism for the future. Liam and Sophie attempted to break , but they only made stronger. Now was the mont to restore my life on my own terms.
Little did I know at the ti that fate had an even bigger surprise in store for , one that would change everything and raise the stakes higher than I could have imagined. But in that mont, standing in the beautiful sunshine with my best friend by my side, I knew I was done being a victim.
Sophie had no idea what they'd triggered in . Honestly, neither did I. But I was prepared to find out.
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