Jonathan frowned, his gaze cold, as he looked up at my voice. “Elise?” Alicia’s surprised voice held a note of panic. She hastily climbed from the table, straightened, smoothed her hair, and offered an embarrassed smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were coming. I was just fixing Jonathan’s collar. Don’t get the wrong idea.” Her demeanor contradicted her words, practically begging me to misunderstand.
Smiling, I produced my phone and pointed the camera at them. “Why don’t you fix it again? I didn’t get a clear look.” Alicia frowned. “What are you doing?” She lunged for my phone, but I sidestepped her. “Collecting evidence, of course. Maybe these videos will get me more money in the divorce.” Her eyes flickered, her expression shifting. I knew her thoughts: she likely believed my divorce request was a game, hoping for more drama to further antagonize Jonathan. She wanted nothing more than our divorce.
“I can also show everyone how you helped a married man with his wardrobe, Ms. Zimmer,” I said, clicking my tongue. Alicia fell silent, her expression darkening. Jonathan scowled, his gaze cold. “Elise, stop making a scene.” I’d heard that countless times since my suicide attempt. To Jonathan, I was always unreasonable, always causing a scene. Even my suicide attempt was somehow my fault.
“How am I making a scene?” I smirked, looking at them nonchalantly. “I’m calmly talking to you, Jonathan.” I approached his desk, tapping a finger on it. “Everyone knows about you and Alicia. I don’t want to be gossiped about anymore, so let’s get a divorce.” My tone was resolute. “Regarding assets, I don’t want anything that isn’t mine. But if you think it’s bad for Millenia’s reputation for your wife to leave empty-handed, you can give me a token amount.” I wasn’t greedy, but I wasn’t self-righteous either. I’d suffered immensely in this marriage, to the point of attempting suicide. Jonathan owed me compensation. I was losing my marriage; I deserved something in return.
Jonathan remained silent, his gaze heavy and stifling—furious, but controlled. I didn’t understand his anger. I hadn’t been angry; Alicia had been trampling all over me! “Jonathan, are we getting divorced or not? A straight answer!” I pressed. “If you don’t want to share your money, fine. As long as we get this divorce quickly, I’m okay leaving empty-handed.” Surely, after such compromise, he wouldn't hesitate?
Alicia, however, interjected softly, “Ms. Sawyer, please don’t be angry with Jonathan. Saying such harsh words will only hurt your relationship…” I rolled my eyes inwardly. I’d been perfectly clear, yet they still thought I was having a tantrum. She continued playing peacemaker. “Jonathan is very wealthy, and you can get a lot of money in a divorce. But the money you can get from being Mrs. Ford is beyond your expectations. Please don’t say these things out of spite.”
I looked at her. “Don’t you tire of saying things you don’t mean? If I don’t divorce him, how will you take my place?” Alicia’s expression stiffened, but Jonathan cut her off coldly. “Enough. Leave, both of you.”
A chill filled the office. No one breathed. Jonathan’s gaze, dark and unreadable, fixed on me, a flicker of fury in his eyes.