The Price of a Perfect Marriage and the Silent Rebuild of My Worth
If I did this, there would be no going back.
It would destroy Ethan’s career.
But he had already destroyed our marriage, and he was trying to leave me with nothing.
I pressed the button.
The phone rang four times.
“Clara?” Arthur’s deep, warm voice filled the receiver.
“Arthur,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Do you have a few minutes?”
“Of course,” he said. “Are you alright? I heard about the noise surrounding the firm today.”
“I’m fine,” I lied. “But I need to see you.”
“We can talk now,” he said.
“No,” I said. “It has to be in person. And it has to be private.”
There was a brief pause on the other end.
“Is this about Ethan?” Arthur asked, his tone shifting to one of quiet concern.
“Yes,” I said. “It is.”
“Alright,” Arthur said. “I have a gap in my schedule tomorrow morning before the board meeting.”
“Can we meet at the cafe near your apartment?” I asked. “The one on 4th Street.”
“The quiet one in the back,” Arthur agreed. “Nine o’clock?”
“Nine o’clock is perfect,” I said.