Chapter 3
I drafted my resignation letter with a strange sense of calm. After Eleanor's warning and the discovery of those pre-signed divorce papers, something had shifted inside me. The fear was gone, replaced by a cold, methodical clarity I'd never experienced before.
My finger hovered over the send button. This wasn't just quitting a job—it was dismantling the foundation of my life for the past six years. I took a deep breath and clicked send.
Almost immediately, an automated response appeared in my inbox:
'Your resignation has been accepted effective immediately. Human Resources will contact you regarding final arrangements.'
I stared at the screen. Automated? Ryan hadn't even bothered to read it himself? I checked his calendar—he should be in the office, but his schedule showed: 'Business Meeting: Space Needle Observation Deck, 2-4 PM.'
A business meeting at a tourist attraction? Something didn't add up.
I grabbed my coat and purse, moving with purpose toward the elevator. The rain had stopped, leaving Seattle glistening under patches of blue sky—the city's brief apology for days of gray.
Thirty minutes later, I stood in line for the Space Needle elevator, my heart hammering against my ribs. I paid the exorbitant fee without blinking, rehearsing excuses in case Ryan spotted me. A school friend visiting. A spontaneous desire to see the view. Anything but the truth: I was stalking my own husband.
The observation deck was crowded with tourists, cameras pointed at Mount Rainier in the distance. I scanned the space, adjusting my sunglasses, and then I saw them.
Ryan and Chloe stood by the eastern railing, Seattle's skyline spread behind them. His arm was around her waist, his head bent close to hers as she laughed. They were sharing a stick of pink cotton candy, taking turns biting pieces off like teenagers. I watched as he wiped a bit of sugar from her lip with his thumb, then kissed her where his finger had been.
I felt nothing. Not pain, not rage, not even surprise. Just a strange, detached fascination, as if I were watching characters in a movie rather than my own life imploding.
I pulled out my phone and began taking photos. The way his fingers intertwined with hers. The way he pulled her against him, Elliott Bay shimmering behind them. The way they looked at each other—with an openness Ryan hadn't shown me in years.
A tourist bumped into me, apologizing profusely. I smiled, assuring him it was fine, and when I looked back, Ryan was leading Chloe toward the elevator, his hand resting possessively on the small of her back.
I turned away, moving to the opposite side of the deck. I didn't need to follow them. I had what I needed—both the photographic evidence and the final confirmation that my marriage was nothing but a convenient arrangement for Ryan Mitchell.
---
The next morning, I sat in the reception area of Chen Marketing Solutions, my portfolio on my lap and my hands perfectly steady. The office was everything Ryan's wasn't—warm woods instead of cold glass, art from local artists instead of generic corporate prints, and an atmosphere of focused energy rather than frantic posturing.
"Ms. Mitchell? Mr. Chen will see you now."
Marcus Chen stood as I entered, coming around his desk to shake my hand. His grip was firm, his gaze direct.
"Sarah Mitchell," he said, gesturing to the chair across from his desk. "I've been hoping to meet you for some time."
I raised an eyebrow. "You have?"
"The Westlake campaign last year. The Pinnacle rebrand. The recent Northstar pitch." He ticked them off on his fingers. "All brilliant work that had your fingerprints all over it, though I notice your name was rarely in the credits."
I felt heat rise to my face. "You've been following my work?"
"I make it a point to know who the real talent is in this city." He smiled, and for the first time in years, I felt truly seen. "Your husband is a fool."
I stiffened. "I don't—"
"You've been the backbone of his agency for years," Marcus continued, his eyes never leaving mine. "And now I'm offering you the chance to be the face of your own success. Director of Strategy. Double your current salary. Full creative control of your department."
I stared at him, waiting for the catch. "Why?"
"Because talent like yours comes along rarely, and I'm smart enough to recognize it." He leaned forward. "The question is, are you ready to recognize it too?"
As I looked into his eyes, I realized this wasn't just a job offer. It was an invitation to reclaim my worth—and perhaps, to exact the revenge that had been simmering inside me since I found those divorce papers.
"When can I start?" I asked, a smile spreading across my face for the first time in what felt like years.
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