The Unbridgeable Distance Between Us

The butler knocked, uneasy. "Miss Edith Grayson is rummaging through the storage room for her old toys. We can't stop her. The dust might trigger her asthma."

I snapped my suitcase shut, exhaling. "I'll handle it."

But as I stepped into the storage room, the door slammed shut. Edith's smug voice came through. "Mom, you broke the rules today. Apologize, or you're stuck there all night."

...

When I didn't respond, her tone sharpened. "Your phone is out here. No one is coming to save you."

I flicked on the light. "Whatever."

"Dad's bringing Helene home for her celebration party tonight," she added. "Stay there and don't make a noise."

She kicked the door and left.

As her footsteps faded, I leaned against the door and hung my head.

The storage room's contents hit me like a blow. Most were gifts I'd chosen for Victor and Edith, now covered in dust. Some remained wrapped.

Brushing off the grime, I opened them. Each gift carried a memory of happier times, now laced with pain. Dust stung my lungs, and tears mixed with my coughs.

After unwrapping the last one, I lit a match and set the pile ablaze. Smoke filled the room, triggering the alarm.

The butler and staff rushed in, pulling me out and putting out the flames.

Victor stormed over and slapped me hard. "Have you lost your mind? You're jealous of Helene, so you start a fire to wreck her celebration?"

Edith, in a frilly princess dress, glared. "Mom, you deserve this for breaking the rules."

She ordered the staff to toss my suitcase into the fire, expecting me to break down.

I barely glanced at it, heading straight for the banquet hall. Victor grabbed my arm, hissing, "What do you want?"

I shook him off and strode forward, ignoring their protests.

In the hall, Helene mingled with guests, radiating confidence in my dress. My breath caught when I saw the necklace around her neck. It was my 18th birthday gift from my parents, locked in a safe that only Victor and I knew could access.

It was clear who had given it to her.

I marched over and yanked it off, nearly knocking her down. Victor rushed to her side, his voice tight with anger. "Susan, enough! Helene secured this overseas deal. If you're going to lose it, get out!"

His disgust and Edith's glare didn't faze me. Holding up the necklace, I asked, "Was this your idea, too?"

Victor's eyes flickered with guilt, then hardened. "Outstanding employees deserve rewards. You have countless necklaces. Don't be so petty."

He turned to charm the business partners, brushing off the tension. Helene, shedding her earlier vulnerability, smirked. "Thanks to Mr. Grayson's trust, I got my moment to shine."

Her smugness pushed me over the edge. I slapped her across the face.

...

The room fell silent, broken only by Helene's cry. Victor helped her up, glaring. "What is wrong with you?"

Edith stepped in front of Helene. "You're a terrible mom! I hate you!"

Unperturbed, I grabbed a wine glass and took the stage. "Thank you all for coming. I regret to inform you that Mr. Grayson and I are divorcing. This house is mine, not his, but I'll host another event to make amends. Please understand."

I downed the wine in one gulp. The guests, savvy businesspeople, made quick excuses and left.

It was a reminder to Victor of how he had risen to power. Without my family's support, his small company would've gone nowhere. It was I who had facilitated those deals for him.

I'd like to see how he fared without me.

The lively banquet quickly turned desolate, Victor's face ashen with fury. Losing all decorum, he shouted, "You've humiliated me! Do you know what divorce rumors will do to the company? When did you become so petty?"

I watched his outburst calmly, recalling how he'd assumed the same cool detachment when I cried over his closeness with Helene.

Our roles had reversed, and his rage now was comical.

Helene, pale and clutching her stomach, collapsed into his arms. "It's my fault. I'll resign. Don't fight because of me."

"Not your fault," Victor said. "I'll take you to the hospital and throw you another party."

"It's not your fault," Edith echoed. "My mom is just too small-minded."

I laughed and turned to the butler. "Pack their things. Have them out by tomorrow morning."

The butler hesitated. "Madam, isn't this too much? Tempers flare, but this could spiral. They are not easily appeased."

My gaze turned icy as I realized how little even the servants thought of me.

"You're fired!" I spat, walking away.

I grabbed my phone and texted Martin, the butler at my parents' house. He had watched me grow up, and I trusted him wholeheartedly.

[Martin, come over and help me clear out some things.]

[Yes, Miss.]