5
400words
"Who authorized this?"
Several chandeliers dimmed. Heavy drapes silently closed around the ballroom.
Under the stunned gaze of the guests, dozens of security guards flanked me as I entered from a side door.
I stopped before the auction podium, placing the divorce papers gently atop the freeze notice.
"My orders."
"Sign this too, while you're at it."
Alexander's eyes flickered between the freeze notice and the divorce papers, finally landing on my face.
A sneer twisted his lips. "Because I'm helping Chloe through her pregnancy? You go this far?"
"Victoria, in our circles, who doesn'tkeep a few... companions?"
"You grew up in this world. Haven't you learned how to handle these things?"
Chloe clung to his side, her eyes dripping scorn.
I glanced at her barely-there bump, then at the fresh scar on Alexander's collarbone.
The mark of his skin graft for Chloe.
I leaned forward slightly, picking up the sapphire necklace from the podium.
"Three months ago, when you carried her out, you told me to learn how to be Mrs. Fitzgerald."
"Well, I've learned."
"A Mrs. Fitzgerald's job is to clean house."
I dropped the necklace into a champagne tower. Bubbles erupted.
"Sign the papers, Mr. Fitzgerald."
A collective gasp echoed through the ballroom.
Alexander's face was livid, but he made no move to sign, just stared at me.
Chloe tugged his arm, her voice sugary sweet.
"Victoria, can't we discuss this at home? Why embarrass Alex like this in front of everyone..."
"I never wanted to replace you! I just want to be with Alex!"
"After all, I only love him."
She turned back to me, adopting a conciliaVictoria tone. "You'll always be the rightful Mrs. Fitzgerald. Why make everyone uncomfortable?"
Alexander's expression softened slightly. He pulled her closer.
Watching Chloe's Oscar-worthy performance, I remembered her struggling with a fork when she first arrived. Now she'd memorized the rich-wife script.
I smiled at Chloe, my tone mocking.
"That haute couture gown you're wearing? One hundred twenty thousand."
"Those diamond earrings? Three fifty."
"The Alpine chalet? The Venetian jewels..."
My gaze dropped to the diamond-studded bra strap peeking from her shoulder.
"Even the underwear you're wearing..."
"Was bought with mymarital assets."
Chloe's face paled.
I placed the asset valuation sheet gently on the divorce papers.
"If you can't pay it back, Miss Summers..."
"Your youth still has somevalue."
"Consider it my treat."
