The Last Straw

**CALISTA**

I had always known that there was something unsettling about how innocent Merrick looked—like evil had learned how to wear a gentle face.

I could see it now, sitting across him in our limo on our way to his private birthday dinner. His excitement speared through in the way his eyes glinted in the dim light, and the way his thumb lingered on my wrist when he kissed my hand.

“This will be so perfect,” he said, “all you have to do is relax and watch me handle things, like a real man should.”

His words sounded too much like my mother's, and I fought the urge to clamp my hands over my ears and scream.

“And…what would I be doing?” I forced a sweet smile.

His eyes dropped to my stomach like it already belonged to him.

“You know I've always wanted a family, Calista. Maybe we should focus on that.”

He leaned forward to hold my hands, and I felt the child inside me shrink with every lingering second.

How cruel of him to demand this sacrifice from me, yet still aid my twin sister in taking my life in spite of it.

My palms grew sweaty in his hands, and I blamed it on nerves, pulling away to tuck them in my lap.

He adjusted smoothly and retrieved his phone from the console, jaw gritting as he typed.

I peeled my eyes from him and let them roam the bustling streets, mind racing.

After my confrontation with mother, I had talked to Merrick when he got back, holding my breath when I smelled Astrid's perfume on his shirt.

I had looked him in the eyes and coaxed that man child with the promise of a birthday surprise—one which sat heavy in my purse throughout the ride.

We were to have his birthday dinner in the Fairfax Estate, as a sign of my submission.

The crowning moment was to be the one where I signed over Winslow Empire’s power of attorney to Merrick, and the thought churned my stomach, making it almost impossible to keep down my lunch.

“Something on your mind, love?” Merrick's finger brushed my knee, and I felt the skin break out in hives, but I nodded and pressed a palm to my clammy forehead.

“Nothing, just…nervous.” I forced a laugh.

His eyes raked over my skin, like he was searching for any hint of a protest. Seeing none, a smile curled his perfect lips.

“Well, take a deep breath, honey. We’re here.”

I turned my neck to the window as the estate gates rose out of the dusk, ivy snaking through the bars as the huge gates yawned open.

My back went rigid, hands almost drifting to my stomach as the limo rolled down the wide stone courtyard.

From the cars parked close to the sculpted stone fountain, I could tell that the whole family had already arrived.

Astrid's black Tesla was parked a few inches from us, and I watched Merrick's eyes dart to her car not once, but three times.

Servants stood lined around the courtyard like silent witnesses, and two of them approached the car and held open the doors.

Merrick got out and stretched his hand, and I kept my smile frozen in place as my fingers slid into his cold grip.

My heels clicked against the stone floor, my dress swishing around my ankles as we headed up the stairs.

“Now, this is just another birthday dinner. Keep a smile on your face, and no alcohol tonight. Do not embarrass me again, dear.” Merrick whispered beside me, squeezing my hand almost roughly for emphasis.

I forgot to breathe when we stepped into the foyer, heart pounding at the figure lingering by the grand staircase that split in two directions.

“There is my golden boy!” Grace Fairfax declared, arms outstretched as she clambered down the left side to meet us—no—her son.

Her eyes grazed right over me as she wrapped her golden boy in an embrace.

“Mother, you will smother me…” Merrick laughed, and I stood aside, leaning against the banister and clutching my purse tightly.

When she released him, her green eyes pierced through my skull.

“Calista,” she said formally, “how wise of you to join us.”

“It is my pleasure, Grace.” I courtesied, anything to avoid meeting her eyes.

“Let us hope your impulses do not ruin this dinner. We would hate to take our investors elsewhere—”

“Mother, now is not the time.” Merrick muttered, but he squeezed my hand again, lending credence to his mother's threats.

“Do not worry, Grace. After tonight, we will be swimming in investors.”

She scoffed at my words and disappeared towards the hallway to the right, ordering the servants to take our coats and lead us to the dining hall.

The aroma of rosemary and cheese calmed my nerves, easing the tingle in my fingers as we stepped into the bustling dining hall.

Children brushed past me, giggling in all their innocence, and I noticed Merrick staring longingly.

I didn’t care anymore. Astrid could carry every child he thought I owed him.

His hand rested against the small of my back, leading me to my seat beside his at the head of the table.

Astrid sat opposite me in her white dress and flashing red lipstick, gaze lingering on Merrick before sliding to me.

I should have blamed myself for marrying such a handsome liar, but it was never my decision to make.

The ring was on my finger before I could say yes, and I still got punished for my obedience.

My phone pinged in my purse, and I dug it out with a slight tremble in my fingers, reading the text message over and over until the knots in my stomach loosened.

Everything was in place.

Relieved, I sat back, heel tapping gently against the white and black marble floor while I let my eyes roam over the guests until they found my mother.

She stared right back, brows raised as a stern reminder of our conversation yesterday.

I gulped back a breath and flashed her a smile, itching to expose the contents of my purse.

The double doors burst open, and servants in immaculate grey uniform filtered in, holding steel trays.

Dinner began in earnest, and I watched them dig in, listening to the cacophony of cutlery against ceramic.

My food sat untouched, peas sticking to my fork as I poked at my dinner, grateful for the merciful silence…until mother broke it.

“Eat something, Calista. You look ghastly.” Her face pulled in a sneer, and suddenly they were all staring, judging the sweat on my forehead, and the way my fingers curled tightly around my fork.

I cleared my throat.

“I am fine, mother. I just had a heavy lunch.” And an even heavier secret.

“Pass the salt, will you, Merrick?” Astrid's voice lowered, eyelids batting at my husband.

The salt was inches away from her, yet I watched him hand her the shaker, listening to his breath hitch when her fingers brushed his.

I didn’t need to look under the table to know what they were doing. I could feel it in the way he stopped looking at me.

Was I truly that blind all along?

“Excellent food, mother. My compliments to the chef.” Merrick stuffed his face to hide his blush.

“Anything for my golden boy.” Grace crooned, sipping far too much wine from her glass.

How much longer would I sit here and watch this family try to bend my will?

Not tonight, not in this lifetime.

Slowly, I rose to my feet and reached for my wineglass, clinking my fork against the side.

Merrick's back went rigid, eyelids batting in excitement at the announcement to come.

Let's skip the pleasantries, shall we?

“I was going to give a long speech about the love of my life, and how much he deserves this, but yesterday, I had an enlightening speech with my mother.” I tilted my glass in her direction. “You opened my eyes to so many possibilities, and I would be a fool to ignore such…wise words.”

She nodded in satisfaction, gripping her wineglass like a lifeline.

“And so, without further ado, I would like to present this to you, my darling husband.” I set down my glass and reached for my purse hanging off my seat.

The brown envelope felt light in my hand, and my heart throbbed harder as I slid the envelope across to Merrick.

The smile on his face grew, and a hush fell over the room as he leaned forward and unfolded the envelope.

My body trembled violently in my dress, but my smile was frozen in place.

Any moment now…

I started to back away from my seat as his smile slowly faded.

“Calista…”

“Happy birthday, Merrick.”

“These are—” his voice broke, eyes scanning the page. “Divorce papers?” He rose from his seat abruptly, and a wave of gasps and sighs erupted over the room.

“Yes. It's over.” I kept my voice firm.

“Calista!” My mother roared, face white as sheets.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

“Fixing my marriage, mother, just like you asked me to.” My throat felt dry.

She shook her head vehemently, rising from her seat like a burning phoenix.

“That was not—”

“Oh, don't you worry, mother.” I glanced at my phone, “we would have all the investors we need to move this company forward.”

“NONSENSE! What nonsense are you talking about?” Merrick looked like he might explode.

A dull sound echoed outside the dining, followed by the rush of feet, and I could not help the smile creeping across my face.

“Why tell you, when I can just show you?”

With that, I whirled around on my heels and stalked towards the door, ignoring the scattered protest and bitter curses.

The double doors swung open, and a chill fell over the room when Atlas stepped in.

“I do hope I did not miss the party. Happy birthday, Old friend.” His voice echoed, and he topped off his terror with a wink.

“WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?” Merrick roared.

I had their attention now. This time, I would finish what they started.