3.

LYSSANDRA

Uncle Nathan came around the table, and kissed me gently on the cheeks, and it felt like a kiss of betrayal.

Arch was still sitting in my chair, and I walked around the desk, glaring down at him. “I guess it was not enough to fuck my husband, you also wanted my seat?”

Arch’s eyes flashed with anger, but he stood, and walked around the desk.

“Lyssandra, I understand you are angry, but that is no way to speak to a major shareholder. Show some respect.” Cade snapped at me.

“You mean the same respect he showed me while he rammed his cock into you?” I grinned, shrugging. “Okay.”

I would never allow any of these men to see that I was hurt. They would never know that under this facade, I was broken, and drained, and sick.

“Lys, Cade is a man, he's allowed to do whatever he wants. You can't bring the issues in your marriage to work.”

“I don't plan to, because Cade is no longer my husband, and he no longer works here.” I informed them coldly. “He can tender his resignation, or I will fire him, but I want him gone by the end of the day.”

You could have heard a pin drop in the silence. I stayed mute, waiting for their next move.

“Cade isn't leaving.” Arch’s voice was certain. “He's not leaving, and that's final.”

“Yes, he is Cade. I'm the president of this company, and I say he is.”

“And I am the major shareholder. You can't fire him. He hasn't embezzled funds, nor has he made any wrong moves. It is the decision of the board to fire a CEO, not yours.” Arch snapped.

He stood, and buttoned his suit. “We are having a board meeting this afternoon to decide if you will continue as president of this company. Remember to come early, no excuses will be accepted. Not even your…” He stopped, grimaced and shook his head with disgust.

He's referring to my sickness. He turned and walked out. Cade followed him out like a little pet dog.

Cade threw me a venomous look before slamming my door shut.

My uncle shook his head. “This is such a mess. Lyssandra, can't you forgive Cade? I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt you.”

“I'm sure I can't. I've been sick for two years, and he's out cheating on me? I'll never be able to. Excuse me, Uncle.”

I walked out of the office, dialing Riley as I walked to my car.

She answered, groaning. “It's still early, Lys. It's still very early.”

“This is an emergency. Cade cheated on me. I need your help.”

I heard Riley cursing in the background. “I told you he was no good. I'll get the wine ready, are you coming here?”

“No. Let's go to breakfast. I need to take my meds soon.” I answered, opening my car door and sliding into it.

I ended the call and placed my head on the car wheel.

I remembered the morning tea Nagia had poured in my flask, and I drank it, but the headache just seemed to worsen. I'll give Riley fifteen minutes to get ready, then I'll drive over to the diner.

I still had my head on the wheel when I heard a knock on my window. I lifted my eyes and saw Cade standing outside my car.

He tapped on the window again, and I opened it. “What do you want, Cade? Not tired of humiliating me?”

Cade’s eyes rolled almost into the back of his head. “You cheated first. You slept with Erden, in our bed. Do you know how that made me feel?”

“I was eighteen years old, Cade, and drunk. You slept with Nadia already, then with Penelope, then with Sadie my secretary, and now Cade? You don't get to use that excuse anymore!” I hissed at him.

I could explain to him that Erden had been in the house the night my family was murdered in cold blood. That I seduced Erden to get information from him, that I didn't know it would go as fast, and as far as it did.

But I would still be wrong, and Cade doesn't care.

“I didn't come here to argue the point. It's useless. Arch is going to get you fired this afternoon, and he'll make me the president. This is just a heads up. Save yourself the embarrassment and don't show up.” He said.

He didn't wait for a reply, and I didn't give him one. He walked away, and I started the car and drove away.

If they thought they could take my company from me, they were fucking joking.

I drove to the diner, and sat in a corner booth. The air was cool and I'm grateful for that. The chatter of the other customers kept my attention divided.

I had a doctor's appointment in a few hours, but for now, I sat here, and hoped I didn't faint. My fingers were shaking as I finished the last of the tea Nagia packed for me.

I called my lawyer, and asked her to file for divorce. Knowing I'm still married to that man irked me.

Riley arrived, slid into the chair beside me, and hugged me hard. “Tell me you're finally divorcing that man.”

I nodded against her shoulder. “I am.”

“Perfect. Now I can cut his balls off.”

“Not his balls, I'm sure he'll need them, considering I caught him cheating on me with Arch!” I said bitterly.

Riley's wide eyed look of surprise only made me feel worse. “Shit. Arch Marvin? Isn't he like an ice god or something?”

“I don't want to talk about Arch, or my ex-husband. I'm divorcing him. I need to get him off my board, because I can't deal with seeing his face every single day.”

“So fire him?”

“I can't. Arch won't let me. He still owns majority shares.”

Riley sat back, her eyes closed for a second, and when she opened them, I could see they're brighter, almost feverish with excitement.

“I have an idea.”

I'm already shaking my head. “No. I'm not doing it.”

“You didn't even hear it.”

“When you look like that, it's usually a bad idea.”

She lowered her voice suddenly. “Still no word from him?”

“No, not since that night.”