Boston

Monica arrived at Riverside Café ten minutes early. Judge Simon was already there, looking worried. He stood when she approached his table.

"Monica, thank you for coming."

"Make this quick, Simon. I have to finish packing."

"You're leaving Connecticut?"

"Starting fresh in Boston."

Simon ordered coffee for both of them. "Monica, I need to tell you something about Germany Slater."

"George's business partner? What about him?"

"He's been sabotaging your marriage from the beginning."

Monica stared at him. "What do you mean?"

"Germany has resented George since college. George got the business scholarships Germany wanted. Got into the MBA program Germany was rejected from. Germany has been waiting years for revenge."

"That doesn't explain why George cheated on me."

"That's just it. I don't think George intended to cheat."

Simon pulled out his phone and showed Monica a series of photos.

"These were taken at the business dinner three months ago. The night George claimed he realized he didn't love you anymore."

Monica looked at the photos. George at a restaurant with Sharon and Germany. George looking confused and disoriented.

"Germany drugged George's drink that night," Simon said. "Sharon was in on it. They took compromising photos, threatened to destroy George's business reputation unless he went along with their plan."

Monica's hands shook. "You're lying."

"I hired a private investigator after George started acting strange. Germany has been blackmailing him for months."

Simon showed her more evidence. Bank records showing payments from George to Germany. Text messages between Germany and Sharon planning the setup.

"Why didn't George tell me this?"

"Because Germany threatened to destroy you too. He said he'd release fake evidence that you were embezzling from Winston Corporation. George thought divorcing you quietly would protect you."

Monica felt sick. "So George never wanted the divorce?"

"He's been miserable since the wedding. Sharon controls every aspect of his life now. Germany is slowly taking over Winston Corporation."

"If this is true, why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I only got this evidence yesterday. The private investigator finally traced the bank accounts and found Germany's blackmail scheme."

Monica stared at the photos again. George did look drugged and confused.

"Does George know you have this evidence?"

"Not yet. I wanted to talk to you first."

"Why?"

"Because Germany's plan isn't finished. He wants to destroy George completely. Take the company, ruin his reputation, leave him with nothing."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"You're the only person George ever really loved. If anyone can help him fight back against Germany, it's you."

Monica laughed bitterly. "George told Sharon I was pathetic and naive."

"He was reading from a script Germany gave him. The blackmail required George to say specific things to convince Sharon he was willing to betray you."

"I heard him with my own ears."

"You heard what Germany forced him to say to protect both of you from worse consequences."

Monica's mind reeled. If Simon was telling the truth, everything she believed about her divorce was wrong.

"Even if this is true, it's too late. George is married to Sharon now."

"A marriage based on blackmail isn't valid. We can prove coercion."

"And then what? George and I live happily ever after? After all this pain and betrayal?"

"That's up to you and George. But first, we need to stop Germany from destroying everything."

Monica thought about the baby growing inside her. George's baby. If Germany was the real villain, did George deserve to know about his child?

"What do you want me to do?"

"Help me expose Germany's scheme. We have evidence of blackmail, fraud, and conspiracy. But we need George to testify against Germany. He won't do it unless he knows you're safe."

"I'm leaving for Boston tomorrow."

"Monica, please. Just talk to George first. Let him explain what really happened."

"Where is he?"

"At the office. Sharon thinks he's reviewing contracts, but he's been drinking and staring at your wedding photos."

Monica's heart ached. If Simon was telling the truth, George had been suffering too.

"If I agree to see George, what happens to Sharon?"

"She'll go to prison for fraud and conspiracy. The marriage will be annulled."

"And Germany?"

"Twenty years minimum for blackmail and embezzlement."

Monica made her decision. "I'll see George. But if he can't convince me this evidence is real, I'm gone forever."

"Fair enough."

Simon drove Monica to Winston Corporation. The building looked the same, but everything felt different knowing the truth about Germany's manipulation.

They took the elevator to George's office. Simon knocked on the door.

"George? I need to speak with you."

"Go away, Simon. I don't want company."

"I brought someone who wants to see you."

The door opened. George looked terrible. Unshaven, red eyes, wrinkled clothes. He was holding an empty whiskey glass.

"Monica?" George couldn't believe she was there.

"Hello, George."

"What are you doing here?"

Simon handed George the evidence file. "Look at these photos and documents. Then tell Monica what Germany really did to your marriage."

George opened the file and his face went white.

"Where did you get this?"

"Private investigator. I've been tracking Germany's activities for months."

George looked at Monica. "You know?"

"Simon told me about the blackmail. About Germany drugging you and forcing you to say those things about me."

"Monica, I never meant any of it. Germany said he'd destroy you if I didn't cooperate."

"So you divorced me to protect me?"

"I thought it was the only way. Germany had fake evidence that would have sent you to prison for embezzlement."

Monica's anger started fading. George really had been trying to protect her.

"What about Sharon? Do you love her?"

"I can't stand her. She watches my every move, controls my schedule, spends my money on ridiculous things. The marriage is a nightmare."

"Then why haven't you left her?"

George showed Monica his phone. Text messages from Germany threatening to release compromising photos if George didn't obey.

"Germany owns me now. Or he thinks he does."

Simon smiled. "Not anymore. We have enough evidence to put Germany in prison and annul your marriage to Sharon."

"What do you need from me?"

"Testify against Germany. Help us build the case."

George looked at Monica. "Will you stay? Help me fight back?"

Monica thought about Boston, her new life plan, the baby she was carrying.

"I'll stay until Germany is in prison. After that, we'll see."

George's face filled with hope for the first time in months.

"Thank you, Monica. I know I don't deserve your help after everything that happened."

"You don't," Monica agreed. "But Germany Slater deserves to pay for what he did to both of us."

And maybe, she thought, George deserved to know about their baby too.