Chapter 5

Maeve’s POV

I got home and stepped straight into the shower, hoping the water could wash away everything I didn’t want to feel.

I’d just stepped out when I heard footsteps in the hallway.

“What the hell were you thinking?” Adrian’s voice slammed into the room before I even had a chance to breathe. “Were you deliberately trying to sabotage my image tonight? My reputation?”

“I got a text,” I said calmly. “You said you left something important.”

“Well, I didn’t!” His face was flushed, his hands gesturing wildly. “And even if I had—why would you enter the party like that? Didn’t you think to use the service entrance?”

I stared at him. “So after more than a decade of marriage, I’m not even allowed to walk through the front door of your party? I have to sneak in like the help? That’s what you’re saying?”

Adrian faltered. “It’s not what I meant…” he said, softer now. “I just wish you hadn’t done it. You put me in an impossible position. I’ve got two major deals in negotiation. Everyone was asking about me and Viola and I…”

“I was there,” I said, turning away. “I heard you propose to her. While we’re still married.”

Adrian moved quickly, stepping in front of me and turning me back to face him.

“I had to,” he said. “They need to see me as stable. As someone with a Donna who fits the role.”

He hesitated, finally glancing my way. “We have to get a divorce for now,” he said. “But it’ll just be for show.”

The day after our tenth anniversary, the man I’d loved for half my life stood in front of me and told me he needed a divorce—for appearances. For his status and his business.

“Don’t worry, Maeve,” he rushed on, like he was afraid I might refuse. “Think of it as a vacation. You won’t have to worry about the house anymore. I’ll give you money—enough to travel, to relax. Once those two deals close, we’ll remarry. I’ll make sure you’re comfortable. I…”

He trailed off, watching my face too closely.

Almost funny—how careful he suddenly was. As if he knew, on some level, that what he was asking for wasn’t reasonable, that he’d already taken far too much from me.

“I’ll give you both houses,” he added quickly. “This one. And the beach house.” He reached for my hand. “Maeve, try to understand. This is a difficult decision for me. I really need your support.”

I didn’t answer right away.

Adrian continued, listing every promise, every compensation, every excuse.

“Maeve, I’m doing this for us—for the family. I want you and Cam to have a better life than anyone else. I know this might sound unreasonable… but it’s only temporary.”

When he finally ran out of words, I looked at him and said quietly, “Alright. I’ll sign.”

Relief washed over his face instantly. “You’re incredible, Maeve. It’s only for show. I knew you’d understand.”

He kept talking—about waiting for him again, about trusting him, about how nothing had happened with Viola, how I was still the only one.

I stopped listening.

For show or not, it no longer mattered.

Because by the time Adrian realized we were truly over—

I would already be gone.

…

The next day, I went to the office to finalize the last of my paperwork for Doctors Without Borders. The resume was complete. The decision made.

“Mrs. Kane?” The staff called out.

I smiled gently. “It’s actually Maeve Calder.”

“Oh—sorry, Miss Calder.” She returned the smile. “We have everything on file now. If there’s nothing else to add, please sign here to confirm your acknowledgment of departure. You’ll be leaving New York for Scevut, Africa, tonight at 8 p.m.”

I picked up the pen and signed in one smooth motion. “Thank you.”

“Thank you, Miss Calder. Welcome to the program. We hope you have a meaningful experience working with our African office.”

Just as I walked out of the office, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Adrian.

“Where are you?” he asked impatiently.

“Just out. Getting groceries.”

“Come back to the house. I... got the papers ready.”

Right, the papers.

He’d only brought it up last night, but he already had them prepared. Which meant, of course, he’d been ready for this long before he ever said the words out loud.

“I’ll head back now,” I said.