My Ex Husbands Divorce Gift

"Sign it, Scarlett. Don't make this uglier than it already is."

The divorce papers slid across the glass table of Knight Holdings.

The room was too cold. My hands too cold to hold the pen.

My husband of three years, Jason Miller, didn't look at me when he pushed the papers. He sat in the suit I ironed for him that morning. His arm around his secretary, Tina, who sat on his chair. She wore my favorite 【entity-Dior¦canonical_name=Dior】 lipstick. The red shade I left in his car. The shade he said was too bright for me.

The boardroom had glass walls. Outside, the whole marketing floor stared. Some with pity. Some with gossip.

This was Knight Holdings, biggest investment company in Manhattan. Jason was junior manager here. I was about to become the ex-wife who cried in their boardroom.

I gave him three years.

Three years ago, Jason had nothing. Student loans and a dream of Columbia MBA. I had small savings from my parents who passed away. I worked two jobs for his dream. Mornings at a cafe. Nights as cashier. I paid rent for a one-bedroom with leaking roof. I cooked. I washed. I believed.

He promised forever. He gave me betrayal.

"I gave you everything," I whispered. My voice cracked. "My savings. My time. I supported you when no one believed in you."

"And I'm giving you freedom," Jason sneered, cold eyes like stranger. "You have no real job. No family. No money. Parents gone. You are thirty and divorced. No one wants a divorced woman with nothing. Be grateful and sign with dignity."

Tina giggled. Leaned into Jason. Nails perfect pink. Mine chipped from dishes.

"Honestly, Scarlett, thank him," she said, sweet and sharp like knife. "At least you lived in nice apartment for three years."

My fingers trembled over the pen. Paper blurred through tears. Words simple and cruel. Waiver of all assets. I would leave with nothing. Zero. After paying for his MBA.

I picked up the pen. Heavy like lead.

About to sign.

Door burst open.

Whole floor went silent in one second. Heels stopped. Phones stopped. Every assistant stood straight.

A man walked in. Tall. Six feet. Broad shoulders in flawless black suit that cost more than my yearly rent. Dark hair perfect. Jaw sharp. Eyes cold, ruthless, that made people look down.

Adrian Knight. CEO of Knight Holdings. Thirty-four. Instant billionaire. Most feared man in Manhattan. Every magazine called him The Ruthless King. Owner of this building, this company, Jason's entire career.

"Mr. Miller," Adrian's voice low, calm, deadly. Everyone heard through glass. "Why is there a crying woman in my boardroom during work hours? And why is my 2 PM acquisition meeting delayed forty minutes because you use my private room for personal divorce?"

Jason turned white. Jumped up so fast his chair fell. Let go of Tina like she burned him.

"Mr. Knight! Sir! This is just personal — my ex-wife being difficult — she came without permission —"

Adrian didn't look at him. Eyes on me. Dominant. Possessive. I forgot how to breathe.

He walked around table slowly. Stopped in front of me. Close, I had to tilt head up. Smelled his cologne — cedar and pure power.

He picked up divorce papers with two fingers, like dirty. Glanced at names.

Then tore them in half. Sound loud and sharp.

Then tore again. And again. Pieces fell like snow.

"You're not signing without a lawyer, Miss Monroe," he said quietly, but everyone heard. "And not under duress in my building."

Turned to Jason, voice ice. Room dropped ten degrees.

"You're fired."

One word. One career destroyed.

Tina gasped. "What? You can't —"

Jason stammered, hands shaking. "Mr. Knight, you can't — my quota — top ten performance —"

"I just did," Adrian said, blank, ruthless. "Effective immediately. Bringing mistress to work, using company resources for personal matters, harassment on company property. You violated six clauses. HR will send report. Ten minutes to clear desk. Security will watch."

Pressed intercom. "Security to boardroom A. HR and Legal now."

Two guards appeared in three seconds.

"No! Scarlett, tell him!" Jason looked at me, desperate, mask gone. Scared boy losing everything. "Scarlett, please! We can talk at home!"

I stood up slowly. Legs shaking, but first time in three years, felt taller. Powerful. Because most dangerous man stood between me and man who broke my heart.

Adrian looked at me. So close I saw my reflection in dark eyes.

"You need a job?" he asked, as if Jason wasn't there.

"What?"

"My assistant quit this morning. She cried too much. I don't like criers, but I like liars even less. You told truth while he lied. You start tomorrow. Eight AM sharp. Fifty thousand a year to start, benefits plus bonus. Don't be late."

Fifty thousand. More than Jason made in year. Rent for year. Future.

Then he said words that made ex-husband's jaw hit floor, made Tina twist in jealousy, made entire floor outside gasp through glass.

"I need a fiancee. My family in town for three months for gala. They push me to marry. I need woman intelligent, elegant, honest, not after money. Who knows betrayal and will never betray me."

Took one step closer. Whole boardroom watching.

"You need protection and place to stay. Pretend to be mine. For three months. Exclusive. Only mine. No other men. No contact with him." Glanced at Jason with disgust. "Live in my penthouse guest room. Attend three galas with me. Wear what stylist gives you. In return, I will make sure your ex-husband regrets letting you go. No one humiliates you again while you are mine."

Leaned down, lips inches from ear, only I could hear. Voice low, possessive, dangerous, made me shiver.

"Say yes, Scarlett, and I will ruin him for you. Say yes and never cry over man like that again. Say yes and be mine."

Looked at Jason, held by security, red-faced, humiliated, career over. At Tina crying, mascara running.

Then at Adrian — cold, ruthless, handsome, offering everything I lost: power, protection, revenge, future.

Heart pounded loud.

Took deep breath. Voice no longer cracking. Clear. Strong.

"...Yes," I whispered, looking into dark eyes. "I'll be yours, Mr. Knight. I'll be your fake fiancee."

Adrian smiled first time. Slow, dangerous, possessive smile only for me.

"Good girl," he murmured, thumb brushing tear from cheek. "Welcome to Knight Holdings, Miss Monroe. Welcome to being mine."

Outside glass walls, entire floor gasped, phones came out, and Jason realized he lost his wife to his billionaire boss.