Parting Ways with Old Friends

After ending the phone call, I hired a private investigator to look into the past few months of Ethan and Maya's movements.

The investigator replied quickly.

[You will get the feedback within three days.]

At dinner, the atmosphere seemed as warm as ever.

Halfway through the meal, Ethan slid a document next to my plate.

"Evelyn, remember when I mentioned getting a strategic divorce so we could buy that school district property?

“I had the agreement drafted. You just have to sign it."

Ethan adjusted his glasses.

"The spots in that district are tight. If we miss this, our son will fall behind."

I set down my fork and flipped open the blue cover.

The stack of papers was thick, with slight creases at the corners. It had clearly been handled multiple times.

He didn't print this today. He had prepared it a long time ago.

The terms were spelled out with brutal clarity.

The house, the cars, the company shares, all of them belonged to Ethan Cross.

The outstanding debts were assigned entirely to me.

He even got full custody of our son.

The further I read, the colder my blood became.

A month ago, he first brought up the fake divorce.

He said real estate restrictions were strict, and this was the only way to secure the best school for five-year-old Leo Cross.

I hadn't thought twice about it back then. I trusted him.

Now, staring at the black ink on white paper, a chill crept up my spine.

There was a top school near that property, but Leo Cross was only five.

Why was he in such a rush?

My mother-in-law, Martha Cross, noticed my silence and immediately chimed in.

"Yes, Evelyn. It's just a formality. The property division has to look believable so the housing board approves it."

Martha reached across the table to pat my arm.

"We're family. Once the papers are signed and the house is bought, you two can remarry right away."

I closed the folder, keeping my tone perfectly neutral.

"Mom, giving up every asset is a huge deal. Maybe I should have my corporate legal team draft a revised version?"

The moment the words left my mouth, Martha's face darkened. She slammed her silverware onto the table.

"Evelyn, what is that supposed to mean?" Martha snapped, her voice rising sharply. "The second money comes up, you show your true colors! You don't view us as family at all!"

Ethan Cross let out a heavy sigh. He reached over, wrapping his hand around my wrist. His face was a mask of deep hurt.

"Evelyn, do you really not trust me anymore?" Ethan asked softly, his voice trembling with manufactured pain. "We built everything from nothing! My whole life belongs to you, so why would I care about a few assets?"

Listening to them, a bitter laugh almost escaped my lips.

I spent a decade pouring my sweat and soul into building our company.

Yet this contract transferred every single stock option, piece of real estate, and liquid account straight into his name.

He even targeted the cozy suburban home my mother left for me in her will.

I was expected to walk away with nothing but debt.

Did they really think I was that foolish?

A cold smirk played in my mind, but I simply pushed the document back across the table.

"Sounds fine. Things are crazy at the office right now, though. Let's head to the clerk's office next week after I get back from my business trip."

Martha's stern expression instantly melted into a smile.

Ethan let out a long breath of relief. "Thanks, honey. This is all for our family's future."

---

The next day was the parent-child sports day at Leo's preschool.

I cleared my morning calendar days ago to attend with him.

Surprisingly, Ethan Cross pulled on a tracksuit and stepped up.

"You didn't sleep well last night, Evelyn. Let me take Leo today while you rest up at home."

I watched his back as he carried our son out the door, a sudden sense of unease settling in my chest.

In the past, Ethan always claimed he was too busy with work to attend any of Leo's school events.

Why was he suddenly so eager today?

I grabbed my jacket, took my car keys from the counter, and followed them from a distance.