Chapter 0003

•CALEB•

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Hunter, the CEO of ZenithCore Industries." The MC announced.

I stood at the head of the conference table with my hands clasped loosely in front of me and let the applause settle before speaking.

There were fifty faces of board members, investors, senior executives, people whose opinions moved markets and shifted power.

The media team was seated near the entrance, taking pictures, and recording the meeting.

"Thank you," I finally answered. "I want to begin by saying that this is not a role I sought under circumstances I would have chosen. My wife's condition has been one of the most painful experiences of my life, and I want the board to know that everything I have done over these past weeks has been done with her recovery at the forefront of my mind."

They all nodded. Everyone knew about Isolde's condition. The news was all over the newspapers and TV channels after our first visit to consult a doctor.

"Since stepping in as acting CEO of ZenithCore Industries, I have overseen the successful renegotiation of our partnership with Orlan Logistics and Luminara Group, which added fourteen percent to our quarterly margins." I adjusted my jacket. "So, I've not been warming a seat, but I've been working tirelessly."

They all clapped their hands again, making me feel even prouder of myself.

A board member toward the middle of the table, a silver-haired man named Eric Sullivan who had never particularly liked me, cleared his throat and leaned forward.

"Mr. Hunter, your interim results are impressive. However, the board is mindful that ZenithCore was built and majority-held by Mrs. Hunter. What happens to the company's leadership structure if her condition does not improve?”

I cleared my throat. "That is a fair question, and one I have prepared for." I reached into the folder in front of me and withdrew a single document, sliding a copy toward the center of the table. "As of six weeks ago, Isolde transferred her full share portfolio into my name. She did so because she trusted me to protect what she built while she couldn't. Those shares represent a sixty-three percent controlling interest in ZenithCore."

I cleared my throat. "If her recovery is prolonged, or doesn't happen, the company won't go without direction. I am not a placeholder. I am, by every legal measure, its majority owner."

People murmured, but I had expected some of them to challenge my claim before the meeting even started. But the documents weren't faked, so they had no choice but to accept the truth.

"Then ZenithCore's future remains stable," another board member answered. "Regardless of Mrs. Hunter's condition."

"Yes, regardless of her condition," I answered.

After we had discussed other things on the agenda and were nearing the end of the meeting, I raised my hand once more to make an announcement.

"Before we close, I have a personal matter to disclose. One that affects my position here, and one I believe this board deserves to hear from me directly rather than through other people."

They all stared at me in curiosity.

"Isolde and I have been experiencing some problems in our marriage, which existed before her medical episode, and after a great deal of painful reflection, we have decided that it is in both of our best interests to part ways."

People started whispering before I could say something else. Some of them gave me judgmental eyes, while others were unable to hold back their tongues.

But Talia and I wanted this. I couldn't call a blind woman my wife anymore. And I didn't have to hold on any longer when I no longer loved her.

Isolde had given me everything I wanted. She gave me her company, and I was sitting on billions of dollars as the CEO.

So, what more money would I have if I became the sole major shareholder of the company?

"Why is he leaving her now? Is it because she's blind?" One asshole in the media team whispered.

"But can you blame him?" Someone else commented. "She won't see or hear again. She's done for and he can't pause his life for her."

"He's holding everything together. What else was he supposed to do?"

"That's unfortunate," Eric commented. "But we trust that you and Mrs. Hunter will make the right decision about the company."

"Of course." I smiled, keeping my head high. "We will. We won't let anyone down. And the company will continue prospering, regardless of our divorce.”

***

The house was quiet when I arrived home. And even though I didn't want to be there, I had a few things to handle before seeing Talia.

I found Isolde in the nursery, rocking Sylvan's crib as if she could see him.

I stood in the doorway and looked at her. She was wearing the pale green dress again. Her hair was loose, falling over one shoulder.

For a moment, I felt guilty about how bad things had gone between us. But then I thought about the document in my hand, and about Talia waiting for me in our hotel suite.

Talia and I had been meeting in the hotel suite for over a year now. And I promised her that I would divorce Isolde and be with her.

But when she fell pregnant, I was forced to pretend for a bit longer. And then her hearing loss and blindness happened, which came as a blessing in disguise.

I grabbed the hearing aid on the pedestal counter and leaned toward her. She flinched when I inserted it into her ear.

"Honey, you startled me," she muttered, placing her hand over her chest. She was wearing her eyeglasses.

"I'm sorry, baby," I murmured, kissing her cheek. "I hope I didn't wake the baby up, but I have a few documents from work that need your signature. You are the director, and the legal team needs your signature. It should only take a moment."

I watched her face, looking for any flicker of hesitation, any sign that something in her had shifted, but there was nothing.

It was just Isolde, nodding, tilting her face up toward me, and smiling.

"Of course," she answered. "I can sign them for you."

I placed the folder in her lap and pressed the pen into her hand, and guided her fingers to the first line.

She hesitated for a second, but eventually followed my guidance.

My chest tightened as I helped her sign our divorce papers, but the moment she was about to sign over her directorship and settlement papers, Sylvan cried and Isolde dropped the pen.

“Shh…” she murmured as she got up from the chair and rocked Sylvan's crib while looking at the wall. “Mama's here, baby. Mama's not going anywhere. She won't leave her son.”

I cleared my throat, trying to draw her attention.

“I'm sorry, husband, but can I sign the papers later?” She murmured. “Little Sylvan is always feisty during bedtime.”

That fucking bitch.

“Of course, love,” I answered, clearing my throat. “I'll bring them later for you to sign.”

She didn't say a word as I walked to the door and left.