Chapter Two—The Final Straw

                “I’ll assume that was Michael.”

                “Why don’t you record that, Leon? You and Michael will enjoy watching my social missteps repeatedly, I have no doubt. With the right camera angle, you could create an incredible meme.”

                Juliette meant to say this, but she didn’t owe him loyalty or friendship. He dated a woman who wanted to destroy her simply for existing.

                “I never took that video. All I did was bring it to Michael’s attention. After all, as his wife, he deserved to know it existed.” His jacket shifted as he straightened and shrugged his wide shoulders.

                Michael and Leon were a pair of trust fund babies with looks, education, and wealth. People sought their company for the sake of appearances. They needed to scrape the women off, even as those women fought for their attention. Even now, women vied for Michael’s attention to take Juliette’s place. Michael never refused a fun time with them.

                “Leon, I don’t care. I’m tired, and there’s a room full of people waiting for Michael. It's time to inform everyone the party’s over.

                “I’ll do that for you.” Leon was offering what? Kick everyone out? What excuse would he use? “Look for what it is. I’m sorry. But I offered. Don’t blame me when you do it.”

                “Nothing changes. I’ve done it all. I put in all the effort. For what? Never mind, I’ll suck it up.”

                “So, you’re having a pity party?”

                “No.”

                “If you say so.” The doorbell rang, interrupting any more conversation between Leon and Juliette. Walking to the door, she half expected Aria to be there, looking for her boyfriend, Leon.

                It wasn’t Aria. “Can I help you?”

                “I have a delivery for Mrs. Juliette Barron or Mr. Michael Barron.” He read their names from an envelope in his hands.

               “I’m Ms. Juliette Monroe Barron.” The man handed her the envelope as if it held something toxic.

                “That’s for you. Enjoy your party and try to have a good evening.” The man quickly rushed off to summon an elevator.

                Juliette could feel her guests’ curiosity, and with Leon’s gigantic frame looming behind her. She was extremely self-conscious of this odd delivery.

                “What’s that?” Juliette wasn’t sure what she expected, but for Leon to pretend that he didn’t know floored her. 

                Juliette caught the return address logo on the envelope and knew it was from the firm Michael used for his private legal needs. All their contracts came from them.

                She should have known Michael set this up to ensure it had the maximum impact on her. Juliette wouldn’t cry, she was determined not to.

                “I’ll wait for you to get your phone out and start recording this. It’s probably best to go along with his preferred method.”

                “Juliette, what is going on? Who was that at the door?”

                “One moment, please Tiffanie. Leon should record this for the record.” Juliette couldn’t stop her voice from faltering as she spoke.

                “Leon, she’s, our host. It’s the least you can do.” Juliette didn’t care who said what anymore. Assuming this was her belief, she would hardly, if ever, see them after tonight.

                “Fine, I will.”

Under pressure from the crowd, Leon quickly recorded the room on his phone before turning it on Juliette.

                “I suspect what is in here and it’s fine.” Juliette said, but it wasn’t fine. After this, she had to push up the date of everything and she worried she wasn’t ready.

                “Is it a deed for a house? A yacht? Or a new car?” A guest asked as everyone watched her open the envelope. Juliette knew it wouldn’t be a gift. He didn’t give her gifts or things of value. He’d toss a little money her way in hopes she’d go away.

               The thick stack of documents slipped smoothly from the envelope. They didn’t clear the envelope fully before Juliette saw the words, Separation and Divorce Agreement.

               “Oh, come on! Let everyone see what he got you?!”

                “What no key?!”

Some people genuinely believed Michael would get her something like that, and they voiced their thoughts. The women here expected the designer bags and fashion trips to Paris. Juliette expected what she got. Michael had finally found her replacement.

                “I guess he’s really not coming home tonight. I’m sorry, there’s nothing to celebrate with everyone. You witnessed both the beginning and now the end.” She stepped over to the secretary desk and took a pen from it. 

Everyone witnessed her sign in several places before she turned to show the documents with her signature in place. Juliette made sure that Leon’s video caught everything. 

“I’m sorry, but I’d like everyone to leave now. I must pack my things. Leon, were you wondering if you could do something? Please make sure everyone picks up their gifts as they leave. Thank you. Have a good evening, everyone, and again, I’m sorry.” She said in a firm voice that sounded brittle. 

Juliette returned the pen to the desk and grabbed a business card from her purse. Her expression was blank, and she moved mechanically, as if on autopilot.

                The party goers were stunned in silence as they moved out of her way. Juliette left the door to Michael’s home office open as she entered. 

                Juliette put the signed documents on the desktop of Michael’s antique mahogany desk with the business card.

                With that done, she left the office. Sabrina Jenkins, wife of one of Michael’s country club friends, stopped her as she walked past. “What are you going to do, Julie?”

‘Julie’ that was a name Michael wouldn’t let anyone call her. He wouldn’t let them call her anything but Juliette Monroe.

                “I’ll be fine. You won’t see me at the spa weekend this month. Have a nice life.”

“Will you visit the club this weekend?”

                “No. It’s Michael’s membership. I was only ever his plus one. Just go home Sabrina and enjoy your life.” Juliette’s smile wasn’t one of happiness and it fell short of her eyes.

               Leon was still recording the reactions of everyone as they left, but he recorded Juliette’s words. When she took two full bottles of wine from the kitchen and disappeared into the master bedroom, Leon figured she’d gone to unwind with a bath and drink like every woman he knew.

Leon stood amidst the remnants of the party after seeing the last guests out.

               When he turned off the music, the condo fell into silence he’d expect to hear in a tomb.

                Leon punched in Michael’s phone number. Michael didn’t answer, so he left a message.

                “You’re really a piece of work, friend. You give your wife divorce papers for your third wedding anniversary. Cold dude, real cold. She had a room full of guests waiting to help you celebrate your anniversary when she received the papers. Everyone saw them. I think you better get home before she’s gone. Dude, you fucked up badly this time.” Before he disconnected the call, he added. “It’s too late anyway if you don’t try. She signed the papers in front of witnesses and made me record a video.”

Before Juliette left the living room with her laptop bag, purse, and overnight bag, Leon didn’t have a chance to put away his phone. She had little with her when she stopped in front of him. 

                “Please send that video to me first. Here’s a phone number you can text it to.” 

                She handed him a slip of paper with a phone number he didn’t recognize written on it. “Whose phone number is this?”

                “Not important. I just want the video saved.” She stood there, staring at his hands. He didn’t have a choice. Sure, this would screw with Michael’s plans, whatever they were. But Juliette wasn’t like Aria portrayed her, and Leon felt guilty for his part of being a jerk to her. Leon thought Juliette was good for Michael, despite his crap. If Michael wanted it to end, it would be done.

                “Fine. If you want it, I see no reason not to give it to you. Which hotel are you staying at tonight?” He wanted to know what he could. Anything to have one over on Michael. If he asked, Leon would say something, but if he didn’t ask, Leon would give him nothing.

                “I’m not. I’m leaving. That’s all you must know. Michael can now communicate with my lawyer if he needs anything from me.”

               “If you’re not staying in a hotel, where are you going to stay?”

                “Leon, you’re as bad as Michael. You made sure everyone knew who your friends were, and I wasn’t one. Why would I tell you where I’m going? Why would you care? So, you can tell Michael? So, this can continue? Sorry, but it’s not your business to know. You didn’t earn it.” Leon wasn’t expecting this reaction from Juliette. 

                Juliette was sunshine and rainbows. She always spoke kindly to everyone. He’d never in all the years he’d known her, heard she’d never refrained from answering a question. 

Leon was uncertain how to handle this. He knew she’d been drinking, and he could see she’d been crying as well. Leon also knew that she didn’t drive and used Michael’s driver’s service.

               “Do you want me to call for a driver? Or can I take you somewhere?”

                “Leon, no, you won’t do that.” She looked at her phone when it pinged and nodded. “Thank you. Have a good life, Leon.”

Juliette took a jacket he’d never seen from the hall closet. She set her bags down to don a simple, old black coat over a sweater and jeans. She’d changed out of her emerald cocktail dress and wore no jewellery, but she still wore her makeup.

                “Aren’t you going to speak to Michael? Maybe there was a mistake made?” Leon knew he needed to stall her as long as possible until Michael arrived. However, Leon sensed the diminishing likelihood of rectifying the situation, uncertain if Michael had received his message or his current activities.

                Juliette’s laugh sent goosebumps slithering over his skin. “Michael always knows what he’s doing. I received my walking papers. Let’s go. It’s time to leave.” She walked to the door and held it open for him to leave first. Leon surveyed the messy condo.

                “What about the cleanup?” His well-manicured hand directed their attention to the mess in the large living room.

                “That mess is no longer my problem once I signed the separation and divorce papers.” He followed her out. But he couldn’t escape the feeling Juliette wasn’t in a good mental state. He questioned himself if he should insist, he stay with her.

                “I really believe you should stay and speak with Michael, Juliette. This is wrong on too many levels.”

               “Not my problem anymore, Leon. Go home and forget about tonight. Oh, and don’t forget to show Michael the video. I’m sure he’ll find satisfaction from what you recorded and how easily he got what he wanted.”

               By now, the elevator stopped at the main lobby. Juliette stopped at the concierge’s desk and left her key card there with instructions to return the card to Mr. Barron when he returned home.

                She next poked and fussed with her phone. After finishing, she glanced up to find Leon still there, silently observing her with a peculiar expression. If Juliette didn’t know any better. Leon was worried about something. It wasn’t her problem anymore.

                “Goodbye Leon. Go home. I don’t want or need your kind of help.” 

                “Fine.” That’s when he left without saying goodbye. Juliette figured that was typical of his personality to people he believed were inferior to him. What Leon didn’t tell her was he decided he’d follow her. He rushed to recover his Benz from the parking garage and brought it around to the front of the condo building in time to see Juliette climb into a cab.