002- Shattered Glass

Billy’s office buzzed with the usual hum of productivity, phones ringing, fingers flying across keyboards, meetings whispered behind closed doors.

But in the corner office that overlooked the skyline, everything stood still. Billy sat motionless in his chair, his gaze fixed on the open folder Yvette had just placed on his desk.

The air between them was dense. Tense. Her hands trembled just slightly as she twisted them together, her eyes not quite meeting his.

“I—I didn’t want to show you this,” Yvette said, her voice tight with emotion. “I’ve been sitting on it for days, hoping it wasn’t true. But I thought… you deserved to know.”

Inside the folder were photographs. Anne and Luis. Laughing together at some cafe. Anne’s hand resting lightly on Luis’s forearm. One shot showed them stepping into a car together, another of them hugging.

And the final one,the one that made Billy’s jaw clench,was a blurry photo of what looked like Anne leaning in close, lips inches from Luis’s.

Beside the photos were screenshots of text messages.

*”Luis: Last night was unforgettable. You looked stunning in red.”*

*”Anne: You always know how to make me feel good. Let’s not wait too long next time.”*

Blood rushed to Billy’s face.

Yvette stepped closer, hesitantly placing a hand on the edge of his desk. “I kept asking myself—why would she do this to you? After everything you’ve built together. But maybe… maybe it’s not your fault. Some people just can’t handle loyalty.”

Her voice broke a little as she finished her carefully rehearsed speech.

“I’m sorry, Billy. I know this hurts.”

Billy's face was unreadable. But inside, something twisted. He wanted to reject the pictures and burn them all to ash but the doubt had already been seeded.

And after last night, the coincidence of Anne’s mystery dinner with Luis. It was just too much to overlook.

Everything pointed to betrayal.

Everything pointed back to Anne.

That afternoon, far from the storm brewing in Billy’s heart, Anne walked through her friend’s art gallery, surrounded by laughter and color.

She wore a soft cream dress that accentuated the gentle curve of her stomach. Her eyes were bright and her smile relaxed for the first time in days.

Julie trailed behind her, eyeing her with amusement. “You’re glowing, you know that?”

Anne blushed. “Shut up.”

“No, really. Pregnancy looks good on you.”

Anne placed a hand protectively over her little belly, her smile turning wistful. “I think I should just just tell Billy tonight. He didn't return home last night. He probably had a long business meeting.”

Julie frowned. “He could have just texted you or returned your calls.”

“He must have been busy,” Anne cut in quickly, making excuses for him. “It’s my fault for planning such a big surprise without considering his schedule first.”

Julie didn’t look convinced. “I think there’s more to him not coming home last night,” she argued.

Anne rolled her eyes. “There’s nothing going on, Jules. And even if there was, once I tell him about the baby, he’ll be so happy again. Things will go back to normal again.”

Julie gave her a tight smile, but the worry in her eyes lingered.

Anne never noticed the look in her friend’s eyes. She smiled excitedly, “I know! We’re going to dinner at his family’s house tonight. I’ll break the news there. His family will be so happy to hear it too.”

So that evening, Anne headed to the Jackson’s mansion with a hopeful heart and a gift bag in hand.

Inside the gift bag, she had a tiny pair of baby shoes nestled in tissue paper, the first symbol of the life growing inside her.

As she arrived, the sound of loud conversation wafted out to her. Everyone was here!

She rushed inside with a big smile, her heart drummed with anticipation. But the moment she stepped into the grand foyer, the atmosphere changed. The room went silent.

Anne stilled, looking around in discomfort. She sighted Billy by the fireplace, standing stiff-backed, his face unreadable.

Around him were members of his family,his mother, his older sister and his cousin Michael. They all turned to look at her.

The looks on their faces made her blood run cold. They were looking at her like she was something unpleasant they’d just stepped in.

“B-Billy?” she called nervously. “What’s going on?”

He stepped forward slowly, the photos already in his hand.

“You tell me,” he said flatly, thrusting them toward her.

Anne took the folder, confused. As she flipped through the images and text messages, her face paled.

“What…? This isn’t real. These…these are fake!”

Billy laughed bitterly. “Really? That’s your defense?”

She looked up, stunned. “Of course they’re fake. You don’t really think I’d cheat on you, do you?”

“You were with Luis last night, weren’t you?,” he snapped.

“Luis? Me? What are you talki—” She faltered, realizing how carefully someone had spun this trap. “Billy, I swear to you, I have no idea what this is. These messages—they never happened.”

“Don’t lie to me, Anne!”

“I’m not lying!”

“You humiliated me,” he hissed. “You made me look like a fool. A weak, pathetic fool who didn’t even know his woman was sneaking around behind his back.”

Anne took a step toward him, her voice breaking. “Please. Just listen to me. You know me. You know I’d never—”

“She’s a manipulative little tramp,” Billy’s sister said sharply from behind.

“Disgusting,” his mother spat. “No class. I knew she didn’t belong in this family.”

Anne turned, stunned. “How can you say that? I’ve always respected you.”

She’d always gone out of her way to love her in-laws. She cooked meals and delivered them herself. She visited them often.

His sister scoffed. “You did all that because you knew deep down that you were never worthy of my brother. You’ll never be good enough.”

Anne’s heart shattered. “Stop it,” she cried. “Please—someone listen to me! This is all wrong! I didn’t do it. I’m innocent.”

But Billy’s face had gone cold, stone-like. “It’s over, Anne. The papers are ready. You can sign tonight or we can drag it in court—your choice.”

“Papers?” Her voice trembled. “You already had divorce papers drawn?”

“I’ve had doubts for weeks. Yvette opened my eyes to who you really are.”

Weeks? She’d seen the signs and ignored them. Julie had been right all along.

Wait—Yvette? The mention of her made Anne flinch. “Yvette gave these to you? Can’t you see, Billly? She is manipulating you.”

“I’m done listening to your lies,” he cut in coldly as he spun on his heels and stormed out.

Hours later, Anne sat at the long dining table with the divorce papers before her. She’d cried so hard. Now, her eyes had gone dry.

Her fingers hovered above the pen without grasping it.

“Billy,” she said hoarsely, “if you ever truly loved me, look me in the eye and tell me you believe I cheated.”

He stared straight ahead, refusing to meet her gaze.

Like that, she knew it was over. He’d made up his mind.

Resolute, she grabbed the pen and scratched her signature across the line, her hand trembling. Her heart ripped in half.

When she was done, Billy grabbed the paper, turned and walked away without a word.

The door shut behind him with a finality that took her breath away.