The Room Beyond the Door

The moment I saw my husband's assistant, Sofia, pouring wine in our secret room, I knew it was time for him to learn what it felt like to lose everything.My name was Elena Douglas, and I had been married to Matthew Carter for three years.That afternoon, I went to pick up Matthew from his investment firm. After that, we'd head to his parents' fancy villa in Carrington for dinner.Matthew's office was way up in the tallest skyscraper in the city, taking up the entire top floor. Past where his assistants worked was his office.There was a space to meet people and deal with business matters—but the real highlight was his secret room.That room meant the world to Matthew. He said it was his only spot to catch his breath in the busy, money-scented world of finance. I was the only one allowed in.It was our little secret—one of the perks of being his wife.Whenever I came to get him, I would hang out in that room until he was done with work. It had my favorite books, the art we had p

That evening, Matthew came home with a storm cloud hanging over his head. He tossed his briefcase onto the couch with a thud, yanked at his tie, poured a big glass of whiskey, and gulped down most of it in one go.He said, his voice heavy with anger, "Elena, why did you have to reserve the whole Wexley Club? Did you really have to do that?"I looked up at him, my eyes steady. "Did I have to? What about you, giving club privileges to an assistant who's barely been here two months?"He was livid. "Sofia's a great worker. I'm just helping her grow!""Helping her grow with your own special perks? In your secret room? Bringing her along to all these private places?"Matthew's anger faded to an icy silence. "Elena, are you questioning me?""I'm just keeping what's mine safe.""Safe?" He laughed bitterly. "Or is it the control you're after?"At that moment, for the first time ever, I saw a stranger in him."If keeping my marriage safe is controlling, then call me a control freak," I

My words dropped like a bomb in the silence of the restaurant.Juliet inhaled sharply, and Adrian's expression turned stony. Matthew stood there, stunned, as if he could not believe his ears."What did you say?" he whispered, as if afraid that saying it louder would make it true."I want a divorce," I said as I grabbed my purse. "My lawyer will be in touch with you."After I spoke, I turned and headed for the door."Elena!" Matthew finally snapped out of it and hurried after me. He caught my arm, gripping it so tightly that I winced."You can't just walk away!" he said, his eyes wide with fear, anger, and a bit of begging. "We have to talk!""Talk about what?" I tried to pull away. "About how you keep lying to me? About how you won't let Sofia go?""I'll fire her! Tonight! I'll call her tonight!" he said quickly.I stopped trying to get away and looked at him. "And then what? After Sofia, there'll just be someone else. Matthew, she's not the problem. You are.""There won't be

Three months flew by. Matthew kept his word and signed the divorce papers. He looked surprisingly upbeat that day. He looked sharp in his clothes and with his hair in place, like he was going to something important."You ready?" the lawyer asked."Ready," he said, taking the pen. He signed his name with a steady hand.He looked at me after he put the pen down and said, "Elena… One last thing?""What is it?""Can I have one last hug? To say goodbye," he asked. I stood up and wrapped him in a quick, careful hug."Be safe," he murmured close to my ear."You too."We turned away from each other and walked off in opposite directions.After my divorce, I treated myself to a trip to Parienne, a place I had always dreamed of visiting. As I stood by the Seraniel River, watching the sun dip below the horizon, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. No more chains, no more betrayal, no more letdowns—just me.Back in Hudson City, I caught wind of some news. Sofia had packed up and left