The Last Straw

The Sterling Tech annual charity gala was supposed to be Elena's final performance as the perfect CEO wife. She stood in their bedroom, zipping up the black designer dress Mark had picked out for her; something understated, forgettable, designed to keep her in the background while he shined.

But tonight, Elena had different plans.

She'd spent the morning with Rebecca Chen, the shark of a lawyer Sarah had recommended. Rebecca specialized in high-profile divorces and business fraud. When Elena had laid out the evidence, Rebecca's eyes had lit up like Christmas morning.

"This isn't just a divorce case," Rebecca had said, flipping through the documents. "This is a corporate theft case. Intellectual property fraud. We could take him for everything, Elena. Everything."

Elena had signed the retainer agreement with steady hands. No more being afraid. No more backing down.

Now, as Elena applied her lipstick in the mirror, Mark appeared behind her, adjusting his bow tie. He looked handsome in his tuxedo, the successful billionaire everyone would want to meet tonight. Too bad they had no idea what kind of man he really was.

"You look nice," Mark said, but his tone was distracted. "Just remember tonight is important for business. Stay close, smile, don't monopolize anyone's time with small talk."

Elena met his eyes in the mirror. "Of course. I know my place."

Mark's expression softened slightly. "Good. I know we've had some... tension lately, but let's get through tonight without any drama. Can you do that for me?"

Elena nodded, but inside she was thinking about the legal papers Rebecca was filing first thing Monday morning. Drama? Mark had no idea.

The gala was held at the city's most exclusive hotel. Elena had helped organize it three years running – back when Mark still included her in business decisions. Tonight, she watched him work the room like she was seeing him for the first time.

He was charming, charismatic, completely believable. He talked about his "vision" for Sterling Tech, his "innovative breakthrough" with the algorithm, his "self-made success story." Every lie rolled off his tongue effortlessly.

Elena stood beside him, smiling and nodding, playing the supportive wife while rage burned in her chest.

"Mark, you must introduce me to your lovely wife," said Catherine Morrison, one of the city's most influential business journalists. Elena knew Catherine from various events over the years.

"Of course," Mark said smoothly. "Catherine, this is Elena. Elena, Catherine writes for Business Weekly."

"We've actually met several times," Elena said, extending her hand. "It's good to see you again, Catherine."

Catherine smiled warmly. "Elena, yes! I remember now. Didn't you used to be more involved in Sterling Tech's operations? I recall some early interviews where Mark mentioned his business partner."

Elena felt Mark tense beside her. "That was a long time ago," he said quickly. "Elena's focus has been on family for years now."

"But the algorithm that made Sterling Tech famous," Catherine continued, "wasn't that developed when you were both working on the company? I thought I remembered—"

"You're thinking of someone else," Mark interrupted, his smile getting tighter. "The core technology was my development. Elena helped with some administrative tasks in the early days, but the innovative work was mine."

Elena stared at her husband as he rewrote their history in real time. Administrative tasks? She had literally written the code that built his empire.

"How modest of you, Elena," Catherine said. "It must be satisfying to see your husband's success, even if you prefer to stay behind the scenes now."

Elena looked at Catherine, then at Mark's warning expression, then back at Catherine. This was her chance to stay quiet, to be the good wife, to not make waves.

Instead, Elena smiled. "Actually, Catherine, I think there's been some confusion about the early days of Sterling Tech. I wasn't just handling administrative tasks. I was Mark's equal partner in developing the technology."

Mark's face went white. "Elena, you're misremembering—"

"Am I?" Elena's voice stayed calm, but her eyes were steel. "Because I remember very clearly writing the original algorithm. I remember the late nights coding while James was teething. I remember presenting our joint work to the first investors."

Catherine's journalist instincts perked up immediately. "Really? That's fascinating. I'd love to hear more about the founding story from your perspective."

"I'm sure you would," Elena said, still smiling. "In fact, I have all the original documentation. Patents, emails, code repositories. All with timestamps proving my contributions."

Mark grabbed Elena's arm. "Excuse us, Catherine. Elena needs some air."

He practically dragged Elena toward the balcony, his grip tight enough to bruise.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he hissed once they were alone.

"Telling the truth," Elena said calmly.

"You're embarrassing yourself. And me." Mark's face was dark with fury. "Catherine Morrison has a million readers. Do you want to look like some bitter ex-wife making up stories for attention?"

"Ex-wife?" Elena raised an eyebrow. "Is that what I am now? Officially?"

Mark realized his slip. "You know what I mean."

"Yes, I do. I know exactly what you mean." Elena stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You want me to disappear quietly so you can rewrite our entire history. Pretend I never existed. Pretend you built everything alone."

"I did build everything alone. You typed some code, Elena. That's not the same thing as—"

"Stop." Elena's voice cut through his words like a blade. "Just stop lying. We both know the truth. The question is, how long do you think you can keep pretending?"

Mark studied her face, and Elena saw something new in his expression. Fear.

"What are you planning?" he asked quietly.

Before Elena could answer, Veronica appeared beside them, stunning in a red dress that cost more than most people's cars. She slipped her arm through Mark's like she belonged there.

"There you are, baby," Veronica purred. "Everyone's asking where you went."

Elena watched Mark's face transform instantly back to the charming mask. "Just getting some air with Elena."

Veronica's eyes flicked to Elena dismissively. "Oh. Hi, Elena. Love your dress. Very... practical."

The insult was delivered with a sweet smile, but Elena caught the venom underneath. This twenty-six-year-old influencer actually thought she was superior to Elena. Thought she'd won some kind of prize by stealing another woman's husband.

"Thank you, Veronica," Elena said politely. "I love yours too. Very... attention-seeking."

Veronica's smile faltered.

"Elena," Mark warned.

"What? I'm complimenting her fashion sense. Isn't that what we do at these events? Make polite conversation?"

Elena looked between Mark and Veronica, these two people who thought they were so clever, so entitled to take whatever they wanted.

"Actually, I should get back inside," Elena continued. "Catherine Morrison was asking such interesting questions about Sterling Tech's founding. I'd hate to keep her waiting for answers."

Mark's grip tightened on Elena's arm again. "Elena, don't—"

"Don't what, Mark? Don't tell people about my own work? Don't claim credit for my own contributions? Don't defend myself when you're trying to erase me from history?"

Elena's voice was getting louder, and other guests were starting to notice.

"You're making a scene," Veronica whispered.

Elena laughed, the sound sharp in the night air. "I'm making a scene? Veronica, honey, you're wearing my husband's ring to an event where I'm still technically his wife. Trust me, I'm not the one making a scene."

"What ring?" Elena hadn't noticed it before, but now she saw it – a massive diamond on Veronica's ring finger. An engagement ring.

Elena stared at it, something cold and final settling in her chest. "You proposed to her. While we're still married."

Mark had the grace to look slightly ashamed. "Elena, it's not what—"

"It's exactly what it looks like." Elena's voice was deadly calm now. "You've been planning my replacement all along. The divorce papers, the custody battle, the mental health claims, it was all to clear the way for your new life."

She looked at Veronica, this young woman who thought she'd won the lottery by landing a billionaire. "Does she know about your first wife, Mark? About how you stole her work and threw her away when she was no longer useful?"

"I didn't steal anything," Mark said through gritted teeth.

"We'll see about that." Elena turned to walk away, then paused. "Oh, and Veronica? You might want to start documenting your own contributions to Mark's life. You know, just in case history repeats itself."

Elena walked back into the gala, her head high, her spine straight. Behind her, she could hear Mark and Veronica whispering frantically.

Let them worry. Let them wonder what she was planning.

Elena found Catherine Morrison at the bar and smiled. "Catherine? If you have a few minutes, I'd love to tell you the real story of how Sterling Tech was founded. I think your readers would find it very interesting."

Catherine's eyes lit up. "I'm all ears."

As Elena began talking, she saw Mark and Veronica watching from across the room, their faces pale with panic.

Elena smiled and continued her story.

The war had officially begun.