All Chapters of She Got the Credit, He Got the Breakdown: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

I had carefully planned my revenge so that the woman who stole my patent and the husband who betrayed me would both pay the price.After signing the contract with my new company, I went to the most exclusive, award-winning restaurant in Masonridge District. I'd made the reservation two months ago, just for tonight.It was supposed to be our tenth wedding anniversary. I'd planned to surprise Matthew Ashford after work. Instead, he surprised me first.The waiter presented my carefully prepared anniversary gift—a box of premium, handcrafted chocolates made in Sorevia, each with a surprise inside. I gazed at the gold-embossed "10th Anniversary" on the box and felt a surge of emotion.Ten years ago, we hurriedly celebrated our wedding in Lanswell. We were so financially strained that we could only afford to share a single piece of discounted chocolate for dessert.Matthew had once licked chocolate off his fingers and said, "When we hit ten years, I'll make it up to you with the grand w

Chapter 2

As I was leaving the restaurant, I saw Matthew approaching. Our eyes locked, and he looked shocked. "Emma? What are you doing here?"Before I could answer, his gaze landed on the gift box sitting on the table. He slapped his forehead and let out a frustrated sigh. "God! I completely forgot today is our anniversary. The merger talks have been overwhelming. Why didn't you remind me? I would've cleared my schedule."Then his eyes narrowed. "Wait a second, Emma. You didn't do this on purpose, did you? Because of the patent? Oh, come on, it was just a clerical error. The company still owns the rights. "You're not young anymore. Why are you picking a fight with Sophie? She just graduated. Are you really going to ruin her future over an honest mistake?"I let out a quiet laugh. That algorithm had taken three years of my life. Those years had been filled with countless nights of debugging in front of a screen.Matthew once swore he'd turn the company into the next rising star of Sund

Chapter 3

I returned to the apartment and had just been there for half an hour when Matthew called.As soon as I picked up the phone, his furious roar nearly pierced my eardrums. "Emma, you're so vicious! Sophie swallowed the key that was inside the chocolate. She's in the ER right now! "You were aware that something was hidden within, yet you chose to remain silent. This was your intention all along, wasn't it? How could you be so heartless over a mere patent and a promotion?"I held my phone tightly, and my chest felt heavy.Previously, other women had also attempted to get close to Matthew. However, he consistently set boundaries. Sometimes, he even fired them immediately.Yet, everything took a turn a year ago when Sophie joined the company. Despite her clumsy tricks, he chose to overlook each one.Whenever I pointed out her inappropriate behavior, he accused me of being petty and narrow-minded. He always took her side.And now, it was the same story. She was the one who got greedy a

Chapter 4

Matthew drove me home in silence.The rain outside grew heavier, and he kept checking his phone. He looked like he wanted to say something, but held back.When he picked up his phone for the fifth time, the custom ringtone rang. He answered it immediately. His voice was laced with tension. "Sophie, where are you?"A second later, his expression changed dramatically, and his voice shook. "Don't do anything stupid. I'm coming right now!"He hung up and slammed on the brakes, pulling over to the side of the road. He said anxiously, "Sophie is on the hospital rooftop. She said she's going to jump! I have to get there now! Call a cab to get home. Don't wait for me tonight."With that, he flung the door open and urged me out of the car.I stood in the pouring rain as he drove off without a backward glance. The rain quickly soaked through my clothes, and I started shivering from the cold.Suddenly, I remembered our winter as newlyweds when I had the flu and a high fever that wouldn't

Chapter 5

I stared at the phone screen. The familiar words hurt my eyes. For ten years, this number held countless memories—goodnight texts from our first date, daily good morning messages during our newlywed days, and eventually just "busy right now".As I held the tiny SIM card in my palm, its weight felt surprisingly burdensome."Miss, are you still boarding?" the gate agent asked.I cast one final glance before discarding the SIM card into the trash. It fell with a gentle clink, reminiscent of a period that marked the conclusion of a long chapter.In the business class cabin, the flight attendant handed me a blanket and a menu. I asked for a cup of hot tea and leaned back in my seat.Outside the window, the city diminished until it disappeared into the clouds. With a dozen hours stretching before me, I had ample time to sort through my thoughts.Efficiency at Narellin International Airport was as high as ever. Every task, from immigration and baggage claim to currency exchange, opera

Chapter 6

The next day, a new tenant moved into the apartment across from mine. Movers were carrying boxes in and out. When I peered out the window, my heart skipped a beat.It was Matthew. He had actually rented the opposite apartment. What a lunatic!Then, the days that followed started to feel… eerie. In the morning, I'd go to the cafe. He'd be in the corner, pretending to read a newspaper.At lunch, I'd stop by the convenience store. He'd be there too, feigning interest in sandwiches. In the evening, after work, he'd be standing outside the apartment building.He wouldn't approach. He wouldn't utter a word. He simply remained there, like a shadow.Over the weekend, I arranged to join my coworker, Timothy White, for a visit to Cliffshore to enjoy the breathtaking views of the sea.He was a senior member of the tech department in his thirties, and he wore black-rimmed glasses. When he smiled, his eyes crinkled warmly.He spoke my native language quite well, and over the past few weeks,

Chapter 7

The hospital corridor reeked of disinfectant.The red light above the operating room stayed on, casting a dull, anxious glow. I sat on the chair with my hands clenched tightly in my lap.Timothy's injuries were worse than expected. There were over a dozen stitches on his head, and he had a mild concussion. Hence, he'd need to stay in the hospital for observation."I'm sorry..." I sat beside the hospital bed. Tears kept streaming down my face.Timothy opened his eyes weakly and managed a faint smile. "It's not... your fault, Emma."Looking at the bandages wrapped around his head, I felt something tighten painfully in my chest. At that moment, I realized that I had started to feel something different for this gentleman.It wasn't something fiery or overwhelming, but something steady and quiet. It wasn't about wanting to own him, but a genuine hope for his well-being.It was late when Timothy finally succumbed to a deep sleep. I quietly exited the ward.At the end of the corridor,

Chapter 8

I thrust the divorce papers into Matthew's hands. He gazed at them as if they were a horrifying creature.He tore the agreement to shreds. "Impossible. I'd rather die than sign this."The fragments fluttered to the floor like snowflakes.I was prepared. I pulled another copy from my bag. "I printed plenty. You can't tear them all up.""Emma, you belong to me. Always, unless I'm dead." His eyes were frighteningly obsessive.I took out my phone and pulled up the surveillance footage. The video was clear. Just as Matthew rushed over, Timothy was knocked down. His head had hit the ground hard."Intentional assault. In Tallisport, that can get you over three years in prison. So, sign the papers or go to jail. Your choice," I said calmly.Matthew's face turned deathly pale in an instant.The justice system here was notoriously strict, with a conviction rate as high as 99%. And with the surveillance footage as evidence, there was no way he could talk his way out of it.His hands trem

Chapter 9

At the cafe, Sophie looked so worn out that I barely recognized her. Heavy makeup couldn't hide the dark circles under her eyes, and even the designer bag couldn't cover up the mess she was in.She sneered. "Are you here to gloat? Congrats. You won.""I've already divorced Matthew," I said calmly.Her head snapped up, and her eyes were wide with disbelief. "What?""The divorce procedure will be finished completely in a month. He's a free man now," I said, stirring my coffee. Sophie stared at me, as if trying to tell whether I was bluffing. "You're really letting him go?"I scoffed. "What's there to hold on to? A self-centered and indifferent man who is solely focused on his own needs... Perhaps only someone like you would see that as a treasure."The jab hit, but she quickly regained her composure. "So why are you here?"I pulled a set of documents from my bag. "Do you feel like making a comeback?"It was a new algorithm I'd sketched on the plane. It was not as perfect as the

Chapter 10

The new life began quietly.We rented a new apartment near Tallisport Bay. There was a small balcony with a view of Prism Arch. Timothy taught me how to cook local dishes, and I taught him how to make pies.Just when I thought things could finally stay peaceful, a news alert popped up on my phone. "Sundale Valley Startup Star Declares Bankruptcy—CEO Missing."The accompanying photo showed a crowd of angry investors and suppliers protesting outside Matthew's company.I closed the article and went back to chopping vegetables.A few days later, another headline appeared. "Woman Found Dead Under Mysterious Circumstances—Police Launch Investigation."The victim was Sophie. She had been dead for days before anyone found her. The cause of death remained unknown.Timothy looked at me with concern. "Are you okay?""I'm fine. What happens to them doesn't concern me anymore." I meant it.That night, I had a dream. In it, Matthew stood in the rain, apologizing over and over again. Upon

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