Burning the Patents of Betrayal
At my wedding, my CEO wife's male assistant stood up in front of everyone and publicly presented a "year-end report" on their nights together.
"Big thanks to Adam for your generosity. Over the past year, your wife and I tried 500 different positions. I successfully earned a 500-thousand-dollar year-end bonus and the right to the wedding night.
"Adam, you should keep working hard. Don't feel too bad about only getting a one-dollar 'encouragement award.'
"And thank you to all our friends and family for acknowledging me. Tonight, on our wedding night, I'll make sure Julie is thoroughly satisfied."
The room fell into a suffocating silence. Even my mother-in-law—who always claimed to love me like her own son—said nothing.
Seeing how pale I'd gone, Julie Black spoke with brutal honesty.
"I accidentally got pregnant. The guy felt insecure and insisted on coming to the wedding, so I agreed. I was the one who crossed the line. I have to take responsibility."
My heart sank into an icy abyss.
Only then did I understand the meaning behind the one-dollar "encouragement bonus" Julie had transferred to me the night before.
Staring at my wife's unfamiliar face, I made up my mind: I didn't want her anymore.