Chapter 10
And I realized how thoroughly he underestimated me.
"Maybe," I said.
He seemed relieved.
"Good. At least you're being sensible."
He walked toward the bathroom.
Before closing the door, he added, "And Vivian? Try not to embarrass me at work. My partnership review is too important for distractions."
The door clicked shut.
I stood perfectly still.
Then I walked to my desk and opened the calendar invitation Gideon's office had sent.
EQUITY REVIEW: CONTRIBUTOR INTERVIEWS.
My name was listed as a primary participant.
Preston's was listed separately.
I read the words twice.
Then I accepted.
My husband thought the most dangerous thing I could do was show the world my scars.
He had no idea what would happen when I finally showed them my work.
He Called Me a Monster. I Walked Into His Gala and Took Back My Name.
PART 3: THE DRESS THAT REFUSED TO HIDE ME
The first time Preston learned I had filed for divorce, he called me seventeen times.
I answered the eighteenth.
"What the hell have you done?"
His voice was so loud that I pulled the phone away from my ear.
I was sitting in my office, reviewing material for the equity committee.
My heart pounded, but my voice remained steady.
"I filed for divorce."
"I know that! I was served the papers!"
"Then you know I'm serious."
Silence.
Then he laughed harshly.
"Is this some pathetic attempt to get my attention?"
"No."
"Because if you think I'm going to beg you to stay, you've lost your mind."
I glanced at the familiar spreadsheet on my screen.
For once, his anger didn't make me scramble for an apology.
"I don't expect you to beg."
"You have no idea what you're doing, Vivian."
"I know exactly what I'm doing."
His voice dropped.
"Do you really think you can survive without me?"
I looked around my office.
My reports.
My qualifications.
The years of work I had completed while he treated me like an unwanted burden.
"Yes," I answered.
He went quiet again.
Then the cruelty returned.
"You're making a huge mistake. Men like me don't grow on trees. You think someone else is going to want you with that body?"
The words struck the old wound.
For a second, I couldn't breathe.
He knew precisely where to hurt me.
He had spent years practicing.
But something had changed.
I could still feel the pain without accepting it as truth.