Chapter 4
Baby.
One word.
After eleven years of marriage, that was how I discovered my husband no longer bothered to hide his affair.
I spoke quietly.
“Ethan, put me on speaker.”
“Why?”
“Just do it.”
A click sounded.
Then I heard his mother.
“Clara, if you have something to say, say it. We’ve wasted enough time.”
I looked at the documents spread across my father’s desk.
“Ethan, who owns the aircraft you’re sitting on?”
He laughed.
“What kind of question is that?”
“Answer it.”
“Sterling Dynamics, obviously.”
“No.”
The laughter stopped.
“The aircraft is registered to Ashford Aviation Holdings. A company wholly owned by my family trust.”
Nobody spoke.
I continued.
“You've been using it under a private aviation agreement that I authorized two years ago.”
His mother scoffed.
“Don't be ridiculous. Ethan pays for that plane.”
“Ethan's company pays operating expenses. It doesn't own the aircraft.”
Then I heard another voice.
The captain.
“Mr. Sterling, I’m afraid Mrs. Sterling is correct.”
I could almost picture Ethan’s expression.
“What?”
“Our operations office has confirmed the ownership records. Mrs. Sterling is the authorized representative.”
Chloe spoke next.
“Ethan, why is everyone making such a big deal about a plane?”
I smiled.
“Because, Chloe, it's my plane.”
A heavy silence followed.
Then Ethan snapped.
“Clara, you think you can humiliate me because your family has money?”
“No, Ethan.”
I looked at my father's letter.
“I think you’ve confused my silence with permission.”
I turned to the flight operations manager, who had been waiting on another line.
“Please terminate Mr. Sterling's personal authorization to use the aircraft, effective immediately. Arrange ground transportation for the passengers.”
“Yes, Mrs. Sterling.”
Ethan shouted my name.
I ended the call.
For the first time in years, I didn't feel guilty.
I felt free.
The Emergency Board Meeting
At 8:55 the following morning, I walked into Sterling Dynamics headquarters wearing a cream-colored suit and carrying my father’s blue folder.
The receptionist stood immediately.
“Mrs. Sterling?”
“Good morning, Amanda.”
“Mr. Sterling said you weren't expected until later.”
“Plans changed.”
I took the private elevator to the forty-second floor.
Through the glass walls of the boardroom, I could see Ethan sitting at the head of the table.
Chloe stood beside him, holding a tablet.
My mother-in-law occupied a chair near the windows.
Several directors were already seated.
When I entered, Ethan looked annoyed.
“Clara, this is a closed meeting.”
“I know.”