At a dinner with both our families, my wife’s protégé didn’t just put a bill on the table. He threw it in my face. He then had the audacity to announce that my wife was going to be his surrogate, and that I was expected to split the twenty-five-thousand-dollar bill for all the expenses, from conception to postpartum care. I looked at my wife, completely floored. Waiting for her to tell me this was some kind of sick joke, to give me any explanation at all. Instead, she took Julian’s hand and looked me dead in the eye. “I agreed to carry Julian’s child. As my husband, splitting the cost is your duty. Stop trying to run from your responsibilities.” And in that instant, everything became brutally clear. My nine-year marriage wasn’t a partnership. It was a punchline. And some people? They just belong in the garbage. … 1 The family dinner had barely started when my wife’s protégé, Julian, slapped a cost estimate sheet onto the table in front of me. He stood up, chest puffed out like a preening rooster, and looked down his nose at me. “Ariel agreed to be my surrogate. The total for her pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care comes to twenty-five thousand dollars. You’ll be splitting it.” A dead silence fell over the table. My parents, who had just been sharing a toast with my in-laws, froze mid-sip. I stared at my wife, Ariel, stunned. I was desperately hoping she’d tell me this was some kind of sick joke. We were a couple. Married for nine years, and child-free by choice. Now she was going to have a baby for another man, and this was the first I was hearing of it? It felt surreal, impossible. But Ariel wasn't joking. Her hand was intertwined with Julian’s, their fingers locked together. The look she gave me was cold, brutal. “Nolan,” she said, her voice devoid of warmth, “I’m carrying a child. As my husband, you’re expected to share the costs. Stop trying to shirk your responsibility.” Emboldened by her support, Julian shot me a triumphant smirk and, right in front of me, pressed a kiss to the corner of Ariel’s lips. Then, he produced a printed document. “Regarding Ariel bearing my child,” he announced, “I have three conditions.” “One: From now until the baby is born, you will cater to Ariel’s every need to ensure a smooth delivery.” “Two: After the birth, Ariel will need to be with the child. She’ll stay with me on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. She’ll only be home with you on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. You are not to get jealous.” “Three: My child with Ariel will be her sole heir and inherit all of her assets. To guarantee this, you must go to a hospital and have a vasectomy.” The absurdity of his words finally snapped my parents out of their shock. My mother’s face darkened. “Have you all lost your minds?” she demanded, her voice shaking with rage. She turned to my in-laws. “Aren’t you going to say anything about this?” Julian just scoffed. “My godparents have already given their blessing.” My in-laws had informally adopted him years ago. At his words, they both nodded with cheerful smiles. “Yes, we’re aware of the arrangement,” my father-in-law confirmed. My mother-in-law even tried to reason with me. “Nolan, you know Julian’s father was Ariel’s beloved mentor. His dying wish was for Julian to have a child to carry on the family name. Ariel is just helping him fulfill that wish.” She added, with a tone of patronizing wisdom, “You’re an educated man. Surely you understand the concept of repaying a debt of gratitude?” A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “This sordid affair? You call that repaying a kindness?” Ariel’s expression soured instantly. “Nolan, this is a notification, not a negotiation! Julian is the father of my child. If you speak to him like that again, don’t blame me for what happens next.” I looked at her, a knot of disbelief tightening in my chest. “Ariel, say that again.” She rolled her eyes, her patience clearly gone. “I’m just honoring a debt, Nolan. Can you stop being so dramatic? Besides,” she added, a cruel edge to her voice, “Julian is brilliant, a top graduate from a prestigious family. His genes are far more worthy of being passed on.” “Worthy genes?” I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound raw and humorless. “The kind of genes that teach him how to be a homewrecker?” Julian’s eyes instantly welled with tears. Ariel shot to her feet, positioning herself in front of him like a shield. “Julian comes from a family of academics! What would a country hick like you know about class?” she spat. “And anyway, you wouldn’t have a child with me, so why can’t I have one with someone else?” Her words hit me like a physical blow, and the sheer audacity of it made me see red. Before we were married, it was she who had insisted on being child-free, who swore she would never have kids. To support her, I agreed. For nine years, whenever my parents gently hinted about grandchildren, I shut them down to protect her from the pressure. And now that was her excuse? In that single, blinding moment, I understood. Our nine-year marriage was a fucking joke. If she didn’t want this life anymore, then fine. Neither did I. I shot to my feet and kicked the dining table over. A chaotic mess of shattered plates and vibrant sauces splattered all over Julian and Ariel. Julian screamed. Ariel’s face turned a shade of mottled purple with rage. Before she could utter a word, I swung my hand and slapped her across the face. Then I turned my gaze to Julian. “This trash?” I said, my voice dripping with contempt. “I don’t want her anymore. You want her? She’s all yours.” My eyes locked with Ariel’s. “We’re getting a divorce.” I spoke each word with chilling clarity, then turned and walked away. My parents, their faces grim, rose and followed me, leaving behind a scene of destruction and the stunned, ugly faces of Ariel’s family. Ariel’s body trembled as she shrieked at my back, “Nolan Hamilton! You dare to ask for a divorce? You think that scares me? Fine! We’ll get a divorce! I’ll be perfectly happy without you!” I didn’t look back. With my parents in tow, I strode out of that toxic house, wanting nothing more than to escape a place I couldn’t stand for another second. Without me, Ariel? Your perfect life is about to end. After dropping my parents off, I headed back to the home I shared with Ariel, intending to pack my things. When I arrived, I found everything I owned dumped on the doorstep like a pile of garbage. The lock had been changed. My calls to Ariel went straight to voicemail. I tried a video call. Someone answered. But it wasn’t Ariel. It was Julian. He was wearing my favorite silk robe, lounging on my marriage bed. The robe was open, revealing a chest covered in fresh hickeys. He raised an eyebrow when he saw me, his expression a cocktail of smugness and provocation. “Ariel and I are a little busy trying to make a baby. Something important?” Before I could speak, he casually lifted his hand. On his finger was my wedding ring. My vision blurred for a second. It was the unique, diamond ring I had designed and crafted for Ariel myself. Just a few days ago, she’d told me she was taking it to be professionally cleaned. Instead, she’d given it to him. Even the decorative items on the nightstand had been replaced. Where our photos once stood, there were now framed pictures of him and Ariel—kissing, embracing. Noticing my gaze, Julian grinned. “Sorry about this, Nolan. Ariel said this house is mine now. All the old junk had to go, so I tossed your stuff out.” My hand tightened around my phone, knuckles turning white. I took a deep, steadying breath. “Where’s Ariel?” He blinked innocently. “Ariel? Oh, she’s in the shower.” He let out a theatrical sigh. “You have no idea how insatiable she is. Insisted on another round. So… here I am, waiting.” A wave of nausea churned in my stomach. “Oh, and by the way,” he added, “Ariel said since you’re the one who asked for the divorce, you can just take your junk and get lost. After all, she’s the one who bought this condo.” Before I could retort, the bathroom door opened and Ariel walked into the frame. She was wearing a semi-translucent piece of lingerie, her chest a canvas of red marks. Her eyes were hazy, post-coital. She immediately snuggled up to Julian. “Sweetheart,” Julian said, his voice laced with mock concern, “your husband is watching.” Only then did she seem to notice me. Her face hardened. “You wanted a divorce, remember? What are you doing calling in the middle of the night? This place has nothing to do with you anymore!” The dam of my anger finally broke. “Don’t you forget, Ariel, I paid for this condo! The seed money for your company came from me selling two of my tech patents! Your first big deal was through my network! A few people call you ‘Ms. Hamilton,’ and you actually start believing your own hype? Who the hell do you think you are to kick me out?” Ariel had been on her high horse for so long, she’d forgotten what it felt like to be called out. My words struck a nerve, stripping away her facade. Her face twisted in fury. “Don't flatter yourself, Nolan! Everything I have, I built myself! It has nothing to do with you! In fact, if it weren’t for me, do you think a guy from the sticks like you would have this life? For nine years, you and your parents have been leeches, sucking me dry. What right do you have to bark at me?” A sharp pain lanced through my chest. I stared at her distorted, enraged face and felt the last vestiges of affection die. “Ariel, every single penny my parents and I have spent in the last nine years, I earned with my own two hands! Without me, do you really think a fraud like you could have ever reached the position you’re in today?” She gritted her teeth. “I’m a top-tier graduate, how dare you talk to me like that? Do you honestly believe the company can’t function without you? Nolan, who do you think you are?” She was practically vibrating with rage. “You want to make a scene? Fine! I’ll give you one! We’ll finalize the divorce tomorrow, and you can process your termination! I’ll show you that the company will do just fine without you!” “If you’re going to be ruthless, Ariel, then don’t blame me for being cruel.” “Your company,” I said with a cold smile, “can go to hell.” I was about to end the call, but she started screaming, her voice a furious roar just before the connection cut. “You think you can survive after leaving me and the company, Nolan? I’ve already put the word out to every major corporation in this city! You won’t find a single job! I’m going to run you out of town!” I hung up and turned away without a second’s hesitation, fighting the urge to storm in there and end both of them. The next day, I drafted the divorce agreement and went to the company to find Ariel. The security guard stopped me at the entrance. I frowned. “I’m the Vice President…” The guard let out a derisive snort. “What Vice President? An email went out this morning. You’ve been fired.” He grinned maliciously. “And Ms. Hamilton gave specific orders: no dogs or Nolan Hamilton allowed on the premises.” My hands clenched into fists, a hot spike of anger piercing my chest. Just then, Ariel and Julian walked out together. “Well, well,” Julian said in a singsong, mocking tone. “If it isn’t our former VP. Why aren't you going in?” Before I could answer, he gasped in fake surprise, covering his mouth. “Oh, that’s right, I forgot. Ariel fired you. You’re less than nothing now.” The security guard chuckled along with him. Ariel watched, a contemptuous smile playing on her lips. I took a deep breath, ignoring him, my eyes fixed on her. “I’m here to discuss the divorce.” A flicker of triumph crossed Julian’s face. Ariel scoffed and handed me a folder. “I’ve already had the papers drawn up. Sign them.” I took it and opened it. My jaw tightened. “You want me to leave with nothing?” The agreement was crystal clear: I was to be left completely penniless. How dare she? “What did you expect?” Ariel sneered. Julian crossed his arms. “It’s only fair. This is Hamilton Enterprises. Everything you’ve enjoyed came from the Hamilton family. What right do you have to any of Ariel’s assets?” “Come on, if you have any dignity left, just sign it,” Ariel urged. When I didn’t move, she mocked me. “I knew it. You can’t bear to give up this lifestyle. All that tough talk was just an act, wasn’t it? Nolan, if you humbly agree to split my pregnancy costs and get that vasectomy, maybe I’ll consider keeping you around. Otherwise…” “No need. I’ll sign.” I cut her off, pulled out a pen, and scrawled my name across the documents. Ariel’s face fell, a flicker of shock in her eyes. “Nolan, you actually…” “Ariel!” Julian interrupted, grabbing her hand. “Everything he has, everything he’s wearing… it’s all yours, right? That custom-tailored suit, the car he drove here—they’re worth a fortune! Those are your assets. You can’t just let him walk away with them.” My head snapped up, my gaze locking with hers. Ariel hesitated for a moment, then a cruel smirk spread across her face. “Julian’s right. The car and the suit on your back were gifts from me. If you’re leaving with nothing, that means nothing.” She paused, savoring the moment. “But, if you get on your knees right now, apologize to me and Julian, and sign the commitment letter he drafted, I might give you another chance. Otherwise, don’t blame me for humiliating you.” The last bit of warmth in my heart turned to ice. “Fine.” With a cold laugh, I met the mocking and curious stares of the surrounding employees and began to strip off my jacket and trousers. I even kicked off my shoes. Finally, I threw the car keys, hitting her squarely in the face. “Is that good enough for you?” I asked, my voice dangerously calm. “The shirt and underwear are my own. I assume I can keep those?” A red mark bloomed on Ariel’s cheek. She was frozen in shock. I didn’t spare her another glance. With my back straight and my head held high, I turned and walked away as if I didn’t have a care in the world. Ariel, however, was trembling with fury. “Nolan! You insist on defying me, don’t you? Fine! Don’t expect any mercy from me!” For nine years, I had been the one to yield, to compromise. She couldn’t comprehend why, this time, I refused to bow my head. I ignored her, hailed a taxi, and left, enduring the stares of passersby. Since she wanted to be merciless, I no longer had any reason to show her any decency. Using the last of my cash, I took the cab to my parents’ house. They were there, along with my married sister, Sarah. The atmosphere was thick with tension. Seeing my disheveled state, my parents’ expressions grew even darker. My mother’s eyes filled with tears. “What… what happened to you? Was it Ariel?” My dad quickly ushered me inside. “Go get changed before you catch a cold.” Before I could say anything, my sister clicked her tongue in annoyance. “Honestly, Nolan, why do you have to fight with Ariel? Are you happy now that you’ve dragged the whole family down with you?” “Sarah, stop it!” my mom warned, shooting her a sharp look. But my sister was too upset. She stood up, her voice rising. “Am I wrong? Why can’t I say it? If it weren’t for him, would any of this be happening to us?” My mom tried to silence her, but I sensed something was terribly wrong. “What’s happened?” I asked, my voice low. “It’s… it’s nothing…” my mom said, forcing a smile as she tried to push me toward my room. My dad held my sister back. But Sarah broke free. “Mom, Dad, how long are you going to hide it from him? You were both fired today! I lost my job, and my daughter got kicked out of her preschool this morning! This is all his fault! He deserves to know!” I froze. “What?” Tears streamed down my sister’s face, her shoulders shaking. Over my parents’ protests, she told me everything. My parents weren’t the “country hicks” Ariel claimed they were. They were university graduates who had worked hard to build a life in the city and had become respected teachers at a local college. But that morning, both had been dismissed. My sister had been fired by her manager. Even my five-year-old niece was expelled from her preschool after a call from the director. When Sarah had pressed for a reason, she was discreetly told that our family had offended someone powerful. In this city, the only person with that kind of influence and a grudge against me was Ariel. “Nolan, can you just stop this?” my sister sobbed. “You can’t ruin all of our lives just for your pride! Please, just go back to Ariel, apologize, and agree to her terms!” Clearly, my parents had told her about Ariel’s demands. My dad couldn’t take it anymore. “Sarah Hamilton, if you say one more word, you are no longer our daughter! Your brother is the victim here! How can you pressure him like this?” My sister was frantic. “What else can I do? I just got my promotion! It was so hard to get Lily into that preschool, and now it’s all gone! I have a mortgage, a car loan… Lily’s life is just beginning…” My throat felt like it was closing up. I couldn’t breathe. Steeling myself, I pulled out my phone and started calling old business contacts, hoping to find a way out of this mess. I couldn’t let my family suffer because of me. But every person I called treated me like I had the plague. “Nolan, Ms. Hamilton made it clear. Anyone who helps you goes down with you. Our hands are tied.” A contact at the college said, “Mr. Hamilton, we received an anonymous tip claiming your parents had fabricated their credentials and exhibited unethical behavior. We had no choice.” I understood perfectly. Ariel was cutting off every possible escape route, leaving me with no way out. If this continued, it wouldn’t just be me; my entire family would be destroyed. That woman… she was utterly ruthless. Before I could process it all, my phone rang. It was Ariel. The moment I answered, her mocking laughter filled my ear. “So, have you learned your lesson about what happens when you cross me?” she taunted. “Do you see what you are now, Nolan? Without me, you are nothing.” “And without you, I’m still the powerful Ms. Hamilton. Oh, did you hear? I just landed that massive government contract. A nine-figure deal.” I knew which project she was talking about. It was the one I’d spent six months chasing, wining and dining clients until I nearly got a stomach ulcer, pouring my soul into securing it. We were just days away from signing. All my hard work had become her prize. And now, she was gleefully rubbing salt in my deepest wound. I hung up the phone. In the living room, my sister’s suppressed sobs grew louder, each one a dagger in my heart. I knew I couldn’t let this go on. “Don’t worry,” I said, my voice steady and calm as I walked back into the room, now fully dressed. “I’ll fix this. By tomorrow, at the latest.” I strode out of the house, my steps firm, my back straight. Every footfall was a promise to them: the sky hadn’t fallen. Not yet. Standing on the curb waiting for a ride, I took out my phone and made one last call. “Vivian? It’s Nolan. Let’s meet. That patent you wanted? I’m ready to sell.” Ariel thought that by forcing me to leave with nothing, she had taken everything. But she forgot one crucial detail. The core technology for the company’s most valuable projects… the patents were all in my name. And since I was no longer an employee of Hamilton Enterprises, I could sell them to whomever I pleased. She wanted to drive me to ruin? Fine. I would drag her down and expose her for the fraud she was. Ariel, Julian… it’s time to settle the score.
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