Tristan

The glass door to my corner office slid open and my assistant Alex strode in, tablet in hand. His sharply tailored suit and perfectly styled chestnut hair gave him an air of smooth professionalism.

"The Hamilton deal is nearly secured, sir," he informed me briskly. "Just awaiting their final signatures."

I smiled, reaching up to adjust my thick black-rimmed glasses that kept sliding down my nose. "Perfect. Be sure to expedite any requests from their executives. I want this to go as smoothly as possible for Vivian."

Alex nodded. "Of course, sir."

My phone buzzed with a notification from my security team - Vivian was back in town today after a week-long cosmetics conference. I quickly wrapped up the meeting with Alex.

"Change of plans - get the jet ready to head home immediately."

"Right away, Mr. Levine." Alex pivoted sharply and exited my office, already barking orders into his bluetooth earpiece.

I tidied up the mountain of paperwork on my desk, thoughts drifting to Vivian arriving home later today. The flight back couldn't go fast enough. As soon as Alex and I finished signing paperwork for our company's new Asia branch office, I instructed him we needed to head back immediately.

Normally I'd stick around a few days after an international business trip to tie up loose ends. But with Vivian getting back from her conference today, I was eager to see her.

I smiled thinking about the bouquet of roses and bottle of champagne I had picked up for her earlier. Tonight I planned to celebrate her latest business victory - clinching that huge distribution deal she's been working on for months with Hamilton Cosmetics. I couldn't wait to see the look on her face when she saw I already knew about it, thanks to Alex keeping me subtly looped in on her accomplishments.

My wife has no idea about my true business dealings. To her, I'm just her goofy, underachieving husband puttering around the house all day in my ratty flannel pajamas while she goes out conquering the corporate world. She assumes I live entirely off her wealth and success.

If only she knew the truth...that I was the silent force behind Venture Enterprises, a sprawling technology conglomerate on the cusp of dominating the industry. That the bumbling, artistic persona I portrayed was carefully cultivated to throw observers off the trail.

But I don't need flashy credit for my business accomplishments. I started my company years ago mainly to satisfy my own innate drive and talents, not a thirst for fame or status. The woman Vivian fell in love with was a simple, unassuming man. I aim to remain that grounded, down-to-earth person for her, no matter how high I climb.

Which is why I insist Alex handle all the public-facing aspects of my work - the high-stakes meetings, lavish events, magazine interviews. He's the polished, charismatic face of Venture Enterprises that distracts from the shadowy billionaire at the helm. I prefer keeping my involvement discreet, only involving myself when absolutely necessary.

Like making sure Vivian got that distribution deal with Hamilton. For years, my company has been quietly maneuvering behind the scenes to support Hayes Cosmetics' growth. I would move heaven and earth before I let Vivian's hard work and sacrifice be for nothing. If my clandestine influence can help open doors for her, I'll do whatever it takes. Her happiness and success means everything to me.

The sleek private jet touched down at last. I had Alex drop me off a few blocks from home so I could pick up my rusted old VW Beetle parked where I'd left it. Couldn't have Vivian seeing me step out of a limo wearing tailored suits. Appearances to maintain and all.

Whistling, I took the elevator up to my private penthouse office to freshen up and change into my usual jeans, sneakers and graphic tee before heading home. Can't have Vivian seeing me stepping off the corporate jet dressed to the nines.

At the airport gift shop, I stopped to pick up a lavish bouquet of roses and a nice bottle of champagne. Tonight I was going to make Vivian a special celebratory dinner, complete with candles and her favorite strawberry shortcake dessert. She deserved to be pampered and praised after clinching such a career-defining deal with Hamilton.

Things had admittedly been a little strained between us lately, with her company ramping up and demanding more of Vivian's time and attention. Our hectic schedules often kept us like ships passing in the night. Sometimes it felt like she was gradually drifting away from me, her focus consumed by work.

But tonight would bring us back together. Good food, celebrating my incredible wife, and being present with each other. I was determined to show her that no matter how chaotic life got, she was still my priority. My partner who I treasured spending time with.

I parked the dusty Beetle outside our sleek modern home and headed inside, laden with gifts. "Honey, I'm home!" I called out jokingly.

My playful smile faded instantly when I saw Vivian sitting rigidly on the couch next to her mother, an unreadable expression on her face. Her icy blue eyes regarded me coolly.

"Oh...hello, Linda. I didn't realize you were visiting today." I set the bouquet and bag of groceries down on the polished granite kitchen island, unease creeping through me. "I was, uh, going to make Vivian a nice celebratory dinner tonight. For clinching that big Hamilton deal."

The two blond women exchanged a loaded look. Vivian's scarlet lips pressed into a thin line.

"There's no need for that," she said tersely. "In fact, I think it's best if you leave."

I blinked behind my glasses, stunned and confused. "Did I...do something wrong? If so, I'm sorry..."

"No need to apologize," Helen cut in, frost edging her cultured voice. "You've done nothing wrong, Tristan. Except be complacent."

I frowned, feeling cold dread creeping through my veins. "What do you mean?"

Vivian released a short, harsh sigh, as if disgusted by my ignorance. "Must we spell it out? This marriage clearly isn't working anymore. You lack ambition. I've simply outgrown you at this point. I'm doing what's necessary and best for myself by letting you go."

Her icy words slammed into me like a physical attack. I stared at her lovely face I had once adored so much, now cold and remote, trying to make sense of what she was saying. Letting me go? Was she saying...

Linda held out a crisp legal envelope to me. Hands shaking, I accepted it from her polished nails. The contents confirmed my worst fears - divorce papers, all drawn up and ready for my signature.

My eyes scanned the conditions outlined within. The terms were heavily skewed in Vivian's favor.

"This...says I would get nothing," I murmured in stunned disbelief. "No alimony, no remaining rights to shared assets or property..."

"Naturally," Linda replied coolly, inspecting her manicure. "You contributed absolutely nothing of value to this marriage financially. Therefore, you should leave with what you brought to it - nothing."

I looked beseechingly to Vivian, silently pleading with her to reconsider this nuclear option. But she refused to meet my gaze, staring icily at the abstract painting on the wall instead. How could she dismiss me so callously, after everything we had built together?

"Vivian, please," I implored, desperate to reach the woman I loved beneath this cold veneer. "I know work has put distance between us lately, but we can fix this. Counseling, a vacation together - whatever it takes. Just please, don't end things like this without even trying."

She slowly shook her head, blonde waves rippling over her shoulders. "My mind is quite made up. This relationship has simply run its course."

It felt like the floor was crumbling beneath my feet. "How can you say that?" My voice cracked with emotion. "After everything we've been through together over the years? I'll do anything to make this right between us again."

"I'm afraid it's far too late for that," she said quietly, staring down at her lap. "I've already outgrown this marriage. It's time I move forward alone."

My hands curled into fists, fighting back the swell of grief and betrayal rising within me. After so many years together, supporting her dreams, believing in her when no one else did - how could she just toss me aside without blinking? Like our life together had meant nothing?

But breaking down and begging wouldn't change her mind or win back her heart. If divorcing me was truly what she wanted, then as much as it devastated me, I wouldn't stand in her way.

"I see this is what you feel you must do," I replied tightly, voice strained with the effort to hold back my anguish. "If staying married to me has become such a burden for you..." I took in a shaky breath, forcing the fateful words out. "Then let's end it."

With a trembling hand, I scrawled my uneven signature on the documents, each letter cutting me to my soul. When I set the pen down, I silently extended the papers back to them, unable to meet Vivian's eyes. My heart shattered as she took them indifferently from my numb grasp.

"Excellent. I believe your presence here is no longer required." Linda stated with cool finality. She casually dismissed me from the home I had shared with Vivian as if she hadn't just ripped my entire world apart.

I should have known this day would come eventually. That Vivian would tire of our modest middle class lifestyle that no longer aligned with her ambitions. That my comfortable, unassuming existence could never be enough for her insatiable appetite for more.