At my daughter’s graduation, my husband declared: “I’m choosing to forge a new path without you.” His girlfriend sat among our friends, a silent conspirator…

What’s the meaning of this? he demanded, brandishing the papers. You served me with divorce papers? Today of all days? I thought it paired well with your plans, I replied coolly. You wanted a new life.

I’m just easing the transition. You had no right to— I had every right, I cut in, my voice steady. Just as you had the right to choose Jessica.

We all make choices, Michael. The prenup expired years ago, he said, his tone suddenly smug.

Any lawyer will tell you that. I allowed a slight smile. Actually, it didn’t.

Section 12 clearly states the fidelity clause remains active throughout the marriage. Your lawyer should have clarified that. Oh wait, you didn’t hire one, did you? His face paled as the truth hit.

The prenup he’d demanded to protect his potential wealth would now strip him of everything. The house, the beach cottage in Tybee Island, his share of our retirement funds. His bold move at the restaurant had just become the costliest declaration of his life.

You can’t do this to me, Michael said, slumping onto the sofa. We built this life together. And you chose to dismantle it, I replied, though not as you intended.

Michael’s phone buzzed incessantly in his pocket. He glanced at it, then ignored it. Jessica, no doubt, wondering why he wasn’t sticking to their carefully laid plan.

You’ve always been strategic, Lauren. But this is ruthless, he said, trying a new tack. What about our history? Twenty-eight years together means nothing? I studied him.

This man I’d loved for nearly three decades. The man who held my hand through two miscarriages before Emma was born. The man who once surprised me with a weekend getaway to Asheville for our tenth anniversary.

When had he changed? Or had he always been this way, and I’d been too devoted to see? Our history meant everything to me, I said honestly. That’s why your betrayal cut so deeply.

His expression softened briefly, perhaps sensing an opportunity. Then maybe we can salvage this. I made a mistake.

People make mistakes. This wasn’t a mistake, Michael. This was a deliberate plan spanning over a year.

You methodically siphoned our money. You scouted property with her. You planned to announce our split publicly to humiliate me.

His face hardened again. You’re blowing this out of proportion. Am I? I picked up my phone, opened the recording app, and played his own voice.

After the graduation, I’ll tell her it’s done. A public setting is better. She won’t cause a scene in front of everyone.

Then Jessica’s voice. And she has no clue about the money. Michael again.

None. Lauren trusts me implicitly. That’s her flaw.

His face went white. You recorded us? That’s illegal. Not in Georgia when one party consents, I replied.

And not in your own home. I didn’t record your private moments with Jessica. I’m not cruel.

Just the discussions about your scheme to deceive me. Michael stood abruptly, agitated. I need to make some calls.

Of course, I said. Your lawyer might be a good start. I’ll be staying at Rachel’s tonight.

Rachel’s? He stammered. My sister’s place? I nodded. She’s quite upset with you, actually.

She was the one who first saw you with Jessica last Christmas. She didn’t tell me right away. She confronted you first…