Chapter 5
The first time I walked into my office after discovering the missing contracts, I felt like a stranger in my own company.
Everything looked familiar.
The reception desk.
The framed certificates.
The photographs from our first office opening.
The conference room where I'd signed my first major agreement.
But I couldn't stop wondering how much damage Marcus had caused.
Rachel was waiting.
So was David.
I placed my handbag on the table.
"Tell me what we know."
Rachel opened a folder.
"Andre's attorney provided copies of several documents found at the townhouse."
My stomach tightened.
"Were they genuine?"
"Some appear to be copies of internal company files."
I closed my eyes.
"Which ones?"
"Client proposals, pricing schedules, and portions of our hospital network contract."
My heart sank.
"How did Vanessa get them?"
"We're still investigating."
David leaned forward.
"Nia, we need to focus on protecting confidential information and notifying the appropriate parties."
I nodded.
We discussed immediate safeguards.
Access reviews.
Document preservation.
Security audits.
And communication with affected clients if required.
I listened carefully.
Then Rachel said something that made my stomach twist.
"The competitor Andre mentioned is called Sterling Health Solutions."
I froze.
Sterling.
I'd competed against them for contracts twice.
Their chief executive, Gregory Price, was known for aggressive business tactics.
We had never worked together.
But I remembered something.
Six months earlier, Vanessa had attended a charity gala with Marcus.
She told me she was consulting for several companies in the healthcare industry.
I had barely paid attention.
Now I wondered whether Sterling was one of them.
"Do we have proof of contact?" I asked.
Rachel shook her head.
"Not yet."
David nodded.
"We shouldn't accuse anyone without evidence."
I agreed.
But I couldn't ignore the pattern.
Vanessa had entered our lives as Marcus's mistress.
She became involved with Andre.
She received company money.
She attempted to obtain a loan using my business.
And now confidential documents were appearing in her home.
I took a deep breath.
"I want everything documented."
Rachel nodded.
"Already underway."
For several days, I worked with my team to strengthen security.
We reviewed account permissions.
Changed credentials.
Restricted access to sensitive files.
And contacted outside specialists to examine our systems.
I hated every minute.
Not because the work was difficult.
But because it reminded me how deeply I'd trusted Marcus.
I'd never imagined needing to protect my company from my own husband.
One afternoon, Rachel came into my office.
"Nia, there's someone here to see you."
I looked up.
"Who?"
She hesitated.
"Vanessa."
My stomach tightened.
I stared at her.
"Why?"
"She says she wants to explain."
I felt anger rise.
Then I took a breath.
"Tell her any legal matters go through our attorneys."
Rachel nodded.
Before she reached the door, I stopped her.
"Wait."
She turned.
I looked down at my desk.
Part of me wanted to confront Vanessa.
To ask why she'd smiled in my living room.
Why she'd lied about the baby.
Why she'd tried to take money from my business.
But I knew a confrontation wouldn't repair anything.
"Never mind. You're right. Send her away."
Rachel smiled gently.
"Good decision."
That evening, Vanessa left a letter with my attorney.
David reviewed it before sharing it with me.
The letter claimed she'd been pressured by Gregory Price to provide business information.
She alleged that he'd promised financial support for her baby.
She also claimed Marcus had given her documents because he believed she needed help establishing a legitimate consulting business.
I stared at the pages.
"Is she admitting involvement?"
David nodded.
"Partially."
I looked at him.
"Do we believe her?"
"We verify what we can."
I nodded.
The following week, investigators obtained additional financial records.
Those records showed payments between Vanessa's company and an entity linked to Sterling.
The timing raised serious questions.
David contacted the appropriate authorities.
A broader investigation began.
Then Marcus requested a meeting.
His attorney arranged it.
I agreed only because there were financial questions he needed to answer.
We met in a neutral conference room.
Marcus looked terrible.
He had lost weight.
Dark circles surrounded his eyes.
The confidence I remembered was gone.
"Nia."
I nodded.
"Marcus."
He stared at me for a moment.
Then whispered, "I'm sorry."
I looked down.
I'd heard those words so many times lately that they barely sounded real.
I took a breath.
"What did you give Vanessa?"
He closed his eyes.
"Some client documents."
My stomach tightened.
"Which ones?"
He looked toward his attorney.
Then answered carefully.
"Pricing schedules. Contract summaries. A proposal."
I felt sick.
"Why?"
He swallowed.
"She told me she wanted to start a consulting business."
I stared at him.
"And you thought giving her confidential documents was acceptable?"
He looked ashamed.
"No."
I shook my head.
"You knew how hard I worked for those contracts."
His eyes filled.
"I know."
"You knew people depended on that company."
"I know."
I leaned forward.
"Then why?"
His voice broke.
"Because I wanted her to think I could provide for her."
I stared at him.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I laughed bitterly.
"You wanted to impress your mistress."
He covered his face.
I felt tears rise.
"You risked everything I built because you wanted another woman to admire you."
He nodded miserably.
I sat back.
For years, I'd wondered whether I was enough.
Pretty enough.
Supportive enough.
Feminine enough.
Young enough.
Now I understood.
Marcus's betrayal had never been proof that I lacked something.
It was proof that he was willing to sacrifice other people's trust to feed his own ego.
I wiped my cheeks.
"Did you know she was working with Sterling?"
He shook his head.
"Not until recently."
I studied him.
Then asked, "Did you know about the five-hundred-thousand-dollar loan?"
"No."
His answer came immediately.
For once, I believed him.
But believing one answer didn't restore nine years of trust.
I stood.
"Thank you for cooperating."
Marcus looked up.
"Nia, please."
I stopped.
He swallowed.
"Do you think there's any chance for us?"
My chest hurt.
I looked at the man I'd once loved.
The man who'd stood beside me at our wedding.
The man who'd held me while I cried after failed fertility treatments.
The man who'd secretly blamed me while hiding his own diagnosis.
And the man who'd betrayed my company for someone else.
I took a breath.
"No."
He began crying.
I felt tears rise too.
But I didn't change my answer.
"I hope you become a better man, Marcus."
Then I walked away.
Outside the building, Tasha was waiting.
She hugged me.
"How did it go?"
I wiped my face.
"I told him the truth."
She smiled sadly.
"Good."
I looked toward the street.
For the first time, I could imagine a future without Marcus.
It hurt.
But it also felt possible.
Then my phone rang.
Rachel.
I answered.
"Nia?"
Her voice was shaking.
"What happened?"
She took a breath.
"We received a message from the hospital network."
My stomach tightened.
"What kind of message?"
"They've temporarily paused the renewal negotiations."
I closed my eyes.
"Why?"
Rachel swallowed.
"Someone anonymously sent them copies of confidential documents."
My heart stopped.
Then she continued.
"And they're questioning whether our company can protect patient and business information."
I stared at the traffic moving past me.
For months, I'd been trying to survive my husband's betrayal.
Now my entire company was at risk.
May you like
And I knew the next fight wouldn't be about saving my marriage.
It would be about saving everything I'd built before I ever met him.
