My Ex-Husband's Regret, My New Beginning

into building my husband, Corbin, into an architectural star.

rought his "muse," Kallie, and

nd her in my bedroom, wearing my clothes, after she'd broken our

ose lavish life I had single-handedly funded. But the

red me, claiming she was pregn

, and booked a one-way ticket to Europe.

pte

ed his muse, his artistic equal, the one who understood his "authentic struggle." And there s

devoid of its usual warmth when he addre

that with artists he admired. He wanted m

yn. The one funded by the trust I'd set up, the one whose work Corbin obsessed over. The one wh

t aggressively natural. No heavy makeup, no obvious designer clothes. She wore oversized paint-splattered overalls, a sta

voice soft, almost a whisper. She offered a small, hesitant sm

idn't return her smile, just a slight nod

funded for Corbin's firm. Our Porsche, the one I'd bo

enger side, my usual spo

ast, and reached for the passenger d

as if burned. Her eyes darted to Corbin, then back to

me. "Not in my car," I said,

es welled up. She looked like a co

e cracking. She looked at him, he

e, his gaze cold. "Adeline, don't be r

laugh escaped me. "I'm ridiculous? Thi

on that patient, condescending tone he reserved for me when he

my chest. He was making excuses for h

oice. "If she's so comfortable in the driver's seat, let he

ine, what is wrong with you?" he g

e facade was cracking. Her eyes, still brimming, now h

full-blown sob. "I can't... I can't do this," she stammered, co

night. She cast one last glance back, her eyes meeting mine. In that b

eve in art, in beauty," she declared, her voice still shaky but gaining

I'd set up for Corbin's firm, was lecturing me on materialism. She was unique, alright. Uniquely manipulative. I had watched her ascend fro

ur tenth. And he was standing

ed out, starting after her.

ssion a mask of fury. "Adeline, y

ring, the one I had slipped onto his finger

ce surprisingly firm, "she doesn't need to apologize. I understand. Some people just... can't comprehend a

me me. My hands clenched into fists at my sides. I wante

thing in the cold night air. I looked

hands. "Fine," I murmured, step

I glanced down. There was a dark, sticky stain on

dark, gooey chocolate. And then I saw it, a matching

in exclaimed, rushing over to her. He didn'

must have... I don't know. A clumsy moment,

coat. The one I'd bought for him last Christmas, a limited edition. He wrappe

, reassuring. "I'll handle this." He glanced back

d hurled it at the ground. The shatter echoed through the quiet street. It wasn' t the first ti

rd a hammer blow. "And you let her ruin it." My v

ain. We can get it cleaned. Are you serio

Or at least the entire interior replaced. You can afford it,

? That's ridiculous! It was an accident!

ng. "Perhaps you should look in the mirror, Kall

is time. "Corbin, I can't belie

eing absolutely malicious! Do you hear yourself? I will pay for e

ep into my bones. This wasn't about the car anymore. It never was. It was about

orld twisted around me, every sound muted, eve