The Last Thing I Was Going to Give You

Nathan looked as though someone had punched the air from his lungs.

"You destroyed me."

Claire slipped her phone back into her pocket.

"No."

Her voice remained steady.

"I just stopped protecting you."

The truth hit harder than any accusation.

For years Claire had quietly fixed problems Nathan created.

Covered mistakes.

Explained away failures.

Shielded him from consequences.

And he had mistaken her loyalty for weakness.

Vanessa finally removed the gold locket and placed it on the coffee table.

For the first time all evening, she looked frightened.

"You told me she didn't matter," Vanessa whispered to Nathan.

The room became painfully quiet.

Nathan ignored her.

His attention remained fixed on Claire.

"Please," he said. "I'll end it. Tonight."

Claire almost laughed.

Not because it was funny.

Because it was predictable.

The affair had been exciting while it cost him nothing.

Now it threatened his company.

His reputation.

His future.

Suddenly he wanted his wife back.

Claire picked up the investment agreement.

Eight million dollars.

Weeks of sacrifice.

Months of work.

The future of his company.

She looked at the signature page.

Then at Nathan.

Then she tore the contract in half.

The sound echoed through the room.

Nathan gasped.

Claire tore it again.

And again.

The pieces drifted to the floor.

"This was the last thing I was ever going to give you."

Nathan stared at the shredded paper.

At the future disappearing before his eyes.

At the woman who had always rescued him.

And finally understood.

She wasn't leaving because she hated him.

She was leaving because she had finally stopped choosing him over herself.