The Lethal Ex-Wife: A Vengeful Return

1.

The night my husband, Carter, sent our son Leo's surgeon away for his first love, I changed.

Overnight, I cured myself of all the habits he hated.

When he stayed out all night, I stopped asking where he'd been.

When I saw texts and voicemails from Chloe on his phone, I looked the other way.

The day we buried Leo, he called me. "Evelyn, there's an emergency at the office. I can't make it."

I said only one word: "Okay."

Then I handled the entire funeral myself.

My assistant stood beside me, her face grim. "Carter said he'll rush over as soon as the meeting is over. Maybe he can still make it"

I didn't say a word, just placed Leo's tiny urn into the grave.

Just as the stone slab was about to be sealed, a black Porsche screeched to a halt on the path. Carter burst out into the rain. His coat was soaked, the keys were still in the ignition, the engine still running.

"Evelyn! Why didn't you wait for me? I'm Leo's father, too!"

I looked at him calmly, my tone as mild as if I were discussing the weather. "Your work is more important. Leo would understand."

My excessive calm made his face change. He reached for me but froze as whispers erupted from the crowd around us.

"If it weren't for Chloe suddenly running off to Europe back then, Evelyn Hayes would never have had a chance to marry into the Sterling family."

He tried to explain, his voice urgent. "Chloe and I are just friends. I see her as a little sisterD"

I handed him my black umbrella. "I know. It's raining. Don't catch a cold."

With that, I turned to leave.

He chased after me, grabbing my wrist. "If you want to be angry, take it out on me. Don't make a scene like thisD"

His phone rang. He frowned but answered it.

"Carter Oliver is throwing up again. Can you come? I can't handle this alone."

It was Chloe's voice.

Carter glanced at me. Seeing no reaction, he spoke into the phone. "Okay, I'm on my way."

I straightened up. My knees were numb from kneeling by the tombstone for so long, and I swayed.

"Careful!" he said, rushing to steady me.

I regained my balance and gently pulled my hand away. "Go. It's hard when a pet is sick. Drive safe."

I even straightened his collar, smoothing out the rain-soaked lapels.

Carter took the keys, but as he reached his car, he turned back. "I'll be home for dinner tonight."

"Okay. I'll wait for you."

Of course, he never came home.

I made his favorite Beef Wellington and creamy asparagus soup. I waited from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. I reheated the steak three times before finally dumping it all in the trash.

At 2 a.m., Chloe posted a story on Instagram.

With you here, I'm not afraid of anything. Thank you, my guardian angel. ??

The picture was a side profile of CarterDhis brow furrowed in concentration, gently feeding her cat, Oliver, with a dropper.

I liked the post.

Then I sent a message to my parents in San Francisco.

"The divorce papers become final in seven days. About what you said beforeDthe business marriage with the Croft family. I'll do it."

2.

For the next seven days, I practically lived at the company headquarters on Wall Street, numbing my shattered nerves with grueling work.

My colleagues avoided my gaze. I overheard someone whisper in the breakroom, Shes such a workaholic. Her son was just buried, and shes already back.

I ignored them, burying myself in the quarterly financial reports.

Chloe walked by with a Starbucks cup, deliberately stopping at my desk. Her voice was just loud enough for everyone around to hear. Evelyn, remember to take care of yourself. Dont work yourself to death. She paused. Some people are just so dedicated, they dont even have time to notice how sick their own child is.

She was an administrative assistant at Sterling Group, a position Carter had arranged for her.

Carter had never explained the truth about what happened with Dr. Webber that night. He let the rumors spread, letting all the blame fall on me.

I gripped my Montblanc pen.

That afternoon, the founder and chairman of Sterling GroupDCarters father, Harrison SterlingDsummoned me to his private office on the 40th floor.

He leaned back in his leather chair, his voice colder than the New York wind in November. Evelyn, hand over all your executive permissions in the company. Ive already told the legal team to freeze all the trust accounts in your name and Leos. The board will formalize the resolution tomorrow.

I stood frozen.

His eyes burned with a grandfathers unvented rage. The Sterling family doesnt support dead weight. As a mother, you let that happen to your son. What right do you have to be here?

HarrisonD

He shot up from his chair, stormed around the desk, and slapped me across the face. You made my son lose his best friend, you cost me my grandsons life! How dare you say my name!

I staggered back, hitting a bookshelf. My face stung, hot and sharp.

He kept yelling, ranting about the Sterling familys reputation, about how the Davenport deal was at risk because of public opinion on our family values, about what a disgrace I had become.

Just as he raised his hand again, the office door swung open. Carter walked in.

He saw me slumped against the bookshelf, and his face darkened. DadD

What, youre still going to protect her?

Carter stepped between us, his arms spread. If you want to hit someone, hit me.

Harrisons voice trembled with fury, pointing a finger at my nose. Look at this, Carter. Still protecting her. Ive been too soft on you.

The second slap never landed, but I couldnt stand any longer. The world went black, and I collapsed.

I woke up in a private room at Mount Sinai Hospital. Carter was sitting by my bed, head down, idly spinning his car keys.

Chloe she had a rough childhood. Besides me, that cat was all she had. He paused. Cant you just let this one go, for us?

I closed my eyes and said nothing.

Evelyn, lets start over. Ill give you anything you want to make it up to you.

I turned to look at him, my throat tight. And if I say no?

He froze, his brow furrowed. Dont be like this.

I could still feel the burn on my cheek. Im not being difficult, Carter. I just want to know one thingD

Do I even have the right to say no anymore?

3.

His last shred of patience vanished.

Get some rest. Ill check on you later. He left quickly.

The moment the door clicked shut, I heard Chloes voice outside. Carter, is Evelyn okay? Its all my fault. I shouldnt have asked you to take me home.

Carters voice immediately softened. Its not your fault. Shes just being dramatic.

I stared at the ceiling as silent tears slipped from the corners of my eyes, soaking into the pillow.

When Leo first passed, I had cried until I thought I was empty. I thought I had no tears left.

The next day, a driver took me back to our townhouse on the Upper East Side.

As I walked in, I saw Chloe sitting on the living room sofa, laughing and chatting with my mother-in-law. She was holding Oliver, and around the cats neck was a small silver pendant I knew all too wellD

It was the one I had designed for Leos first birthday. It was engraved with his initials: L.S.

After Leo was gone, I donated all his belongings, keeping only that one pendant. It was the only thing I had left of him.

Evelyn, youre back, Chloe said, standing up with her usual gentle smile. Oliver loves this little pendant so much. Carter said since Leo wouldnt be needing it anymore, he could have it.

I said nothing. I walked over and ripped the pendant from the cats neck.

Oliver hissed, his claws digging bloody scratches into the back of my hand.

What do you think youre doing! my mother-in-law shrieked, rushing over. Its just a pendant! Why are you fighting with a cat over it?

Chloes eyes welled with tears. Evelyn, Im sorry, its my fault. If youre upset, take it out on me. Dont scare Oliver.

I clutched the pendant, blood seeping from my fist.

Just then, Carter walked in. His eyes scanned the scene, and his face hardened. What now?

Chloe immediately ran to him, grabbing his arm and bowing her head like a little girl admitting shed done wrong. Its my fault. I shouldnt have given the pendant to Oliver.

Carters gaze fell on me, filled with nothing but blame. Its a pendant. Whats the big deal?

Ignoring my protests, he pried it from my hand and fastened it back around the cats neck.

The whole world doesnt revolve around you, Evelyn.

I stood there, watching him walk away, utterly speechless.

The next day, I went to the office.

My assistant told me that Roger Davenport, the managing partner of Davenport Capital, wanted to see me personally. The deal with the Sterling Group was being reassessed due to all the attention on our family scandal.

I took the files to the conference room.

Davenport was an old-school Southern businessman from Kentucky who loved to talk about traditional values. He looked up at me and said, Mrs. Sterling, I heard you were working late at the office when your child had his incident.

I stood my ground. Mr. Davenport, the situation at that timeD

The situation doesnt matter, he said, waving his hand dismissively. Everyone on Wall Street is talking about it. I have kids of my own. I cant accept that kind of cold-heartedness.

Every executive in the room was staring at me. Carter sat beside me, silent.

Davenport pushed a glass of bourbon toward me. Back in Kentucky, we have a saying: a deal is sealed with bourbon. You drink this, admit in front of everyone that you failed in your family duties, and Ill let this go.

It was three full ounces of straight liquor.

I had a severe stomach ulcer. My doctor had forbidden me from drinking.

I looked at Carter. Once again, he looked away.

Mr. Davenport is offering you a way out. Just take it, he whispered.

I picked up the glass, my hand trembling.

Everyone was waiting to see what I would do. Chloe stood behind Carter, a smug, triumphant smirk playing on her lips.

I took the first sip, a burning fire searing its way down my throat. After the second, my vision blurred. I finished the last drop, slammed the glass upside down on the table, and looked up.

I was wrong. Im sorry.

Mr. Davenport finally smiled. Mrs. Sterling knows how to play ball.

I turned and fled the room, rushing to the restroom where I wretched violently. Blood mixed with alcohol choked me. I clung to the marble countertop, unable to stand.

Carter followed me in, his face pale. Are you okay?

Im fine, I said after rinsing my mouth.

If you cant drink, you shouldnt have pushed yourself.

You told me to.

He was speechless for a moment, then reached out to wipe the blood from my lips. I took a step back.

Mr. Sterling, this is a professional setting.

His hand froze in mid-air.

4.

That afternoon, Harrison summoned me back to his office. A new agreement was laid out on his desk.

You will forfeit all rights to Leos trust fund. Furthermore, your position at Sterling Group is terminated, effective immediately. His tone was cold, as if he were handling a routine administrative task.

This was the opening I had been waiting for.

I picked up the pen to sign.

Just as the nib touched the paper, the door flew open and Carter rushed in.

Dad, dont let her sign.

Harrison frowned. Whats the meaning of this?

Carter took a deep breath, his eyes darting between me and his father, a strange guilt in them. Chloes pregnant.

The pen slipped from my fingers, leaving a long, black streak across the document.

Harrison was stunned for a moment, then slammed his hand on the armrest in excitement. Really?

We just found out. Two months along. Carter, you finally did something right.

Chloe appeared in the doorway at that moment, her head bowed, wearing her signature look of pitiful innocence. Evelyn, Im so sorry.

Harrison had already forgotten about me. He rushed to Chloes side, taking her hand gently. My dear child, come, sit down. You must be tired.

Carter walked over to me, his voice low. This baby we can raise it as our own. You wont have to suffer anymore. Okay?

For the first time, the man in front of me felt like a complete stranger.

The three of them celebrated the coming of a new life. No one noticed as I quietly took the agreement, and my pen, and walked out.

That night, I started packing.

I put away all of Leos photos, keeping only a small negative hidden in my phone case. And the pendant. It was still on Olivers neck. I had to get it back.

I left my bedroom and saw Chloe in the hallway. She was standing at the door of what used to be Leos room, directing movers to bring in a giant cat tree.

This will be Olivers playroom now, she said calmly when she saw me. You dont mind, do you, Evelyn? Its a waste to leave it empty.

I saw her toss Leos pendant into a trash can in the corner of the hallway. My nails dug into my palms.

By the way, Evelyn, theres something I never told you. Chloe turned, her voice still soft and gentle. Leo and Oliver started showing symptoms at the same time that day. Carter he struggled with the decision for a long time.

I froze. Carter had told me he just didnt notice Leos condition in time.

He said Oliver was smaller and might not last long, so he had to be the priority. Leo was a boy, he said. He was sure he could tough it out. Thats what he was thinking.

So it wasnt that he didnt have time.

It was that Leo had been abandoned.

I silently wiped away my last tear, fished the small silver pendant from the trash, and walked out of that mansion without looking back.

When Carter got home, he was carrying a mille crepe cake from Lady MDmy favorite. It had been a long time since hed remembered to buy one. Evelyn, dont be mad, okay?

He searched the entire house but couldnt find me.

Finally, on the dining room table, he found a document.

The divorce agreement, already signed with both our names.

His hands started to tremble. A second later, he collapsed onto the floor.