Vivienne's Grace

It was our tenth anniversary.

Caleb Sterling, the CEO of Sterling Global, announced his newest fragrance at a massive launch party.

He stood on the stage and told the world the perfume was named Vivienne's Grace.

Moments later, his secretary, Vivienne Brooks, posted on her social media.

This is the best birthday gift I've ever received. Thank you, Caleb! I'm so touched!

Caleb commented right below her post.

"May you stay eighteen forever, uniquely beautiful."

I didn't call him in a frenzy to demand answers like I used to.

Instead, I calmly set my phone down.

After ten years of struggling in this relationship, I was finally exhausted.

Caleb walked through the door just as I was finishing my bowl of soup and washing the dishes.

It was the first time I hadn't waited for him to eat.

It was already ten p.m.

He was two hours later than the time he promised in his text.

Caleb bit his lip, looking guilty as he handed me a designer gift box.

"Lyra, happy tenth anniversary."

Inside was the company's newest releaseDVivienne's Grace.

"The launch kept me busy, so I forgot to check in with you," he said.

I glanced at the bottle without opening it. I already knew exactly what it smelled like.

The heavy scent of jasmineDVivienne's signatureDwas already clinging to Caleb's suit.

It made my head spin.

In the past, I would have thrown my arms around him and kissed him.

I would have posted photos to make everyone else jealous that I had the limited edition first.

But today, looking at Caleb's nervous face, I felt nothing.

"Thanks. Just put it over there," I said flatly.

He looked stunned by my coldness, shifting uncomfortably.

Caleb waited for a while, likely expecting me to bring him a warm meal.

When I didn't move, he walked into the kitchen and saw the empty pot.

"Lyra, didn't you make my favorite chicken soup to settle my stomach?"

Before I married him, I didn't know the first thing about cooking.

But Caleb had a weak stomach.

After we got married, I saw him working late and drinking at business dinners, so I learned to make him healing soups.

I had done it every single day for four years.

This time, I just turned around and poured him a glass of lukewarm water.

"Water works just as well. Remember to wash the glass when you're done."

He frowned at me, clearly confused by the sudden change in my behavior.

It was funny, because I didn't understand why he would betray our marriage either.

Last night, I overheard him on the phone discussing the name for the new perfume.

I thought I heard a name that sounded like mine.

For a moment, I truly believed it was a romantic tribute to our ten years together.

I had told him years ago that I wanted a scent made just for me.

This morning, he told me to stay home and wait for him to pick me up for dinner.

I spent all day getting ready, doing my hair and makeup with a heart full of hope.

He never showed up. Instead, I saw the headlines.

"Sterling Global CEO Caleb Sterling Announces New Limited Edition Fragrance: Vivienne's Grace."

"The CEO says this scent was tailor-made for the love of his life to commemorate a special bond."

The comments were full of people swooning over how romantic he was.

It turned out the name was for Vivienne, not for me.

Then came Vivienne's post with a photo of her clinging to Caleb's arm at the gala.

Caleb's comment about her staying eighteen and beautiful felt like a serrated blade across my heart.

The pain was sharp and constant.

I finished my shower and headed to bed, but Caleb suddenly grabbed my wrist.

His brow was furrowed as he stared at me.

"Are you really going to sleep already?"

Through my thin nightgown, his palm felt scorching. His breathing hitched.

I knew this was his way of trying to make up.

Usually, I would have played along and satisfied him.

But tonight, I was too tired for his games.

I closed my eyes and spoke in a chilly tone. "Not tonight. I'm not feeling well."

I ignored his shocked expression and shut the bedroom door.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand.

It was a message from my old mentor currently living in Florence.

"Lyra, your latest work just won the International Sculpture Design Award! Are you sure you won't reconsider coming abroad?"

"I really want you to be my partner here. It would be a crime to let your talent rot in that house."

I typed back immediately.

"I'm coming to Florence as soon as I wrap things up here."

"I won't break my promise this time."

Six months ago, she had invited me to a month-long competition in Italy.

I had discussed it with Caleb, and he agreed I should go.

After I submitted my pieces, I turned down her offer to stay.

I booked the earliest flight home.

I made up a hundred excuses: the food was too rich, I missed home, I felt like an outsider.

But the truth was, I just couldn't stand being away from Caleb.

I had only been gone for a month, and he had managed to end up in the hospital because he didn't take care of himself.

In the ten years we had been togetherDsix years of dating and four of marriageDthat was the longest we had ever been apart.

My friends always asked me what kind of spell Caleb had cast on me.

They wondered why a talented artist like me was content playing the doting housewife.

I used to laugh and say, "Because he saved my life. I owe him everything."

The first time I met Caleb, I was at my lowest.

I had been falsely accused of plagiarizing a major project, and my world was ending.

I was holding a blade to my wrist in a dark studio, ready to end the pain.

He was the one who grabbed the blade, his voice shaking. "I believe you."

The knife had sliced his hand open, and blood was everywhere.

I was so terrified I dropped the weapon.

For years, I would kiss the scar on his hand with pure devotion.

He helped me find the real culprit and cleared my name with the board.

Because of him, I could walk in the sun again.

From that day on, we were inseparable.

I stayed by his side for ten years, from his days as a broke student to his position as a billionaire CEO.

I never imagined that Caleb would be the one to break his promise.

He promised me his love, but he gave it to someone else.

My mentor called me, clearly worried I'd flake out again.

Before she could speak, I said, "I'll be there in a week."

She was silent for a long moment.

"Good. I'll be waiting for you."

A few minutes later, she sent another text.

"Lyra, there is a whole new world waiting for you out there."

The next morning, Caleb was actually in the kitchen making breakfast.

When he saw me, he acted as if nothing was wrong. "Go wash up. Breakfast is ready."

He had made a steaming bowl of seafood chowder.

He filled a large bowl for me, looking at me with expectant eyes.

In our four years of marriage, he had never once cooked for me.

I only knew he was capable of it because of Vivienne's social media.

She would post about him making her herbal tea when she had cramps.

She would post about him packing her snacks and sunscreen for trips.

He would surprise her with her favorite ice cream on hot days.

He never forgot her birthday or any minor holiday.

Just like this time, she had probably pouted and said she wanted a signature perfume.

I had forgotten that our tenth anniversary was also Vivienne's birthday.

I stayed up all night scrolling through her feed.

I felt like a thief peeking into someone else's happiness, watching it over and over.

"Lyra, what are you staring at? Eat it while it's hot."

I stirred the bowl with a spoon but didn't take a bite.

Caleb looked confused.

I pointed at the large shrimp in the bowl. "I'm allergic to shellfish, Caleb."

Years ago, I had accidentally eaten shrimp and ended up in the ER.

Caleb had knelt by my hospital bed, a grown man crying like a child.

"Lyra, please don't leave me..." he had begged.

Now, I stood up to leave. His face went pale. "Lyra, if you don't like it, I can make something else. Just tell me what you want."

I shook my head. "Don't bother. I have to get to work."

I glanced at a pink thermal container on the counter.

Inside was more chowder, but the onions and herbs had been meticulously strained out.

That was when the difference between his love for me and his love for her became blindingly clear.

Vivienne had posted last night:

"Can't wait for delicious seafood chowder at the office tomorrow! But I hate the onions and herbs in it."

Caleb's brow snapped together. His patience was finally wearing thin.

He grabbed my arm as I headed for the door. "Lyra, are you seriously still mad about yesterday?"

"The launch was hectic. I didn't have time to call. I gave you the new perfume as an apology, what more do you want?"

"You used to be supportive of my career. What the hell is this tantrum about?"

When I used to be suspicious, he called me annoying.

Now that I didn't care anymore, why was he the one getting angry?

I had spent our marriage being his shadow, his unpaid maid.

I watched him eat his soup, ran his baths, and picked up his dirty laundry late at night.

I would do all that and still get up early to make him breakfast before my own job.

I must have been insane to enjoy it.

It all started changing the night a young girl in a pencil skirt dropped a drunk Caleb off at the door.

She had wide, teary eyes and looked terrified.

"Ma'am, Mr. Sterling drank too much. I just wanted to make sure he got home safe."

The smell of jasmine wafted off her, making my stomach turn.

Before she left, she added me on social media, saying she was the new secretary and didn't want to get fired for making mistakes.

She asked me for a list of Caleb's habits and preferences.

I felt sorry for the girl, so I helped her.

The next morning, as I tied Caleb's tie, I told him not to be so hard on the new girl.

Caleb had looked uncomfortable but said nothing.

Now I realize every red flag was right in front of my face.

I looked at him calmly. "Caleb, I want a divD"

I was cut off by a specific ringtone on his phone.

Caleb let go of my arm and answered immediately.

Vivienne's voice came through, high-pitched and playful.

"Caleb! Where are you? I'm starving at the office!"

"Oh, and I want those specialty donuts. Can you pick some up on your way in?"

His voice turned soft and doting. "You little glutton. If you gain weight, don't you dare blame me."

"I'm young, my metabolism is fast! Anyway, was Lyra mad that you stayed late for my birthday? If she is, I'll buy her dinner to apologize..."

Caleb suddenly remembered I was standing right there.

His face went white, a flicker of panic and guilt crossing his eyes.

I just grabbed my bag and walked out without a word.

He hung up quickly and chased after me with the thermal container.

"Lyra, wait! Don't get the wrong idea. There's nothing between me and Vivienne."

"Yesterday was just her birthday, so the whole team went out to celebrate."

"And the perfume name? That was a gift from the whole design department. She worked hard on the launch..."

Did he really think I was that stupid?

A secretary who had been there for a few months didn't get a luxury perfume named after her by a whole department.

That was the CEO's doing, plain and simple.

Caleb didn't realize that his ears turned red every time he lied to me.

He offered to drive me to work, but then his phone rang again. Vivienne needed him for something else.

I didn't care what the excuse was this time.

A crashed computer, a broken glass, a sick catDhe fell for it every single time.

When I got to my office, I handed in my resignation.

Then, I printed out the divorce papers.

After work, I drove toward his office to confront him.

My phone buzled with a new post from Vivienne.

It was a video of her and Caleb at a concert I had been dying to see.

They were kissing passionately in the middle of the crowd.

The caption read: "The one who isn't loved is the real intruder."

I felt a wave of nausea.

I had spent months trying to get tickets to that concert.

Caleb told me to give my tickets to a "client."

It turns out the client was Vivienne.

I pulled into the underground parking lot and saw his familiar car.

It was rocking rhythmically.

As I approached, I saw them through the window.

Vivienne was sitting on Caleb's lap, her legs wrapped around his waist.

Caleb had his eyes closed, a look of pure bliss on his face.

My heart was already dead, but seeing this still made it hard to breathe.

Vivienne spotted me outside the glass.

She didn't stop. Instead, she leaned back and let out a loud, theatrical moan.

I felt like I was going to throw up. I actually gagged.

Caleb heard the noise and looked up, his eyes widening in horror.