Divorcing My Ungrateful Husband,After His Secretary Destroyed My Lives

The brand-new Rolls-Royce Cullinan I'd just picked up had been driven off by Thaddeus James's secretary and smashed so badly the front end was crushed beyond recognition. Totaled.

That made three cars this month.

I let the first two slide, but this one wasn't even insured yet. How exactly do you plan to pay me back?

Cecily Sawyer shrank into herself, tears streaming down her face like a wounded lamb.

Mrs. James, I'm so sorry. I'll sell everything I own to pay you back.

Thaddeus, who had always done whatever I told him, pulled Cecily behind him and turned on me with a sharp glare.

Michelle Farley, seriously? It's just a car. I'll pay for it.

Cecily, who had been trembling with fear just seconds ago, saw me reach for the card Thaddeus held out and slapped it right out of my hand.

Mrs. James, every dollar you spend comes from Mr. James. How do you have the nerve to take his money?

Thaddeus let out a soft laughShe's always been this greedy.

I looked down at my supplementary card lying on the floor and smiled.

When a man stops behaving, you replace him. Expecting him to change is a lost cause.

On my way out of Thaddeus's office, I called my assistant.

Freeze every Farley Bank card in the James family's possession. Effective immediately.

That afternoon, I'd gotten an unexpected call from the dealership.

Ms. Farley, your Cullinan sustained severe damage. Repairs would cost a fortune, so we'd recommend writing it off entirely.

My mind went blankWhat?

Your husband had it towed in and asked us to bill the repairs to your account. Given how bad the damage is, I wanted to confirm with you directly.

I grabbed a cab to the dealership right away, and what I saw was my beautiful new car, mangled beyond recognition.

This Cullinan was the latest model, fresh off the line.

Glossy black, understated yet unmistakably luxurious.

I had loved it.

I'd only driven it once, and now it was dead.

No surprise there. This was the handiwork of Thaddeus's precious secretary, again.

I left the dealership and went straight to the office, walking right into Thaddeus's room without stopping.

He and Cecily were leaning over the same contract, their bodies pressed together.

My sudden entrance startled Cecily, and she sprang away from him.

Mrs. James, you should knock before entering Mr. James's office.

I ignored her and looked straight at Thaddeus.

You took my Cullinan again and let Cecily use it for driving practice?

Thaddeus was perfectly calm, as if he'd been expecting me to come storming in.

Babe, why so worked up? It's just a car.

Two weeks ago, you took my SUV and lent it to Cecily for practice. Within a day, she drove it into a tree. Totaled.

Last week, you took my Bentley. Cecily drove it straight into a river. She climbed out just fine, but my car sank to the bottom.

Now you gave her my brand-new Cullinan, and she wrecked that one too.

Three cars destroyed in one month, and she walks away without a scratch every single time. I have every reason to believe she's doing it on purpose.

Babe, Cecily just got her license. Bad driving is totally normal. That's exactly why she needs more practice.

You can't just assume she did it on purpose because the cars are wrecked and she's fine. She survived because she's lucky, that's all.

I let out a cold laugh.

Three major accidents and she walks away from all of them? Lucky is an understatement.

After the first two times she destroyed my cars, I told you. Your secretary wants to practice driving, fine, but not in my cars.

And now you went ahead and gave her my Cullinan. Did you even ask me?

Thaddeus flashed me a lazy, shameless grin.

Babe, what's yours is mine.

I turned to Cecily.

I let the first two slide. This one wasn't even insured yet. How exactly do you plan to pay me back?

Cecily looked like a startled fawn, her wide eyes instantly glazing over with tears.

She hunched her shoulders, fat teardrops rolling down her cheeks.

Mrs. James, I'm so sorry. I'll pay you back even if it costs me everything I have.

The car was eight million dollars.

I I

Cecily trembled even harder.

Thaddeus pulled her behind him in one swift motion, his tall frame shielding her completely.

Michelle, seriously? It's just a car. I'll pay for her!

He pulled out a black card and held it out to me.

Take my card and go buy another one!

Even if Cecily wrecked ten more Cullinans, I could cover it!

My fingertips had barely touched the card when Cecily reached over and slapped it to the ground.

Mrs. James, every cent you spend comes from Mr. James. How do you have the nerve to take his money?

Thaddeus let out a soft laughShe's always been this greedy.

I looked at my own supplementary card lying on the floor and smiled.

Using my money to reimburse me, then calling me greedy.

The whole reason I chose to marry Thaddeus was because he was obedient.

But now? Ha.

Thaddeus, you've stopped being a good boy.

Thaddeus froze.

I didn't pick up the card. It was about to become a useless piece of plastic anyway.

I turned and walked out of Thaddeus's office, dialing my assistant immediately.

Cancel every Farley Bank card in the James family's possession. Effective now.

I hung up, drove straight to the dealership, and picked up a Rolls-Royce Phantom on the spot. Then I took it for a spin.

My phone rang nonstop the entire time. All Thaddeus. I didn't answer a single call.

By the time I got home that evening, the whole James family was waiting.

Thaddeus's parents and his sister.

I hadn't even had a chance to take off my shoes before Jacqueline James started in on me.

Sweetie, I hate to say this, but your husband's secretary accidentally wrecked your car. Over something that trivial, you canceled the whole family's cards?

Right? I took my friends to karaoke this afternoon and my card got declined at checkout. You have no idea how humiliating that was. I wanted to crawl under the table!

Jordan James let out a disapproving gruntThaddeus has been too good to you. Spoiled you rotten.

Thaddeus wrapped his arms around me, his voice going softBabe, stop being difficult. Just restore everybody's cards and no one will hold it against you.

Ellie James piped upSince it's your first offense, we'll let it go this time. But what you did was completely out of line. Pull this again and Mom and Dad won't be so forgiving.

Don't say I didn't warn you. Push them too far, and my brother might just leave you!

I let out a quiet laughThaddeus, your little secretary told me every cent I spend comes from you. You didn't correct her. You even called me greedy.

Fine then. From now on, we all spend our own money. Nobody freeloads off anyone.

Ever since I married Thaddeus, every member of the James family had carried a Farley Bank black card with no spending limit.

Their combined monthly charges ran into nine figures.

I had never said a word about it.

Now I was going to make Thaddeus understand that everything I gave, I could take back just as easily.

Thaddeus's tone softened considerablyBabe, this isn't the office. At least leave me some dignity.

I gave his chest a light patYou can't have it both ways. You were so tough at the office, so stay tough. All the way through.

Ellie planted her hands on her hipsYou know what, Michelle? Looks like you have no intention of restoring our cards. You better not regret this!

I didn't even spare her a glance. Regret? Please.

The next morning, a racket of clanging and banging drifted up from downstairs, loud enough to drag me out of sleep.

Every servant in the house knew I was a light sleeper. None of them would ever make that kind of noise.

I came downstairs to find the entire James family already gathered.

A familiar figure was bustling around the kitchen. Cecily Sawyer.

The moment she spotted me, she flashed a bright, picture-perfect smile.

Morning, Mrs. James! Breakfast is almost ready.

My brow furrowed immediately.

Ellie sauntered over, arms crossedYou should take notes from Cecily, Michelle. Look how thoughtful she is, getting up early to make breakfast for my brother.

How much does your brother pay her, and how much does he pay me?

You!

Cecily carried a large bowl of soup to the tableMrs. James, if you don't know how to cook, I'd be happy to teach you.

After all, you're a full-time wife. You really should be taking better care of your husband.

Oh, and that Rolls-Royce Phantom parked in the driveway is yours, right? Mr. James spoils you so much, buying you such an expensive car.

I truly envy you, having such a wonderful husband. I'm not as lucky. Everything I have, I had to earn on my own.

Ellie jumped right inExactly! You've been in this family three years, Michelle, and we've never once eaten a meal you cooked!

She's right, Michelle. I really don't want to say this, but as a daughter-in-law, you've been a complete failure.

Mom, then who do you think qualifies? Cecily?

Sure, she's better at waiting on people. She can drag herself out of bed at dawn to cook for the whole family, hang on your every word, and keep all of you happy.

But can she hand each of you a black card with no spending limit? Can she put you up in a mansion that looks like a palace? Can she buy you luxury cars, hire private drivers, and make sure you never have to walk a single step?

Jacqueline's mouth opened and closed with nothing coming out. Cecily, still holding a plate halfway to the table, went rigid.

I walked right up to CecilyI'm not the kind of housewife who depends on a man for money, which is clearly what you assumed. If you'd bothered to look into the Farley family even once, you wouldn't have the nerve to stand here running your mouth.

The color drained from Cecily's face. She clearly hadn't expected me to come back this hard.

Jordan slammed his palm on the tableThat's enough! You make it sound like this entire family depends on you to survive!

Dad, since you feel you don't need me, then perfect. Stop using the Farley cards.

I sat down and took a bite of one of Cecily's rollsNot very good. Miles behind what our private chef makes.

But if you all love her cooking so much, have her come make breakfast every day. The chef can just prepare mine from now on.

Ellie's voice dripped with fake sweetnessYou should be worried, Michelle. Cecily is younger than you, prettier than you, and more devoted than you. Keep acting this ungrateful and my brother will trade up!

I turned to ThaddeusYou want a divorce? Fine. Bring me the papers. I'll sign right now.

Thaddeus shot Ellie a glare, then hurried behind me and started kneading my shoulders.

Honey, don't be mad. Ellie doesn't know what she's saying. Don't stoop to her level.

He waved everyone toward the tableCome on, let's eat before everything gets cold.

The second we sat down, Cecily put on her wounded-puppy actMr. James, I'm still so sorry about last time, wrecking your wife's car like that.

My driving is just awful. I don't know why I'm so clumsy!

Thaddeus was all sweetnessIt's fine, you just need more practice. Every good driver started somewhere.

But your car's shared with the family, and there's no other one for me to practice on.

I really liked Mrs. Farley's Phantom, but she probably won't lend it to me again.

If you already know I won't lend it, you shouldn't have brought it up. Oh, and honey, you still haven't paid me back for my Cullinan. If I don't see that money soon, I might just have to sue your little secretary.

The smile on Thaddeus's face froze. He recovered quickly, coaxing meBabe, when have I ever shortchanged you? Once the company's dividends come through this month, I'll transfer it right away.

Ellie grinned, smug as everMy brother's company has been killing it the past two years, and it's about to go public. So don't get too full of yourself, sis. Even without you, our family would still be high society.

Go to the bank and get your own cards, then set up authorized cards for the whole family. We don't even want Michelle's cards anymore. Even if she begs us to use them, we won't!

The truth was, without the Farley family backing him, Thaddeus's company would have folded years ago.

But the Jameses would never see it. Without me, they were nothing more than nobodies scraping the bottom.

I'm going to the spa with my best friend today. Don't wait up for dinner.

The moment I left the house, I contacted a private investigator to look into Cecily.

That girl wasn't subtle. She wanted to replace me.

Thaddeus knew exactly what she was after, but he played dumb because he enjoyed it. He loved the attention, the way a younger woman fawned over him.

They deserved each other.

I was mid-facial at the spa with my best friend when a notification hit my phone. Twelve million dollars charged to my bank card at a dealership.

That number was the exact price of a Rolls-Royce Phantom.

I dug through my bag immediately. Sure enough, one of my cards was missing.

Seconds later, Cecily posted on social media. In the photo, she leaned against a brand-new Phantom, beaming like she'd won the lottery.

The caption readFound myself the most amazing boss ever! My driving's terrible, so he bought me a brand-new car to practice with!

Apparently worried I might miss it, Cecily sent the photo directly to me.

Mrs. Farley, I won't need to borrow your car anymore! Mr. James was afraid I'd damage yours again, so he just bought me a new one.

He told me to drive it however I want. If I wreck it, he'll buy me another one.

My best friend noticed the look on my face and askedWhat happened? What's wrong?

Nothing much. Just someone stealing twelve million dollars off my card.

Come on. Help me go catch a thief.

We headed straight to Thaddeus's office. By the time we arrived, they'd just gotten back too.

Cecily lit up the second she saw meMrs. Farley! Are you here to see my new car? It's nothing special, really. Identical to yours. Oh wait, actually, mine has the higher trim.

Thaddeus didn't look even slightly guilty. If anything, he was self-righteous about it.

Babe, you wouldn't lend Cecily your car, so what was I supposed to do? I had to get her a new one.

Honestly, Mrs. Farley, if you'd just lent me the car in the first place, Mr. James wouldn't have had to spend all that money. Don't you think?

She arched an eyebrow and leaned in so close she was practically in my face, all but dancing with satisfaction.

But the very next second, bodyguards in black swept through the door, wrenched her arms behind her back, and slammed her against the wall.