Divorcing My Cheating Husband, Bankrupting His Empire

The Bali trip we'd promised ourselves on our honeymoon.

Put off year after year.

In the third year, it was finally happening.

I was so excited I'd packed three days early and rushed to the airport.

Only to find my husband's female buddy was there too.

Meeting my puzzled stare, Brendan Harding explained himself without a shred of guilt.

"There were only two tickets left, and Victoria Delgado really wanted to see Bali, so I went ahead and bought hers first."

"How about you grab another ticket tomorrow and meet us there? Or, you know, wait for next time."

Next time again.

But I didn't want to wait anymore.

I waved at the two of them. "Safe travels."

Then I turned and called my father.

"Dad, I'd like to borrow your private helicopter. I want to go to Bali for a few days."

"Also, that three-hundred-million investment we made in Brendan a while back, pull it."

After I hung up.

I looked toward the entrance, at the two of them laughing and chatting.

Brendan was carrying Victoria's bags like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Every bag, big and small, slung over his own shoulders.

Victoria, in a flowing bohemian dress, draped herself across him and, in her excitement, planted a kiss right on his cheek.

"You really are my best buddy. Could you be any more loyal?"

"I just said I wanted to go to Bali, and you ditched your wife without blinking. I knew I had you pegged right! What a stand-up guy."

"But your wife, left behind out here, she won't be mad, will she?"

Victoria turned and shot me a smug glance.

"Women are all like that, getting upset over nothing, such a pain to coax."

Brendan chuckled.

"What's there to worry about? My wife's easygoing. She doesn't get mad that easily."

"Otherwise, how do you think I've brought you breakfast every single day for two years, never the same thing twice?"

"My wife just isn't the jealous type. Set your mind at ease and have a great time in Bali."

Right.

Every breakfast, Brendan would prepare two portions, one for me, one for his "female buddy."

But every single time, mine was just donuts and a plain roll.

Hers was balanced, lean protein and organic vegetables.

One day I happened to catch a glimpse, and Brendan explained it coolly.

"She's on a diet. This is all she can have."

I was different, of course.

He always insisted, without a hint of doubt, that I had a good appetite, that I wasn't picky, so any breakfast would do.

Even the gifts. Mine was a cheap mug you could buy online for ten bucks.

Hers were carefully chosen, Chanel, La Mer.

In the past, I let it go because I didn't care.

But that didn't mean I'd let them treat me like a fool.

I stood there, letting the thoughts churn through my head.

Brendan reached the corner, then suddenly turned back and waved at me.

"Head home now, Peggy Gilbert."

"I'll call you once we land."

Victoria curled her lips at me, pleased with herself, and gave Brendan's shoulder a pat.

"Don't worry, Peggy! I'll take good care of Brendan for you!"

I watched their backs disappear around the corner.

No reaction. I turned and walked out of the airport.

The moment I got home, a message popped up on my phone.

It was from Brendan.

"You behaved well today, no fuss."

"Good girl, Peggy. When I get back from Bali, I'll bring you a souvenir you'll love."

I stared at the message for a few seconds.

Then another post lit up on my social media feed.

Victoria had just posted it.

Airport terminal, Victoria flashing a peace sign, beaming as she leaned in close to Brendan.

The caption read: "Taking off on a spur-of-the-moment trip with the best brother in the whole world! Wives are like clothes, brothers are like limbs. Thanks to a certain someone for being so understanding~ heart you!"

Plenty of people had liked it, all mutual friends.

Someone had commented underneath: "Huh? So where's your brother's wife, Peggy? She didn't make a scene about this?"

Victoria had replied with an innocent little emoji: "No idea~ maybe she's working overtime."

I scrolled past the post, my face giving nothing away, and closed the app.

Another message came in from Brendan.

"Did you see Victoria's post? She wants to hit 999 likes as a little challenge. Peggy, go give her a like too."

I didn't respond.

Five minutes later, Brendan sent a few more.

"Why aren't you answering? Did you fall asleep?"

"Okay, well, get some rest tonight."

"I'm not there to pour your water and soak your feet for you, so remember to run yourself some hot water and take care of yourself."

"Love you, wifey."

He even tacked on a cute little cartoon sticker at the end.

I just found it laughable.

In the past, I never had the heart to let him down. Every message he sent, I answered without fail.

But this time, not only did I not bother to reply.

I went straight to his pinned chat and unpinned it, then tossed my phone aside and went to shower.

After all, tomorrow I'd be touching down in Bali by helicopter.

Off to a trip that was mine and mine alone.

As for whether anyone would pour my water and soak my feet, that had always been a trivial little thing that didn't matter.

Just as I burrowed under the covers, my phone buzzed again.

This time it was Katherine James, my father's assistant.

"Peggy, the helicopter route's been approved. We take off from the city at ten tomorrow morning, expected to land at Denpasar Airport in Bali around four in the afternoon."

"The pilot is Bryan. He's flown this route several times, so you can rest easy."

I replied, "Good."

Not even five minutes later, Katherine sent another.

"The boss asked me to check with you, are you serious about pulling the investment? Over eighty million is already in Mr. Harding's project. If you withdraw now, the upfront capital might"

"Pull it."

I replied with just two words.

My father's call came through right after.

"Peggy, what's going on?"

"I was in meetings all day, didn't get the chance to ask you. The investment was doing perfectly fine, so why pull it out of nowhere?"

Two years ago, when Brendan's cross-border e-commerce venture hit a cash crunch.

I was the one who went to my father for the funding.

At the time, my father didn't want to do it. He said Brendan was unreliable, the kind of man who started strong and fizzled out, not someone cut out for anything big.

That flat refusal, to his face, made Brendan's eyes go red as he said:

"Peggy, your father looks down on me. That's fine. I'll earn this investment on my own merit and bring the company back from the dead."

He turned and walked out, throwing himself into the schmoozing, working contacts even to the point of bleeding ulcers, all to reel in investors.

It was me, aching for him, who went to my father again and again to put in a word for Brendan.

I said how hard it was for someone just starting out, and asked my father to give him a hand for his son-in-law's sake.

My father couldn't win against me, and he couldn't stand to see me cry.

With a sigh, he put in eighty million under the identity of a mysterious investor, on the condition that Brendan had to show real results within three years, or there'd be no follow-up funding.

After that, Brendan was unstoppable.

The returns rolled in like a snowball, growing bigger and bigger.

Just last month, Brendan urgently needed to scale up operations and came asking for another three hundred million.

My father agreed to that too.

But now

I lifted my head and looked out at the lonely moon beyond the window. Right at this moment, Brendan was off in Bali with Victoria, watching the sea. Or maybe clinking glasses, laughing the night away.

Whether he lived free and easy or crawled through the wreckage of his own life, what did it have to do with me anymore?

"It's nothing serious," I said. "I just don't want to keep the money in."

The line went quiet for a few seconds.

"If you say pull out, then we pull out."

"But sweetheart, did someone hurt you?"

"No." I smiled a little. "I just want to clear my head in Bali. Lend me the helicopter and I'll handle the rest myself."

"A helicopter? If you wanted the stars out of the sky, your dad would climb up and grab them for you."

He sighed. "But Peggy, I have to be straight with you. That Brendan kid, I never thought much of him from the start. You insisted on marrying him, and I couldn't stop you."

"But if he's really done something to wrong you, you tell your dad..."

"I know."

After I hung up, I sat on the cold bed, lost in thought.

The truth was, I'd been to every city around Bali, more times than I could count.

Only Bali itself I'd never set foot in.

It was a dreamlike island, romantic enough that I'd kept it untouched, never daring to go.

Telling myself that one day I'd go there with the person I truly loved.

So the year we married, I booked our honeymoon for Bali.

But that year Brendan never made it, because Victoria had surgery and he was busy taking care of the Delgado parents.

Watching my face fall, he coaxed me with all his patience.

"Peggy, Mr. and Mrs. Delgado did so much for me before. They even paid my way through college."

"Now their daughter's sick. I can't just turn my back on her. I have to help out a little, at least. I hope you'll understand."

"Besides, it's only a trip to Bali, right? We can go anytime. I promise I'll take you next time, okay?"

At least his attitude was decent, and a few words were all it took to smooth me over.

So I agreed to the next year.

But the next year, the same thing, derailed because Victoria got kidnapped by criminals.

Brendan said, eyes rimmed red.

"Victoria's safety matters more."

"A lifetime is so long. Does it really matter when we go to Bali?"

So, it fell through again.

The third year, Brendan finally gave in and agreed.

I thought I could finally take a trip with him, just the two of us.

But then Victoria said she wanted to come.

And he dropped me.

Went off with his "girl buddy" instead.

Why bother?

Cheapening myself like that for some hollow, illusory love.

See? Even without a man, I made it to Bali on my own anyway.

The next morning, I was just heading to my father's private airfield.

When Brendan sent another video.

It was from the night before, at a hotel near Bali, Brendan holding his phone, filming the ocean at night.

Victoria's voice came through, crystal clear.

"Wow! It's gorgeous! Brendan, hurry, get it, get it! And get me in the shot too..."

Brendan laughed. "Got it, got it. Keep your voice down, everyone around us is staring."

"Let them stare. I came out to have fun with my best buddy. It's not against the law."

The camera jolted, catching Victoria in a soaked long dress, walking toward him with a smile.

Then it cut off.

Right after, Brendan sent a text.

"Morning, Peggy. Sharing the Bali night view with you."

"Victoria picked this hotel. It's really beautiful. We should stay here next time."

Looking at that line, I suddenly let out a small laugh.

There wouldn't be a next time.

At ten past four in the afternoon, the helicopter touched down on the VIP pad at Bali's Denpasar Airport.

The ground crew was already waiting, ready to help Bryan Chavez and me through immigration.

Bryan asked me, "Miss Gilbert, which hotel are you staying at? I'll drop you off."

"That won't be necessary."

I kept my tone polite. "I'll just grab a cab. Find somewhere to rest. I'll let you know when I'm ready to head back."

Bryan didn't push it.

I stepped out of the airport, and the warm, humid air rolled over me.

Coconut trees, palm fronds, local women with frangipani tucked behind their ears, and that scent of freedom hanging in the air.

Everything was exactly the way I'd imagined it.

I pulled out my phone, turned on my location, and searched for hotels nearby.

That was when a startled voice came from behind me.

"Peggy?"

"What are you doing in Bali?"

Seeing me show up in Bali too, the two of them, strolling arm in arm up from the shore, stopped dead in their tracks.

Brendan recovered first and let out a couple of laughs.

"Peggy, I didn't realize you were this clingy. Booking a ticket the next day just to chase after me. Fine, go get this stuff sorted out first."

He tossed the tent straight at me, telling me to go pitch it.

I stayed where I was, not moving an inch.

"You've got it wrong."

"I just happened to come to Bali."

I wasn't traveling with them, and I hadn't come looking for them.

When I turned and started walking toward another tent that was already set up,

Brendan's face darkened at once, and he came striding toward me.

"Peggy, so I didn't buy your ticket yesterday, big deal. You showed up in Bali anyway, didn't you? What's with the attitude?"

"I just asked you to pitch a tent. Is that really worth that cold, sour face?"

I lifted my eyes coldly.

Before I could say a word, Victoria rushed in to play peacemaker.

"Oh, come on, Peggy, you're here now, so don't be mad."

She said it with a grin. "Brendan and I made a promise back in college. The two of us were going to take a trip to Bali together someday!"

"Don't go getting jealous just because I'm a woman. We're really just buddies, nothing more."

As she spoke, she reached out and patted Brendan's shoulder. "See? Your wife still cares about you. She came chasing all the way out here, didn't she?"

Brendan said nothing, but the expression on his face softened a little.

He glanced at me, his tone gentler than before.

"All right, you're here, that's what matters. Get the tent up first. I'll take Victoria for a walk along the beach and be back soon."

With that, he turned to leave.

"Brendan."

He looked back, surprised. "What is it?"

"I said I didn't chase after you."

I said it word by word. "I came to Bali because I've wanted to come for three years."

"Not because you happened to be here."

"As for that tent of yours, whoever wants to pitch it can pitch it. Don't come bothering me."

The air went quiet for a few seconds.

Victoria bit down on her straw, glancing from me to Brendan, the smile slipping off her face.

Brendan stared at me for a long moment, then suddenly let out a laugh.

"Sure."

He nodded, an indescribable irritation in his voice.

"You didn't chase after me. You just happened to show up in Bali today, happened to end up on this exact beach, happened to run into us. Peggy, do you really think I'd buy that?"

His tone was laced with mockery, but I only answered flatly.

"Believe it or not, that's up to you."

I turned to leave. Brendan glanced around, his gaze landing on the space behind me.

"Where's your luggage?"

Brendan frowned. "You came to Bali alone and didn't even bring a suitcase?"

I had a single backpack slung over my shoulder, light enough that I hardly looked like someone here on vacation.

"Peggy, can't you make life a little easier on people for once?"

"You didn't say a word before flying out to Bali. You haven't answered a single message since yesterday."

"And now you show up out of nowhere, not even any luggage. You didn't give me and Victoria any chance to prepare."

My eyes drifted to the white wedding dress behind Victoria, and a faint, amused smile crossed my lips.

"Prepare for what?"

"Did I interrupt the little destination wedding you two were throwing here?"

"Peggy!"

Brendan's face went cold as he cut me off. "Could you not talk in that snide tone of yours?"

"Then where did the wedding dress come from?"

"Didn't you say Victoria was just your good buddy? It's a vacation in Bali. Why bring a wedding dress?"

Brendan let out an exasperated breath. "Victoria saw other people taking bridal photos and got a little envious, that's all. It's just photos. Do you have to make a federal case out of everything?"

"Brendan, why are you being so harsh with your wife!"

Victoria stood off to the side, frowning as she fussed with the tent, then suddenly spoke up, all sweet understanding.

"Peggy, if you don't feel like pitching the tent yourself, I can have Brendan do it for you."

"Though you know how he is. Clumsy hands. Last time he tried to put together a queen bed at my place, he assembled the whole thing backwards. A tent's probably beyond him too."

She made it sound offhand, but every word carried a barb.

I didn't answer. I just slipped on my earbuds and ignored her.

Brendan gave a cold snort.

"Forget it, don't bother with her. Let's see how she manages on her own."

"Victoria, let's go take our photos."

Four-thirty in the afternoon.

The sea breeze rolled in off the water, salty and damp.

The beach was filling upsome people splashing in the surf, others laughing and roughhousing.

And there were Brendan and Victoria, dressed like a couple about to get married.

Victoria wore a white wedding gown with a long train, and Brendan stood barefoot in the shallows. The two of them smiled into each other's eyes.

The photographer called out beside them: "Good, hold it, look at me! Yes, yes, perfect!"

I watched for two seconds, then looked away.

Then I walked over to a man nearby in a black shirt.

"Hi. Could I borrow a light?" I dug a pack of cigarettes out of my bag.

He looked up, glanced at me, and pulled a lighter from his pocket, holding it out.

I lit one, took a drag, and slowly exhaled.

The smoke scattered fast in the sea wind, vanishing without a trace.

"And here I thought you were the good-girl type."

He watched the way I smoked, one corner of his mouth lifting.

"Never would've guessed it. You actually smoke?"

"You can't judge a book by its cover."

I let the smoke out, my gaze drifting lazily over to the two of them by the water, nearly wrapped in each other's arms.

The man followed my eyes, his gaze landing on Brendan, his smile turning more knowing.

"That your boyfriend?"

"Husband. Soon to be ex, though."

The man snorted out a laugh.

"Interesting."

"The way he's all over that woman, he's got scumbag written all over him. Good for you, dumping him."

He turned suddenly, holding out a hand with a soft laugh.

"I'm Spencer Delgado. Care to introduce yourself?"

I studied him without a word.

I'd noticed earlier this morning that this man had been watching me for a while.

Every word of my exchange with Brendan and the others, he'd heard plainly.

So when he'd just sidled up to make conversation, now, looking at his face, I frowned slightly.

"Why do you feel familiar to me? Have I seen you somewhere before?"

Spencer gave a mysterious smile. And then

Peggy Gilbert!

Brendan came striding over just then, his expression sour.

His eyes locked on the cigarette in my hand, his brows knotting together.

Since when do you smoke?

I looked at his face, and for a moment everything blurred.

He actually didn't know.

Every time he stood me up for his precious buddy Victoria, I'd reached for a cigarette.

A long time now.

How did I not know that?

Brendan drew in a deep breath. He shot a wary glance at Spencer and tugged me a little closer to his side.

Then he lowered his voice, coaxing.

Peggy, I know you're upset about the ticket thing yesterday, but can you not be like this?

You came all this way. Can't we just enjoy ourselves? I'll take you to Lovers' Cliff tomorrow. Haven't you always wanted to go?

I looked him in the eye and gave a mocking smile.

Lovers' Cliff? Isn't that the place you and Victoria planned to go?

I pointed to the post Victoria had just put up on her social media feed.

Brendan's face darkened. He pushed through the explanation anyway.

Victoria hardly ever gets to Bali. She just wanted to hit all the spots. She got a little carried away. Don't hold it against her.

Relax. She and I are rock-solid buddies. There's nothing else going on.

And those wedding photos just now? I was only there as a prop.

Brendan delivered every word with a straight face, as if the two of them were truly innocent.

But it only made me want to laugh.

Who would believe that?

Moments ago the two of them had been shooting bridal photos with all the heat in the world.

Even the photographer had taken them for a couple about to walk down the aisle.

Even if it had all been a misunderstanding, posing the way they did, the staged near-kiss,

he'd shown not the slightest urge to set the record straight.

That moment would never be worth forgiving.

Like I said, whatever you do is none of my business. I won't get in your way.

I stubbed out the cigarette and dropped the butt into an empty soda can beside me.

I came here for a vacation. Not to join yours.

You

Brendan, let it go, let it go.

Victoria quickly grabbed his arm. Peggy's obviously still fuming. Don't fight with her. Let her cool off on her own. It's better that way.

She pulled Brendan back the way they'd come, then took two steps and glanced back at me, smug.

Peggy, the hotels around here are tough to book in peak season. We barely snagged ours two weeks out. If you couldn't get a room, why not squeeze in with us? The tent isn't big, but three people could probably make it work

The nerve on you. Squeeze in with a married couple? I'm honestly curious how you worked up the gall to say something that shameless.

Before I could even open my mouth, Spencer folded his arms and fired it right back.

Who are you? Victoria's face went white. Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to insult me?

I'm insulting exactly what you are. A man-stealing little mistress.

Spencer didn't mince words, and watching him shut her down felt downright satisfying. I couldn't help the corner of my mouth lifting.

Let's go.

Spencer grabbed my hand and we took off. Victoria, beside herself, came lunging after us with her claws out.

If you've got the guts, stand right there! Don't you walk away!

The rest of the noise faded behind us. I just stared at his hand wrapped around mine, and my heart suddenly beat a little faster.

Spencer drove me back to the hotel I'd booked, and to my surprise, he was staying right next door.

What a coincidence. If that lousy couple gives you any trouble out there, just knock on my door. I'll help you put them in their place.

I smiled. No charge, I hope?

That night, Spencer cornered me at the hotel entrance, his face dark as a storm.

"Peggy, who was that man? Why was he holding your hand?"

"What exactly is going on between you two? Tell me the truth. Did you come here together today?"

I stared at him, baffled, and almost laughed.

He was the one tangled up with another woman, yet here he stood, interrogating me.

"Brendan, let's get a divorce."

"What did you say?"

I lowered my head and smiled. "You took wedding photos with another woman. What meaning is left in this marriage of ours?"

"When you think about it, it's all rather pointless."

"So, Brendan, I'll set you free for you and your dear buddy."

Brendan looked at me in disbelief.

"Peggy, what are you talking about? You want a divorce just because Victoria and I took one trip to Bali together?"

"How can you treat this like a game?"

"Did you forget the vows you swore to me at our wedding? You promised we'd grow old together!"

I watched him crumble, watched him spiral into hysteria.

I simply spoke, my voice flat.

"Brendan, I don't want to grow old with you anymore."

"So, we're getting divorced."

Brendan's whole face went ashen, his teeth grinding.

"Is it because of that man?"

"The way he looked at you today was all wrong! Peggy, don't tell me you came to Bali and found yourself someone on the side!"

I looked at the sorry state of him and gave a faint smile.

"That's none of your concern. You'd do better to worry about yourself."

Brendan's head snapped up.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

He'd just touched the hem of my dress, so I made a show of flicking off the dust.

"You'll find out soon enough, Mr. Harding. Enjoy it while it lasts."

With that, I turned and walked away.

Brendan, eyes rimmed red, started to chase after me. But just then, his phone rang.

"Speak! What is it?"

Brendan snapped, snatching up the call.

But the assistant on the other end sounded close to tears.

"Mr. Harding, we've got a problem! That mysterious investor who promised us the three hundred million suddenly pulled the funds"