No Longer Mrs. Shaw
Chapter OneMy husband cheated.His reason was, “I love you, but you can’t stop me from finding someone better.”I cried, I raged, I fell apart, until I was empty.Then I took a page from his book and met someone better.He was the one who couldn’t live with it.The room stank in the dark.I flipped the switch, and the harsh light flooded everything.A woman on the bed gasped and ducked under the covers, and Ethan’s mouth curled into a gentle smile.He turned to me, all apology.
“Sorry. Ava’s in town for once, and it’s too late to send her home alone. Whatever you need, tell my assistant. This one’s on me.”Ava peeked out from the blanket, her voice a little rough.
“Mia, don’t be mad at him. Money doesn’t come easy. He’s rich, sure, but he can’t just burn it. Hey, Ethan, if you keep tapping my head I’ll turn dumb.”“This place is our starter home,” I said, and their giggles died.Ethan’s brow tightened.
“You’ll have to pay more.”“He gives you that much every month. If it were me, with that kind of cash, I’d wait on her hand and foot every day, otherwise I’d feel guilty taking it.”“Exactly. Money’s the only thing you can hold. Love is smoke.”I tipped my head back and finished my drink.“He bought this place with his first real money. He owns more houses than I can count, and he still chose this one for us.”My friends went quiet for a beat.Most of them had heard that Ethan cut ties with the Shaws because of me.It was the oldest story, rich boy falls for the girl with nothing, they run off together.Back then we were young and full of fire, and we thought love could make even tap water taste sweet.We scraped by, then we made something of ourselves, and finally ended up together.For a while people called it a fairy tale.Most novels fade to black right there.No one told me the epilogue would be this blunt.
Chapter TwoThis wasn’t Ethan Shaw’s first affair.When a car crash left me in a coma, Mom saw him bring a stranger to the hospital.After I woke up, I stared at the stack of bills in her hands.
“You probably saw wrong. We’ve only been married five years. We haven’t even hit the seven-year itch. How could he?”She studied my face and nodded.
“Maybe. The guy was in a black suit. Could’ve been someone else dressed the same. Good thing I didn’t make a scene. I’ll get reading glasses in a couple days.”“Mm.”I went home and told Ethan like it was a joke.He took it dead serious. He had to prove he hadn’t worn a black suit that day and said he’d take Mom to get glasses right away.At the clinic, the optometrist smiled.
“Her eyesight’s great, better than most young people. No need for glasses.”Ethan was on a call in the hallway. When he saw us, he hurried over.
“Mom, if anything ever feels off, you have to say so. We almost had a big mix-up.”Mom pulled our hands together.
“You’re a good man. I misunderstood you. I’m leaving Mia in your care.”“Don’t worry. I’ll always take good care of her.”Later, I walked into one of his drinking nights by mistake.He had his arm around a pretty girl and tipped up her chin.
“Mia, doesn’t she look like you when you were young?”His old buddies chimed in.
“Yeah, Mrs. Shaw, even his stand-ins look like you. That proves he loves you, right?”
“And his net worth’s way up. Everyone’s watching him in business. He can’t tank deals because of you. You’re a homemaker. If he stops making money, you don’t get to be a rich wife.”When they finished, Ethan let the girl go and strolled over, loose as ever.
“All right, all right, stop being mad. It ruins your looks.”His hands were gentle and immovable.I tore free, grabbed a bottle, and smashed it against his brow.While everyone panicked, I sent the room’s video to all their wives.In a heartbeat, they were busy saving themselves. No one remembered the man bleeding.Ethan wiped his forehead and laughed under his breath.
“Happy now? Let’s go home. Tell my assistant what you want. Don’t make a scene.”My anger fizzled out on the spot.
“What did I do wrong? Why should I be happy? I’m standing right here. Why do you have to look for my face on someone else?”He only sighed, like humoring a child.
“I love you, but we’re not ordinary people. Love alone doesn’t cut it. There are women lined up to take your place, and look, I just play around. I never shake your spot as Mrs. Shaw. My money and my love are both yours. What are you upset about?”He paused, then brightened.
“Oh, I get it. I haven’t been home for a while. Sorry, that’s on me. Wait for me tonight. I’ll come keep you company. Anything else? My head kind of hurts.”When he was twenty, he told me he was sick of fake smiles and would rather have love without money than anything else.Five years was all it took for him to learn every trick and use them like second nature.
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