The Unexpected Heir

Loss

Chapter Five

“If you didn't divorce me because of him, why did you just stand there and watch him humiliate me?” he asked, his voice laced with a mix of hurt and confusion.

“I don't understand you are talking about,” she responded, her tone growing angrier. “So you expected me to put up a fight for you? Aren't you a man? Can't you stand up for yourself?” she scoffed unbelievably. “If you're a real man, as you claim to be, you should either fight back yourself or accept his offer. How can a real man rely on a woman to fight for him?”

Her words hit Charlie harder than he had anticipated, her words felt like a slap in the face. Although, he had expected those words from her, he still couldn't help but feel hurt and angry. 

He knew it was only going to happen in his wildest dreams, but he had still expected her to defend him, to stand up for him. But instead, she simply watched as he was humiliated. He wanted to be angry with her, but he couldn't bring himself to feel anything but sadness. 

The weight of Alice's words hung heavy in the air, leaving Charlie feeling a mix of frustration and a tinge of hurt. Did she truly think he was a total failure? This thought pierced his heart, for he had achieved a remarkable success in his career, founding one of the top ten companies in the city. 

The accusation of not being a “real man” stung, as if his masculinity was being questioned. He had always believed in a more equal partnership, valuing understanding, support, and emotional connection over traditional gender roles. But now, Alice's words made him doubt his choices and principles.

As silence settled between them, Alice let out a weary sigh and rose from her seat. She confronted him, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and determination. 

“You should stop following me around,” she began, her words laced with a subtle edge. “You and I aren't in the same class anymore. I am bigger than you now, and besides, you're no longer my husband.” She paused, her gaze unwavering. “But if you don't cease this behavior, I won't hesitate to report you to the police as a stalker. Understand?” Her voice carried a firm warning.

Her eyes narrowed as she continued, her tone revealing a hint of disdain. “You should go and find women who are in your class, you know, women of the lowest class” she paused briefly to let out a relief sigh. “I don't want a fool in my life. I need a real man, and you are far from being that.” Her words echoed with a piercing finality, leaving no room for further discussion. 

Anger surged through Charlie, threatening to consume his composure. He fought to keep his emotions in check, though his clenched fist betrayed his inner turmoil. How could the woman he loved reveal herself as such a utilitarian individual? It pained him deeply to witness this side of Alice, to see her prioritize her desires above their history together.

Alice let out a hiss of exasperation, her departure marked by a sense of finality. Charlie could only watch as she walked away, her hand raised in a clichéd manner. The bitter irony washed over him, as he realized the unfortunate truth, Alice failed to understand that it was he who had played a pivotal role in her success. 

He raised the glass to his lips, hastily gulping down the remnants of his drink. Just as he finished, the familiar sound of his phone ringing cut through the air, demanding his attention. 

Retrieving the phone from his pocket, he glanced at the screen, revealing his General Manager's name. With a quick swipe, he answered the call and brought the phone to his ear, shifting his focus to the conversation at hand.

“Good evening, sir,” came the voice of the general manager from the other end, the crispness of their tone evident even through the phone's speaker.

“Good evening, Mr. Wesley,” Charlie responded, his voice steady and composed, ready to engage in the conversation that was about to unfold.

“I'm sorry to bother you this late in the evening, but there's been a matter that has come up, and I need your attention,” the general manager explained, his voice carrying a tinge of worry and gravity. The urgency in his tone couldn't be denied, even amidst the late hour.

“What happened?” Charlie replied, his brow furrowing with a mix of curiosity and slight apprehension. 

“I heard that you're divorced, sir,” the general manager stated, his voice tinged with concern. 

Charlie's brow furrowed as he processed the unexpected revelation. “Yeah, is there a problem?” he asked, his tone reflecting a mix of curiosity and a hint of vulnerability.

He was momentarily taken aback by the sudden shift in topic, caught off guard by the personal nature of the general manager's question. However, he managed to maintain his composure, his demeanor steady as he prepared to listen to what the general manager had to say.

“I'm sorry about that, sir,” the general manager continued, his tone filled with genuine surprise and sympathy. “I was shocked when I heard that. How could she divorce you after all that you have done for her?” he asked, seeking to understand the situation. 

Charlie let out a small chuckle, a hint of bitterness lacing his voice.

Charlie's voice took on a neutral tone as he replied, his previous chuckle replaced by a sense of solemnity. “She doesn't know that I was the one who helped her, is that why you called?”

The general manager sighed, acknowledging the sensitivity of the situation. 

“Yes, that's what I wanted to confirm. The cooperation with your ex-wife's company has been paused, pending your decision on whether it should continue.”

Charlie's silence lingered for a moment as he processed the significance of the situation.

 A wry smile crept across his face, a mixture of resignation and bittersweet acceptance apparent in his expression. 

“Go ahead,” he finally responded, his voice calm but tinged with a hint of subdued emotion. “But let it be known that it won't benefit them much. Consider it my final gift to her.” 

The words conveyed a sense of closure, as he chose to view this gesture as a final act of goodwill towards his ex-wife, despite the underlying pain it may have caused him.