Chapter 9
When it became clear I wouldn’t back down, panic finally broke through their entitled facades
They turned on Ashley like wolves.]
“This is all your fault! You spread lies without even checking the facts!”
“You’re the real homewrecker! Now we’re all going down because of you!
“Had the nerve to parade around as Mrs. Walker. Pathetic!“[]
“We’re in this mess because we tried sucking up to you! You should pay every centr
“Don’t even think about asking us to help with that $9-40 million. That’s your problem!“]
Ashley finally snapped, her designer mask cracking completely. “You hypocritical vultures!”
“Don’t act innocent. You were all desperate to please someone with power. You pushed me to make a scene!”
“When you thought I was Mrs. Walker, you were practically kissing my feet. Now look at you- running like rats from a sinking ship!”
“You were born to be bootlickers. And you’re going down with me!”
The argument might have turned violent if the officers hadn’t intervened.
When things calmed down, the excuses started flowing.
Everyone claimed innocence. It was always someone else who broke things, someone else who threw punches.
Then the officers played the school’s security footage. Crystal clear video of their mob mentality in action. That shut them up fast
The consequences came down hard and precise. Each person would pay according to their participation.
Some called their husbands in tears, scrambling to liquidate assets and empty retirement accounts to stay out of jail. They left broken but free.[]
Others found their marriages couldn’t survive the scandal. Their husbands sent divorce papers instead of help.
Those who couldn’t pay faced arrest.]
Ashley bore the heaviest burden
She’d caused the most damage, encouraged the most violence.]
Her share of the debt was crushing. In desperation, she turned to Jack
“Please, Jack! Help me, for Tyler’s sake! I could never pay this off in ten lifetimes!”
“What happens to our son if I go to prison?”
Tears streaked her expensive makeup as she begged.
Jack hesitated, then tried appealing to me, “Honey, maybe we could be lenient? For old times‘ sake?“]
I met his eyes with glacial contempt. “Seriously? You think you have any right to ask me for mercy?”
“The thought of our years together makes me sick now. Every moment was a lie.“]
“The divorce papers are ready. We’re done.”
I turned to the officer. “Add charges for Ashley encouraging her son to torture my daughter. Don’t forget the wire
incident.”
es, ma’am.” Yes
I walked out without another glance.
The aftermath was swift. Ashley and the others who couldn’t pay went to prison. The teacher was fired and faced criminal charges. Oak Lane Academy was shut down pending a complete overhaul.]
Jack, true to the prenup, walked away with nothing.
A month into her sentence, Ashley got into a fatal confrontation with the same parents who’d once worshipped her. They found her in the prison bathroom. The official cause was drowning.
Those parents got life sentences.
Emma and I adjusted to our new life as a family of two. Different, but peaceful
Then came that day in Central Park
I spotted Jack first unshaven, wearing filthy designer remnants, lurking behind a tree.
His s eyes blazed with madness when he saw us. “You bitch! Found you at last!”
He charged, switchblade glinting
I pulled Emma behind me. “Jack. What do you think you’re doing?”
“What am I doing?” He laughed manically. “You destroyed me! From CEO to dumpster diving! My son died on the streets while I watched, helpless!”
“I only married you for money–so what? Every man would do the same! Why shouldn’t I find real love once I had it all?
“What right did you have to take everything from me?”
I shook my head sadly. “Jack, stop this. You’re still young. Put the knife down and rebuild your life.“]
“Rebuild? REBUILD?”
He lunged, blade raised. “Til rebuild after you’re dead! Your money will be mine again!”
*DIE“]
The knife never reached us. My security detail, hidden but always watching, took him down hard
I’d known from the moment I discovered his true nature that he’d try something like this.]
Men like Jack don’t accept defeat gracefully.
That’s why I’d arranged 24/7 protection for Emma and me. Today proved its worth.
“Take him to the police. Attempted murder charges.“[]
Back home, I stood before Mom’s photo, he
heavy.
“Oh Mom, why did you let Dad’s betrayal destroy you?“]
“I know it hurts. But there are always people who need you
to stay st
I watched Emma doing her homework on the couch, so resilient despite everything
We don’t need men to complete us. We can build our own happiness, forge our own path.[]
[The End]]]
