Chapter 2 - THE WOMAN THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD DESTROY
I remembered that first dinner as I watched Camila across the ballroom.
She had been equally unpleasant that evening, although she had disguised it beneath expensive manners.
“Marketing,” she repeated, examining my dress. “That's a rather unstable profession, isn't it? Especially for a woman hoping to start a family.”
Oliver had laughed nervously.
“Mom, Elizabeth is doing great.”
Camila ignored him.
“And your parents? What do they do?”
“My father works in technology,” I answered.
“How interesting. Which company?”
I had deliberately chosen an ordinary answer.
“A small consulting business.”
Camila smiled.
“Small businesses are charming. Although I suppose Oliver will have to support you eventually.”
I remembered swallowing my embarrassment because I loved her son.
That was my first mistake.
My second was believing Oliver would eventually become strong enough to defend me.
During our marriage, Camila controlled everything. She decided where we celebrated holidays, which friends we entertained, what furniture belonged in our house, and even what I wore to family events.
When I disagreed, Oliver always had the same response.
“Please, Elizabeth. She's my mother. Can't you just let this one go?”
One disagreement became a hundred.
Then came the accusations.
Camila told relatives that I was secretly pregnant to secure Oliver's inheritance. She suggested I had manipulated him into marriage. She even contacted my employer, pretending to be concerned about my financial stability.
I never told Oliver how deeply those things hurt.
I simply collected evidence.
Every humiliating message. Every suspicious financial document. Every conversation in which Camila discussed getting rid of me.
My father had warned me before the wedding.
“Elizabeth, money doesn't reveal someone's character. It gives them opportunities to demonstrate it.”
I had insisted Oliver was different.
Tonight, I finally understood.
My lawyer, Daniel Reeves, approached me beside the champagne fountain.
“Everything is ready,” he whispered.
“Did you bring the documents?”
He nodded.
“Three copies. One for the attorney, one for the board, and one for the authorities if necessary.”
“Good.”
Daniel glanced toward Oliver.
“He still doesn't know?”
“No.”
“Are you certain you want to do this publicly?”
I looked around the ballroom.
Camila had chosen the audience. She had invited journalists, investors, business associates, and influential members of Pittsburgh society.
She wanted witnesses to my humiliation.
I intended to give them something else to remember.
“Absolutely.”
Daniel lowered his voice.
“Your father called. He wants to know whether you need him here.”
I shook my head.
“Not yet. This has to come from me.”
Across the room, Camila was laughing with two women near the stage.
She noticed me looking and immediately approached.
“Elizabeth, darling. We should discuss the papers.”
“There's nothing to discuss.”
“Don't be difficult. Oliver has been very generous.”
I almost laughed.
“Generous?”
“Of course. You will receive a reasonable settlement, provided you cooperate.”
“How thoughtful.”
Her smile tightened.
“Don't embarrass yourself. You have no idea how fortunate you've been.”
I stepped closer.
“Camila, there's something I've wanted to ask you for months.”
“What?”
“Why are you so desperate to get rid of me?”
For the first time, her eyes flickered.
Then she leaned toward me.
“Because my son deserves someone who belongs in his world.”
I nodded slowly.
“That's what I thought.”
She turned away.
But before she could leave, Oliver appeared.
“Elizabeth, we need to talk.”
I faced him.
“About what?”
“About us.”
I looked at the divorce papers.
“You've already made your position clear.”
He swallowed.
“I didn't know she was going to present them like that.”
“But you knew she was arranging a divorce.”
He said nothing.
That silence hurt more than any accusation.
I walked away.
At 10:15, the master of ceremonies announced a special presentation.
Camila returned to the stage.
“Before we conclude this beautiful evening,” she announced, “I would like to recognize the people who have helped build the Thompson family legacy.”
Behind her, a giant screen illuminated.
Company photographs appeared. Then financial charts. Then a familiar corporate logo.
Hartford Technologies.
My smile disappeared.
Camila was holding a microphone.
“And tonight, we are proud to announce an exciting new business partnership.”
My father’s company logo filled the screen.
Then the next slide appeared.
THOMPSON GROUP — ACQUIRING HARTFORD TECHNOLOGIES.
The room erupted in applause.
I stared at the screen.
That deal had never been approved.
And when Camila turned toward me, her smile revealed something even worse.
May you like
She wasn't merely trying to divorce me.
She believed she had already bought my family.
