He Served Me Divorce Papers On My Birthday, Not Knowing My Multi-Million Dollar Settlement Check Arrived That Morning

I agreed to meet Richard at a coffee shop on neutral ground. Vance advised against it, but I needed him to see me. Not the wet, defeated woman on the driveway, but the woman I was now.

I wore a new suit—cream silk, tailored to fit. My hair was blown out. I sat with my back straight.

Richard stormed in, looking like he hadn't slept. His eyes were bloodshot, his dyed hair messy. He sat down without ordering.

"You think you're clever," he hissed, leaning over the table. "Hiding assets is a crime, Loretta. I can sue you for half of whatever that ambulance chaser gave you."

"I didn't hide anything," I said calmly, taking a sip of my latte. "You drafted the separation agreement, Richard. You specifically waived all rights to my inheritance and settlements. Remember? You laughed when you signed it."

"I was under duress!" he shouted, drawing stares from other tables. "I want you to come home. Tiffany is... she's leaving. We can work this out. I forgive you."

"You forgive me?" I laughed, a genuine, joyful sound. "Richard, look at this."

I slid a folded piece of paper across the sticky table. It was the deposit receipt from the wealth management firm.

He snatched it up. His eyes scanned the numbers. He mouthed the amount. Four million...

Greed replaced the anger in his eyes instantly. "Honey," he wheedled, reaching for my hand. "We're still married. technically. That money is ours."

"It's mine," I said, standing up. "And tomorrow morning, my lawyer is filing for divorce based on adultery and cruelty using the papers you already signed."

Richard lunged across the table, grabbing for my purse. "You bitch! Give me that check!"

Before he could touch me, a large hand clamped onto his shoulder. The security guard Vance had hired yanked Richard back into his chair with a bone-jarring thud.

"Sir," the guard rumbled. "Step away from the lady."