Phillip read the latest e-mail to land in his inbox. The contents made him angry and shocked, and he was shaking his head in disbelief.

“How can she do this?” He said aloud to himself. “What is she thinking?”

He fell back in his chair. Any slim chance that his marriage could be salvaged is now gone.

“It’s over. It’s all over.” Phillip muttered to himself, "Finished."

Phillip knew Catherine would be with Marcus in his apartment, along with Spencer and Debbie. He checked his watch. He called her every night at around this time, so she should expect his call. Knowing she is preoccupied, her phone would be muted or so deeply buried in her bag she couldn’t hear it ring.

He dialed her number, confident Catherine would not answer. She didn’t.

Phillip showered, dressed, and left his room for fresh air and dinner. Giving Amici’s a wide berth, he settled on a Korean BBQ place, and once seated, he called Catherine again.

Again, no answer.

He called four more times during the course of his meal. All went unanswered. It was only on the last call that he left a voice message.

"Hi, darling. Just me. I've been calling all night. I guess you must be busy. I can’t wait to see you again. I’ve missed you so much. I’ll be back at around 6pm tomorrow night. We can have dinner at Amici’s on the way home. I love you.”

Phillip ended the call and checked his watch. He paid the check and made his way outside to make another phone call. Once finished, he hailed a taxi.

~oOo~

Catherine, Debbie, Marcus, and Spencer had all collapsed on the floor. Catherine was spent. She lost count after seven orgasms but had at least 3 more after that.

She rolled towards Debbie, who was almost fast asleep. Both covered in sweat, cum, and pussy juice, Catherine still reached out and held her close. Debbie snuggled into Catherine, and they drifted off together.

It was 6am when Catherine stepped out of the shower. Spencer left at around 4am. Marcus was showered and already in his suit, coffee in hand.

“Good morning, gorgeous.” He chirped at Catherine, who was wearing nothing but a towel.

“Hey!” Catherine replied in an upbeat tone as she walked to him and kissed him deeply.

Debbie stirred and slowly stood. She looked at Catherine and Marcus and, in a zombie-like state, walked to the bathroom.

By the time Debbie was finished, Catherine was dressed in clean work attire she kept at Marcus’ apartment for just such an occasion.

Catherine checked her phone. Six missed calls from Phillip. She played the voice message. Marcus saw Catherine's expression change and color drain from her face. Before he could speak, Debbie entered the room.

“My clothes are a mess,” Debbie said in a panic. “I can’t go into the office wearing this!”

“Relax,” Catherine said, smiling. “Come with me.”

Shortly after, Debbie was sharply dressed thanks to Catherine’s foresight, and all three made their way to the car park.

Catherine did not return Phillip’s missed calls.

~oOo~

Phillip stirred in his hotel bed, stretched, and collected his thoughts. He felt himself slipping into a depression and called his eldest in London for no other reason than to just hear his voice. Phillip almost spilt the beans to him but thought better of it.

After his Korean BBQ dinner, he took a taxi home. Finding the house in darkness, he entered without caution, knowing all four had gone to Marcus’ apartment after Amici’s.

Phillip entered every room and paused, recalling family memories in each. He finally stopped at his bedroom. The smell hit him first. It smelled of stale sex and sweat. The bed was a mess with sheets strewn and pillows on the floor, and there were visible stains all over the bed. He sat on a chaise lounge, broken and defeated.

The doorbell broke the silence. Phillip made his way downstairs and let three men in. He spoke to one,

“Good evening Charles,” Phillip said as they shook hands.

“Good to see you again, Your Honor."

“I wish it were under better circumstances,” Phillip replied, then asked, “How long will this take?”

“Ten, fifteen minutes tops,” Charles replied.

Phillip closed the door to let them go about their task. True to Charles’ word, they were done in fifteen minutes.

“If it helps,” Charles said as he departed, “whilst this is a first for you, you are by no means the first. Wives and husbands go off the reservation from time to time but how you bounce back from this, that is the test of your character and fortitude.”

Phillip considered that for a moment and nodded. They shook hands.

“Do I have everything?” Phillip asked.

“You do.” Replied Charles.

Phillip watched as the three boarded a black SUV and silently disappeared into the night.

“It takes more than character to survive betrayal.” Phillip mumbled to himself, then closed the door.

~oOo~

Catherine’s phone buzzed on her desk. It was a message from Marcus.

“Hey beautiful. Just want to see you’re ok.”

Catherine smiled at his caring. It gave her a warm feeling inside. She replied.

“I’m a little sore, but otherwise all is ok.”

“Too sore for dinner?” asked Marcus.

“Never. A girl’s got to eat!” Catherine replied.

“Excellent! There’s a Korean BBQ place I’ve been meaning to try. You want to be my date?”

Catherine laughed as her fingers danced across her phone.

“Me on the arm of a big, strong Black man? How could I say no?"

“Afterwards, we’ll see if you’re up for dessert.” Marcus included a winking emoji.

Catherine laughed and put her phone down. Minutes later it rang. She smiled expecting it to be Marcus, but it quickly disappeared when she saw it was Phillip.

“Hi!” Catherine said, feigning enthusiasm.

“Hello darling,” Phillip replied, “how are you?”

“I’m better now,” she said. “Are things winding down over there?”

“Well, that’s why I’m ringing,” he said. “There’s a State Bar Association dinner I’ve been invited to tomorrow night, so I was thinking of delaying my return 24 hours.”

“Oh,” Catherine said, muffling her excitement, “ok, I have no objections if you want to go to that dinner.”

“Are you sure?” Phillip asked, “Can you handle another day without me?”

“Oh, I guess I can manage one more night alone.” She said, mindful of her tone.

“Good girl,” said Phillip, stifling derision at her last comment, “I’ll be home on Friday instead.”

“I love you.” Phillip continued.

“Ok, Friday then,” replied Catherine, who then ended the call.

Catherine quickly messaged Marcus.

“Guess what! I have an extra 24 hours. Phillip’s not coming home until Friday night!”

Marcus replied immediately.

“Then dinner only tonight. Dinner & dessert tomorrow night. I’m going to smash your pussy!”

Catherine’s pussy twinged in delight as she replied.

“Bring it on, big boy!”

~oOo~

Phillip stood in his hotel room finishing one last check of what he’d spent the last weeks compiling. All was in place.

He looked at his watch, grabbed his suitcase, and headed for the elevator.

Twenty minutes later he was in a taxi.

~oOo~

Catherine was at her desk inserting her butt plug when Debbie walked in.

“Do you need a hand?” Debbie asked.

Catherine laughed and said, “I’m almost embarrassed to admit it, but I think I need a bigger butt plug!”

Debbie chuckled, “You have been giving it a workout. I’ve seen you in action, but are you sure? An asshole is like a pussy. It will stretch a mile before it tears an inch.”

“I was never really into anal until Marcus came on the scene. Now a session isn’t complete unless I get it.” Catherine said.

Debbie grinned. “Yeah, I know how that feels.”

“Do you have anything planned for this evening?” Catherine asked.

“Dinner with Spencer, then back to his place,” Debbie asked.

“What do you tell Barry?” Catherine asked.

“Working late, drinking with girlfriends—sometimes I don’t tell him anything. What are you doing tonight?”

“I’m waiting to hear from Marcus,” replied Catherine. “He’s been in court all day. Nothing confirmed yet. I want to make the most of this extra night without bothering about Phillip.”

“How is Phillip?” Debbie asked reluctantly.

Catherine thought before answering. “I have no idea,” she replied, then continued, “and to be brutally honest, I don’t care.”

The coldness of her answer shook Debbie.

“I know I sound like a cold-hearted bitch,” Catherine added, “but I look at it this way: had he paid me more attention, I would not have looked for it elsewhere.”

Debbie remained silent. She was in no position to speak. She felt the same way about her husband Barry.

“Damnit!” Catherine blurted, throwing her butt plug in her trash basket, “I need a bigger butt plug!”

Debbie and Catherine looked at each other and burst out laughing.

~oOo~

Catherine was like a cat on a hot tin roof when she and Marcus arrived at Catherine’s home just before 8 pm. Fueled by Merlot and lust, she almost ravished him on the drive here. Thankfully, she was shielded by darkness for the short walk from the driveway to the front door, as she was only wearing her shoes. Marcus closed and locked the front door. He chuckled to himself as Catherine, shaking her ass, disappeared up the stairs.

By the time he got to the bedroom, Catherine was kneeling on the bed. Pussy glistening wet and proud, nipples rock-hard, breath short, and pulse racing. She was ready to be punished.

Marcus looked at her, a wry smile on his face, and began undressing very slowly.

Catherine started laughing. She lay on her back, spread her legs high and wide, and began tickling her clit.

“Pussy wants her big black cock,” Catherine said in a comical voice. “Where’s her big black cock?”

Unfazed, Marcus removed his shirt, hanging it over the back of a corner armchair. Shoes and socks next, then pants. Catherine was still on her back when he finally joined her on the bed, his cock rock hard and ready.

“I love your big black cock, Marcus,” Catherine panted. “I want it all the time.”

“All in good time, Catherine,” Marcus said in his baritone voice. “Good things come to those who wait.”

Marcus pulled Catherine up so she was also kneeling, facing Marcus. His cock was stabbing her belly, which was now better defined than ever, a pleasant side effect from all her fucking. Fuck to keep fit and keep fit for fucking.

Marcus kissed her lips gently. Barely touching her glossy lipstick as he ran his hands down the sides of her body. He smiled as she threw her head back, opened her mouth slightly, and moaned in delight.

“Oh, you have set me on fire, Marcus,” Catherine panted. “I am dripping wet.”

Marcus continued his pleasure assault on Catherine’s senses. Her skin tensed with goosebumps as her heart raced. She tried to reach up and drag him closer to her, but Marcus stopped her, returning her arms to her side.

“All in good time,” Marcus whispered in her ear.

Catherine could feel Marcus’ hot breath on her cheek as he spoke. She was in sensory overload and ready to explode.

“Take me now, Marcus,” Catherine begged. “I want you more than ever. Take me now. I’m all yours.”

“Are you all mine, Catherine?” Marcus whispered.

“Yes, I am,” she groaned, “yours and only yours. I only want you.”

Marcus got closer to Catherine, his cock painting her belly with precum. Reaching around, he ran his fingers up and down her back, again just barely touching. She tried to grab his cock, but again, Marcus stopped her, maintaining the pleasure torture.

“Do you like what I am doing to you, Catherine?” Marcus whispered.

“I love it so,” she replied, “but I want you. Please take me, Marcus. I want your big black cock deep inside me.”

Marcus smiled while he moved to face Catherine’s side. Now he moved his left hand down to her pussy. The heat from it was unbelievable. Hot and dripping wet. He touched it gently, and Catherine jolted. She almost had an orgasm just by his touch; she was so worked up.

“Arrrggghhh,” moaned Catherine, “I am going to explode!”

Marcus now began working her pussy with his left hand. She was so hot and so wet. Parting her folds was no effort, while his right hand was now probing her asshole.

“Fuuuck!” Catherine begged, “Please fuck me.”

Marcus now increased the pace on Catherine’s asshole and pussy. The squelching coming from her pussy filled the room, while Marcus used her pussy juice to insert three fingers into her ass.

“Ahhh, Marcus,” Catherine begged, “don’t stop. I’m so close; please don’t stop.”

Marcus kept the pace, knowing it wouldn’t be long now. Catherine threw her head back. Her back was arched, and her hands were fondling her breasts. She rocked back and forth, amplifying Marcus’ hand movements. Her mouth was open, and her eyes closed. She breathed sharply and shallowly, in time with her rocking on Marcus’ fingers. She was on another plane of ecstasy.

Catherine was taken by surprise when the first wave hit her. The spasms and convulsions swept up from her soul, twisting her body with tremor after tremor of pleasure. Her pussy and asshole clamping down hard on Marcus’ fingers, her abdomen rippling, her entire body bucking and twisting, her hands grabbing Marcus’ face as she speared her tongue deep into his mouth.

“Fuuuck!” Catherine screamed, “My fucking god, Marcus. That was amazing. You never fail to impress me. I am so alive.”

Marcus held Catherine close as the convulsions continued. She rested her head on his chest and could hear his heart beating. He could feel her spasms as they petered out, weakening but leaving an afterglow to be savored. She was damp with sweat, her breath returning to normal, her heart rate slowing.

Marcus lay down on the bed, bringing Catherine with him, holding her close. Her hand fell onto his massive cock. Catherine instinctively wrapped her fingers around his shaft. She felt his heat and stroked it slowly. Its size still amazed her almost as much as how she was ever able to get all of it inside her.

Marcus moved above Catherine, who spread her long, sculptured, silky white legs wide to accommodate. Taking hold of his cock, she ran the head up and down her sodden pussy, squirming at its touch.

She looked into Marcus’ eyes and got lost in their depth.

“Take me, Marcus,” Catherine whispered. “Take me now. Make me yours forever.”

Catherine howled in pleasure, eyes closed, arching her back as Marcus slid balls deep straight into Catherine’s pussy.

“Ohhh yeah, baby!” Catherine moaned in delight, "Come to Mamma. Give it all to Mamma.”

Marcus immediately felt Catherine's warmth as her cervix closed around his massive cock. The sensation never failed to delight him. He held himself deep in Catherine for a short time before rocking his hips in withdrawal.

“You are so warm, baby,” Marcus whispered, “so warm and so wet. You always get my cock rock hard. I love how your pussy squeezes my cock.”

“It doesn’t want to let you go," she said.

“It’s not going anywhere, baby,” Marcus said as he speared his tongue deep into Catherine’s mouth, kissing her passionately.

Marcus felt Catherine tighten around him, so he angled forward just enough so his cock was rubbing her clit as he slid in and out of her pussy. Catherine responded immediately with her eyes closed and head back; she opened her mouth to moan loudly and pushed her pussy down to meet Marcus’ thrusts.

The fires deep within Catherine moved from embers to raging flames. She dug her heels into Marcus’ ass, pulling him deeper into her with every push forward. The sensation she felt every time he filled her pussy with his mighty cock was so overwhelming it's little wonder she has never failed to orgasm ever since she became addicted to Marcus’ 10” monster.

“I’m such a dirty girl, Marcus,” Catherine panted. “Fuck me like the dirty girl I am. Tear me apart with your big black cock. Smash my little white pussy. Destroy me and fill me with your cum.”

Catherine speared her tongue into Marcus’ mouth again. “Fuck me, Marcus. Fuck me like a whore.” She whispered, “Destroy me for all others, Marcus. Make me yours.”

Marcus answered the call. He lifted his legs and moved to a classic push-up position. His body beaded with sweat, his cock deep in Catherine’s pussy, and her legs spread wide. He pushed forward with his hips, and Catherine closed her eyes, blanketed in euphoria.

Hip thrusts became harder and faster, slamming into Catherine, giving her his full length. His balls slapped her ass as her head rocked from side to side with each stroke, destroying her pussy, smashing it just like she wanted.

“Yes, yes, yes,” she screamed every time Marcus landed inside her. "Fuck yes!”

The room was filled with the sound of flesh on flesh. Slap, slap, slap filled the room. The animalistic grunting from Marcus entwined with the euphoric moaning from Catherine.

“You like my cock smashing your pussy?” Marcus grunted.

“Oh, fuck me, Marcus. Fuck me like a whore,” Catherine begged. “I’m a dirty fucking whore.”

Catherine felt the first wave coming quickly.

“Arrrggghhh!” She screamed, “Don’t fucking stop, don’t stop!”

The first convulsion came from deep within, just as Marcus shot his first stream of cum deep into Catherine’s womb.

“Arrrggghhh, hmmm,” he grunted with each stream he shot into her.

Catherine’s abdomen clenched tight as the spasms of her orgasm engulfed her. She shook from head to toe. Not just minor jerks and twists she had with Phillip; lord no, these were full-body contortions spraying rivers of pussy juice all over Marcus.

“Fuck me!” Catherine exclaimed as the spasms continued.

Marcus was resting on Catherine as the final streams of cum escaped into her womb.

“God bless,” Marcus panted, “you are an amazing woman, Catherine.”

He then kissed her passionately. She responded by wrapping her arms around him, drawing him closer.

“I love your cum swimming inside me,” Catherine purred. “You rock my world.”

Marcus backed up, and his cock slipped out of Catherine with a pop. Cum immediately began leaking out of her and onto the sheets. Catherine reached down and scooped up some with her middle finger, then licked it clean.

“There’s more here,” said Marcus, grabbing the base of his cock, which was covered in cum and pussy juice. Catherine’s eyes opened wide as Marcus lay on his back, allowing Catherine to suck his cock clean.

Catherine devoured Marcus’ cock, the whole 10” slipping down her throat with ease. The taste of her pussy juices mixed with his seed made her want more. When she didn’t have it in her mouth, she was licking the shaft clean and sucking his balls for good measure. Catherine and Marcus were both in a state of bliss.

~oOo~

Suddenly, a voice cut through the darkness.

“Surprise!”

With a click, the bedroom light shone bright, and there, in the doorway, phone in hand, stood Phillip.

Catherine screamed, curled into a ball, and hid her face in her hands. Marcus lay there, stunned.

“I am so sorry to disturb you both. I see you're quite busy,” he said calmly, “but I must say, the infrared capabilities of my new phone are simply amazing.”

“Phillip!” Catherine screamed, “What are you doing here?”

“The answer to that is obvious, isn't it?" Phillip replied. "This is my home, Catherine darling. I live here, with you, but you know this, my dear sweet wife."

"However, given the current circumstances," Phillip continued, "I firmly believe it is you with more questions to answer than I.”

Phillip then turned to Marcus. “How are you, Marcus?” he asked. Marcus was too stunned to reply.

“I see your clothes there, and I hate to poop on your party, but would you be so kind as to get dressed and leave, please?”

Marcus looked at Catherine, who was now sitting next to him, her knees pulled up to her chest. She looked at him and nodded.

Marcus quickly dressed. He avoided eye contact with Phillip and then quietly slipped out the front door.

Phillip turned to Catherine, sitting naked on the bed, Marcus' cum leaking from her pussy. His tone became stern and forceful.

“Get dressed and come downstairs," he said to Catherine coldly.

Ten minutes later, Catherine appeared in the living room. Phillip motioned for Catherine to sit on the sofa opposite. Then he pressed ‘play’ on the remote.

Immediately, the TV sprang to life. The vision showed Catherine in the kitchen, Marcus close behind her. She was kissing Debbie while stroking Jerome and Michael.

Next, it cut to Catherine bent over and sucking Michael’s cock while Marcus was fucking her from behind. Almost out of screen was Debbie on the floor with Spencer, Jerome, and David.

Then it cut to what looked like a drone shot showing Marcus and Spencer double penetrating Catherine on a sofa in Marcus' apartment. It showed her rocking from side to side in obvious rapture, kissing both deeply and grabbing at her breasts.

Next was Catherine by the pool. This was her crowning glory of being made ‘airtight’ by Michael, Jerome, and David.

Catherine watched in silence, tears welling in her eyes. She kept her hands together, sandwiched between her knees. She knew from that moment on her life had changed forever.

Phillip turned off the TV and faced Catherine.

“I could go on and on and on. I have hours of footage.” Phillip said. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

Catherine sat there, frozen.

“What do you want me to say?” Catherine asked.

“I have a crazy idea," Phillip replied. "Why don’t you try the truth? Don’t insult me by telling me I wouldn’t understand or that I’d be bored." There was a sharpness in his voice.

“Instead of telling me you'll be cosying up to the board of directors for celebratory drinks, why not tell me you planned to be fucked by Marcus and Spencer until 3am in Marcus’ apartment, to say nothing of answering the door to the pizza guy bare-assed naked and covered in cum?" Phillip continued.

“And don’t you dare sit there and tell me this is my fault!” Phillip barked.

Catherine was shocked at how much Phillip knew and shrank into the sofa.

"Yes," continued Phillip, "I even know about the pizza guy."

There was a long silence.

“I wanted something I wasn’t getting from you,” she said softly. “I was feeling unwanted, unloved, and unappreciated. You weren’t interested in me. Then I met Marcus, and we just clicked.”

Phillip sat in silence as Catherine laid bare her entire affair with Marcus, her numerous threesomes with him and Spencer, her gangbang with five guys, and her introduction into bisexuality with Debbie.

Catherine began to cry.

“I’ve messed everything up. I’m so sorry, Phillip. I am really so very, very sorry.” Catherine sobbed.

Phillip sat unfazed, unmoved, unrepentant. Catherine stood and moved towards Phillip.

“Do not come near me,” Phillip commanded. “Don’t you dare come anywhere near me.”

Catherine wailed, the sobs coming fast.

“What were you expecting, Catherine?" Phillip barked, "You’re crying, you want forgiveness, and you want to come to me while you have another man’s cum leaking out of your whore cunt. Really?" Phillip paused, then continued, "You’ve admitted to a months-long affair. You’ve whored yourself out to five men at once. You've had their cum inside you, and you dare come near me?”

Phillip said, "How much of a moron do you think I am? How pathetic am I to you? You have no consideration for me and even less for our marriage, our boys, and the last thirty years. You said so yourself to Marcus not 30 minutes ago; I am yours and only yours. I only want you.”

They both sat in silence for what felt like an eternity. Eventually, Catherine spoke, tears streaming down her face.

“So, what happens between us?” she asked.

“Us?” he asked. "Really, Catherine? Us? I’ll tell you what happens to us. There is no us. Us is finished. Us is done. We are over, dead, and it has been since this affair started.”

Phillip reached for a folder on the sofa next to him. He pulled out a document and handed it to Catherine, along with his pen.

“Sign this,” he said.

“What is it?”

“It’s a Divortium Decree Nisi.”

“A what?” she asked.

“I already told you,” Phillip said. “We’re done. This is our divorce agreement.”

"What!" she cried.

“Can’t we sleep on this?” Catherine begged.

“Sure!” Phillip said, “Let me call Marcus. He can come and collect you and you can spend the night with him, because there is no fucking way you are sleeping with me ever again.” Phillip boomed, "You can suck his big black cock. I know you can't get enough of it. You've said it yourself so many times, Catherine. It's all on video."

“I won’t sign,” said Catherine defiantly.

"I can tell you right now, Catherine, despite how apocalyptically angry I am, it is very much in your best interest that you sign this agreement."

"I will not sign," Catherine repeated.

Phillip paused, looking at Catherine.

“Very well,” Phillip said, “you leave me no option.”

Phillip collected the envelopes from the coffee table.

“What are they?” Catherine asked.

Phillip handed Catherine an envelope. It had her name on it.

“Inside each of these envelopes," said Phillip, “is a summary of your affair with Marcus. Your threesomes, foursomes, and gangbangs with Marcus, Spencer, Jerome, David, and Michael and your venture into Debbie.”

Then Phillip continued, “Included is all the video with audio, plus still photographs, plus credit card receipts, plus CCTV footage from Amici’s and Marcus' apartment building, plus surveillance reports, and an interesting toll road photograph of Marcus driving his BMW with you, totally naked and sucking his cock while Debbie was fucking Spencer in the back seat.”

Catherine was totally shocked, silenced in disbelief.

“How long have you known?” she asked.

“Long enough." His reply was curt.

“How long?” Catherine demanded.

“Do not think for one minute that you are in any position to demand anything from me?” he asked.

“I want to know,” Catherine said, “how long have you known?”

“I told you,” Phillip said coldly, “long enough.”

Catherine was stunned into silence. Eventually she returned to the envelopes.

“Why so many envelopes?” Catherine asked,

“There’s twenty-three in total,” Phillip said. “One is yours, twelve are for each member of the board of directors, one each for the CEO and CFO, one for Debbie, one for her husband Barry, one for each of our boys, one for Marcus, and one is for the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee of the State Bar Association.”

Ethics Committee? Catherine thought. Panic was building. A quick calculation followed.

"That's only twenty-two," she said.

Phillip then paused and looked squarely at Catherine.

“The last one is for your mother.”

“WHAT!!!” Catherine screamed, “You can’t do this to me, Phillip. Please, I beg you. I know I’ve messed up badly, but you’re trying to destroy me.”

“Really?” Phillip said,

“Destroy you? Really? Tell me, Catherine, while you were fucking Marcus and Spencer at the same time, did you ever spare a thought about what you were doing to me? Did you?" Phillip said.

Catherine was silent.

"Did you?" Phillip repeated. “No,” Phillip continued, “I didn’t think so.”

Catherine started sobbing again.

“Please, Phillip,” she sobbed, “what I did was inexcusable, unforgivable, and I am truly sorry, but please don’t destroy me.”

“Then sign the divorce agreement. If you don't, then your fate is sealed. You will be destroyed, but don't worry, you'll have good company.”

“What do you mean?” Catherine asked,

“You and Marcus have committed a clear conflict of interest,” began Phillip. “It brings the Harrington takeover into question.

"The Board of Directors will force action. Your CEO will fire you and Debbie on the spot, and her husband Barry will probably throw her out. Your CFO may by some miracle save the takeover, but that’s unlikely. The Securities and Exchange Commission takes a dim view of conflict of interest." Phillip then paused, savoring the last comment. "And Marcus will be dragged before the ethics committee and be disbarred. Neither of you will be employable ever again, and all because you couldn’t keep your legs together.”

Catherine was stunned.

“How do I know you won’t destroy me anyway? How do I know you won’t throw me out on the street?"

“I’m the only one here with my ethics intact. I’m the only one here that can actually claim the moral high ground,” Phillip lectured Catherine. “The divorce agreement is clear about what you get. Read it, then sign it. If you don’t, then your fate, and the fate of your cohorts is sealed.”

Ten minutes later, Catherine signed the agreement.

“What happens now?” Catherine asked.

“Now you move into the townhouse.” He said, “It’s clean, it’s furnished, and your car is already in the garage. I’ll file the paperwork tomorrow to alter the deed to your name only. I’ve moved enough of your clothing to cover you for the time being. You can arrange to collect the rest of your belongings,” Phillip added. “You cannot enter this house ever again without my invitation or permission. If you do, I will have you arrested for burglary and trespass.”

Catherine forlornly went back upstairs to collect her phone and handbag and quickly packed an overnight bag. When she made her way down, Phillip was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs.

“How do I get there?” Catherine asked.

“Taxi, Uber, Lyft, walk,” Phillip said spitefully in his reply. "Or maybe call Marcus. I’m sure he’s not that far away.”

Catherine remained silent. She looked at Phillip with soulful eyes, regret written all over her face. She raised her arms to offer Phillip one last hug. Phillip stepped back in refusal.

“For what it’s worth, I really am very, very sorry,” said Catherine.

Phillip stood with his hands in his pockets.

"Catherine," he said quietly, “I have watched every minute of video footage. I heard the things you said. I saw the things you did and the complete, ravenous joy you felt. I also heard the things you said about me and our marriage.”

A lump formed in Phillip’s throat, and his voice broke.

“You are not the least bit sorry for what you did, or for me, our marriage, or our family,” Phillip continued. "You're just sorry you got caught.”

With that, Phillip opened the front door. Catherine stepped into the night air.

“One last thing,” Phillip said. Catherine turned to face him. “I will leave it to you to tell the boys what has happened.”

Catherine held her breath.

“You have exactly seven days to do it. If you do not, or if you do not tell each of them the total and absolute truth, then I will, and remember, I have the video to prove it.”

Phillip closed the door. Catherine stood stunned as the lock clicked.

She reached for her phone and dialed. It was answered in the first ring.

"Marcus," Catherine sobbed into the phone, “can you come and get me, please?”

~oOo~

Phillip stood, his back leaning against the front door as the sound of Catherine's footsteps faded into the night. At that point, a tear slowly ran down his cheek.

© MMXXVI Oddjobber.