"Here's what's going to happen. You apologize to Cindy, then arrange a position for her at the company. We put this whole thing behind us."
A laugh tore out of me, sharp and bitter. "She barely finished middle school. You think she's qualified to work at my company?"
"It's fine, Mr. Sanchez." Cindy latched onto Brendan's arm, her voice soft and pitiful. "I don't want you getting in trouble because of me. It's just that I can't make rent anymore, and my landlord kicked me out..."
"Cindy, don't worry about a thing." Brendan pressed her firmly onto the couch. "This is your home now. Stay as long as you want."
"But..." Cindy trailed off, though her eyes kept drifting toward me, as if to say, What about her?
"She owns plenty of properties. She won't miss this one."
Brendan glanced at me, his tone hardening. "Debbie, this is settled. Don't make a scene."
"Sure."
I let out a cold laugh and pulled out the documents I'd prepared long ago. "Sign this, and I promise I won't bother the two of you ever again."
Brendan's lips curved into a smug grin. "Well, look at that. At least you know how to behave. Preparing an apology gift for Cindy. Though if it's anything cheap, I won't accept it on her behalf—" His eyes dropped to the papers. "Divorce papers?"
His pupils contracted. His head snapped up. "Debbie, you want to divorce me?"
"Cut the crap and sign."
"Considering everything we've been through, I've left you a fair share of assets. Enough to live comfortably for the rest of your life."
But before Brendan could say a word, Cindy shot to her feet and ripped the divorce agreement to shreds. "Debbie, you gold-digging tramp! Have you no shame?"
She was practically frothing at the mouth. "You're leaving Mr. Sanchez a couple of properties while you swallow Henson Sterling Group whole? How dare you! That company is Mr. Sanchez's life's work!"
Watching her little performance, I almost laughed. If she only knew that Henson Sterling Group was mine, and the man she'd schemed so hard to get was nothing more than a live-in husband with no stake in any of it. Now that would be entertaining.
"Debbie, will you stop with this nonsense!" Brendan gripped my shoulders with both hands. "I'm going to chalk today up to you being impulsive. But if you bring this up again, I will be genuinely angry."