Right after the divorce, my husband hugged his mistress and mocked her: “Now you’re just an old rag!” But 5 minutes later, 10 Rolls-Royces arrived and someone shouted: “Get in the car, ma’am!” The surprise was total, the end of it all came quickly.

In that instant I saw him because Gavin, the man who had been my husband until a few minutes ago, was leaning against an old motorcycle. He had his arm wrapped around the waist of another woman named Penelope who wore a tight scarlet dress and a provocative smile.

They weren’t trying to hide but seemed to be waiting for me on purpose to deliver the final blow. Gavin pulled Penelope even closer and gave her a light kiss on the lips while looking at me with eyes full of mockery.

“How are things, Audrey? It must be a relief for you since you no longer have to live off my money,” Gavin said with a cruel smirk. I felt a lump in my throat and fought to keep my voice from trembling as I asked him how he could say that after I spent three years supporting us.

Penelope pursed her lips and spoke with a sickeningly sweet voice. “Oh honey, just stop it because Gavin fed you and clothed you while you acted like a parasite, so you should really know your place now.”

I clenched my fists so hard that my nails dug into my palms because I could handle the betrayal but not this intolerable humiliation. I was the one who worked long nights in a garment factory to pay the mortgage on the condo and managed every cent of the bills.

Gavin let out a harsh laugh and leaned in to whisper words that pierced my heart like needles. “Listen well because the fact that a country girl like you married me was the luck of your life, but now you are broke and should get ready to scrub floors.”

The surrounding crowd stared at me with pity that felt like a torrent of ice water filling me with shame. I bit my lip hard and decided not to show weakness even though my face was burning with embarrassment.

Just as I felt I was about to crumble, a line of black cars approached slowly and stopped the world around us. There were several Rolls-Royces appearing silent and imposing like predators on the quiet street.

The door of the lead vehicle opened and a middle aged man in an impeccable suit stepped out with an air of absolute authority. He walked toward me while ignoring everyone else and bowed respectfully in a gesture that left Gavin and Penelope speechless.

“Miss Sterling, it is time for you to return to your position as Chairwoman,” his deep voice rang out in the sudden silence. My ears buzzed because I could not believe what I was hearing while standing there with empty hands.