Chapter 3

3.

On the drive, I called my lawyer.

I told him to rewrite the entire agreement. Especially the part about the company shares.

Rivers Group was something Autumn and I built together. Every success the company had was the result of our shared labor.

I was willing to overlook the fact that I worked way more hours than she did in the early days.

But the assets had to be split fifty-fifty. I wasn't going to let her take a single cent more than she deserved.

My lawyer sounded relieved. He told me I was finally coming to my senses.

I was too restless to go home, so I drove to the coast. Autumn kept calling, but I ignored every single one.

When I finally pulled into the driveway at ten p.m., the house was dark.

The retreat had ended hours ago. I didn't need to guess where she was.

I parked the car and walked to a nearby convenience store to buy some bourbon.

I sat on a stone bench outside our gates, drinking under the moonlight.

When I was sufficiently buzzed, I saw a figure approaching. It was Autumn.

My brain was a fog. I almost called out "Honey," but then I saw Caleb right behind her.

I snapped back to reality. "Wow. Bringing him home already? Are you kicking me out tonight?"

They had both changed clothes.

I chuckled. "New outfits? You two must have had a very productive evening."

Autumn stopped in front of me. She rubbed her temples.

"Xander, that's enough! You threw a fit today because of those clothes.

"Caleb and I changed. You have no reason to keep acting like this."

I looked at Caleb. He was wearing expensive designer streetwear and a white gold bracelet worth at least twenty grand.

I smirked. "Caleb, your salary must be amazing. That outfit alone is worth a small car."

Caleb turned pale and looked at Autumn for help.

Autumn gave him a reassuring look, then turned her cold gaze back to me.

"I bought it for him. Do you have a problem with that?"

I smiled, thinking about my closet full of cheap suits. Not a single one cost as much as Caleb's hoodie.

"Me? Have an opinion? I wouldn't dream of it."

I looked at Caleb seriously. "Since the CEO is so generous, I should give you a gift too. Want to know what it is?"

Caleb looked suspicious. "What?"

I glanced at Autumn. "My wife. You can have her."