Adrian asked, “Mara Ellison?”
She immediately affirmed, “Yes.”
Adrian continued, “This morning, we flagged your department.”
Mara immediately lost all expressions on her face.
Caleb’s voice became strained as he spoke. “You flagged it?”
I opened my purse and produced a small flash drive. Caleb’s eyes were glued to it.
“What is that?” he uttered in a whisper.
“That is the part of me you thought you could take.”
Caleb lunged for the flash drive but security intervened before he could even get close to it.
The room filled with shocked gasps.
“Get your hands off of me!” Caleb screamed.
I moved into his space. “No, Caleb. This time, you’ll hear me out.”
Caleb twisted his face in anger. “You set this up.”
“You set this up because I would owe you nothing and you would take everything.”
Mara’s face turned white. “That is not true.”
I turned my attention to her and stated, “You shouldn’t be sending threats to me from your company computer.”
The whispers traveled throughout the room.
Caleb let forth a chuckle, and attempted to ridicule me. “This is completely absurd. A woman envious of me as a husband…”
Adrian raised his hand and commanded silence to be restored within the room.“Three days ago,” he said, “I received a package of documents that provide evidence of fraud, forgery, harassment, bribery attempts, and misuse of company money involving both of you and sent to My Legal Team.”
Mara said quietly, “Caleb …”
Caleb responded, “Shut up.”
And that was how you knew everything about Caleb’s professionalism—he had absolutely none.
Then, Vale Holdings’ attorney stepped forward and stated, “Caleb Rowan, you are terminated effective immediately and your severance is null and void; we will fully cooperate with law enforcement.”
Police began to enter the office.
All of the confidence Caleb once had was now gone; he was now frightened. “Evelyn, you need to tell these officers that their mistake is wrong.”
I could recall how many times Caleb had insulted me, dismissed me, or told me I was useless while he profited from my work.
“No, I believe I understand exactly what is happening here,” I stated.
They took Caleb away.
Mara began to cry, “I did not know all of this.”
“You knew plenty,” I stated quietly.
“My attorney will be in touch with you.”
Caleb directed his rage at Adrian: “You did this because of her?”
Adrian was calm. “No, you did it to yourself.”
Just like that, Caleb vanished from Caleb’s world.
Within 24 hours of being terminated, his name was removed from the company as well. A few days after this happened, all access to his bank accounts had been confiscated. Mara also quit working for the company prior to being fired. My attorney filed papers to commence divorce proceedings and to recover financial damages.
Caleb made numerous calls to my phone, but I refused to accept any of his calls; I blocked him.
Now, I understood everything.
I’m free from all the chains that tied me to that marriage.
In six months, I was able to return to my father’s house and see how beautiful the new patio looked in the garden where his porch had previously stood. I was still wearing the navy blue dress I had bought for my wedding, but now it hung beautifully on me, not as a painful memory but as a reminder of all my victories.
Adrian comes to see me regularly; we take our time because some things take a while to develop.
While Caleb lost all that he had worked for and built up, Mara had gone away quietly, while both of their names have been used as examples and warnings.
I opened a financial consulting business for women who want to escape controlling marriages.
The day of my grand opening, Adrian brought me a bouquet of flowers.
“Are you happy, Lena?” he asked.
I look around at the beautiful space filled with light, hope, and women who are reclaiming their lives.
“Yes,” I replied.
For the first time, that answer was completely true!
