[Part 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/stories/s/i9xFlKgt9K)
The Reckoning.
Six months from that party was go time. I had plenty of evidence of adultery and corporate malfeasance. I had a new overseas job waiting for me. And Allison and I had become close. We hadn’t done anything romantic, I wanted to wait until the separation was official.
It was a Friday when I took the first step. It was a rare day at home and I managed to take that Friday off. Once Mel left for work, I spent most of the morning and early afternoon packing all of her clothes and personal possessions. A locksmith had come over to change the locks. By mid afternoon, I got a text from Margaret than Mel had been served with the request for separation and the divorce filing. No evidence of her and Kyle’s affair was part of that package. That would come later.
Sure enough, Mel came home and showed more emotion towards me than she had in months. I sat on the porch with a whiskey in hand and the boxes in front of me. She demanded to know what was going, how could I do this, we need to talk and work through this.
Sure babe, I thought, but didn’t say. I pointed to the boxes and said we’ll talk through lawyers. She collected the boxes and shoved them into her car before leaving.
That was the first peaceful weekend I had in months. I grilled a nice thick steak and paired it with some high end scotch. I also called key people like my siblings and parents to tell them what happened. My parents knew there was trouble, but I kept the explicit details from them. My brother and sister knew what Mel had done and were glad I pulled the divorce trigger.
I also called Allison. She was happy for me, but she warned that Kyle may try something.
I was counting on it.
And it came Monday morning. I figured she ran to Kyle when left and told him about the divorce. After a couple of hours in the office preparing to wrap my job up, I was summoned into a small conference room where Kyle, smug as ever, was waiting with an HR executive. It began with how management (meaning Kyle) had serious concerns about my performance. I was presented a document that they wanted me to sign to acknowledge my poor performance and I would be demoted with a decrease in pay.
I skimmed it. Then tore it in two. Kyle and the HR rep were openly shocked. I took out a tablet and Bluetooth speaker and played a small file. It was in my living room where Kyle and Mel, clearly visible, were making out. During their session, Kyle admitted that he had been giving me extra work and sent me out of town so they could have alone time.
The HR rep’s face froze. Kyle was no longer as smug, though probably thinking adultery alone would not damage him. I then handed the rep the evidence of Kyle using the company card, charged to company accounts, for romantic getaways with Mel. Now Kyle was worried.
I gathered my devices and told the rep I was going take a couple of weeks of accumulated travel PTO and my lawyer would be in touch.
The Aftermath.
I spent the next couple of weeks packing up and getting ready for my move to Cape Town. I was only taking my clothes and a few personal items. I sold off my furniture and donated what couldn’t sell. The surveillance expert came and took out all of his stuff. I didn’t sell the house, but I was going to rent it out.
The last time I saw Mel was in Margaret’s conference room. She decided not to contest the divorce, but she wanted a payday. Half my retirement, the house, and alimony, despite that she actually made more money than I did. The prenup we signed protected both our assets. Mel tried to argue it was signed under duress, but we had confirmation from her lawyers at the time who had confirmed it was a fair agreement.
Then we showed our evidence of the adultery. First were the photos from Max with them going to hotels. Then some of the videos. I deliberately chose some of the more explicit to make a point.
Mel agreed to a clean divorce. Part of me wanted to drag it out, punish her. But after six months of this, I wanted to be done. We did have a private moment afterwards. I asked why she cheated, why she betrayed me. She said that she did love me, but Kyle coming back into her life reawakened their feelings. She wanted to tell me sooner, but couldn’t bring herself to do so.
I laughed, then told her that her true love abandoned his daughter and was about to go through some things. That was the last time I ever spoke to her.
Kyle had it worse. He was already in trouble because of the corporate card. When the Feds showed up, he was led out in handcuffs. Now while was an arrogant asshole, he wasn’t stupid. When pressed on his illegal deals, he sold out the corporate masterminds, including his uncle. Ultimately, the company was brought down by their actions. It was acquired by a competitor on the cheap. Thankfully my old colleagues got out in time.
Kyle managed to avoid jail time thanks to his testimony, but he would never work corporate again. Last I heard he was in a new state at a rural high school where he taught and coached, and probably pursuing some of the divorced moms.
I never knew what happened to Mel. Last word was she also left town, though she sure as hell didn’t join Kyle. While cheating on your husband is bad, Mel was smart enough to do nothing that would jeopardize her job. So I imagine she’s still in Finance. I don’t really know, don’t know if she’s doing fine or otherwise. And I really don’t care.
Today we are in Cape Town for another three years. I say we because Allison, looking for a change herself, joined my new company and me. We got married and I formally adopted Callie. A few months ago, we welcomed twins, Carlton and Catelyn. The projects are going well and we have a nice savings that will pay for kids’ college when the time comes and a nice home when we ultimately return to the states.
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