Chapter 4: Climax
Ren stepped off the elevator, his black dress shoes clicking against the polished marble floor of Alice's office building. He had timed his arrival perfectly, knowing that Alice would be in her office, alone. He strode towards her office, his tall frame commanding attention, his dark eyes fixed on the glass door that read "Alice Sterling, Executive Director".
As he pushed open the door, he was greeted by the familiar sight of Alice behind her desk, her head bent over a pile of papers. She looked up as he entered, her green eyes widening in surprise. "Ren? What are you doing here?"
Ren closed the door behind him, the click of the lock echoing in the room. He didn't answer her question, instead walking towards her desk, his eyes never leaving hers. Alice watched him, a mix of confusion and unease flickering across her face."You're not surprised to see me, are you, Alice?" Ren asked, his voice smooth and calm, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside him. Alice frowned, pushing her chair back slightly. "Should I be? You're my husband, Ren.
Of course, I'm surprised to see you here, unannounced," Alice replied, her voice carefully measured. She stood up, smoothing down her skirt, her eyes never leaving Ren's. "What are you doing here, Ren?" Ren stopped in front of her desk, his hands gripping the back of a chair. He didn't sit down, instead choosing to loom over her, his tall frame casting a shadow over her desk. "Everything's fine, Alice. Everything's just peachy," he said, his voice laced with a mocking edge. "I just needed you to sign this for me ." Ren pulled out a folded document from his suit pocket and placed it on her desk, smoothing it out with his hand. Alice's eyes scanned the document, her brows furrowing in confusion. "What is this, Ren?"
Alice asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked up at him, her green eyes filled with a mix of confusion and fear. Ren leaned forward, his hands still gripping the back of the chair, his eyes never leaving hers. "It's a little insurance policy, Alice. Just in case things don't go as planned." Alice's eyes flashed with anger, her voice sharp. "What are you talking about, Ren? What things? What plans?" Ren gave her a small smile, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Oh, Alice. Always so eager for answers.
Always so impatient," Ren said, his voice barely above a whisper. He paused, letting the tension build, enjoying the way Alice's eyes flashed with irritation. "Ren, stop playing games and tell me what's going on," Alice demanded, her voice shaking with anger and fear. Ren chuckled, a low sound that sent shivers down Alice's spine. "Games, Alice? Is that what you think this is?" He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Let me give you a little hint. It's not a game.
It's a reckoning. And you've been a very, very bad girl." Alice's breath hitched, her eyes widening in shock and fear. "Ren, what are you talking about? What have I done?"
Ren leaned back, his hands still gripping the chair, a slow, cruel smile spreading across his face. "Always playing the innocent. Always acting like you don't know what you've done. But we both know that's not true, don't we?"
Alice's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing. She knew Ren was talking about Charles, about the affair.
She could feel the blood draining from her face, her stomach churning with a mix of fear and guilt. "Ren, I can explain," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can you, Alice?" Ren interrupted, his voice cold and detached. "Because I've heard quite enough explanations from you lately. And I must say, they're getting quite tiresome." Alice's hands trembled as she picked up the document, her eyes scanning the lines of legal jargon. It was a divorce settlement, a detailed outline of how their assets would be divided, how their lives would be split apart.
Alice's hands shook as she read, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Ren, this...this isn't necessary. We can talk about this. We can work through this," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Ren's smile didn't reach his eyes, his expression unyielding. Always so optimistic. Always thinking we can 'work through' things. But the truth is, we can't. Not this time." She knew she had to tell him, had to confess everything and hope for his forgiveness.
But Ren's next words sent a chill down her spine, any hope of a peaceful resolution evaporating like mist in the morning sun.
"I didn't come here to talk, Alice." His voice was low, dangerous, and completely unlike the Ren she knew. "I came here to show you something."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, sleek device. It was a USB drive, black and unassuming, but Alice's heart pounded in her chest as if it were a ticking bomb. Ren plugged it into her computer, his fingers dancing over the keyboard with a familiarity that made Alice's stomach twist.
She knew that computer better than anyone, knew every keystroke, every password. And yet, she had no idea what Ren was doing, what information he was accessing.
The screen flickered to life, displaying a folder filled with files. Alice squinted, trying to make out the names, but Ren's broad shoulders blocked her view. He clicked on the first file, and a video began to play.
Alice's heart stopped. It was her, walking into Charles' office, her face flushed, her lips swollen from their last kiss.
Her eyes darted nervously around the room, making sure no one saw her slip inside. The camera angle changed, showing Charles leaning against his desk, a smug smile on his face. He said something, too low for the microphone to pick up, but Alice's laughter rang clear, a sound Ren had once loved, now turning his stomach.
Alice walked towards Charles, her hips swaying in a way that drove Ren crazy, but now only filled him with disgust. She reached out, touching Charles' chest, tracing the line of his buttons. Charles' hand covered hers, pulling it down, his eyes never leaving Alice's.
Ren watched, his jaw clenched, as Charles leaned in, his lips meeting Alice's in a kiss that was anything but innocent. Alice melted into him, her eyes fluttering closed, her body pressing against his. Ren felt a surge of anger, hot and fierce, burning through him. He wanted to storm into the room, to tear them apart, to make them pay for their betrayal. But he didn't. Instead, he watched, his eyes glued to the screen, his heart shattering with each passing second.
The video went on, a montage of stolen moments, secret trysts, and whispered promises.
Alice and Charles in the elevator, their bodies pressed together, hands exploring places they shouldn't. Alice and Charles in his car, steam fogging up the windows, their laughter echoing in the small space. Alice and Charles in his office, late at night, the city lights twinkling behind them as they lost themselves in each other.
Ren sat there, frozen, as the videos played on a loop. He felt numb, his heart a hollow ache in his chest. He had known, of course. He had suspected, had seen the signs. But seeing it, seeing them, was a thousand times worse than any imagining.
It was a physical pain, a gnawing, tearing agony that threatened to consume him. He wanted to look away, to close his eyes and blot out the sight of the woman he loved, the woman he had trusted, betraying him in the most intimate, most devastating way. He made himself watch, every searing second of it. He owed them that much. He owed himself that much.
Alice, meanwhile, had gone pale. Her hands were clenched into fists at her sides, her knuckles white. She looked like she might be sick. Ren watched her, his expression unreadable.
Alice's eyes were glued to the screen, her face a mask of shock and horror. She looked like she wanted to look away, to run, to do anything but stand there and watch the evidence of her betrayal play out before her. But she didn't move. She couldn't. She was frozen, trapped in the web of her own deceit.
After what felt like an eternity, Ren finally spoke. "Is there anything you'd like to say, Alice?" His voice was calm, too calm. It sent a shiver down Alice's spine.
She turned to face him, her eyes filled with tears.
"Ren, I-I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry. I never meant for this to happen." Her voice was barely above a whisper, her words tumbling out in a rush.
Ren raised an eyebrow, his expression unchanged. "You never meant for it to happen? Or you never meant for me to find out?" Alice flinched, his words stinging like a slap. "Both," she admitted, her voice barely audible. "I never wanted to hurt you, Ren. I never wanted you to find out." Ren let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head.
"Too little, too late, Alice. You've had plenty of opportunities to come clean, to end things with Charles. But you chose to lie, to deceive, to betray me." He paused, his eyes flashing with anger. "And now, here we are."
Alice's tears spilled over, streaming down her cheeks. "I know, Ren. I know I've done a terrible thing. But I love you. I still love you. Please, we can work through this. We can get past this."
Ren's expression hardened, his voice cold. "Love? You dare talk to me about love?
Alice, you threw our love in the trash the moment you decided to climb into bed with Charles. You took our vows, our promises, and you shredded them without a second thought. And now, you stand here, crying tears of convenience, spouting empty words about love and working through this," Ren spit out, his voice dripping with disgust. "You think this is about love, Alice? This is about respect. This is about trust. And you, Alice, have broken both."
Alice's sobs echoed through the office, a harsh, ugly sound that grated on Ren's nerves. He wanted to feel sorry for her, to take her in his arms and tell her everything would be okay. But he couldn't. Not anymore.
"I never meant for this to happen, Ren," Alice cried, her voice choked with tears. "You keep saying that, Alice. But it did happen. And now, we have to deal with the consequences." Ren's voice was steady, his expression unyielding. "Let's talked about, the divorce you have two options, you either sign or will fight it court that will ruined your life, humiliated and destroyed your career ." Alice's sobs hiccupped to a stop, her eyes widening in shock. "You wouldn't," she whispered, her voice hoarse from crying. "I would," Ren replied, his voice cold and hard. "I've tolerated your infidelity, your lies, your deceit for too long, Alice. I won't stand for it anymore. You've left me no choice." Alice's hands trembled as she reached for the document, her eyes scanning the lines of legal jargon. She knew Ren was serious, knew that he wouldn't hesitate to drag her through the mud if she refused to sign.
She could see it in his eyes, cold and unyielding, any trace of the man she loved replaced by a stranger who wanted nothing more than to see her suffer.
Alice's hands shook as she reached for the pen, her mind racing. She couldn't let him do this, couldn't let him ruin her career, her reputation, her life. She had made a mistake, a terrible, awful mistake, but she didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve to be humiliated, to be paraded in front of the world as a cheating wife, a fallen woman.
She had made a mistake, yes, but she was still Alice Sterling, executive director, respected professional, and damn it, she wouldn't let Ren take that away from her.
She looked up at him, her eyes blazing with a fiery determination he hadn't seen in a long time. "I won't sign it, Ren," she said, her voice steady and strong. "I won't let you ruin my life like this."
Ren leaned back in his chair, his brows shooting up in surprise. "You're making a mistake, Alice," he warned, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm not playing games here, you either sign the divorce paper or I'll ruined your life , your career, your reputation." She knew Ren was serious, knew that he wouldn't hesitate to carry out his threat. But she also knew that she couldn't let him dictate the terms of their divorce, couldn't let him ruin her life without a fight.
"Fine, Ren," she said, her voice steady and calm. "If you want to play dirty, I can play dirty too . I'll sign your damn divorce papers, but in return, you'll leave my career and my reputation out of this."
Ren's lips curled into a sneer. "You think you're in a position to negotiate, Alice? You're the one who had an affair, the one who broke our vows. You're the one who should be begging for mercy, not making demands."
Alice held his gaze, refusing to back down. "Maybe. But you're the one who's threatening to ruin my life, Ren. And I won't go down without a fight ." Ren's sneer faded, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. "You think you have a choice, Alice? You either sign the papers or face the consequences. I've gathered quite a bit of evidence, enough to make your life very difficult." Alice's heart pounded in her chest as she realized the gravity of the situation. Ren wasn't bluffing. He had proof of her affair, and he wasn't afraid to use it. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Fine, Ren. I'll sign the papers.
But I want something in return." Alice's voice was steady, her eyes locked onto Ren's. He raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, really? And what might that be?" "I want you to promise me that you won't expose my affair to my colleagues, to the world. I want you to keep it between us, between you and me." Ren leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin. "And why would I do that, Alice? Why would I give you the satisfaction of keeping your dirty little secret?" Alice took a deep breath, her mind racing.
She knew she was playing with fire, but she didn't have a choice. She had to try, had to fight for some semblance of control in this disaster of a situation. "Because, Ren, I'm not the only one with something to lose here," she said, her voice steady and calm. "Charles is a married man too, with a lot more to lose than I do. If you expose our affair, it won't just ruin my career, it'll ruin his too-" Ren cut her off "I'm being merciful Alice, because part of me i still loved you, but the same thing can't be said about dare old Charles, i can exposed him without exposing your not the only he's sleeping with" Alice's heart skipped a beat, her stomach churning with anxiety. "What do you mean, Ren? What are you talking about?" Ren leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a cold, cruel light. "I mean, Alice, you feel special because how Charles talked to you, he used the same speech through many girls, he's a player and he only saw you and the woman he's been with as he's toy's, he's bitches , he's playing them, and you were just another puppet on his string." How could Ren possibly know that? Was it true? Had she been played, used, just another conquest for Charles? "Ren, I don't believe you," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Believe what you want, Alice. But I have proof. I have messages, pictures, videos. I have everything I need to expose Charles for the fraud he is." Alice's mind was spinning, her heart pounding in her chest.
She had always known Charles was a charmer, a smooth talker, but she had never imagined he would use her like this. She felt foolish, naive, and worst of all, used. She looked up at Ren, her eyes filled with a mix of anger, humiliation, and betrayal. "Why are you telling me this, Ren? To hurt me? To make this easier for you?" Ren's expression softened slightly, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "No, Alice. I'm telling you this because you deserve to know the truth, i still loved you, no matter how many times you hurt me, and part me wanted to protect you, and i know i can't stayed for long or it will break me apart, in the end you still won, you played me and i couldn't fight back, i can only divorce you been done with you, so i'm giving you a chance to walk away with some dignity, i'm giving you a chance to be the one to end things with Charles, to leave him before he leaves you, to save yourself from the humiliation of being just another one of his conquests," Ren said, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes filled with a sadness that made Alice's heart ache.
Alice stared at him, her mind racing. She knew Ren was telling the truth, could see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice. She felt a pang of guilt, of regret, for the pain she had caused him.
She had been so blinded by her desire for Charles, for the thrill of the forbidden, that she had never stopped to think about the consequences, about the people she would hurt in the process. She had been selfish, reckless, and now, she was paying the price.
Ren was watching her, his expression unreadable. "So, what's it going to be, Alice? Are you going to sign the papers or not?" His voice was cold, detached, the Ren she knew and loved nowhere to be found.
Alice took a deep breath, her mind made up. She had been a fool, had let her desires cloud her judgment, but she refused to be a victim any longer. She would not let Charles use her, discard her like yesterday's news. But it doesn't helped the fact, even now Ren would still protect her, the only reason why she's threatening to exposed her because he wanted a divorce, and knowing now exposing her would make him feel worst , and he couldn't live with that.
Alice picked up the pen, her hand shaking slightly as she signed her name on the dotted line. She handed the document back to Ren, her eyes meeting his. "I've signed it, Ren. I'll leave Charles, and I won't make a scene. But I want you to promise me one thing."
Ren looked at her, his expression guarded. "What's that?"
Alice took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I want you to promise me that you'll let me tell our friends, our family, our own way. I don't want them finding out from some cheap tabloid or whispered rumors. I want to have control over the narrative, at least in that aspect," Alice said, her voice steady and calm.
Ren looked at her. "You don't have to tell them anything, let's just keep this between us, and if they question why they got divorce, just told them it didn't worked out , and I'm still protecting you, because I still loved you, you just not loved me anymore, and that's fine, I understand, and I will still be here for you, just as a friend." Alice looked at him, her eyes softening. "You always were too good for me, Ren. Too kind, too understanding," Alice said, her voice barely above a whisper. Ren's expression didn't change, his eyes remaining distant. "Don't do that, Alice. Don't try to make me into some saint. I'm not. I'm just a man who's been hurt, who's trying to protect himself and the woman he loves, even if she doesn't love him back." Alice's heart ached at the raw pain in Ren's voice. She cried burying his face over his chest "I'm sorry, I'm sorry , I'm so sorry," she repeated, her words muffled against his shirt. Ren stood there, frozen, unsure of how to react. He had never seen Alice like this, so vulnerable, so broken. It was a far cry from the confident, ambitious woman he had married.
After a moment, he tentatively raised his arms, wrapping them around her, pulling her close. She clung to him, her body wracked with sobs, her tears soaking through his shirt. He held her like that, saying nothing, just letting her cry it out.
It was an uncomfortable position for Ren, not the kind of closure he had envisioned. But he couldn't bring himself to push her away, not when she was like this. Not when she still needed him, even if it was just for this.
After what felt like an eternity, Alice's sobs began to subside. She pulled back, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Her makeup was smudged, her eyes red and puffy, but Ren thought she had never looked more beautiful.
"Ren, I...I don't know what to say," she started, her voice hoarse from crying
. Ren simply nodded, his eyes reflecting a turmoil of emotions. "You don't have to say anything, Alice. Just... promise me you'll tell Charles it's over. Today." Alice bit her lip, nodding. "I will. I promise." Ren took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he had to do next. "Goodbye Alice ," he said, his voice steady and calm. Then, without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out of the office, leaving Alice alone with her thoughts and her regrets.
The door clicked shut behind him, the sound echoing in the suddenly silent room. Alice stood there for a moment, staring at the door, unable to move, unable to think. It was over. Just like that, their marriage, their life together, was over.
She turned back to her desk, her eyes falling on the USB drive still plugged into her computer.
She reached out, her fingers hovering over it for a moment before she finally plucked it out and dropped it into her drawer, out of sight. She didn't know why she kept it, why she didn't just delete the files, destroy the evidence. Maybe it was a reminder, a punishment for her sins. Or maybe it was a lifeline, a connection to the past she could cling to in the storm that was now her present.
Ren send anonymous documents to the entire computer of this company, exposing Charles affairs, excluding that one she had with Alice , and within a minute Charles was called in the CEO office, and within a hour he was fired, Alice was shocked when she saw the email from Ren, exposing Charles affairs, even though she wanted to be mad at him, she couldn't, she was grateful that he was protecting her, even now, even after everything she had done to him.
She watched as Charles was escorted out of the building, his head hung low, his usually pristine suit rumpled. She felt a pang of sympathy for him, but it was quickly replaced by a wave of anger. How dare he use her like that?
She had been so stupid, so naive, to think that they had something real, something special. She had been just another conquest, another notch on his bedpost. The realization made her feel sick, humiliated.
She picked up her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed Charles' number. He answered on the third ring, his voice still confident, still arrogant. "Alice, darling, what a pleasant surprise. I was just thinking about you-" "Don't," she cut him off, her voice cold and hard.
"Don't you dare say my name, don't you dare pretend like you care about me. I know the truth, Charles. I know everything." There was a pause on the other end of the line, a moment of silence before Charles finally spoke. "What are you talking about, Alice? What truth?"
Alice's grip tightened on her phone, her knuckles turning white. "I know about your other women, Charles. I know about the lies, the deceit, the games you've been playing. I know it all." Charles let out a low laugh, a sound that made Alice's skin crawl.
"Oh, Alice, always so dramatic. I don't know what you're talking about." Alice's anger boiled over. "Don't play dumb, Charles. I've seen the messages, the pictures, the videos. I know exactly what you've been doing."
There was a pause on the other end of the line, a moment of silence before Charles finally spoke again, his voice cold and calculating. "I see. And who might have shown you these...items?"
Alice hesitated, not wanting to implicate Ren. "That doesn't matter. What matters is that I know the truth. And I want out.
I want out of this toxic relationship, out of this web of lies and deceit you've spun. I want nothing more to do with you, Charles. Do you understand me?"
Charles' voice was hard, unyielding. "I understand perfectly, Alice. But I must warn you, I don't take kindly to threats. You may think you have the upper hand here, but I assure you, I have my own means of... persuasion."
Alice scoffed, her anger boiling over. "Is that a threat, Charles? Because if it is, let me tell you something. I'm not afraid of you, what resources you have, what skills, or what anything you have that could persuasion me . I've already lost so much, my marriage, my respect, my dignity, what else could you take from me? So, if you think you can scare me, you're mistaken. I'm done being scared, being controlled, being used. I'm done being your pawn, Charles. I'm done." Alice's voice was steady, her resolve unwavering. She had never felt more alive, more empowered, than she did in that moment. She had lost so much, but she was finally taking control, finally standing up for herself. And it felt...liberating.
But it also made her feel incredibly tired. She leaned back in her chair, her eyes fluttering closed as she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She had done it. She had finally put an end to her affair with Charles, had finally stood up to him, had finally taken control of her life. But now, she was left with the aftermath, the fallout of her actions. She opened her eyes, her gaze falling on the divorce papers still sitting on her desk. She picked them up, her fingers tracing the lines of her signature. It was really over.
Ren was gone, Charles was exposed, and Alice was left to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Her life wasn't ruined because Ren excluded her, but now she feel empty without him , without his love, without his support. She felt lost, adrift at sea, with no anchor to keep her grounded. She had fought so hard to protect her career, her reputation, but now, she wasn't sure what she was fighting for.
She sat at her desk, staring blankly at the wall, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She had been so focused on her ambition, on her career, that she had forgotten what was truly important. She had forgotten about love, about loyalty, about trust. She had forgotten about Ren.
Or rather, she had pushed him to the back of her mind, had dismissed him as a complication, a roadblock on her path to success. She had been so blind, so self-absorbed, that she had never stopped to think about how her actions would affect him, how her ambition would destroy the one person who had always loved her, always supported her.
Alice's heart ached as she thought about Ren, about the look in his eyes when he had confronted her, the pain, the betrayal, the anger. She had caused that, had put that look in his eyes. She had broken his heart, had shattered their marriage, had ruined their lives. And for what? For a moment of passion, a fleeting thrill, a misguided sense of ambition? And yet he still protected her even after betraying him , even after he's divorcing her, he still cared for her, he still loved her, and that made her heart ache even more.
Alice sat at her desk, the weight of her actions crashing down on her like a tidal wave. She had made so many mistakes, had hurt so many people, and for what? She had thought she was invincible, untouchable, that she could have it all - the career, the man, the power. But she had been wrong. She had been so, so wrong, her career might have survived, but without Ren by her side, she felt empty, alone, and lost. She missed him, missed their life together, missed the love they had shared. She wished she could go back, wished she could undo the past, wished she could take back every selfish, reckless decision she had made.
She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she had to do next. She picked up her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen as she debated whether or not to call Ren. She wanted to hear his voice, wanted to apologize, wanted to beg for his forgiveness. But she knew it was too late for that, they're already divorce and probably had already handed the document to his lawyer. She had pushed him away, had hurt him too deeply, and she knew that there was no going back, no fixing what she had broken. She had lost him, lost the love of her life, and the realization made her heart ache with a pain that was almost unbearable, it was over.