Chapter 9 - THE CHICAGO CONNECTION
My laptop screen displayed an email from the senior partners of Horizon Architecture in Chicago.
“They want me back,
” I said,
reading the message aloud to Arthur and Chloe.
“Not just as a senior partner,
but as the lead architect for the new Millennium Plaza project.
”
Chloe squealed with delight,
clapping her hands together.
“That’s massive!” Chloe exclaimed.
“That’s the biggest urban development contract in the Midwest!”
“And they want you to head the entire division.
”
I smiled,
feeling a long-dormant spark of genuine excitement ignite in my chest.
For seven years,
Daniel had systematically minimized my professional achievements.
He had convinced me that my designs were too aggressive,
that my career was secondary to his university lectures,
and that my place was in the Boston suburbs playing the dutiful housewife.
“Daniel told me my architectural license was expiring and that nobody in Chicago remembered my work,
” I recalled bitterly.
“He lied to keep you dependent,
” Arthur said firmly.
“Abusers always isolate their victims from their true strengths.
”
“They make you believe you are helpless so you never realize you hold all the power.
”
“Well,
the illusion is shattered permanently,
” I replied,
closing the laptop.
“I’m filing for divorce tomorrow morning.
”
“And I’m transferring my primary residence back to my Chicago penthouse.
”
“What about this house?” Arthur asked,
glancing around the grand living room.
“Keep it,
sell it,
or turn it into a museum of bad marriage decisions,
” I joked lightly.
“Actually,
” Arthur said with a thoughtful smile,
“I think I’m going to donate this house to the Boston Architectural College.
”
“Name it after you.
”
“The Sterling-Harding Center for Structural Innovation.
”
I stared at him in surprise,
then burst out laughing.
“That would certainly give Victoria and Daniel something permanent to read about from their prison cells.
”
“Exactly,
” Arthur chuckled.
“Nothing hurts a narcissist quite like having their greatest humiliation permanently inscribed on a plaque in their hometown.
”
Richard walked back into the room,
holding a fresh stack of legal paperwork.
“The divorce papers are drafted,
and the preliminary asset forfeiture is locked in,
” Richard announced.
May you like
“All you need to do is sign on the dotted line.
”
