Standing half a step behind Julian, her hand lightly resting on his arm, was Victoria. She wore a sparkling gold sequined gown, her dark hair cascading down her back, a subtle, victorious smirk playing across her lips.
"I want a divorce," Julian said. His voice was flat, sharp, and cut through the chilly afternoon air like a blade.
Maya swallowed hard, a fresh wave of tears spilling over her eyelashes. "Julian... please. Look at me. We're weeks away from having our child. You brought me out here... in front of everyone... for this?"
"Don't make a scene, Maya," Julian sneered, stepping closer and lowering his voice into a sharp hiss. "You knew what this marriage was. It was a corporate merger that ceased being useful six months ago. Victoria and I have finalized the realignment of Vance Capital. You don't fit into the future of this company."
"You used me..." Maya whispered, her voice shaking violently. "You used my family's seed capital to clear your firm's debt, and now that I'm carrying your heir, you're discarding me?"