My Husband's Mistress is Our Son's Teacher - Chapter 6: Chapter 6

I finally understood what was happening - Ryan had slept with Annie Jo. And of course, Annie wasn't about to settle for being the side piece. She'd started working on him to make things official, though she was playing the classic gold digger playbook - all subtle manipulation and no messy scenes.
Annie wasn't the type to scream or make dramatic demands. Oh no, she was far more clever than that. She played the fragile victim card perfectly, painting herself as this poor, helpless thing that needed rescuing. And Ryan, caught up in his "true love" fantasy, was eating it up - promising her the moon and stars.
What Ethan didn't know was that I'd planted someone in Annie's circle - my own personal informant feeding me updates and giving things a nudge when needed.
"Nicole," Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair, "don't worry. I'll make sure Ryan gives you a fair settlement."
I gave a humorless laugh. "Come on, Ethan. Save the empty reassurances. We both know exactly who Ryan is. Let me guess - you've already tried talking sense into him? He'll throw me some token amount, just enough to keep up appearances."
Ryan worshipped money. The idea of splitting our assets fifty-fifty? He'd laugh in your face. In his mind, I was just some stay-at-home wife who contributed nothing while he "built his empire." He probably thought he'd already done me a favor by letting me live comfortably off his success.
Ethan shifted uncomfortably, confirming I'd hit the mark.
"But here's the thing," I continued calmly, "I'm not just going to roll over. I'm documenting everything - the affair, his actual income, all the hidden assets. If he wants to fight this out in court, bring it on."
Ethan's hands clenched into fists, clearly torn.
As VP of Ryan's company, he knew where all the financial bodies were buried. His help would make this infinitely easier. But helping me would mean betraying Ryan - destroying both their friendship and their business partnership.
Men might get emotional sometimes, but when push comes to shove? They always protect their own interests.
That's why I never asked Ethan for help. Not yet anyway.
Seeing his distress, I forced a smile. "Relax, would you? I haven't even asked you for anything and you're already looking guilty. I know this situation sucks for you."
"How can I not—" he started, but I cut him off.
"My mind's made up. Once this is over, I'm opening a private dining spot. You'd better be my first customer."
"Of course," he said, but the guilt in his eyes was unmistakable.
He shouldn't feel guilty. After all, I was using him too.
Ryan and Ethan might be partners, but their alliance had always been fragile. Over the years, they'd clashed over company direction, profit shares, you name it. They papered over the cracks for business's sake, but the fractures were always there.
Ryan was all reckless ambition while Ethan played the cautious strategist. More often than not, Ethan ended up cleaning up Ryan's messes.
One night, Ethan came home looking particularly drained.
Since I'd brought dinner over, I asked casually, "Let me guess - another Ryan special?"
"Yeah," he admitted, massaging his temples.
After a calculated pause, I said carefully, "I know it's not my place, but...have you ever considered going separate ways? You two want completely different things. With your skills, you shouldn't have to keep playing cleanup crew."
Ethan sighed. "I'm not ready to think about that yet."
Playing the concerned friend, I backed off. "Fair enough. Just something to consider."
But before Ethan could betray Ryan, Ryan beat him to it.
He burst into Ethan's office one day, slamming down incriminating photos. "This is how you repay me? Screwing my wife?"
The photos showed Ethan and me looking cozy - intimate smiles, close walks, the whole nine yards.
Naturally, this was all part of the plan. I'd arranged these "candid" shots weeks ago and made sure Annie's friend "accidentally" discovered them. Right on cue, she'd used them to pressure Ryan into leaving me.
Worked like a damn charm.