The Victorious Emerging Son In-Law

CHAPTER 1

Bruce Taylor sat staring into his cooling coffee, still in disbelief at the words coming from the woman across from him.

"Mrs. Lydia Taylor believes this is the best decision for all parties involved," Lydia's secretary, Amanda, stated matter-of-factly as she slid the divorce papers across the table towards Bruce.

He glanced down at the documents, a bitter taste in his mouth. "A loser like me doesn't deserve a sophisticated woman like Lydia, is that what she said?"

Amanda adjusted her glasses. "I cannot disclose the private conversations between myself and my employer."

" Madam Lydia is veritably busy. She doesn't need to trouble herself with similar trifling matters.

" Trifling matters? " Bruce was stupefied. also, he laughed plaintively.

" Is that so? Is divorce a trifling matter to her? She can't indeed find the time to speak to me. Truly, she's that unattainable now! "

" Bruce, don't delay this any longer "Don't go too far, Bruce! "

Lyra hit her hand on the table. " Don't say I didn't advise you. With all her power and coffers, Madam Lydia can disjoin you fluently. It's only because she appreciates her once relationship with you that she's allowing you to keep your quality complete.

Don't provoke her! " "Bruce was a little amused by that. She didn't indeed want to speak to him directly to divorce him. What kind of quality was that? Also, if she did appreciate their relationship, why was she hanging him now? " I don't suppose we've anything different to talk about, also. "

Bruce let out a hollow laugh, shaking his head in resentment. If it wasn't for him supporting Lydia through business school, introducing her to all his valuable contacts, and helping get her family's struggling chinaware business back on its feet, she wouldn't be the successful entrepreneur she is today - jet-setting around the world while he held down the home front alone.

And now, she wanted to kick him to the curb like last season's shoes.

He leaned forward, holding Amanda's gaze firmly. "You can tell Mrs. Taylor that I refuse to sign these papers. Not until she tells me to my face that our ten years together meant nothing to her."

Bruce's fingers dug into the divorce documents in frustration. "Now, do you need me to sign anything else while I'm here? Or are we finished?"

Bruce stared down at the divorce papers lying on the table, a swirling storm of emotions raging inside him. He had supported Lydia since the early days of their marriage when her family was drowning in debt. He had been the one to coach her through business school, connect her with all of his most influential contacts, and provide the runway for her entrepreneurial dreams to take flight.

And now that those dreams had come to fruition, now that she was jet-setting around the world as a powerful millionaire, she was ready to toss him aside like last year's stock portfolio.

"Mrs. Taylor wanted me to express that this decision is in the best interest of both parties," Lydia's secretary Amanda clipped briskly, adjusting her glasses.

Bruce barked out a harsh laugh. "Let me guess - I'm too much of a regular loser to be seen on the arm of the sophisticated Lydia Taylor anymore? I smear her shiny veneer?"

Amanda's expression remained impassive. "I cannot disclose the private conversations between myself and my employer."

Leaning forward, Bruce locked eyes with the secretary. "You tell Mrs Taylor that I'm not signing anything until she looks me in the eye and tells me our decade together meant nothing to her."

He jabbed a finger at the documents. "Now is there anything else you need me to sign here today? Or are we finished?"

Amanda pursed her lips, standing abruptly to gather up the untouched paperwork. Bruce watched her quick retreat with a shake of his head, bitterness settling into his bones. If Lydia wanted a fight over ending this marriage, she had one hell of a storm coming.

Amanda turned back around, papers clutched tightly to her chest. "Mr. Taylor, please try to look at this objectively. Signing the papers is the logical course of action."

Bruce scoffed loudly. "You mean it's the logical course of action for Lydia. What exactly do I get out of this little arrangement except dumped on my ass?"

"You would receive a substantial alimony payment," Amanda replied crisply. "In addition to one of the condos from Mrs. Taylor's real estate portfolio. It's a more than generous offer."

"Oh so I can get tossed out of my home but with the consolation prize of another one of Lydia's cast-offs," Bruce growled.

Amanda sighed, adjusting the glasses slipping down her nose. "Mrs Taylor is being exceptionally fair given the circumstances. This divorce will be quick and painless if you simply sign."

Bruce leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms defiantly. "Life stopped being quick and painless when my wife shoved divorce papers in my face instead of talking to me directly. You go back and tell her signing anything is off the table until she looks me in the eye and gives me some damn closure herself."

Amanda pressed her lips together tightly, irritation flashing across her features at Bruce's stubbornness. "I will relay your message," she replied tersely before turning on her heel and striding towards the exit, paperwork flapping gently in her wake.

Bruce watched her disappear out the door, bitterness and anger churning within him like storm clouds gathering on the horizon. One way or another, Lydia would owe him an explanation.

Bruce looked up from his spot on the couch as Lydia stormed into the living room, Amanda trailing stiffly behind with the divorce papers in hand.

"Would you like to explain to me why the hell you didn't sign these when Amanda brought them to you?" Lydia demanded, eyes flashing.

With a sigh, Bruce muted the TV and tossed the remote aside. "Because the end of our decade-long marriage deserves more than being tossed out like yesterday's garbage by your secretary."

Lydia crossed her arms. "Don't be so overdramatic, Bruce. This divorce is simply the next logical step in light of recent changes."

Bruce barked out a harsh laugh, rising to his feet. "Changes? You mean in light of your decision money and status now matter more to you than the man who was by your side before you had either."

Lydia scowled, irritation stamping her features. "You know just as well as I do that things are vastly different now. I'm a brand - one that comes with certain expectations. Having you around doesn't fit the image anymore."

Bruce clenched his fists, anger pounding through him. "I'm not signing a thing until you look me in the eyes and tell me you feel nothing for the years we had together. That our whole marriage meant nothing."

Lydia stepped closer, glaring up at him. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be. You want me to spit out some sugar-coated emotional nonsense just to placate your ego?"

She snatched the divorce papers from Amanda's hand and thrust them at Bruce's chest. "Sign the damn papers already so we can both move on with our lives."

Bruce met her glare steadily, jaw locked. He refused to let her see how deeply her words sliced into him. Their marriage may have meant the world to him, but the feeling wasn't mutual.

CHAPTER

"Face facts, Bruce - we're just not on the same level anymore," Lydia said flippantly, turning to gaze out the lavish floor-to-ceiling windows. "In case you didn't realize, I built a billion-dollar empire these last 5 years. I mingle with CEOs and celebrities now. And you..."

She glanced back, lip curling in a slight sneer as she gave him a dismissive once-over. "Well, let's just say a short, balding accountant doesn't exactly fit that image anymore."

Bruce felt his face burn red as Amanda and Lydia's lawyers clustered nearby chuckled condescendingly.

Lydia sauntered back towards Bruce, shoving the divorce papers against his chest once more. "I'm still throwing you a bone with the alimony, you know. $10,000 isn't anything to sniff at for someone like you. That should keep hunger from killing you for a while once you're back on the streets."

The lawyers around her broke into mocking laughter. Bruce felt humiliation wash over him like a wave, but he steeled his expression, refusing to show such weakness.

Straightening to his full height, Bruce looked down at Lydia with steely eyes. "I'm not signing anything until you show me a shred of the woman I thought I married. The woman with compassion and integrity, not this shallow socialite twisting the knife while you sell me out."

His words cut through the jeering like a knife. Anger flashed in Lydia's eyes.

"Don't hold your breath waiting for some Hollywood monologue," she spat. "I have nothing more to say to you." She jabbed the papers violently into his chest.

Bruce didn't flinch. He met her glare defiantly. "Think very carefully about how you want our marriage to end, Lydia. Is this truly who you've become?"

The room had gone deathly silent, all eyes on the confrontation unfolding. Lydia's hand shook with rage. But behind the fury, Bruce thought he saw a flicker of something else in her eyes - pain, regret, he wasn't sure. Then it was gone as she whirled around and stalked from the room.

As Bruce stared down at the divorce papers being waved in his face, his mind flooded with memories - when Lydia's family business was failing and he had taken out massive risky loans in his name to keep them afloat. How it nearly bankrupted him and almost ended with criminal charges when the debt ballooned out of control.

He had put everything on the line...all to support Lydia's ambitions and vision for growing her family company. She never would have made it to where she was today without him, and now she was tossing him out like garbage.

Bruce slapped the papers from her hand angrily. "You know what Lydia? To hell with your money. I don't want a penny of it since it all came from what I sacrificed for you."

Lydia snorted derisively. "You act so self-righteous, as if I ever asked you to take out all those loans way back. That was your choice so don't try guilt-tripping me."

"No, YOU made this choice," Bruce snapped back. "The choice to throw away our marriage now that you have everything you wanted. Was this even real to you? Or just a means to an end?"

For the first time, Lydia's haughty expression faltered slightly. She crossed her arms, glancing away. "People change, Bruce. Priorities change..."

"Tell me the truth," Bruce demanded. "Is there someone else you love that you have been hiding from me?"

Lydia stiffened, a flush rising on her cheeks. That was all the answer Bruce needed. So the rumours were true - she had used him up and traded him in for someone richer and more influential.

Wordlessly, Bruce scrawled his signature across the documents, his hand shaking with anger and grief. He ripped off his wedding ring and held it out to Lydia when he was done.

"Congratulations. I hope you and the mayor are very happy together."

Bruce stormed out of the mansion, boiling with rage. As he stomped across the sprawling grounds towards the parking area, desperate to clear his head, an expensive Lexus pulled up. Lydia's mother, brother and sister climbed out, their mouths twisting into sneers when they spotted Bruce.

"Well, if it isn't the gold digger," Lydia's brother Josh snarled, striding over. "Come to try and squeeze more money out of my sister?"

Bruce took a deep breath, struggling to contain his anger. "I want nothing from your family anymore. I just signed the divorce papers."

"Don't pretend you're so high and mighty," Lydia's mother scoffed, jabbing a bony finger into Bruce's chest. "I know your type - probably trying to swindle as much alimony as possible to keep up with those lazy, country club friends of yours now that you've latched onto Lydia."

The accusation made Bruce see red. He hadn't taken a cent of Lydia's money. "I refused the alimony! Not that facts matter to any of you," he spat bitterly.

Josh got right in Bruce's face. "I think you're lying. Fork over the $10,000 my sister promised you, you slimy leech." He shoved Bruce roughly. "Now!"

Something in Bruce snapped. Without even thinking, he reared back and slapped Josh full across the face, sending Lydia's brother reeling to the pavement.

"I earned every bit of what I own, which is more than any of you can say!" Bruce bellowed, chest heaving with rage. "Keep my damn name out of your mouths from here on."

Ellen snorted derisively. "Of course, this is all your fault. My daughter would never end things unless you did something to betray her trust."

Bruce frowned in disbelief. "You know very well I was nothing but loyal to Lydia for years. But facts don't matter here."

"Who knows what kind of sneaking around you were doing without us knowing!" Ellen shot back. "My daughter was right to cut you loose. You could never measure up to someone of her calibre anyway."

Before Bruce could respond, Lydia's brother Josh shoved his way forward. "Alright, enough small talk. I know Lydia gave you a big stack of cash as alimony. Time to fork it all over."

Bruce stared at him in shock. "I didn't take a dime from her in the divorce!"

"Likely story," Josh scoffed. "What kind of idiot passes up on millions of dollars? Now quit the games and pay up."

As Josh loomed threateningly, Bruce stood his ground. "Call your sister if you want, but I refused to collect any money from her."

Ellen pointed a long bony finger in Bruce's face. "We're not leaving here until you return every cent you stole from my daughter, do you hear me?"

CHAPTER 3

Bruce could not take any nonsense from Josh and before Josh could tell what was happening Bruce had landed him three slaps in the face.

Ellen fretted anxiously as she helped a groggy Josh to his feet, letting him lean heavily against her as they limped towards their car.

"It's okay sweetie, we'll get you all fixed up," she cooed, gingerly touching the rapidly swelling bruises on his face. Josh merely groaned, barely conscious.

As Ellen deposited her son into the passenger seat, she shook her head angrily. "That evil man will not get away with this, mark my words!" she spat. "Once you get out of the hospital, we're going straight to the police!"

Josh blinked blearily at his mother. "But...Lydia..." he mumbled almost incoherently.

Ellen paused her tirade, confused. "Your sister? What about her? Josh, look at your poor face after what that scoundrel did!"

Josh grabbed feebly at her arm, wincing in pain. "She'll...be furious. If we...get Bruce...arrested."

Understanding dawned on Ellen. As furious as she was over Bruce's attack, Lydia would likely be enraged if they dragged her prominent company name through the mud by pressing charges against her ex-husband publicly.

With an angry huff, Ellen wrenched open the driver's door. "Then we won't involve the police. But this isn't over between us and that man! He'll regret ever laying a hand on my boy!"

Lydia strode over to where her mother was helping a battered and bruised Josh into the car, surprise flashing across her face.

"What on earth happened?" she exclaimed, eyes darting between Josh's swollen face and Ellen's enraged expression.

"That beastly ex-husband of yours is what happened!" Ellen snapped. She quickly recounted the violent altercation with Bruce to her daughter. "...And then he just stormed off without a glance back!"

Lydia pressed her lips together angrily. "So Bruce did all this? When I get my hands on him I'll..." She trailed off with a huff. "We'll deal with it later. I have to get to an important meeting."

Ellen perked up instantly at the mention of a meeting. "Oh? With who, darling?"

"The Blescon Group," Lydia replied, checking her appearance in the car window. "They're the largest company in the state. I have a chance to potentially become a shareholder."

"I heard Blescon is searching for a buyer for the entire company too," Ellen said eagerly. "If you impress them enough, perhaps you could..."

Lydia waved a hand. "Yes, that's the plan! We've been trying to partner with Blescon for years to no avail. But becoming a major shareholder in something this influential would take Nicholson Enterprises to an entirely new level."

A slow calculating smile spread over Ellen's face, visions of status and power already dancing through her mind thanks to her ambitious daughter. Blescon would soon be within the family's grasp, she was sure of it.

Bruce strode down the busy city sidewalks, shoulders hunched and hands shoved deep in his pockets as he attempted to calm the rage still simmering in his veins. His knuckles throbbed where they had connected with Josh's face. It had felt so satisfying at the moment to finally stand up for himself against those vultures. But now Bruce just felt drained and empty inside.

Bruce ducked gratefully into the small corner cafe, hoping for a reprieve from the noise and tumult of his thoughts.

"Welcome in, what can I get started for you?" asked a friendly barista.

"Just a black coffee, please." Bruce sank wearily onto a tucked-away sofa.

The barista brought his drink. "Rough day, friend? On the house." She smiled kindly and moved away.

Bruce sighed, lost in thought as he gazed into the coffee. Memories washed over him...

Bruce nudged Lydia playfully as they walked the university grounds. "Come on, spill. What grand plans are percolating in that scheming mind of yours?"

Lydia beamed, eyes alight with passion. "I'm going to change the world, Bruce! My family's little shop will be an empire, just watch."

Bruce grinned. "I have no doubt. But what about the little dreams? Late night picnics under the stars...a cosy home...little ones running around?"

Lydia squeezed his hand. "All that and more, once I've made my mark. You'll be by my side through it all, yes?"

Bruce lifted her chin, gazing into her bright eyes. "Without a doubt, Lyd. Your dreams are ours."

But somehow they had clicked right away. Bruce was drawn in by Lydia's passion and tenacious spirit. She often told him she admired his calm steadiness and reliability, qualities she felt she lacked. They balanced each other out.

Or at least Bruce had believed so. But now he wondered if Lydia had simply seen him as a stepping stone - someone convenient to support her financially and help manage the practical details of life while she focused single-mindedly on business success.

Bruce grimaced, remembering the early years after their wedding - him working overtime at his accounting firm while secretly moonlighting doing Lydia's family company books off the record. Skipping dinners out so they could put that money toward outfitting her new shop. Taking out risky small business loans when the shop hit a cash crisis, nearly bankrupting them both.

He had sacrificed everything...done it gladly thinking it was for their shared future together. How foolish he had been.

His loyalty paid off in the end when Lydia finally landed the connections and capital she needed to not just sustain but grow her small store into a thriving national chain within a few short years. By 30 she was already turning enough profit to start ploughing money into other investments, her business savvy and shark instincts serving her well.

Within another handful of years, Lydia had left Bruce behind in the dust - suddenly she was jet-setting to million-dollar mercy acquisitions across the globe while he lived month to month crunching numbers. She never discussed business decisions with him anymore, only barking orders for him to sign this document or file that paperwork.

They ceased being partners building towards shared dreams and instead, Bruce morphed into just another secretary for the great Lydia Nicholson's empire. Each year dragged them further and further apart until he was scarcely allowed to even speak to the woman outside of holiday galas and publicity events where Lydia wanted the perfect-looking family.

Bruce slammed a fist angrily on the table, the few other patrons glancing over nervously at the sudden violence. He scrubbed a hand over his weary eyes. God, when had it all become such a sham? How had he been so blind not to see how Lydia was using him?

And now to be thrown out like last week's garbage because he didn't fit the "image" anymore. Still boiling with fury over Josh's smug entitlement and Ellen's disgust as they looked down on him, Bruce almost wished he had given in to violence again. At least it was the one time he seemed able to garner an ounce of respect rather than dismissal or disdain from those vultures.

Not that he could even hope to compare to the lofty circles Lydia associated with now of course. Men with a glossy magazine look and private yachts probably cost more than Bruce's whole retirement savings. He had overheard the whispered rumours that Lydia was supposedly involved with the city's mayor now.

Bruce let out a bitter, choking laugh that drew several more concerned stares. The mayor. Of course. A well-connected man who was nearly as shrewd in business and twice as loaded as Lydia herself. Why wouldn't she cast Bruce aside without a second glance for that kind of power couple opportunity?

It wasn't enough to conquer a mere multi-million dollar empire anymore, not for someone with Lydia's relentless ambitions. She was certainly poised now to potentially take over far bigger ventures. Like that Blescon Group, her mother had mentioned, a mega-corporation worth over 800 billion. Bruce shook his head sourly. He shouldn't have been surprised - no matter how high Lydia climbed, she would always stretch for the next golden rung just out of reach.

Somewhere along the way his sweet, passionate girl with stars in her eyes transformed into a ruthless tycoon obsessed with status and influence. And Bruce refused to debase himself any longer for table scraps of affection from someone who felt nothing but disgust for the loyal man who helped her ascend so high.

As the anger slowly drained out of him, an aching sadness flooded the empty spaces left behind. God, he missed her. Missed the Lydia from all those years ago who used to impulsively slow dance with him in their cramped apartment kitchen after long days. Who insisted on leaving little love notes in his lunches when they were apart.

Whose smile and whispered "I love you" each morning before rising fueled him through the most stressful overtime shifts at work.

Lydia sitting across the table shoving divorce papers in his face may as well have been a cold, haughty stranger wearing his former wife's skin.

Bruce roughly knuckled away a tear that escaped down his cheek. Enough maudlin reminiscing over a life devolving for years and finally shattered beyond all salvation. He had humiliated himself on her behalf for the last time. There would be no weeping or pleading with the ice-veined mogul Lydia had twisted herself into for the sake of success.

Finishing the last bitter dregs of his now cold coffee, Bruce rose abruptly from the table. He couldn't avoid returning to grab his things from the mansion he used to call home, though the thought of seeing Lydia or her family again made his stomach turn. There was nothing left for him there anymore except finalizing his exile.