Chapter 8
Eight
Shyriq had been waiting for this day to come.
For months, and even before talks of a divorce were mentioned, Xena had made Shyriq’s life miserable. He couldn’t pinpoint when the annoyance began, but it hadn’t always been. She wasn’t the woman he had once fallen and been in love with.
As he sat back in the sleek leather chair, his hands clasped in front of him and his expression neutral, Shyriq looked over Xena’s appearance.
He hadn’t seen her in a while but was shocked to see her wearing a blunt-cut bob with a part down the middle.
Long bundles down her back were more of Xena’s style, but she decided to switch it up today.
She wanted to make a statement that matched her attitude: bold.
She’d already made up her mind that she was going to win this battle.
The tension in the room was thick, but Shyriq was relaxed.
Xena tried throwing her weight around, demanding they meet at her lawyer, Kelsey’s, office, but she forgot who was in control.
They met at King’s office, and Xena’s entitled attitude filled the air before they could sit down.
She sat across from him with a smug expression, perched in her seat as if she owned the place and had the upper hand.
However, she was sadly mistaken.
“Gentlemen,” Kelsey began. “Good morning.”
Shyriq tipped his head. “A good morning it is indeed.”
Xena gave a devious grin. “You’re saying that now.”
“Shall we begin?” King said, getting to the point. Though he was Shyriq’s lawyer, he was also a friend and wanted to wrap this up today. Xena had worked his last nerves, and she wasn’t even his client.
“Of course,” Kelsey said.
As she flipped through divorce settlement papers, Shyriq couldn’t help but wonder how they’d gotten to this point.
Having been married to someone for five years after being in a relationship for two and then seeing them transform into another person before his eyes was jarring to Shyriq.
He wondered if loving her as much as he had, wanting to be the absolute best husband he could be, had blinded him to her wickedness.
“Mrs. Hendrix is—”
“Ms. Lewis,” Shyriq corrected Kelsey before she could complete her sentence.
Xena rolled her eyes. “Was that necessary? I’m still your wife.”
“On papers and not for long,” Shyriq replied.
The perks of being tied to the Hendrix name were why she still enjoyed being addressed by it.
It made no sense to Shyriq, who saw it as a sign of disrespect.
She could do whatever she wanted and be called whatever name she pleased, except any name tied to him.
Xena was coming up off of it today, regardless of whether she wanted to.
Kelsey glanced at Xena before continuing. “Ms. Lewis is seeking spousal support for five years—”
Shyriq laughed. He wasn’t trying to disrespect Kelsey, and he wasn’t that type of man anyway, but they had him fucked up.
“It’s not happening,” he said calmly but firmly.
Xena exhaled loudly, dramatically, like she seemed to do most days. She tilted her head as if he was being unreasonable.
“And why not? Were we not married for five years? I was with you when you expanded your business. I sacrificed just as much as you, and I deserve to be compensated.”
“Sacrificed?” Shyriq chuckled. “Xena, let’s be serious here. I’d hate to continue wasting everyone’s time.”
“I am being serious,” she ranted.
Shyriq shook his head. “What exactly did you sacrifice? Your body that was supposed to only be shared with your husband to another man?” His tone was smooth, but his words cut deep. He wanted them to. “Is that the sacrifices you’re talking about? Because if so, save it.”
Xena’s smirk faltered, but she recovered quickly. “We had our problems, and you know it. You worked long days and even longer nights. Business trips that left me at home waiting for you. You weren’t exactly the present husband, nor were you perfect.”
Shyriq knew what she was doing. Trying to play the victim in a situation she caused had been Xena’s go-to for months.
“While that may hold some truth, I wasn’t the one who stepped out on our marriage. You were. I was handling business while another man was handling you.”
They stared at each other long and hard. Shyriq wanted to clarify that despite what she may have felt he lacked in their marriage, he’d never stoop as low and cheat. She did, and now, she meant nothing to him.
Kelsey cleared her throat. “Let’s please remain professional.”
King finally spoke up. “My client is being incredibly professional considering the circumstances. Now, let’s be clear. There is a legally binding prenup in place, which waives spousal support in the event of infidelity. We have undeniable proof that Ms. Lewis violated that clause.”
Xena curled her fingers in her lap. “Is that so?”
“It is,” King clarified.
“So, that’s it? I get absolutely nothing. You’re that damn bitter and heartless?” Xena sneered.
Shyriq leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table.
His voice dropped an octave but remained steady.
“No. Bitter and heartless is running around like you’re still entitled to anything with my name attached after disrespecting me.
Bitter is thinking you could do what you did and still come out on top.
” He shook his head. “Me? I just want to wash my hands of you and move on with my life.”
Xena’s chest rose and fell in anger and frustration. His words didn’t hurt her, though they should have. The villain in her wouldn’t allow them to or for those emotions to surface. Her right leg bounced as she squeezed the armrest and smiled.
“And let me guess, this has something to do with the bitch you were all cuddled up with at brunch,” she said with a grit in her tone.
Her accusation almost threw Shyriq off, but he recovered just as quickly as her jab was tossed.
He didn’t react or even blink. Shyriq refused to give her the satisfaction of knowing she’d gotten under his skin.
Nhuri had nothing to do with this. Instead of calling out her jealousy, he tilted his head slightly.
“You’re worried about the wrong things. Focus on right now and what you won’t be getting out of me,” he said callously, uncaring about her feelings.
Xena scoffed, rolling her eyes. “My point proved. You want to spend the money I rightfully deserve on some new ho.”
“Why is what I do with my money any of your concern? Haven’t you spent enough of it on your fake girls’ trips?”
While Shyriq thought he was funding an experience for Xena and her friends to share, that was far from the truth.
Sloppily, she’d used money from their shared account to fund her affairs.
Hotels, trips, gifts, lunch dates, and who knows what else she had splurged on were on Shyriq’s dime.
That was the proof he needed to get out of paying spousal support, and thanks to his financial advisor, he’d gotten it.
“Actually, the girls and I enjoyed plenty of trips. I don’t know who this heartless man is you’re trying to portray, but I know better.”
Shyriq sat back, exhaling through his nose. “You knew me. Past tense.”
Kelsey had clearly gotten in way over her head and knew that with the proof they had, there was no ground to stand on. But she wasn’t leaving out of there without Xena getting something, regardless of whether or not she was in the wrong.
“Okay. Since you aren’t willing to agree on five years of spousal support, how about four?” Kelsey countered.
Shyriq shook his head. “Nope.”
“You are aware that your client violated the prenup?” King asked Kelsey.
“I’m aware of what you’re accusing my client of. We can go before a judge with your proof, but we both know they’d like to avoid the courtroom if possible.”
Xena’s smirk returned. She was one hell of an actress and knew that if this were taken to court, the judge would likely rule in her favor of receiving something.
She wasn’t sure what proof Shyriq had, but she didn’t care.
Shyriq, on the other hand, knew if this went to court, she’d look like the fool she was.
“So, it’s best if you just agree. I mean, what’s five years to a wealthy man such as yourself?” she said tauntingly.
Okay. So, she wants to play. Game on, Shyriq thought before ending all possibility of her trying to run game.
“Imagine standing before a judge and a room full of people, and you get denied alimony all because you couldn’t keep your legs closed. How embarrassing,” he said and laughed.
Xena’s face heated with embarrassment. “Fuck you, Shyriq.”
“That’s what you could’ve been doing instead of cheating,” he said and shrugged. “Your loss.”
She was trying to uphold an image; if they went to court, it would be shattered. No one except those close to them knew the details behind their separation, and Xena wanted to keep it that way.
“Are you willing to come to a compromise?” Kelsey asked.
Shyriq’s nostrils flared. He was tired of going back and forth. The longer he was legally married, the longer he had to endure Xena’s bullshit. Leaning toward King, he whispered something in his ear. King thought for a second before nodding.
“We’ll agree to a one-time settlement,” King said.
Xena sucked her teeth. “Of course you would.”
“Are you okay with that?” Kelsey asked her, and she gave a curt nod.
“Sure. Let me write down a number.”
King and Shyriq shared a look, already knowing that she was about to be on some bullshit. Xena scribbled a number on a notepad, showed it to Kelsey, and slid it in Shyriq’s direction.
“You done lost your damn mind. I’m not giving you $2,000,000 for fucking another man.”
He was trying to keep his cool, but Xena had really taken it there.
“For my pain and suffering,” Xena smirked.
“It looks like we’ll be seeing you in court,” King said, gathering his belongings.
Xena panicked as he began neatly stacking paperwork.
She was sure Shyriq would agree to the amount.
He had it to give, but that didn’t mean he would hand it over willingly.
Going before a judge and having her affair broadcasted would be more shameful than the act itself in her eyes.
Coming to her senses, Xena leaned in Kelsey’s direction. She whispered a number in her ear.
“Seven hundred thousand,” Kelsey countered.
Shyriq sucked his teeth. “Two hundred fifty thousand, and that’s my final number before I show you how heartless I can really be in this motherfucka,” he hissed, staring into Xena’s eyes.
Xena hated how aroused she got from his words alone, and it annoyed her to no end, knowing that he still had that effect on her.
Rolling her eyes, she said, “Fine. I guess that’ll do.”
“Wait,” Kelsey said. “Are you sure? That’s not—”
“She made her decision, and we’ve made ours. Two hundred fifty thousand dollars is the settlement we agreed upon, and King will have the paperwork drawn up and emailed by the end of the week,” Shyriq said, cutting off Kelsey.
He no longer cared about being respectful to either of them.
He came up with that option because it avoided long-term financial obligations, kept Xena from returning for more money later, and cut all ties with her.
Having to pay her a monthly sum would give her the upper hand, but that wasn’t happening on his watch.
It was either the settlement or embarrassment, and he was glad she had chosen wisely.
Either way, he was about to be a free man.
Xena laughed bitterly while shaking her head. “I should’ve drained your ass for much more when I had the chance.”
Shyriq’s nostrils flared. “You’re pathetic. I hope it was worth it.”
Xena stood from her seat. “Trust me . . . I’ve never felt freer in my life.”
She grabbed her designer purse off the table just as Kelsey stood.
“I’ll be on the lookout for your email. Nice doing business with you, gentlemen. Enjoy your day,” Kelsey said, keeping it professional.
“Girl, fuck them and their day. Let’s go,” Xena spat.
Shyriq shook his head and scrolled his emails as her six-inch heels clicked sharply against the marble floor. She stormed out, muttering under her breath as if she were the one who had been wronged. Shyriq waited a beat after the door closed to look up at King.
“Can you believe her?” Shyriq asked. “Two million? She must think I’m a sucker for real.”
King chuckled. “She was so confident too. That’s a damn shame, man. If anything, she owes you. Has she even apologized after all this time?”
“Nah, but you know what? I don’t even care. It won’t change anything, and I’m over blaming myself for her fuckup. Once we get those papers signed, she’ll be a thing of the past.”
King nodded. “She will. So, you celebrating tonight?”
“Not yet. Wait until it’s official and throw me the biggest damn party the city has ever seen,” Shyriq joked.
He’d never put his business out there like that.
Their wedding was over the top, and that’s not how he wanted it to end.
He was relieved and could finally begin moving on with his life as he saw fit.
Less worries meant more time to focus on his business.
Shyriq may not have been a good husband in Xena’s eyes, but he damn sure knew how to get money. That was how he was about to celebrate.