**Diary Entry**
James walked out on me today. Not even with a proper suitcasejust a gym bag slung over his shoulder like he was off to the local pub, not ending ten years of marriage. I always thought we had something solid, but I suppose that was my mistake.
No point leaving you the keys, he said, shrugging. As if he were talking about the weather instead of our home. The home we built together, every cushion and book chosen with care.
What do you mean, no point? I kept my voice steady. Inside, it felt like my ribs had turned to ice, but I wouldnt give him the satisfaction of seeing me crack.
The flats got to cover the debts, Lucy. *Our* debts. Said so casually, as if Id had any part in his ridiculous crypto scheme.
Your debts, James. I begged you not to pour money into that nonsense. I showed you the numberstold you it was a scam.
He smirked. That smirk was worse than a punch. Oh, but you cheered when the first profits rolled in. We went to the Maldives on that money, didnt we? Debts are ours too. Fairs fair.
Then he tossed a thick stack of papers onto the kitchen tableloans, liens, legal threats. The bailiffs would be here in a week.
I stared at him, not a tear in sight. Just pure, cold disgust.
A week? Thats all youre giving me?
Im giving you freedom, he said, adjusting the collar of the posh shirt Id bought him last Christmas. Met someone else. With her, I can breathe. With you it was always spreadsheets and plans. Bloody boring, Luce.
He didnt say she was twenty-two, the daughter of some investor hed been grovelling to. Didnt mention his business was sinking, and this marriage was his last lifeline.
Right, I said, pushing the papers aside. Get out.
No screaming? No begging? He seemed almost disappointed. Hed wanted a scene, something to justify his cruelty.
Cant afford hysterics, I said, looking him dead in the eye. Leave. And dont ever come back.
He shrugged and walked out. The door clicked shut.
Alone, I stood in the middle of the kitchen, drowning in paperwork. I watched from the window as he hailed a cab. Then I rang my brother.
Tom, its me. I need your help. Nonot in trouble. Starting over.
Tom arrived within the hour, flipping through the documents with a grimace. He set you up, Lucy. Half these loans are in your name. The rest, youre guarantor. Legally, youre sunk.
I trusted him.
Trust isnt a free pass for idiocy, he muttered, then sighed. Alright, forget it. Whats this starting over?
I opened my laptop. A sleek presentation for *Green Horizon*vertical farming tech Id designed while James was off playing Wolf of Wall Street.
He called it my hobby, I said. But Ive got two patents and software that cuts energy costs by 30%. I just need capital.
Tom scrolled through, silent. Then he snapped the laptop shut. Ill invest. Not a loan30% stake. First thing, hire a proper solicitor. Youll only deal with James through them. Understood?
Understood.
Three days later, I was in a rented office. The solicitor filed for personal bankruptcy to shield future assets. James rang. I ignored it. Then a text: *Luce, be reasonable. Just need your signature on a few more papers.*
Forwarded it straight to the solicitor. The reply came instantly: *Another loan scam. No signatures without me.*
I blocked his number. That night, unpacking boxes, I found our wedding album. Flipped it opentwo smiling faces. Turned out, hed only ever seen himself in me. Without a second thought, I tossed it in the bin.
Eight months later, *Green Horizon* was buzzing. My techgrowing rare greens in the heart of Londonwas a hit. Top restaurants were lining up.
Meanwhile, Jamess empire crumbled. The investor father-in-law saw right through him. Without me handling the books, his firm collapsed.
Then, out of spite, he went after my reputation. Tom called, furious. Your ex rang, spouting rubbish about *Green Horizon* being a money-laundering front. Sent forged bank statements.
I didnt flinch. Did you believe him?
Course not. But he wont stop. Hell drag your name through the mud.
Something in me snapped. Enough playing defence.
Tom, your firms got a security team, right? I need your best tech bloke. Got a hunch about James.
Two days later, the bloke handed me a flash drive. He ran a Ponzi scheme. Fake investment sites, took crypto from some heavy hittersincluding his future father-in-laws mates.
I didnt go to the police. Leaked it straight to the investors security team.
The fallout was brutal. James wasnt arrestedjust ruined. Forced to sell everything. The girlfriend vanished.
A year later, I spotted him at a bus stop, shoulders hunched against the rain. My sleek electric car rolled past. I didnt even see himjust another ghost from the past.
The bus came. He didnt move. For the first time, he understoodhe hadnt set me free. Hed freed me *from him*. And that was the greatest gift hed ever given me.
Two more years on, *Green Horizon* expanded to Germany. At Heathrow, scrolling through news, I saw a familiar faceJames, in a hotel valets uniform, lurking in the background of his exs wedding photos.
I stared for a second. Felt nothing. Closed the tab.
Later, Tom rang. Hows Germany treating you?
Well conquer it, I laughed. Ever regret backing my hobby?
Only regrets not dragging you away from that prat sooner. You were always capable, Lucy. He was just a roadblock.
Not a roadblock, I said. A cracked mirror. Had to smash it to see myself clearly.
Revenge wasnt his downfall. It was the day I stopped caring.
Freedom wasnt his lossit was my rise.
