When Shirley discovers her husband Brody’s infidelity with his secretary, her world comes crashing down. The betrayal hit her deeply, leaving her distraught and unsure of her future. When Brody callously threatened divorce and claimed ownership of their home, Shirley found herself facing not only emotional devastation but the looming prospect of homelessness.
Amid the chaos of her crumbling marriage, Shirley confronted Brody and his lover Lila in a public display of rage and humiliation. However, her attempts to reason with Brody only fueled his anger, leaving Shirley feeling helpless and alone. With her life in ruins, Shirley retreated to a lonely hotel room and struggled with a whirlwind of emotions ranging from shock to heartache.
In a moment of despair, a chance encounter with a stranger in a hotel offered her a glimmer of hope, albeit a brief one. Yet even in her suffering, Shirley refused to be judged or belittled and fought back fiercely against the stranger’s wrong assumptions. She had no idea that this meeting would later affect the course of her life in an unexpected way.
When Shirley discovers her husband Brody at work with another woman, her life is turned upside down.
Shirley ends up distraught and homeless when he threatens to divorce her and steal everything. However, everything changes when someone new enters her life.
Shirley was shocked to see her husband Brody apparently making advances towards Lila, his secretary, at their workplace. They didn’t seem to notice her at all as her hands shook and she dropped the spoons in her hands to the floor.
“Brody, what’s going on here?” With a voice that broke the silence of the office, Shirley faced them.
Brody feigned innocence and asked, “What’s up, Shirley? We’re just talking about our work.”
“Is this how you discuss work?” Shirley said with a hint of anger. “By lifting her skirt with your hands? in public view?”
Brody admonished Shirley, “Don’t make a scene,” but she was adamant.
“We need to talk. in private.” “Now!” she ordered.
Brody was furious. “You have no right to dictate to me. I will file for divorce today. I accept residence.”
“You can’t take my house. It belonged to my parents.”
You’re not eligible.”
Brody smiled. “Remember, you’re married to a lawyer. Just watch over me. When I move Lila in, we’ll enjoy every surface in every room.”
Shirley was so shocked and upset that she could barely react when Brody stuck his wedding ring into the cake she had bought for them to share.
He smirked, “Maybe you could pawn it behind the doghouse,” and he and Lila left.
With whispers of sympathy all around, Shirley remained in a trance. Later, alone in a cheap hotel room, she was overcome with tears as she remembered her relationship with Brody.
How could this stranger be the man she had sworn to spend her life with? Could she really let go? Did she have anything to do with Brody turning on Lila?
She was so overcome with emotion that she was pounding her pillow trying to release some of the sadness and anger she felt when someone knocked on her door. She opened the door expecting to see a member of staff but was surprised to see a strange man.
“I was informed… He staggered, “I thought I heard a cry for help.
You didn’t hear correctly. She screamed, “Go away unless you help me keep my house from the husband who is divorcing me,” in a fragile voice.
The intensity of her words caused the men to raise their eyebrows. He then looked her over before saying, “I’m not sure I can help it. But now I understand why he’s divorcing you.” He turned on his heel and left.
Shirley followed him into his room, furious and unwilling to accept his remark. She stopped his door from closing and yelled, “What did you tell me?”
Trying to be clear, the man said, “I was worried about the noise.”
She shot back and said, “I know exactly what you meant!”
“I may not look perfect, but that doesn’t give you the right to judge me.
The man nodded gently with a hint of regret, “You’re right. You’re not worthy.”
Shirley was briefly taken aback when his words registered and the battle left her.
However, he quickly returned and closed the door in her face with a harshness that left little room for any discussion before she could react or process.
“Wait, I kept yelling at you!” she cried, kicking the door and cutting her leg.
The next day she crawled into her office with thoughts of the stranger still running through her head.
She suddenly remembered: Mr. Williams is coming today!
Shirley froze, then turned slowly in her chair to discover that the man she was yelling at, the stranger, was actually Mr. Williams, her new boss!
Confronted with Mr Williams after their altercation at the hotel, she was visibly shaken. She began, “I’m sorry about last night,” but Mr. Williams didn’t seem to be listening.
“Your actions were wrong. I expect more from my staff,” he interrupted. “I need the file on Richardson v. Richardson. Now,” he ordered, heading into his office.
Taking his criticism in stride, Shirley blushed and went about her business, rummaging through the mess to find Richardson’s case file. She quickly ran her hands through the pile of papers, scattering them all around, catching Mr. Williams’s disapproving look again.
“What is the cause of the delay? He approached her and said, ‘I asked you to bring me the file, not throw it on the floor.’
“I’ve got it here,” Shirley said, blushing with embarrassment as she handed them the papers.
Mr. Williams accepted the papers, his eyes darting over the mess that had once been a neat little corner of the office.
“What a disaster. Neatness doesn’t seem to be your strong suit,” he said icily.
He turned and left before she could answer, leaving her to clean up. However, Shirley’s problems were far from solved.
Lila and Brody appeared as she was cleaning up the mess and their laughter made her even more embarrassed. It was the last straw for Shirley. She was sick and tired of men constantly making fun of her and humiliating her!
She ran into Mr. Williams’ office and declared, “I’m no longer your secretary. I’m giving up.”
Mr. Williams unabashedly refused to accept her resignation. “Get back to work on the Richardson case, Shirley.
“Not at all.” “I’m leaving, so please sign my resignation,” Shirley demanded firmly.
Mr Williams replied: “I’m not going to sign this,” before crumpling up her resignation letter and throwing it out the window.
Filled with frustration and sadness, Shirley sat down behind his desk and wrote another resignation letter, her words fueled by the pain of injustice and betrayal. Before she could finish writing, she broke down and said, “Look, I just can’t take it anymore.” “What is it with men like you… that you think you can control my life?”
As he listened, Mr. Williams’ expression softened. He stood up and sat down next to her saying, “I don’t refuse to accept your resignation because I want to bully you.”
She looked up at him and pleaded, “Just let me go.” “I can’t-“
Mr. Williams took out a handkerchief and gently dabbed at her tears. Shirley then paused.
Mr. Williams said very sincerely, “I can’t let you go because I love you, Shirley,” surprising Shirley.
“But you don’t even know me after their rough start, Mr. Williams,” she retorted, confused by his attitude.
“Call me Nathan, please. “While I may not know you completely, I respect your resilience and bravery,” Nathan tried to reconcile with them.
Shirley was conflicted, questioning Nathan’s motives due to Brody’s previous comments that tormented her. Shirley, thank you for my affection; no one else could ever truly adore you. You are nothing more than a tool.
Shirley hurried out of Nathan’s office because she couldn’t begin to comprehend everything that had happened over the past few days.
When she arrived at work the next day, she was surprised when Nathan approached her desk with two coffees and offered her one while smiling broadly as if he was genuinely trying to make her day.
But Brody and Lila’s blatant display of devotion when they arrived at work overshadowed Nathan’s small gesture of bringing Shirley coffee.
Shirley hurriedly commented, “Excuse me, I have to get off,” and then ran to the bathroom to relieve herself.
Nathan found out that Brody was Shirley’s husband when he came upon another secretary sneering at Brody and Lila. Nathan was confused by Shirley’s answer.
The secretary clarified, “He’s flaunting their affair right in front of his wife.”
Nathan was taken aback. He wouldn’t cross the lines of human decency, even if he longed to march after Brody and deck him out.
Shirley brought a stack of Richardson’s case files to Nathan’s office later that day.
Placing the documents on his desk, she started to leave when Nathan’s voice interrupted her.
Shirley, could you please stay a moment? To organize these arguments for the lawsuit, I need help.’
Shirley hesitated, then slowly turned back while wearing a searching expression. Yes, I am able to help.
What exactly do you need?”
Nathan smiled. “I’m trying to present our case in a more forceful way. I believed you could offer me a fresh perspective.”
Nathan and Shirley’s conflict eventually gave way to respect and understanding as they worked closely together on the case. Nathan and Shirley had a casual conversation and Shirley was surprised to find out how much he loved jazz.
“Are you into jazz?” Curious, Shirley asked.
Yes, you don’t know much about my background.
“Jazz is just the beginning,” Nathan smiled in response.
As their relationship grew, Shirley became increasingly attracted to Nathan. But she remained cautious, mindful of her recent heartbreak.
Nathan went to Shirley’s hotel room one evening to ask for her help with an important point they needed to resolve in their case. Nathan looked sincerely into Shirley’s eyes and said, “I need your help to convey my feelings more effectively in my opening speech.”
Shirley was disappointed and worried that Nathan was only using her as a tool for his career.
However, she hid her hurt feelings and agreed to help her.
An inadvertent contact during their close collaboration led to an unplanned intimate moment.
He said, “Chocolate,” as he noticed the smudge on her lip and Shirley warmed under his touch.
“You’re here for a speech, aren’t you?” Shirley asked, trying to stay focused.
“No, Shirley. I’m here for you,” Nathan feigned sincerity in his voice. “Despite your situation, I can’t stop thinking about you.
Shirley was shocked and found herself letting her guard down when Nathan shared his true emotions. A knock on the door interrupted them just as they were about to share a sweet moment.
“What do you want Brody?” Shirley found her drunken husband at the door and asked him out.
“Shirley, please.” “I just…need comfort,” he whimpered, reaching awkwardly for her. “Honey, I missed you so much. Williams fired me.”
“Don’t touch. Me,” she growled and tried to push him away, but Brody persisted, aggressively and desperately pushing her against the wall. Fortunately, Nathan intervened, “What’s going on?”
Brody’s eyes widened and he backed away from Shirley.
“What is he doing here?” Brody demanded furiously.
“Not your business!” snapped Nathan. “Get away from her!”
“I own her heart,” Brody replied with a smirk. “We’ve been married… ten years, or seven, whatever, and she still loves me. She calls me and begs me to come back to her every day!”
“It is not true!” Shirley protested but Nathan had already left. Brody grabbed her again, but Shirley pushed him away and threatened to file harassment charges against him.
She ran outside, snow falling around her, and saw Nathan getting into the car. “Can we go back inside and talk Nathan?” she asked, tapping on his window. “Please?”
“No.” Nathan hung his head. “I should have known this, you and me, was too good to be true.
Shirley’s frustration erupted, “How dare you believe his stupid lie about me begging him to come back? You can’t expect me to fight for you when you won’t do the same for me. Say something!”
Nathan was quiet for a moment, then got out of the car and looked at her. “I wish I had met you seven years ago and protected you from all the bad things you had to endure alone.
Shirley’s breath caught as Nathan came closer and caressed her cheek. His warm hands shook her.
Nathan looked into her eyes and said, “I…! I want to make you happy.”
“I do,” Shirley replied.
When they kissed it was like the beginning of something new and full of passion.
“I’m going to sue Brody too. He’s not going to get away with what he did to you,” Nathan said.
For the first time, Shirley believed things could get better after Brody’s injury. And she knew that Nathan was her true love.
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Here is another story to read if you enjoyed this one. A young girl brings home a homeless man without informing her mother and gives him shelter and food. But her mother soon discovers the truth and the events that follow will drastically change their lives… Full story here.
In conclusion, Shirley’s journey from heartbreak to finding true love with Nathan was filled with ups and downs, betrayal, and unexpected twists. Despite the challenges she faced with her estranged husband Brody, Shirley found comfort and strength in supporting Nathan. Their budding relationship blossomed amidst adversity, offering hope and the promise of a brighter future. As they stand together and face the turmoil of Brody’s deception, Shirley realizes that true love and unwavering support can appear from the most unexpected places. With Nathan by her side, Shirley found the courage to confront her past and embrace the possibility of a happier tomorrow. Their love story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for redemption and new beginnings.