Shirley’s whole world crashed down around her the day she saw her husband, Brody, with another woman — right in their office. She stood frozen, her hands shaking so badly that the spoons she had been holding fell to the floor with a loud clatter. But Brody and the woman didn’t even notice. They were too busy flirting, laughing like she wasn’t even there.
Furious, Shirley marched toward them.
“Brody, what’s going on here?” she demanded, her voice cutting through the chatter and silence of the office.
Brody turned to her, pretending like nothing was wrong. “What’s your problem, Shirley? We’re just discussing work.”
Shirley’s eyes flashed with rage. “This is how you discuss work?!” she shouted. “By putting your hands up her skirt? In front of everyone?”
Brody glared at her. “Don’t make a scene,” he growled under his breath.
But Shirley wasn’t going to back down. “We need to talk. In private. Now!”
Brody’s face turned red with anger. “You don’t get to order me around. In fact, I’m filing for divorce today. And I’ll take the house too.”
Shirley’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t take my house! It was my parents’ house! You have no right!” she cried.
Brody only smirked, enjoying her pain. “Don’t forget you’re married to a lawyer. Just watch me. I’ll move Lila in, and we’ll celebrate on every surface of every room.”
The words hit Shirley like a slap. She stood there, stunned, as Brody grabbed the cake she had lovingly brought for him — and shoved his wedding ring right into it.
“Maybe you can pawn this for a dog house,” he sneered, then strutted off with Lila, laughing without a care in the world.
Everyone in the office stared, whispering behind their hands. Shirley was left standing alone, heartbroken and humiliated.
That night, she found herself in a dingy hotel room, sitting on the edge of a creaky bed, crying her eyes out. Her mind replayed every moment of her marriage — every memory, every broken promise.
How did we get here? she thought bitterly. Was it my fault? Did I let myself go? Did I push him away somehow?
Unable to hold it in, Shirley grabbed a pillow and punched it over and over, trying to vent her rage. That’s when a knock came at the door. Wiping her tears quickly, she stumbled over and yanked the door open.
It wasn’t hotel staff. It was a man she’d never seen before, standing awkwardly in the hallway.
“I heard… I thought I heard someone crying for help,” he said, looking uncomfortable.
Shirley snapped back, “Well, you heard wrong! Unless you can help me keep my house from the husband who’s divorcing me, go away!”
The man raised an eyebrow, surprised by her anger. His eyes looked her up and down, and then he said something that made Shirley’s blood boil:
“I can’t help with that. But now, I can see why he’s divorcing you.”
Without another word, he turned and walked toward his room.
Furious, Shirley chased after him, shoving her foot in his door before he could slam it shut. “What did you just say to me?” she barked.
The man sighed. “I just meant… I was concerned about the noise.”
“Oh, don’t play dumb. I heard you loud and clear!” she snapped. “I may not look perfect right now, but you don’t get to judge me!”
There was a moment where his expression softened. “You’re right,” he said quietly. “You don’t deserve that.”
Shirley blinked, caught off guard by the sudden apology. But before she could say anything, he closed the door — firmly and final.
“Wait! I wasn’t done yelling at you!” she shouted, kicking the door in frustration — and instantly regretted it when pain shot up her foot.
The next morning, Shirley hobbled into her office, wincing with every step. Could this week get any worse? she thought. She flopped into her chair and muttered, “Great, today we get a new boss too. Just what I need.”
A familiar voice behind her made her heart drop.
“Well, your new boss is already here,” said the man — the same man from the hotel. “You must be my kind and helpful secretary, Shirley.”
Shirley whipped around, mortified. It was him. The rude man she had screamed at the night before was Mr. Williams — her new boss.
“I’m sorry about last night,” she stammered.
Mr. Williams cut her off coldly. “Your behavior was unacceptable. I expect better from my employees,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Bring me the Richardson vs. Richardson file. Now.”
Shirley scrambled, digging through piles of papers. But her hands were clumsy, and soon she accidentally knocked a whole stack onto the floor.
Mr. Williams looked unimpressed. “What’s taking so long? I asked you for the file, not a tornado.”
“I-I have it here,” Shirley stuttered, handing him the file with burning cheeks.
He took it and glanced around the mess she had made. “It seems tidiness isn’t your strong suit,” he said dryly before turning on his heel and walking into his office.
Shirley’s humiliation was complete. And just when she thought things couldn’t get worse, Brody and Lila waltzed into the office, laughing loudly. Lila clung onto Brody’s arm, flashing her diamond bracelet — a bracelet Shirley recognized. It had been hers.
Enough was enough.
Shirley marched into Mr. Williams’s office. “I quit!” she declared. “I’m not your secretary anymore!”
Without looking up from his papers, he replied, “Get back to work on the Richardson case, Shirley.”
“I said I’m leaving! Sign my resignation!” she insisted, slamming a letter onto his desk.
Mr. Williams didn’t even blink. He crumpled the letter and tossed it toward the trash can. “No.”
Shirley felt tears sting her eyes. She sat down at his desk and scribbled out another resignation. Her hand shook as she tried to explain, her voice breaking.
“Look, I just can’t take it anymore… What is it with men like you thinking you can control my life?”
Mr. Williams finally looked up, his face no longer stern. He moved from behind the desk and sat beside her.
“I’m not refusing to let you go because I want to control you,” he said gently. “I’m refusing because… I like you, Shirley.”
Shirley blinked in shock. “But you don’t even know me.”
“Nathan,” he said with a soft smile. “Call me Nathan. And you’re wrong. I know enough to admire your strength.”
But Brody’s cruel words from the past echoed in her mind: Be grateful I love you, because no one else ever could.
Overwhelmed, Shirley ran out of his office.
The next day, she limped to her desk, expecting awkwardness. But Nathan surprised her, handing her a cup of coffee with a warm smile.
Before she could even thank him, Brody and Lila stormed in, acting like the whole office was their playground. Shirley’s heart twisted painfully.
“Excuse me,” she mumbled and rushed to the bathroom.
Nathan, seeing her distress, asked another secretary what was going on.
“That’s her husband,” the woman whispered, glaring at Brody. “He’s flaunting his affair right in front of her.”
Nathan’s jaw clenched. He wanted to punch Brody, but he held back.
Later, when Shirley brought some files to Nathan’s office, he stopped her.
“Stay for a minute?” he asked gently. “Help me organize the arguments for the case.”
Working side-by-side, Shirley was surprised at how easy and comfortable it felt. She even learned that Nathan loved jazz.
“You’re into jazz?” she asked, smiling for the first time in days.
Nathan chuckled. “Yeah. There’s a lot about me you don’t know. Jazz is just the beginning.”
As days went by, Shirley found herself smiling more. Trusting more. Even feeling a little hope again.
One evening, Nathan showed up at her hotel room. He looked nervous.
“I need your help,” he said. “I want to express my feelings better… for the opening speech.”
Shirley’s heart sank. Of course, she thought bitterly. I’m just here to help him with work.
Still, she agreed. But as they worked, their hands brushed. Nathan’s eyes locked onto hers. He noticed a smudge of chocolate on her lip and reached out gently.
“Chocolate,” he whispered, wiping it away.
Trying to stay professional, Shirley pulled back. “You’re here for the speech, right?”
But Nathan stepped closer. “No, Shirley. I’m here for you.”
Before she could even respond, a loud knock interrupted them. It was Brody — drunk, pathetic, and slurring.
“Please, Shirley,” he begged. “I need you. I got fired. I miss you so much, baby.”
“Don’t. Touch. Me,” Shirley said through gritted teeth, pushing him away.
Nathan appeared instantly. “What’s going on?”
Brody sneered when he saw Nathan. “Oh, I see. You’re screwing your boss now? Figures.”
“Get away from her!” Nathan snapped.
“I own her heart!” Brody shouted. “She calls me every day, begging me to come back!”
“That’s not true!” Shirley cried.
But Nathan had already turned away, crushed.
Brody grabbed her again, but Shirley shoved him hard. “Touch me again, and I’ll call the police!” she threatened.
She ran outside into the falling snow, spotting Nathan about to drive away.
She banged on his window. “Nathan! Please, just talk to me.”
He shook his head. “I should’ve known this was too good to be true.”
“How dare you believe his lies?!” Shirley yelled, hurt and furious. “You can’t expect me to fight for you if you won’t fight for me! Say something, Nathan!”
For a long moment, he said nothing. Then he opened his door and stood in front of her, his face serious but soft.
“I wish I’d met you seven years ago,” Nathan said quietly. “I wish I could have protected you from everything.”
Then he cupped her face in his warm hands, and Shirley felt herself start to cry.
“I… I want to make you happy,” Nathan whispered.
“You already do,” Shirley said, and their lips met in a deep, fiery kiss.
As snowflakes danced around them, Nathan pulled back and smiled.
“And don’t worry,” he said, determination flashing in his eyes. “I’m going to sue Brody. He’s not going to get away with what he did to you.”
For the first time in a long time, Shirley believed things were finally going to be okay.
And she knew, deep in her heart, that Nathan was the real love she’d been waiting for all along.
