Chapter 32: Recalculating the Breakup Fee

Freya woke the next morning still thinking about Louis's confession. Technically, he hadn't admitted how much he owned. He had simply confirmed that the bankruptcy wasn't as absolute as everyone believed. Still, that changed several assumptions she had made since arriving in this world.

She opened her financial spreadsheet and stared at the category labeled "Emergency Fund." Then she created another note: "Louis is not actually poor. Stop feeling guilty about buying decent groceries."

At breakfast, she placed smoked salmon, eggs, fruit, and fresh bread on the table. Louis noticed immediately. "This is different." "I've updated the household budget." "Because of last night?" "Obviously."

Freya sat across from him. "I'm not buying luxury ingredients every day, but I'm also not feeding a secret rich man reheated bread because I think he's one paycheck away from homelessness."

Louis took a sip of coffee. "Secret rich man sounds criminal." "Your entire situation sounds criminal." "Everything is legal." "That's exactly what suspicious people say."

Freya opened her notebook. "Also, I've recalculated something important." Louis looked at the page. "What?" "My breakup fee." He nearly put down his cup.

She spoke with complete seriousness. "Originally, I thought if you rebuilt your fortune, I'd wait until you were stable and then leave without taking much. But since you apparently had a backup plan the whole time, circumstances have changed."

"How much do you want?" Louis asked. Freya stared at him. "You're asking too easily. That means you're richer than you're admitting." "I didn't say I'd pay whatever you ask." "But you didn't look scared."

Louis leaned back. "Give me a number." Freya thought about it and then shook her head. "No. I need to know your eventual net worth first. Percentage-based settlement is safer."

For several seconds Louis said nothing. Then he asked, "You're planning our divorce while making me breakfast?" "Not planning. Preparing. There's a difference."

"And when exactly is this divorce supposed to happen?" "When you're safe, financially stable, and no longer need a supportive wife for appearances." Freya counted the conditions on her fingers. "Then we can separate peacefully."

Louis's expression became unreadable. "What if I don't want to?" Freya laughed because she assumed he was teasing. "Why wouldn't you? Our marriage was basically an arrangement before your bankruptcy."

He didn't answer. Freya continued eating, unaware that the question hadn't been a joke.

Later that morning, her editor sent another piece of good news. The platform wanted to feature her novel on a larger recommendation page. If performance remained strong, she could qualify for an additional author bonus.

Freya immediately forgot about divorce percentages and focused on writing. By afternoon, she had completed two chapters and revised a third. Her growing income mattered more to her than Louis's hidden wealth because it belonged entirely to her.

Louis returned in the evening and found several handwritten notes scattered around her desk. At the top of one page, Freya had written: "Never depend on breakup money. Build own career first."

He stood there for a moment before quietly leaving. The breakup-fee discussion should have reassured him that Freya's kindness wasn't motivated by his wealth. Instead, it left him with an unfamiliar irritation. She was planning an entire future in which his recovery automatically meant her departure, and Louis was beginning to realize he disliked that future very much.

Freya, meanwhile, had no idea that her casual plans bothered him. To her, separation remained the logical ending of an unusual arrangement. She had inherited someone else's marriage, not chosen it. Helping Louis through a difficult period was one thing; assuming she belonged permanently in his life was another. She returned to her manuscript with a clear conscience, while Louis quietly began questioning an assumption he had once shared without hesitation.