My Lawyer Wife Destroyed Evidence for Her Ex—So I Sent Them Both to Prison

My wife was widely considered a paragon of justice.

For ten years, Hailey Mann had built a reputation as a fearless attorney, one who bowed to no power and fought tirelessly for the voiceless. Her name was synonymous with integrity.

Yet in the case that mattered mostthe one I was handlingshe had burned the evidence I'd spent months collecting.

All for him. The defendant. Her first love.

In the courtroom, she sat at the defense table, her expression a mask of indifference.

"Does plaintiff's counsel have any further statements?" the judge asked.

I stared at her for a long moment, a hollow laugh escaping my lips. I lowered my head.

"No, Your Honor."

If she couldn't forget him, fine. I'd make sure they shared the same fatebehind bars.

Due to "insufficient evidence," Wyatt Farley was declared not guilty and released immediately.

He threw his head back and laughed, arrogance filling the room.

"Attorney Harding, didn't you say I was guilty?" He stepped closer, voice dripping with mockery. "Where's the proof? Go onproduce it."

I met his gaze with ice.

He sauntered over to my wife, standing beside her to twist the knife deeper.

"Attorney Mann is truly impartial," Wyatt sneered, draping an arm near her. "That's why she didn't let certain people's petty schemes succeed. Isn't that right, Henry?"

Hailey looked at me. Her lips parted, but the words died in her throat.

I said nothing. I packed my files with deliberate calm and walked out.

The moment I stepped outside, my phone buzzed. A message from Hailey.

I'm sorry. I couldn't just watch Wyatt rot in jail.

A scoff tore from my throat.

She couldn't bear to see him face consequences, so she felt entitled to trample my work? Laughable.

Another message arrived moments later.

I know I wronged you, and I apologize. But as long as you drop your vendetta against Wyatt, you'll remain a distinguished lawyerand I'll remain your loving wife.

Was that a threat?

My grip tightened until my knuckles went white.

Hailey, I thought bitterly, we've been married ten years. Have you forgotten I don't bow to threats?

I typed my reply, fingers striking the screen hard.

I will put Wyatt Farley in prison. You cannot save him.

Her call came through almost immediately. I declined it, powered off my phone, and drove straight to the firm.

My junior associate Dylan Finch intercepted me the moment I walked in. He looked frantic.

"Henry, we have a problem."

I paused. "What is it?"

"Just look."

He shoved his phone into my hand. The trending headline was bold and damning:

Celebrity Lawyer Frames Innocent Man Out of Jealousy.

The article didn't name me explicitly, but every attached photo was mine.

My blood ran cold.

So this was Hailey's leverage.

Ruthless.

Ten years of marriage, and she'd discard our bond without a second thought. She wasn't just trying to ruin my reputationshe was trying to bury me.

I scrolled to the comments. A cesspool of manufactured outrage.

Pfft, some "famous lawyer." Thinks knowing the law makes him a god?

Where's the bar association? Investigate this guy immediately.

Serves him right. His wife obviously went back to her first love because he's a loser.

I handed the phone back to Dylan.

"Out of sight, out of mind."

"But Henry"

"I don't care about the mob," I said evenly. "They don't want the truth. They want a spectacle."

Dylan's phone rang. He glanced at the screen, face paling.

"It's... Hailey."

She couldn't reach me, so she'd called my subordinate. Reluctantly, Dylan put it on speaker.

"Husband, I'm begging you." Hailey's voice trembled with feigned desperation. "Can you just promise not to make things difficult for Wyatt anymore? I don't want him to go to jailand I don't want you to get hurt, either. Please."

I remained silent, listening to her hypocrisy.

A cold sneer twisted my lips.

"Hailey Mann, doesn't that word burn your throat? Hypocrite."

"I... I've already been hurt enough, Henry."

"You"

"Hailey, give me the phone."

The line crackled. The next second, Wyatt Farley's voice grated against my ear.

"Listen closely, Henry Harding. If Hailey hadn't begged me on her knees, do you think I'd let you off this easy?"

He didn't wait for a response. "My companies are worth tens of billions. Endless capital. An army of people at my disposal. And you? Nothing. A tiny, insignificant lawyer."

His voice dropped to a growl. "Don't choose the hard way. You won't survive it."

Beside me, Dylan was trembling, fists clenched white. He looked ready to punch the wall.

"The arrogance," he hissed. "He's out of control!"

I kept my expression icy. "Wyatt, I have a message for you too."

"Speak," he scoffed.

"Man acts, and Heaven watches." My voice cut through his bluster. "Retribution isn't absent. It's just running late."

"Hah!" He laughed wildly. "Standing on the precipice of ruin, yet you still dare to preach? We'll see who laughs last!"

Click.

I hung up, turned on my heel, and marched toward my office. If the evidence was destroyed, fine. I would dig deeper. Rebuild the case from the ground up.

I pushed open the doorand froze.

The entire board was waiting, faces grim and self-righteous.

"Henry Harding," the Chairman began, voice dripping with disdain. "Who gave you the authority to investigate Mr. Farley?"

"You're fired," another announced without meeting my eyes.

"Your things are packed." A third pointed to a cardboard box on my desk. "Get out. Immediately."

I scanned their faces one by one. No panic rose in my chestonly a grim, knowing smile.

Wyatt's reach is long indeed.

They expected me to beg? To crumble? They underestimated who they were dealing with. I had kept a low profile for years, hiding my family's influence to build a career on my own merit. My humility had only fueled their arrogance.

I stared into the Chairman's eyes until he shifted uncomfortably. Without a word, I picked up the box and walked out.

The moment I stepped outside, cool air hitting my face, I dialed a number I hadn't used in a long time.

"Alfred."

"Sir?" The butler's voice was crisp and immediate.

"Mobilize the elite investigation unit. I want them here. Now."

"At once, Young Master."

I hung up and drove straight home.

Hailey stood up from the sofa when I entered, her expression a mix of anxiety and defiance.

"Henry, stop being stubborn," she pleaded. "Holding onto your pride will only destroy you. Do you think I did this because I still have feelings for Wyatt? Is that why you're obsessed with sending him to prison?"

"We've been married ten years. I am your wife. Wyatt is just"

"Oh?" I cut her off, voice frigid. "So you remember you have a husband?"

Ten years.

For a decade, I used my own resources and my family's connections to elevate Hailey Mann. Took her from a nobody and molded her into a top-tier attorney. Every case she wonI was the one burning midnight oil, reviewing evidence, finding loopholes, crafting strategies.

I protected her reputation as if it were my own life.

And the result?

Betrayal. She wanted to ruin me. Cast me into hell to save her ex-lover.

Ten years of devotion. All of it cast before swine.

My love? She doesn't deserve a scrap of it.

"Henry Harding!" Hailey's face flushed red. "What are you implying? Of course I know I'm your wife! I did this for you. I didn't want you to get hurt!"

"For me?" I let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "You know exactly who you did it for. And it wasn't me."

"Who else?" she snapped. "Wyatt? He's worth billions. Thousands of employees. Does he need my help?"

She took a breath, eyes filled with twisted pity. "It's you I'm worried about. You're just a small-time lawyer. Wyatt could crush you with a flick of his finger."

"So," I stepped closer, gaze boring into hers, "am I supposed to thank you for betraying me?"

Hailey shook her head as if she were the victim. "You're being completely irrational. You really disappoint me."

I scoffed.

"The feeling is mutual. You've disappointed me just as much."

Seeing my cold demeanor, Hailey took a deep breath, her tone softening instantly.

"Husband, I know you're angry. You blame me for destroying the evidence you worked so hard to collect, but I truly did it for your own good."

She stepped closer, voice pleading. "Think about it. If you actually sent Wyatt to prison, do you think his partners and stakeholders would let you off the hook? I know you've always kept business and personal matters separate, but for once, you have to consider our family."

Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke.

"I had to beg Wyatt. That was the only reason he agreed not to come after you. Do you know how much I suffered? How many cold shoulders I endured? Instead of comforting me, you blame me..."

The tears fell faster nowa practiced escalation.

She knew my weakness. She knew I could never stand seeing her cry. In the past, her tears were my command; no matter the request, I would have agreed to anything to make them stop.

But the past was dead. I watched her performance with a stony expression.

Hailey sniffled, wiped her face, and produced an invitation from her bag.

"Tomorrow night is the gala for Wyatt's company IPO. Come with me. Drink a glass of wine, apologize to him, and we can put this whole mess behind us." She looked up at me with wide, wet eyes. "I'm begging you, okay?"

You want me to apologize?

The audacity nearly made me laugh. I forced the rage down and nodded. "Fine. We'll do it your way."

I won't be apologizing. But I will be delivering a gift. To him, and to you.

Hailey smiled through her tears, relief washing over her face.

"I knew you'd see reason, husband."

She turned and practically skipped out of the room. "I'll tell Wyatt right now to pull the negative press online."

I watched her leave, my gaze turning icy. Once she was gone, I dialed Alfred.

"Is the team in place? I want the evidence chain reconstructed before tomorrow night." I paused, voice dropping. "And Alfred... prepare the divorce papers."

The following evening, Hailey emerged in a sleek black gown that left her back and shoulders bare. Her hair was pinned up elegantly, lips painted a fiery red. She looked stunning.

"Husband, I'm ready."

She turned, pausing when she saw me still on the sofa. A frown marred her features.

"Why haven't you changed yet?"

I was still in casual loungewear.

Her tone turned critical. "Tonight is the celebration gala for Wyatt's IPO. Every major player in the city will be there. You can't go like that."

"Why? Afraid I'll embarrass you?"

Hailey quickly backpedaled. "No! My husband is handsome in anything. It's just... it looks disrespectful. Wyatt won't appreciate it."

She gestured to the bedroom. "Please, change into something formal."

I stood, smoothing my shirt. "No need."

Tonight is Wyatt's last taste of glory. He won't need "face" where he's going.

When we arrived at the venue, Wyatt was stationed at the entrance, greeting guests like a king holding court. His eyes lit up when he saw Hailey, and he walked over quickly.

"Hailey, you look breathtaking."

Ignoring me entirely, he took her hand and pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles, shooting me a provocative glance.

Pathetic.

I couldn't be bothered to react.

Hailey blushed but didn't withdraw her hand.

"Wyatt, I brought Henry. He's here to congratulate you, and to apologize."

"Apologize?"

Wyatt's smile was full of hidden meaning as he looked me up and down.

"Forgive my bluntness, but Henry's attire doesn't exactly scream 'sincerity.'"

Hailey's expression stiffened. Before she could defend me, Wyatt cut in with a magnanimous wave. "But since you asked, of course I have to give face."

Wyatt snapped his fingers.

A waiter appeared instantly, bearing a silver tray with two glasses of red wine.

"Henry." Wyatt's voice oozed false magnanimity. "Drink this, and we wipe the slate clean. Separate paths from here on out. Water under the bridge."

"Exactly," Hailey chimed in, her smile strained. "A toast to bury old grudges."

She kept shooting me meaningful looks, silently begging me to play along.

I ignored her.

Wyatt lifted one glass in a mock toast. Then, with theatrical clumsiness, he stumbled forward. Wine splashed across the front of my suit.

"Ah! Sorry." His tone held zero apology. "Hand slipped."

I watched the smirk tugging at his lips. Calmly, I took the remaining glass from the tray and upended it over his head.

Dark crimson dripped down his nose and chin, staining his collar.

"Wyatt!"

Hailey shoved me aside. She grabbed a fistful of napkins, frantically dabbing at his face before whirling on me.

"Henry, are you insane?"

My voice stayed flat. "Does it pain you to see him humiliated?"

"You" Her finger jabbed toward my face. "What happened to you? Where's the man I married?"

She didn't wait for an answer. "Just because Wyatt and I have history, you attack him at every turn? You're a grown man, not a jealous teenager. Can't you be rational for once?"

I studied the indignation burning in her eyes. The last ember of affection I held for her turned to ash.

I reached into my jacket and pulled out the document I'd prepared. Tossed it at her feet.

"You're right. I've changed." My voice went cold. "The man you knew is dead."

The papers landed softly on the carpet.

"Since I displease you so much, sign it. Then you can spend the rest of your life doting on Wyatt without guilt."