I came home expecting to see Claire. I owed her a conversation. What I didn’t expect to see was her gathering her things - packing them all. I knew I had taken things a little too far today with my reactions and felt obligated to apologize after seeing how upset I had made her. I thought she was upset that I had demanded an apology be given to Charlotte.I didn’t expect to hear my wife was moving out. I tried to talk and reason with her. I even offered her the chance to veto an apology to Charlotte in an effort to correct my wrongs and have her reconsider. It angered her more. It wasn’t hard to tell that what I had done today - had broken her.I had broken her. So much so, that she asked me for a divorce and returned the ring I had made specially for her when I asked her to spend her life by my side. A ring that was worth more to me than my entire fortune.And I watched her leave right from our bedroom window. I didn’t have the ability to chase her. I was in complete shock. I should
I arrived at Jasmine’s house and remove my things from the taxi. I had forgotten how large Jasmine’s home is. Jasmine was a second-generation wealthy woman by birth right and a fashion designer by talent but she’d never make you feel that way. She was giving and genuinely kind. She was an amazing friend and I was grateful for her. Especially after what’s happened todayI bring in my belongings and sit on the couch allowing Jasmine to comfort me after I share every detail of this disastrous day that was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life. “What about your marriage, Claire? Do you really want a divorce?” I could see the worry on her face. She knew much I loved Leonardo. “I think I’ve suppressed myself for so long by being with Leo. I have to consideration that I have a child now. I’m pregnant.” I look into her eyes expecting the worst of reactions. But Jasmine was beaming in a smile. She was so excited for me and excited I’d told her.“Does Leonardo know?” She asks qui
It’s been a few days since I’ve settled into Jasmine’s home when I get a phone call. I almost expected it to be Leo. Only when I pulled my phone out to check - I quickly realized it wasn’t. It was my brother - Matthew. And there was only one reason for him to contact me. I knew well before I decided to answer that he was going to ask me for money. Matthew was an idle man who enjoyed gambling far too much and had acquired some hefty debts along the way. The worst part was that he never intended to pay for them out of his own pocket. He simply hoped - more like demanded, that me (his sister) who married a billionaire would help cover his costs. Matthew was the most elated when I announced my engagement to Leonardo - not because he wanted to see me happy or settling down but because my husband was wealthy and he saw it a cash roll. A steady source in which he could cover his costs throughout life. And It infuriated me. I had helped Matthew in the past when he had asked for money. Wha
It had been a few days since Claire had moved out and the feeling of emptiness in our home lingered. I missed her and I didn’t know what to do about it.I wanted to call her but I knew space was something she needed when she decided to leave and I decided that I didn’t want to overwhelm her. I was hoping she’d call me - if I’m being completely honest. But I had received nothing.I’ve been occupying my time with helping Charlotte heal from the accident and helping her to prepare for her procedure with the doctor he spent so much time searching for.After Charlotte’s release from the hospital, she expressed to me that she didn’t feel comfortable being alone in her own house. So I told Charlotte she was welcome to come stay in mine for a little while. I wasn’t stepping out on Claire. I would never cheat on my wife. But I did like the idea of the house being less empty. I pick Charlotte up from the hospital and carefully place her in the car. We drive back to my home. I assist Charlotte
While sitting in the hospital, I heard Claire moved out from Leo’s sister. It was the perfect opportunity for me to fill her shoes in a better sense. I could easily be the woman of Leo’s household. Especially after my legs are “recovered” to their former glory. The truth is that I wasn’t going to be getting any surgery. I didn’t get any to begin with. I could walk. I wasn’t disabled but I had to play the role for the sake of my father. My father was nothing but elated when he found out I was seeing Leonardo. Two wealthy families joining forces by marriage seemed like the ideal outcome, especially when we were great together naturally. But one day, my father company was in a bind. His long line of finders had broken and needed money to save his company. He had gone to Leonardo’s father in his time of need but he denied assisting in any way. This infuriated my father so he executed his next plan. He anonymously hired someone to kidnap Leo and I - that way he could extort a ransom in e
I rush the taxi driver to take me to Leonardo’s house. I sit in the back seat trembling. Was I too late? Has Matthew already asked him for money? Has he told him that I’ve been paying for his debts or has he threatened Leo in order to get it? Every single case scenario brushed my thought as I see the house I once lived in appear in the distance. I see no one in the driveway or standing at the door. I’d hoped that meant that Matthew was turned away but I hadn’t gotten a call from Leo that would confirm my hopes. I hadn’t actually heard from him at all since I left. I get to the door and stand there for a moment. I hadn’t returned my key but after everything that’s happened - I didn’t know if it was still appropriate for me to use it. I had told Leo I was moving out, asked him for a divorce and given him my wedding ring. Standing at the front door of a house that I had lived in for over five years - feeling nothing more than a stranger waiting on its steps. I knew I needed to stop
I pull back from Leonardo’s embrace and refocus on Matthew who had made himself cozy on the couch next to Charlotte. “Matthew, I think it’s time you leave.” I stand firm on my own. He had embarrassed me enough. “Claire, you know how much I need the money.” He shrugs as if his hands are tied. “Well a demand won’t help you. If you leave now, I’ll consider helping you. Stay here and you’ll only be wasting your time.” I cross my arms and return my attention to Leo as I hear my brother rising from his seat. That was the first and only time I’d ever spoken to Matthew that way. I felt accomplished, especially after I knew he planned on leaving.“Claire, I have a gift for you.” I see Leo giving me an excited smile with one hand placed behind his back as he leads me upstairs.“I-“ he cuts me off before I could protest.“I promised you a better fifth wedding anniversary gift and I owe this to you.” I watch as he pulls a Manila envelope from behind his back. Had he already drafted our divorc
I couldn’t help but rise to my feet eagerly as I saw Claire walk into the room. I had missed her deeply. But as I hugged her, something felt different about her. I could see that Claire wasn’t feeling well. I believe it had to do with Matthew, who had comfortably acquainted himself with Charlotte as they continued conversing.Or maybe it had to do with my own presence? I had done a horrible job at making her happy on the one day I should have. Our fifth wedding anniversary. I had done the opposite. I put my hands on her, I disregarded her and I betrayed her. But I hope she can forgive me when she sees the thought I put into this gift for her.I watch Claire demand that Matthew leave and am shocked by her authority. Claire was never confrontational but she handled it well. I lead Claire upstairs for some much-needed privacy. I didn’t want her brothers’ eyes to grow of more greed if he just happened to catch a glance of my gift for Claire. I wait eagerly to give her my gift. I start t
The next day, I met with Jordan and got to see the company location. It wasn’t far from the cafe where he offered me the job originally. It went well and I was given the task of working on a few structural designs to send to the 3D designers for a mock-model to be developed. It had been a week since I started and I finally felt a sense of normalcy. Jordan has been super helpful and we’ve been working on a few projects together in his office. It’s been great having a friend to talk to and a boss that believed in me.As I finished my last structural blueprint and email it to the 3D designers, Jordan comes to my desk.“How are things coming along?” He asks as he leans against my desk. “Great! I just sent the last blueprint over to the next team. They said the mock-models should be ready for inspection within the next two weeks.” I smile as I close my laptop and put my tablet away.“Wow, you’re probably the most productive worker I’ve ever had.” He laughs and rubs the back of his neck.
It’s been a few days since I had left Leonardo. I had read the decree for our divorce and signed it after contacting his attorney and removing a few unnecessary addendums. Leo had tried to include a monthly alimony agreement, an apartment and a vehicle as part of my benefits but I refused. His attorney was hesitant but I refused to sign until he sent an updated decree following my requests. I didn’t want Leo to support me. I wanted to start over. I had already lost everything. I hear at knock at my bedroom door and figure that it was Jas coming to check on me per usual. I knew I was right when I saw her peek in. “They delivered your documents for the finalization of your divorce. Should I get win or tissues hun?” She had been great at checking in on me. I felt bad springing my problems onto her. “I’m okay, Jas. I could use a hug though.” She scrambled in, sits on my bed and pulls me into a hug. I was grateful that she let me stay with her. “I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve this,
I lost her. I knew that the moment she refused to look at me in the hospital. It was all my fault. Claire hadn’t told me that she was pregnant. I remember telling her after our wedding that she should get on contraceptives. I even took her to the doctor to obtain a prescription. The truth is: I wanted kids. I didn’t want them then but it was because of my responsibilities. I didn’t want to be an absent father. I never meant to give her the impression that I never wanted them at all. I begged her to stay. I would’ve changed for her. Given her all the children in the world and be the husband she deserved but even I knew it wasn’t going to be enough. Claire lost our son. She held him a secret for so long and she did it out of fear. Fear that I didn’t want him when he meant so much to her. And someone took him from us - because of me. She wouldn’t even come home with me. I entered the house alone. I sulked to my bedroom and waited by my phone, hoping she’d call. After a while, I los
Jordan comes back into the room with an apologetic smile. “I can take you home, Claire. The nurse said you’re free to go home whenever you’re ready.” “Can you take me to Leo’s to collect my things?” I say silently. “I can do whatever you need me to. But why didn’t you have Leo take you - if you don’t mind me asking?” He says as he sits at my bed side. “Because I asked for a divorce.” “Are you sure, Claire? You just had a traumatic experience and you’ve both lost a child. Is this the best time to make that choice?” “There was no other choice. I lost our baby.” “Okay. I won’t question you anymore. Let’s get you out of here.” I help Claire up and bring a wheelchair to her side and assist her in transferring. I bring Claire out of the hospital and help her into the car. “I can pack your things for you, Claire. You need rest.” “Thank you, Jordan.” I rest my head back and wait to see Leo’s home from the car window. I silently hoped he wasn’t home. I couldn’t stand to face him aft
I calm my sobbing and try to make sense of everything that has happened. I was kidnapped. I fell down four flights of stairs and I was pushed on purpose. Whoever hired that man - wanted my baby dead and they succeeded. Could Charlotte have noticed and done this to drive a wedge between Leo and I?Why would someone do this?I lay there, staring out the window and Jordan sits there silently. He passes glances my way to make sure I’m alright as I ignore every one of them. I was grateful to Jordan in that moment but I had lost everything and there was nothing he could do.I hear the door creak open carefully, knowing it’s not the doctor and I see Jordan look up sadly. He slowly gets up to leave. “I’ll give you two the room. I’ll be right down the hall, Claire. Call me if you need anything.” He gives my hand a squeeze and I watch as he nods at Leo passing him silently. Leo gives him a nod and walks over to my side.“Claire?” He asks carefully as he sits down on the bed next to me. He gen
I finish at the doctors with Charlotte feeling successful as they would be doing her surgery in just a few weeks. Charlotte would be walking again. The doctor had promised that. And with that, I’d be able to focus on fixing things with Claire. I get to the car to prepare to assist Charlotte and readyto leave. I check my phone and I see I have a missed call from Claire. She didn’t leave a voicemail though. I then see a missed call and a voicemail from an unknown number. I listen to the voicemail in horror. “Hey Leo, um it’s Jordan. I know I’m the last person that should be calling you but I took Claire to the hospital and it’s not looking so good. She’s unconscious right now and I didn’t know who to call. Something bad has happened to her. Give her a call when you get this message.” I drop the phone momentarily and scramble to pick it up. I call my driver and give him directions to pick up Charlotte. There was only I could do both and get to Claire in time. “Leo, where are you going
I wake up in a hospital bed. I look over and see Jordan is sitting in the chair beside me holding my hand. I give his hand a squeeze. “Thank you.” It comes out as just a rasp. “Claire, you’re awake! Are you okay?” He gets up frantically, holding my hand in his and looks at me with concern. “My baby.” I say as I remember seeing blood. My whole body aches but none of that mattered at this moment. “I’ll go get the doctor. I wasn’t allowed to be in the room until just a few minutes ago.” I watch as Jordan runs out and call for a nurse, letting her know I was awake. Jordan comes back in and grabs my hand again. “I found your husband’s phone number and left a voicemail. I’m sure he’ll be here soon and the nurse is going to get your doctor.” I slowly bring my hand to caress his cheek. “Thank you.” I say between tears. “It’s okay, Claire. Don’t cry. You know I’d do anything for you.” He says as he wipes my tears. “How did you find me?” “Well you were in the warehouse district and th
I must’ve fallen asleep in the back of the town car. Pregnancy has made me extremely lethargic. I look out the window and see that we’re not even close to Jasmine’s. I think we’re going the completely wrong way. I knock on the privacy window and ask if we’ve taken a wrong turn but get no response.I knock again and watch in horror as I see the guy smiling in the front seat. “You’re not Leo’s driver. Who are you?”“Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’re just making a quick detour.” He laughs huskily.I begin to panic and try to open the door as he pulls into a warehouse but the doors are locked and not from the inside. I quickly grab my phone to call Leo . I wait while it rings, praying he would pick up but it goes to voicemail. He must’ve left it in the car while accompanying Charlotte to the doctor. I try to call for help but my phone service goes out. I cower as I see the man get out of the car and points a gun at me instructing me to get out and follow his directions. “Please don’t hurt
I let Leo assist me in the car and text my little henchman to make sure everything is in motion. I saw Leo had written her a note instructing her to use the town car for any and all her commutes today and decide it better to give his driver the day off. I then have my henchman pose as the driver and stay in the car. Leo was preoccupied with me and left without so much as checking in with his driver. We begin our drive to the German doctor my father bribed to sell the promise of my recovery. It was about an hour drive so I waited patiently for us to arrive or for a text confirmation of my most-wanted deed being done.After about forty-five minutes, I receive a text. Package received. No signature needed. This was too easy. Claire had already gotten into the car. Today would be a great day.“Leo, I’m famished. Can we stop for something to eat?” I ask kindly.“Of course. There’s an Italian deli nearby.” He says as he gets into the turning lane.“That sounds fantastic. Thank you!” “Are