Chapter 3 - The Interrupted Celebration
My phone buzzed in my coat pocket just as I reached the corner of Fifth Avenue. I pulled it out. It was Ethan.
Of course. Even on his wedding day, surrounded by his gorgeous new bride and expensive champagne, my former husband still expected me to function as his personal assistant and problem-solver. I swiped to answer, keeping my tone flat.
“Claire, where’s the spare key to my office filing cabinet?” Ethan’s voice barked through the speaker, impatient and distracted.
I told him where it was, keeping my patience intact. Then, with a tone of casual superiority, he added, “You know I’m getting married today, right?”
“Yes, Ethan. I’m aware.”
“You could still come by if you wanted,” he continued, utterly tone-deaf. “Sophia wouldn’t mind. We have plenty of food.”
I actually laughed out loud right there on the crowded Manhattan sidewalk. “I’m afraid I couldn’t make it. I had a job interview this morning.”
“A job interview?” Ethan scoffed, genuine disbelief dripping from his words. “Claire, you’ve been entirely out of the workforce for seven years. Who on earth is going to hire you?”
I looked up at the towering financial monoliths surrounding me, feeling a quiet rush of absolute power. “Someone who actually knows what I am capable of doing.”
Before he could demand an explanation, I ended the call, cutting him off completely. That afternoon, feeling a deep, earned sense of celebration, I walked into the historic Diamond District and bought myself a stunning white-gold pendant necklace—a luxury item I had admired for years, purchased entirely with my own earnings, without once pausing to wonder whether Ethan would think it was too expensive or frivolous.
Just as I stepped out of the boutique, my phone buzzed with an incoming text from my closest friend, Rachel, who had reluctantly attended the wedding as a plus-one for her colleague.
You are not going to believe what just happened, Rachel’s message read.
I stopped walking, staring at the screen. Another message popped up instantly: One of Ethan’s wealthy business contacts just loudly asked across the reception table if you’re the Claire Morgan currently interviewing with that major Wall Street investment group.
May you like
My heart skipped a beat. Before I could reply, a third text arrived: The guy told Ethan your past Arabic contract work saved an entire energy conglomerate over a million dollars. He said people with your specific linguistic and legal experience are practically impossible to find in this market.
I stared at the glowing screen in sheer amazement. Rachel kept typing furiously: Ethan went completely pale and silent. Sophia immediately asked him what was wrong, looking totally confused.
