MY EX-HUSBAND REGRET

CLARA POV I'm packing my stuff in my office when Irene comes in. She's my friend at work. We're not super close, but we look out for each other."What's wrong, Clara? Where are you going?" Irene asks. She looks worried.I don't know how to tell her. How do I say my husband, who's also our boss, divorced me and fired me? And I'm pregnant with his baby? It's too much.Tears fill my eyes. "I got fired," I say. I pick up a brown box with my things.Irene's eyes go wide. "Are you serious? There must be some mistake. You're joking, right?"I look at her and sigh. "Do I look like I'm joking? You see me packing, don't you?""But why? You're one of the best workers here. They can't just fire you like that," Irene says. She sounds so confused. I am too."You didn't do anything wrong, did you Clara?" she asks.I can't hold it in anymore. I start crying. I put the box down and sob."Clara," Irene says softly. She rubs my back while I cry."I don't know, Irene. I don't know what I did wrong," I s

CHAPTER FOUR CLARA'S pov Four years later...I walked into the big white room where I work. My shoes made loud noises on the floor. People said "hi" to me as I passed, and I smiled back.I looked at my watch. Only 30 minutes before work starts. I bet Velma will talk the whole time.Then I heard Sofia call my name. She's my helper at work."I got here before you again, Sofia," I said, smiling.Sofia looked sorry. "I don't think I can ever beat you, Boss. Do you ever sleep?"We got in the elevator together. Sofia told me about my day. "You have a big meeting at noon. And Dr. Mathews will be there."I nodded. This was my life now. Lots of work and making money. It was good, but sometimes I felt lonely.When we got to my office, I saw my daughter Velma sitting with Rodney. They were looking at something on his computer."Well, someone's having fun," I said.Velma ran to hug me. "I missed you, mama!""I missed you too, baby!" I said, hugging her tight.I looked at Velma's face. She looke

Chapter sixReclaiming PerfectionI sat in the car, feeling nervous. My friend Rodney was driving us to the airport."I can't believe it," I said. "My grandpa left me his whole company!"Rodney smiled. "You're the best person for the job, Clara."I wasn't so sure. I looked at my daughter, Velma, playing on her iPad. I thought about her dad, Mike. He hurt me bad five years ago. Now I might have to see him again."Mom, are you okay?" Velma asked.I tried to smile. "Yes, sweetie. Everything's fine.""Is this a vacation?" she asked, looking excited."Yes," I lied. "Just a short trip."We got to the airport. Rodney helped us with our bags."Are you sure you don't want me to come?" he asked.I shook my head. "No, we'll be fine. We'll be back soon."Velma hugged Rodney tight. "I'll miss you!""I'll miss you too, princess," he said. "Be good for your mom, okay?"We said goodbye and got on the plane. As we took off, I felt scared. I didn't want to go back to Los Angeles. Too many bad memories.

CHAPTER EIGHT Not The Woman I Used To RememberI couldn't stop staring at Clara. She was so different now. Her eyes were cold when she looked at me. It made me feel scared.Clara wore a pretty black dress. It made me remember the good times we had. But those times seemed far away now.I knew I messed up bad. Seeing Clara like this, so strong and beautiful, made me feel awful. I wanted to say sorry, but I didn't know how.Clara was talking, and everyone was listening. She wasn't shy anymore. She said what she wanted. It was like she was a whole new person.I kept trying to talk to her, but she acted like I wasn't there. It hurt a lot. I felt so guilty for what I did to her.Lucy, my wife, asked me what I was looking at. But I couldn't stop watching Clara.When Clara said she wanted to leave, I got scared. I didn't want her to go yet."Clara. Sit, let's--" I started to say.But then she threw water in my face! I was so surprised."Don't say my name," Clara said. She sounded really mad.

CHAPTER TEN The Youngest Billionaire in Town!I stood up fast when Mr. Page finished reading. I couldn't believe what I just heard."That can't be all!" Lucy yelled. "Read the rest!"Mr. Page looked at the paper again. "There is more," he said.My heart was beating so fast. I looked at Rodney. He smiled at me."You can do this," he whispered.I was so confused. Why did Grandpa give me everything? It didn't make sense.Mr. Page started reading again. "To my daughter-in-law and Lucy: Work hard. I hope you become better people."That was it. Nothing for them.Lucy's mom started crying. "There must be more! Check again!"Lucy ran up and grabbed the paper from Mr. Page. She looked at it, then threw it on the ground."This isn't real!" she yelled. "Grandpa wouldn't do this!"Mr. Page looked mad. "Please stop yelling," he said. "There are important people here."Lucy didn't care. She kept screaming. "Clara's not even real family! She left for five years! I worked hard!"I didn't say anythin