At 3 AM, I had awoken to the ringing of a phone, rustling of the sheets and the thunder humming outside my bedroom window. It didn’t take long to recognize the ringtone I heard and understand what was happening in that moment. That was Charlotte’s ringtone. Charlotte was my husband Leonardo’s childhood sweetheart, and she had made a habit of calling my husband to her side at every opportunity even in the most impromptu hours of the night. And Leo had made a habit of being completely available after every call - explaining why he had personalized her ringtone in the first place. I listen at his side silently, waiting for the moment he would refuse to run to her side. A wishful thought I knew would never come to fruition. “Don't cry, I'll be there soon." After a few simple words, Leo quickly got up and prepared to go out. He hadn’t noticed I had been listening or conscious at the moment. “Are you leaving?” I say through a yawn. Being pregnant made me especially tire
I turned white at the thought of my husband in bed with another woman. Especially this one. “Are you sleeping in the same bed?” I knew Leo saw to her personally but sleeping in the same bed was past unacceptable. It was out of line.“Don’t blame him, Claire. He was just so tired after caring for me last night.” She lets out a chuckle. Charlotte had no regard for me or my marriage and had taken every opportunity to make that clear. “Why are you calling again?” She asks as if I’m disturbing her although she answered my husband’s phone.“Please let Leo know that I’d like to meet him for dinner at that old restaurant we love when he wakes up.” I tried my best not to sound hurt as I tell her. It was my wedding anniversary, and he had run off to be with Charlotte once again. This time, even sleeping in her bed.“I’ll let him know. Happy Anniversary, Claire.” She muttered my name in disgust and reminded me of my anniversary just to mock me and remind me that on my anniversary, my husband ha
Charlotte saw me and began to smile but I knew the smile all too well. It’s a maniacal smile. “Oh, Claire is here.” She said this to make sure everyone knew that the unwanted guest she anticipated had arrived. A guest they can all share a common hatred for. I knew coming here wasn’t a good idea, but I had to speak to Leo. It was our anniversary, and I felt nothing short of abandoned along with our growing child inside me. As soon as she said this. I hear Leo’s mother chime in. “Who invited you?” She asks with a disgusted face as she places a protective hand on Charlotte’s shoulder. “I’m sorry to overturn your anniversary, Claire. I had some exciting news delivered today and Leonardo was just so excited to share it with everyone.” She said this in a sad innocent puppy expression, knowing it’d convince everyone in the room that I was not only an enemy and outsider but a jealous and insecure wife. It didn’t help that Leonardo stayed plastered to Charlotte’s side. No hesitation of
“Leo - “ I stop when I see Leo start to walk towards the door. I hurry and grab his arm. “I still have something to tell you.” Leo pulls his arm back and turns to me annoyed and rubbing the back of his neck as a symbol of him becoming aggravated.“I need to go help Charlotte. We can talk about whatever this is once we’re home.”“Please don’t go” I ask in the smallest voice, but Leo turns the doorknob and leaves the room muttering the cruelest of words.“Don’t put me in the position to choose” and without even a glance back at me - he exited. I didn’t get the chance to tell him about our baby. I stayed behind in the library for a few more minutes. The loneliness I felt reached further than the depth of this room. I wasn’t welcome here. I’m not wanted here. Even my husband doesn’t want me here. I should leave. So, I put every effort in calming myself before leaving the library. I then make my way from the library door to the foyer, hoping to escape without being seen or better yet - hu
I waited until we reached the top of the hill to place my foot in front of the wheel of my chair. I meant what I said to Claire. There was no one better suited for Leo than me. I just had to make Leo see that Claire was the wrong choice and remind him of how compatible we once were before this “accident”. Claire knows that I want Leo. If only she’d give up now and admit her impeding defeat.This woman was pathetic. After executing the first part of my plan, I watched her examine the wheels while holding onto my chair. She really didn’t want to hurt me but I had to make it seem otherwise if I wanted Leo. I used all my might to push her and throw off her balance. Watching her as she lost her grip on my chair and the horror of watching me fly down the hill - desperately trying to save me. This may hurt but I know once I scream - Leo will run to my side and he’d never believe this was an accident. Thus, driving the wedge between him and Claire. A wedge large enough to drive him into my a
I hear a blood curdling scream from outside my family home and run outside desperately to investigate what could be the cause although I knew that scream. It was Charlotte. She couldn’t have done something to hurt Charlotte. Was she capable of that? That isn’t the Claire I know. Claire is always compassionate, kind and helpful to anyone in need. I saw her researching medical publications about Charlotte’s condition once. She wouldn’t take her emotions towards me out on a disabled woman especially not Charlotte who has always been kind to her. I know I had put our fifth anniversary aside today but felt it only right to be by Charlotte’s side on this very important day. I had gotten her a gift and I had still planned on celebrating with her afterwards. Just as I descend the hill, I see Charlotte lying on the ground bleeding from her forehead and cowering from Claire who was trying to put her back into her wheelchair urgently. I can’t believe what I’m seeing? Claire must’ve done this pur
I have never seen this face on my husband - nonetheless directed at me. I begin rambling in an attempt to explain what happened and absolve myself of being accountable for any wrongdoings. It was an accident, and I was still trying to figure out exactly what happened myself. “This is not what it seems, Charlotte’s wheelchair got stuck at the top of the hill so I kneeled down to inspect it and felt a push. I tried to run after her, but I wasn’t fast enough.” I was hoping he would trust me or believe me. I would never do this. I was mistaken. Leonardo pushed me aside, causing me to fall onto the ground without a single glance to see if I was okay and rushed to Charlottes’ side. I covered my stomach and twisted in pain as I felt an intensifying pain. My baby! I look up to as Leo picks up Charlotte and begins to walk away. I struggled yo hastily rise yo my feet to go after him. I listened as he called his family’s private doctor to meet him at his family’s home. In just minutes,
I sit up frantically. I must’ve fainted and that frightened me but what was even more frightening was where I was. I was in a hospital bed, and I heard a man speaking with the doctor just outside the door. It sounded as though they were talking about me. Just as I tuned into their conversation,They come into the room. The doctor introduces himself and asks how I’m feeling. I give a quick reply. I was more curious as to who he was talking to.Just then I see the man who saved me walking in slowly, peaking around the corner before entering. It wasn’t Leo although I remember exactly who he is.“What are you doing here?” I should’ve said ‘thank you’ or ‘hello’ but shock same first. It was Jordan Taylor. We had graduated Architectural school together although I hadn’t seen him in many years after he took a job opportunity abroad. He was famous in school for his innovation. Jordan was one of the only people I’ve ever considered a friend. “Hey, I was out walking my dog Boomer when I saw
I sat at home as Leo left. It was odd for him to not tell me where he was going but I assumed it had something to do with that wretched Claire. Just as I am about to leave my bed and snoop, I get a phone call from an unknown number. I answer it, catching my breath as I hear the contents.‘This is a collect call from an inmate here at our federal jail center. Please press 5 to accept this call.’ I press 5 hastily trying to see who would be contacting me from prison. “Darling, how are you?” I hear my fathers’ voice on the other line. “Daddy? What happened? Why are you in jail?” I sit in shock as I listen to his next few words. “I made some bad choices with the family business and I’m be charged with money laundering, embezzlement and tax evasion. Darling, I wanted you to hear this from me. I’m ashamed of myself.” “We’ll find a way to get you out, daddy. I’ll call Leo.” “Darling, I’m counting on you to help me. I need a good lawyer.” I hear him say just as the line cuts off. I
I ran at the sound of Claire’s ringtone on my phone and hurry to pick it up.I’m relieved to hear Claire is safe and calm on the other line. I worried about her safety after what happened to our child and what Jordan had tried to do to her. I was still have my private investigator look into the “incident” that caused the demise of my son. I neglected to share that with Claire. I knew that my mentioning of it would drive her into depression. She was keeping busy to avoid mourning her loss.Claire tells me that she was nominated for one of the biggest achievements as an architect and I can’t help but beam with pride. Claire was brilliant. I offer to escort her in an effort to spend some time with her and celebrate her success and to my surprise, she agreed.It may seem like the smallest of steps but for me - this was a leap and I was glad to have it.I order Elena to assist me in picking out a dress for Claire’s big night and we head to a few boutiques. I announced to Charlotte that I h
It’s been a few weeks since I last saw Jordan and broke our professional and personal relationship. It has also been a few weeks since I’ve seen Leo. He had dropped me off at Jasmine’s and ensured that I got inside safely. I have texted Leo vaguely about a few potential contractors interested in my work and I’ve been working diligently on my independent business and locking myself in my suite which was provided graciously by Leo upon our divorce.I entered a few design blueprints into the Architectural committee - an elite political status group that would launch my career to immediate success. I had just sat down to review more potential contracts on my tablet and I see an email from the Architectural Committee. I feel my heart sink to my stomach and feel the immediate rejection rising. I slowly click the email with a shaky finger but am surprised by the contents.I had made the cut and was being nominated for the ‘Best New Designer of the Year’. Being nominated alone means my career
I had been in my bed when I heard Leo running down the stairs and had thought he was coming to check on my “recovery”. That was until I heard him yell out to Elena that Claire was in trouble. Even with that wretched peasant gone, he still worried about her.I quietly ran upstairs to Leo’s office alone the coast was clear and begin searching for clues to help me rid of Claire. To my dismay, mostly all of his documents had already been locked away. Elena was diligent in cleaning up Leo’s affairs. All except for one - his decree of divorce. It was placed perfectly in the middle of his desk as if it was left for me to see.I frantically open it and begin reading the addendums. Leo had left her a studio to conduct business. A honorable thing to do for a useless ex- housewife. I read the address and decide to save the information in my phone for later. Knowing where Claire would be - put me at a much higher advantage in my plans. I continue reading through the pages until I find something
Having upset Claire to the point of leaving wasn’t my goal. I had told her about the contract bidding because I had received a notice that my business was being investigated by the Better Business Bureau for claims of misconduct with contractual agreements. They would be coming back for every dollar I pulled unjustly from those contracts and paying them would be the only way to save my company. I had tried putting up my own blueprints but no one was interested in working with me and I got desperate. I submitted Claire’s under my company name and I saw bidders lining up for the opportunity to obtain them. It was astonishing. And I wanted to do this with Claire. With that amount of money, my business would flourish and we could finally be together - I could take care of her.I didn’t expect her ex-husband to ruin my plans or for Claire to run off with the her documents. I tried calling her to no avail. She wouldn’t take my call and I was becoming angry. And just when I thought my anger
I stared directly into Jordan’s eyes and waited for some sort of explanation. “The idea wasn’t for anyone to get hurt. After I saw how sad you were, I thought hiring you would help you regain your confidence and it meant I’d be able to spend more time with you. And then I saw your work and I was genuinely in awe and I saw the opportunity for my company’s salvation.” He shrugs as if this was reason enough to steal my work, publicly auction it and then butcher it to harbor funds. “Jordan, I’m really shocked. I never thought you’d have to be a person that I watch my back around too.” I say as I look directly at him. “Claire, I never meant to hurt you. I’ve loved you since college. .” I stare at him in disbelief and try to recount what he had just said to me. This is how you’d treat a woman you “loved”? You exploited me for money and tried to tie my hands so that I couldn’t leave. “I think your idea with love is infatuation. Running after or fantasizing some things that just can’t
After Leo leaves, I share my news with Jasmine and head to bed.I wake up the next morning to multiple missed calls and text from Jordan. They range from apologies to demanding the blueprints and I decide it’s better to say him head-on than to avoid him entirely.I call Jordan and wait for him to answer.“Claire, finally! I’ve been trying to reach you since you left!” I was caught off guard by the false enthusiasm.“I saw your call, voicemail and messages, Jordan. Can you meet me at the cafe on Maple Street in half an hour?” I hope he didn’t assume that I would be handing over my work.“Sure! I’ll meet you there.”I hang up, check my email and see that I have over twenty messages from contractors who had reached out to Leo in regards to working with me. I redirect each message to a new email address I created last night for my new independent company.I was excited for my designs to be made public under my own name.The thought of having the career I always yearned for and the opportu
“What are you doing here, Leo?” Part of me was relieved to see it was him and not Jordan and wanted to hug him but part of me felt uncomfortable and withdrawn. I hadn’t seen Leonardo since I left permanently and finalized our divorce. The thought of seeing each other made me feel broken and helpless all over again.“I read your message and I called you but you didn’t answer. I needed to make sure you’re okay.” He had this look of genuine concern. One thing I can say about Leo was that he never hid how he felt when it came to me. He wore his emotions on his sleeve without ulterior motives.“You didn’t have to do that. I’m not your responsibility anymore.” I say in a small voice as I sit down on the couch and fiddle with the sleeves of my sweater. Leo comes to sit beside me and positions himself to where he is able to look directly at me.“You may not be my responsibility Claire, but you will always be of my concern. We were married for five years. I love you and I will always want to m
I continued my investigation on Jordan’s company in my study. Elena was helpful in taking notes as I found more and more information. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, my colleague Benjamin called me. Benjamin worked in architectural contracts with my company. He would sift through pending deals and finalize arrangements before production started.“Leo, I hope things are well. I have some shocking news and I thought you’d want to hear this.” Benjamin usually called when contracts were going to be delivered to me. Whatever he had to say was important enough for him to call on such short notice.“Is something wrong, Ben?” I ask quizzically.“Well I’m sure you know about Claire’s growing reputation as an independent architecture?”“I do.” Except Claire had also decided to work for Jordan.“Well some of her designs are being offered on a contract bidding that’s set to go live on Monday. But there’s one problem - Claire isn’t the one offering them. They’re being offered by Jor