Chapter 4 Shocked

I was curled up on the couch, reading a romance novel, trying to distract myself from the dark cloud that was now my life, when my phone began to ring. I glanced at the screen and saw Gina's name flashing.

I smiled weakly and picked up. Before I could even say hello, she shrieked so loudly that I had to pull the phone from my ear.

"I GOT THE JOB!!" she screamed.

I winced but couldn't help laughing. That was Gina-full of life and drama.

"Calm down, G!" I chuckled, putting the phone back to my ear. "You got the job?"

"Yes! Yes! YESSS!" she practically sang over the line.

I laughed again, her excitement rubbing off on me. I had completely forgotten about the job applications with everything going on-the forced marriage, the humiliation, Richard's hateful attitude.

Before all this, Gina and I had spent weeks applying to every job we could find. Since I wasn't going to inherit my family's company, and I wasn't about to go crawling to Cara for a job just to be humiliated, getting work on my own was my only escape plan. That was before my parents shoved this marriage down my throat.

"That's amazing news!" I said sincerely. "I'm so happy for you, G."

Then it hit me-I hadn't checked my email in over a week. I scrambled off the couch and reached for my laptop. Maybe-just maybe-there would be something in there for me too.

"How about you?" Gina asked, her voice filled with curiosity and hope.

I shook my head before realizing she couldn't see me. "No, I haven't even checked. With the wedding and... everything else, I've just been too distracted."

"You'll freak out when you hear which company called me for the interview," she said, a grin audible in her tone.

I sat up straighter. That tone meant it was good. My fingers hovered over the touchpad as I clicked open my inbox.

"Where?" I asked eagerly.

"RCD Tech!!" she squealed.

My jaw dropped. "OMG! That's the fastest-growing tech company in the country right now!"

My eyes widened even more when I saw an unread message from RCD Tech too. No way. This couldn't be real.

I clicked it open and my heart skipped a beat. My mouth fell open as I read the subject line twice to be sure.

"Okay... this is CRAZY!" I yelled. "I got in too!"

Gina screamed again. We both burst into loud, high-pitched squeals of joy, jumping and spinning in our respective spaces like two kids in a candy store.

It felt like for the first time in days, I had something to look forward to. Something that didn't involve Richard or that house or Cara's lingering shadow.

The interview was scheduled for tomorrow. And I promised myself-I had to ace it. I would.

"Next," a sultry female voice called out from the other side of the hallway.

I sat in the reception area beside Gina, the soft murmur of the other applicants filling the air. We exchanged a glance as a woman in her early twenties stood and walked confidently toward the door. Her heels clicked rhythmically against the marble floor, and her hips swayed with exaggerated grace.

Gina leaned toward me, whispering, "She's doing the most."

I nodded slightly, smoothing the front of my black pencil skirt. I had tried to look professional, even elegant, in a simple blouse and pulled-back hair. Nothing fancy-just enough to make a good impression.

"Miss Harrington?" the same voice called again.

I frowned. That was odd. The last applicant hadn't even exited yet.

Gina looked at me, puzzled.

I had used my maiden name-April Harrington-wanting no association with the Dowell name. Maybe that was why this felt strange.

Still, I stood up, heart pounding. "Coming," I said, forcing a calm expression.

The room I was led into wasn't the main interview hall-it looked like a smaller side office, probably the secretary's workspace.

I knocked gently on the door.

"Come in," the woman answered sharply.

I entered and smiled politely, but her expression was anything but welcoming.

"Good morning," I greeted.

She didn't respond, just motioned for me to sit.

There was something about her face-tight-lipped, annoyed. I could feel something was off.

"I'm sorry to inform you, Miss Harrington, but there was a mix-up with your invitation."

My heart skipped.

"What... mix-up?" I asked carefully.

"There was an error. The invitation was meant for Miss May Harrington. Our assistant Cecilia mistakenly sent it to you."

My stomach dropped.

"No, no, that can't be," I whispered, panicked. "Please, I'm qualified. I need this job."

"I understand, but this came from the CEO himself. My hands are tied," she replied flatly.

Tears threatened to spill, but I blinked rapidly.

"Please," I whimpered, desperation rising in my throat. "I need this. Please give me a chance."

She looked at me with sympathy now, shaking her head. "I'm sorry. I really can't help you."

I sat there, frozen, until she subtly motioned for me to leave.

I stood up slowly, but something snapped inside me.

"Where can I find the CEO?" I asked.

She looked hesitant, then muttered, "Top floor. But I never told you that."

I thanked her and hurried out. Gina looked at me with concern, but I just signaled that I'd be back and made my way to the elevators.

My stomach twisted with nerves as I stepped out on the 14th floor.

The CEO's secretary looked me over with the same cold disapproval.

"I'm here to see the CEO," I said with forced confidence, hoping she wouldn't question me.

She narrowed her eyes. "Name?"

"April Dowell," I said, hesitating only slightly.

She stared for a second, then picked up the phone and muttered into it.

"He's expecting me," I added quickly.

She paused, then nodded. "Go in."

I didn't wait. I walked to the large office doors and knocked.

"Come in," came a muffled voice.

I stepped inside and gasped. The man had his back to me, seated in a sleek leather chair.

Something about his posture, the hair, the aura of power...

Then he turned.

And the breath was knocked from my lungs.

There, sitting like a king on his throne, was my husband.

Richard Dowell.

My hand flew to my mouth as my entire body froze in place.

"What-"