Chapter 12 – The Hidden Heiress

Charlotte halted in her tracks and eyed me angrily “Johnathon, do you want to marry me or not?” she asked firmly.

“Yes,” I shot out “but…”

“But nothing” she interrupted crossly “stop being so considerate to your damn ex-wife and start thinking of me for once. How do you think it feels being the other woman? I’m tired of being the sidepiece” she declared, opening the door and beginning to storm out “I want to be Mrs Rourke and I’ll be damned if I let that b***h stay in my way” she snarled, as I mutely followed behind her.

Flair POV

It felt good to be back at work. I smiled at the class “We go into downward dog pose” I said, showing them, breathing evenly, Rachel observing from the back of the class “And then into child pose, take some deep breaths” I said feeling calm and at peace “and when you are ready we sit up. Namaste,” I told them, putting my hands into a prayer position and bowing my head to them.

The class bowed their head “Namaste.”

They began to roll up their yoga mats, grab their personal items, and disperse out of the room. I rolled up my mat. I didn’t have any other classes this afternoon and was planning on spending some time cleaning the room and then helping Rachel to close up the studio. I stretched as Rachel came over “A nice easy day” I commented.

Rachel rolled her eyes “For once, but have you had a chance to look over the designs and approve them?” she asked me.

“I’m getting there” I hedged, feeling guilty “I’ve been a little distracted lately” I defended myself, putting the mat away.

“Understandable” Rachel allowed, as I grabbed some window cleaner and paper towels from the supply closet and headed back into the room “What with everything going on with Johnathon and Charlotte” her voice dripped with malice.

I gave her a sidelong glance as I began to vigorously scrub at the windows, “Well what can I say? After being married for three years and finding out your husband has been having an affair, it kind of makes you feel like you’re not good enough” I admitted, lowering my arms and staring blindly at the windows “or that you’re missing something.”

Rachel shook her head indignantly “Oh honey, there is nothing lacking from you. All Johnathon gives a damn about is money. I’m willing to bet he doesn’t give two hoots about that little bitch Charlotte either. You deserve better than a man who only sees dollar signs in his future.”

I smiled at her “You always know how to make me feel better” I said, turning back to the window and studying it.

“Well I could kick him in the balls next time I see him” she offered, making me snort.

“Feel free” I muttered “I don’t think he has any.”

Rachel doubled over laughing.

I went to wipe the window over again and paused. I could see somebody who looked a lot like Johnathon walking down the sidewalk and was that Charlotte? I nudged Rachel “Is that my ex-husband and his mistress?” I asked incredulously as she peered outside, her mouth gaping open.

“Yeah,” she said irritably “what do you suppose they want?”

I could see Charlotte holding some papers and felt a sense of fresh humiliation. I couldn’t believe Johnathon’s audacity. Couldn’t he have done this one thing in private and allowed me to keep some form of dignity? Was that too much to ask?

I slowly put down the cleaning supplies. Rachel glanced at me “Do you want me to lock them out?” she asked.

“No” My voice was wooden “I know why they’re here.”

She looked at me sharply, seeing the pallor of my face, the tightness of my knuckles as I wrang my hands together. I straightened my shoulders. If they thought I was going to be cowed or submissive they were wrong. I walked to the reception area. I was aware of my outfit in comparison to Charlotte’s. While she wore a designer, tight-fitting dress, I was clad in yoga leggings and a crop top, my abdomen showing, my hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, my feet bare and I wore no makeup. I looked like any other yoga instructor, a commoner, Charlotte would call it. I tensed as they walked slowly through the door.

“Flair” Charlotte greeted me as I looked at her coolly “I was hoping we would run into you.”

I deliberately looked past her at Johnathon who stood behind his mistress, looking uncomfortable. “What do you want?” I asked with deliberate emphasis and a touch of anger.

Charlotte beamed, placing the papers on the desk and studying her fingernails “well it just so happens that I have some papers I want you to sign” she said a little smugly “if you wouldn’t mind doing that while we’re here, it would be appreciated.”

Rachel stood behind me, glaring at the two of them with open hostility as they ignored her. I looked down at the papers, my breath catching in my throat. Divorce papers. It wasn’t unexpected and yet it still tore a hole through my heart. I could feel tears threatening and I blinked them back. I looked at Johnathon with disgust “You couldn’t bring them to me yourself?” I asked coldly “are you that much of a coward?”

He shifted on his feet “Does it matter? Just sign them” he said gruffly.

“Bastard” I heard Rachel growl under her breath.

I picked the papers up. Charlotte looked impatient. I scanned them. He was being generous by giving me half of what was in his bank account. I smiled wryly. The money was a mere drop in the ocean compared to my own earnings but I would never reveal that to him. I tapped my fingers on the desk. Charlotte glared. “Are you going to sign the papers or not?” she spat out.

I would be an idiot if I signed them without the assistance of a lawyer. I was no fool. Even if the papers looked straight forward, I was still going to get somebody to look over them. I raised a brow at her. “No,” I said firmly, taking her aback, while Johnathon glowered at me “not until I have a lawyer look over them.”

“What is there to look over? Johnathon is being generous by giving you half his money” Charlotte snapped “are you trying to be greedy? My lawyers will tear you apart if you try to take him to court.”

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