RAVAN

While I Was Bleeding Out, He Lit Lanterns For Her

Katie Oettgen

As I lay on the floor of our manor, bleeding out from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, I used my last ounce of strength to call my husband, Cole. I begged him for help, my vision blurring. But the only thing I heard was the clinking of champagne glasses and his mistress's giggle in the background. "Stop the drama, June," Cole snapped, his voice cold. "We're about to go on stage. Don't call again." He hung up, leaving me to die alone on the Persian rug while he accepted an award with another woman on his arm. I woke up in the hospital days later. My baby was gone. They had removed my fallopian tube. Cole finally arrived, smelling of expensive scotch and his mistress's perfume. He didn't hug me. He didn't cry. Instead, he leaned over my hospital bed, pressing his knee into the mattress until my fresh stitches tore open and bled. "You embarrassed me by calling an ambulance," he hissed. "My mistress, Alycia, says you're faking it. Clean yourself up." He left me bleeding again to go announce a $10 million donation to Alycia's "groundbreaking" medical research. I stared at the TV screen, numb. The research Alycia was taking credit for? It was mine. I wrote that patent years ago under a pseudonym. They thought I was just a poor, orphan housewife who needed Cole's money to survive. They had no idea I was actually a billionaire scientist hiding my identity. I pulled the IV needle out of my arm. A drop of blood fell onto the divorce papers I had been hiding. I didn't wipe it off. I signed my name right over it. Then I walked into the bank, reactivated my dormant account with $128 million, and bought the penthouse directly overlooking Cole's house. The mourning widow is dead. The avenger is born.

Romance Crime Revenge Pregnancy Enemies to Lovers Pregnancy Personal Growth

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I just graduated college in California and moved back to Washington.

I had only been back home for 2 weeks and already went on over 45 interviews. Unfortunately, I was not offered any of the positions as I was fresh out of college and didn't have much experience.

I was able to secure an interview with a well known tech company as a third assistant to the CEO. Even though this role was not associated with my degree, it got my foot in the door.

It still would not be an easy application. I only got the interview because my best friend works for the company in human resources and was able to pull some strings. I am technically not even qualified for this position but at this point I am applying to anything.

I sat in the waiting room for my interview.

"Ms. Tessa Jones, they are ready for you in the conference room."

"Thank you" I said as I walked past her and into the room.

This room was quite large and somewhat fancy. I immediately noticed two people sitting at the desk with a video camera setup. I could tell they sensed my confusion.

"Hello Ms. Jones. My name is Charles, and this is Julia. The interview will be videotaped as Grayson, the CEO cannot be here for the interview process. Are you ok with this?”

I have been on lots of interviews, and this was the first, but I will do anything to get a job at this point.

"Absolutely” I said as I sat down.

It was to the point, and I felt it went a little quicker than my other interviews. I didn't know if this was a good thing or a bad thing.

"We will be making the decision by Friday at 5pm and you will start first thing Monday morning. Will this be an issue?" Charles asked.

"I can start any time you need me!" With that, I left the building.

I text my friend Alyssa who works in the building to see if she could meet me for lunch.

Me: {Hey, just finished my interview. Can you meet downstairs at the café for lunch?}

Alyssa: {I will be right down!}

I grabbed a seat at a table and waited for her.

She walked in and yelled loudly "Tessa! How was it? Are you excited? I really hope we get to work in the same building!”

"It was short, and they told me that they would let me know by Friday at 5pm." I told her.

"Oh, but it's only Wednesday. You have to wait that long?" she asked.