Full Story : The Price of Arrogance
Chapter 1: The Envelope
Richard's eyes dropped to the envelope.
"What's that?"
Clara looked at him calmly.
"A gift."
He laughed and loosened his tie.
"If this is another lecture, save it for tomorrow. I'm exhausted."
"No," Clara replied. "You're not exhausted. You're satisfied."
The smile on his face faltered.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means Sabrina must have enjoyed dinner."
Silence filled the penthouse.
Richard froze.
For a brief second, guilt flashed across his face before arrogance replaced it.
"You've been spying on me?"
"I didn't have to."
Clara slid the envelope across the table.
Richard opened it.
Inside were divorce papers.
His expression darkened immediately.
"What kind of joke is this?"
"It's not a joke."
"You're six months pregnant."
"Yes."
"And you think you're leaving me now?"
Clara slowly stood.
For the first time in years, she looked him directly in the eye.
"I already left."
Richard laughed again, but this time there was uncertainty behind it.
"You have nowhere to go."
Clara's lips curved into a faint smile.
That smile made him uncomfortable.
Because it looked like confidence.
Then her phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen.
The message was simple.
The jet is ready, Ms. Hartwell.
Richard's face changed.
Hartwell.
Her maiden name.
The name connected to one of the oldest family fortunes on the East Coast.
A fortune Clara had never touched because she wanted a normal marriage.
A fortune Richard assumed was permanently out of reach.
"What jet?" he asked.
Clara picked up her coat.
"The one waiting to take me home."
Before Richard could answer, she walked toward the elevator.
For the first time in years, he followed her.
"Clara, stop."
She didn't.
"Clara!"
The elevator doors opened.
She stepped inside.
Richard grabbed the edge of the door.
"You can't do this."
Clara looked at him one last time.
"I already did."
May you like
The doors closed.
And Richard Donovan suddenly realized he might have made the most expensive mistake of his life.
