After 3 months, I returned to work. I started a business risk consultancy. It was difficult at first. Some people knew I was Eric's ex-wife and whispered that I'd used my divorce settlement to get ahead. Others tested me to my face. "Ms. Mercer, you know so much about risk management. Did Mr. Caldwell teach you?"
"No," I said. "I learned it from what he put me through."
More importantly, I'd been away from the workplace for years. When I first started hiring, I overheard a few recent graduates whispering in the waiting room.
"Did you hear? The boss is a housewife trying to return to work. She hasn't had a job in 5 years."
"She hasn't worked in 5 years? What can she even do anymore? I bet she can't use a computer."
"Still, the pay is really good. It wouldn't hurt to get hired."
I pret
