Married To One, Inlove with Another

Fired

Chapter 3

Zara POV

"Oh, Daniel, can you help me drop Julian off at school, please? I'm already running late!" I shouted, rushing out of the house without looking back.

Although, I didn't look back, I knew he must have heard me. I hastened to the bus stop, anxious about being on time. Losing my job was unthinkable; I have worked as a secretary for three years.

Heath had vanished that night, leaving me with uncertainty. His abandoned credit card was a lifeline, but I conserved it, unsure of the balance. After paying Daniel's hospital bills and essential expenses, I stopped using it.

Two months later, I discovered I was pregnant. Life became even more challenging, but Ana's help secured my current job.

Without Ana's support, I wouldn't have coped. Providing for myself, my son, and brother was daunting.

Sometimes, I wondered: Wasn't being a single mother better than being married to a stranger who'd abandoned me for years? But hold on, who am I kidding? Aren't I a single mother as it is?

I boarded the bus, still lost in thought, as the city whizzed by outside.

I arrived at work on time, which was a huge relief. Time passed by in flash, and soon it was lunchtime. I paused my work and headed to the company restaurant. I ordered juice, since I'm lacking appetite recently, then I searched for a seat.

As I scanned the room, a familiar figure caught my eye. The profile looked uncannily like Heath. My brows furrowed as I struggled to believe what my eyes were seeing. "What on earth?" I whispered, and without a second thought, I sprang up and rushed towards him.

Just as I was about to confront him, the juice in my hand spilled onto his clothes. The guards swiftly restrained me before he looked up.

"Who is this?" he asked the manager, his voice firm.

"She's our secretary, sir," the manager replied, trembling.

I was stunned. Why was Heath pretending like he does not recognize me? Had he forgotten about me so soon? Just a few years that he was gone, he's already cutting ties with me? What about our marriage?

"This is so unprofessional!" Heath exclaimed, ruffling his hair. "How could you employ someone as clumsy as her to work in my company? Can she document any thing reasonable with this clumsiness?"

He didn't even glance at me as he chided the manager, his disdain evident.

I reeled, stunned. The CEO rumored to be abroad for years, unknown to most employees, stood before me.

And he was none other than my husband – the one who abandoned me on our wedding night.

"I'd rather not look at her face; it'll only infuriate me," he bellowed, his voice dripping with disdain. "She must be ugly, anyway."

My anger flared, but I bit back my retort, fearing for my job.

Ana's efforts to help me secure this position couldn't go to waste.

"Fire her," Heath declared, turning to leave. "She is not qualified to work here."

His words cut deep. I screamed, incredulous.

"How can you?" I cried, my voice shaking. "You, of all people!”

"I'm sorry, please! I didn't mean to do that. I'm truly sorry, please forgive me, Sir," I cried, desperation overwhelming me.

At that moment, I didn't care if he was my husband or not. No one knew about our marriage, and who knew if he'd ever return to the home he'd abandoned three years ago? All I needed was my job – my only means of survival.

Heath walked away without a glance, leaving me kneeling and tearful.

The manager shook his head. "Look at your pitiful self. You should have been more careful. You've worked diligently, and now you've messed up."

I grasped his leg, pleading. "Please, can you beg him for me?"

The manager's expression was grim. "I'm sorry, but I can't. You've seen his temper. I won't risk it.”

"Please, he might listen to you," I begged.

The manager's expression didn't change one bit. "You don't seem to know who Heath Black is. He doesn't care about anyone except his parents, and his word is final."

My heart sank. I knew it was over.

"Leave the company immediately," the manager ordered. "Don't take any company property with you. I won't risk losing my job because of your carelessness."

He turned and walked away, leaving me shattered.

Why does this keep happening to me? I wondered, despair creeping in. What have I done to deserve such ill luck?

I've always tried my best to make things right, but I'm always left hurt and broken. Nature seems cruel, singling me out for suffering.

Tears streamed down my face as I gathered my belongings and left the office, my future uncertain..

I walked into my big, empty house, tears streaming down my face. Despite its grandeur, I'd found no happiness here. Now, the only income I had to support my family was gone, all because of my husband.

I wished I'd never met him.

Inside, I dropped my belongings, struggling to process the day's events. Heath had left me without a word, never returning. Now, he was back, but pretended not to know me or care about my well-being. Instead, he got me fired.

I tried to stay calm, but it was infuriating.

Where did he go all these years? Why did he leave? Why did he return only to pretend he didn't know me? And most importantly, why did he decide to ruin my livelihood?

I considered calling Ana to explain my plight to her, but knowing she was busy at work, I decided to wait. Instead, I rested, planning to search for new job openings later.

As a mother of two - my son Julian and younger brother Daniel, whom I'd raised as my own - I had enough responsibilities to focus on. Daniel wanted to balance part-time work and school, but I'd advised him to prioritize his studies.

I refused to let Heath's indifference hurt me.

Hours passed, and I prepared to call Ana. Just then, a car horn outside interrupted my thoughts.

Curious, I peeked through the window and was shocked to see Heath, the man who'd fired me, stepping out of the car.

"What he is doing here? Wasn't it enough that he fired me? Did he had to find my home too?" then it suddenly dawned on me, and I gasped in anger. "So, he recognized me all along and pretended not to know me," I thought, anger simmering.