Six Years Later, He's My Boss

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

"The kind I was married to for five years," Ambelyn said tiredly.

"But that's over now. The papers are signed. I just need to figure out what comes next."

Wednesday was quiet for a long moment, her mind was clearly working double time, going through the motions and implications of what she had had just read. Then her expression cleared, and she turned to Ambelyn with determination in her eyes, and a plan already deemed worthy by her.

"You're going to come stay with me," she announced, without skipping a beat.

"You and Iniko both are coming to stay with me for the unforeseeable future . I have plenty of space, and I'm leaving for Malibu anyway, so the apartment will just be sitting empty, you can't stay in this dump, neither can you bring Iniko here, the dirt will just damage his lungs."

Ambelyn's heart jumped with hope, but she forced herself to be practical about this, so she won't get burned rushing into this, without making sure she had a fallback plan.

"Wed, I can't ask you to—"

"You're not asking. I'm offering. Actually, I'm insisting." Wednesday started the engine, her tone brooking no argument with her. Wednesday had put her foot down on this and she wouldn't budge one bit.

"How many bags do you have? We'll get them loaded up and you can check out of this place, immediately. Then we'll go to the hospital and check on Iniko, and see what we can do in the matter of his treatment."

"Three suitcases," Ambelyn managed to squeeze out, her throat tight with unshed tears, as she swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice from cracking.

"Everything Iniko and I own fits in three suitcases."

"Then you'll have plenty of room in my guest bedroom." Wednesday put the car in gear, as she smiled at me. "Come on. Let's get your things."

It took less than fifteen minutes to load Ambelyn's meager belongings into Wednesday's spacious trunk and check out of the hotel. The clerk barely glanced up as Ambelyn returned her key, already focused on the next guest seeking temporary refuge.

The drive to Wednesday's apartment took them through the city's upscale district, where old money lived in carefully maintained buildings with doormen and private elevators. Ambelyn felt increasingly uncomfortable as they pulled into an underground parking garage that looked cleaner than most people's homes.

"Wed, are you sure about this?" she asked as they rode the elevator up to the fifteenth floor, where her apartment was.

"I don't want to impose—"

"Stop it." Wednesday fixed her with a firm look, that told her arguing was pointless with her.

"You're my best friend. You were there for me when Richard left, remember? When I was falling apart and couldn't get out of bed for a week?You did not give up on me. You showed up every day with coffee and terrible jokes and refused to let me wallow. This is me returning the favor. I will not sit by in my fancy apartment and watch you struggle. If you see Thomas as your ex husband, then see me as your Sugar mummy." This brought out a genuine laugh from Amberlyn who was amused by her words as she slowly gave in.

The elevator doors opened onto a private hallway with only two apartment doors on the floor. That means that only the richest could afford this space. Amberlyn wondered who could her neighbor possibly be? Wednesday led the way to the one on the left, unlocking it to reveal a space that made Ambelyn's breath catch.

The apartment was stunning—floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, hardwood floors that gleamed in the morning light, furniture that looked like it belonged in a design magazine. Everything was done in soft creams and blues, creating an atmosphere of sophisticated calm.

"I can't stay here," Ambelyn whispered, looking around, there was no way she could ever afford this. "Wed, this is too much."

"Nonsense." Wednesday was already leading the way down the hallway, pushing open doors to reveal a spacious guest bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and a smaller bedroom that would be perfect for Iniko.

"I told you, I'm leaving for Malibu anyway. The place would just be empty otherwise, collecting dust, and I have already paid for everything, I can't get a refund which means it will g to waste, can you imagine. Besides when I get back in two weeks, we can reassess the situation."

Ambelyn set down the suitcase she'd carried up, her vision blurring with tears she'd been holding back for too long. "I don't know what to say."

"Say thank you and move on." Wednesday pulled her into a quick hug and let her regain some composure before she continued speaking.

"Now, tell me—what's your plan? Because I know you well enough to know you've already been thinking through the logistics."

They moved to the kitchen, where Wednesday made coffee while Ambelyn organized her thoughts. It felt surreal to be standing in this beautiful space, planning out a future that had seemed impossible just yesterday.

"First, I need to file the divorce papers, it is already signed so that obstacle is crossed" Ambelyn said, accepting a steaming mug. "Get the official process started. There's a thirty-day cooling-off period before everything becomes final, but I want it on record that we've separated."

Wednesday nodded, pulling out her phone. "I can give you the name of an excellent family law attorney. She'll make sure Thomas doesn't try to weasel out of his obligations."

"I'm not asking for anything," Ambelyn said quickly. "I just want it to be over."

"You're entitled to spousal support at minimum," Wednesday argued. "You gave up five years of your life to that man. You deserve compensation."

Ambelyn shook her head firmly. "I don't want his money. I don't want anything that connects me to the Blackwoods. I just want to be free of them."

She could see Wednesday wanted to argue, but her friend simply nodded and made a note on her phone. "Fine. What else?"