MY EX-WIFE IS A BILLIONAIRE

The New beginning

Five years later, morning sunlight streamed through the lace curtains of Nancy's apartment. Beatrice had already showered and now stood in front of the small mirror, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, equal parts nervous and hopeful about the interview waiting for her at ten o'clock. The smell of coffee drifted in from the kitchen.

Her dress was simple, cream-colored, with a thin belt cinched at her waist that gave her a quiet confidence she hadn't felt in years. She smoothed her palms over the fabric and whispered to herself, "You can do this, Bea. You have to."

A small laugh interrupted her. "Mommy, you look like a princess," little Ava giggled from the doorway, clutching a teddy bear to her chest. Beatrice turned and smiled, kneeling to brush her daughter's cheek with her thumb. "Do I really?"

Ava nodded with all the seriousness a five-year-old could summon. "Yes, Mom. But there's something missing. A crown."

Nancy appeared just then, tying her robe and balancing two slices of toast on a plate. "No crown, but I've got breakfast. Princesses need their strength, and so does your mother. She's got an interview to ace."

Beatrice laughed, shaking her head. "You're impossible, Nance."

Nancy leaned against the doorframe, studying her fondly. "You look beautiful, Bea. That hotel will be lucky to have you. Just remember, you're not the same woman who stepped off that plane five years ago. You're stronger now. Independent."

Beatrice swallowed hard, remembering the nights of tears, the fear, the trembling uncertainty of those first months. And yet here she was, with a beautiful daughter at her side, about to start over again.

She felt a small tug on her dress and looked down. "Can I come with you, Mommy?" Ava asked.

Nancy knelt beside her, smoothing the girl's curls. "Not today, sweet pea. Mommy has big things to do. You and I will walk to school together instead, and maybe," she tapped Ava's nose, drawing a giggle, "we'll stop for croissants on the way."

"With chocolate inside?" Ava gasped.

"Of course," Nancy said, laughing. Beatrice mouthed a silent thank you over her daughter's head, then kissed Ava's forehead. "Be good for Aunt Nancy, okay? I'll be back before dinner."

Ava threw her small arms around Beatrice's neck in a fierce hug before Beatrice grabbed her handbag and headed for the door.

"You've got this, Bea," Nancy called after her.

The hotel stood between two glass towers in the heart of Paris, its exterior gleaming with polished stone, gold letters spelling Le Château Noir above the entrance. Through the windows, Beatrice caught a glimpse of chandeliers, white linen tables, and waiters gliding across the marble floor like dancers. Her throat tightened as she pushed through the door.

Inside, the air smelled faintly of roses and fresh bread. A hostess in a crisp black uniform greeted her with a polite smile. "Bonjour, madame. You are here for the interview, yes?"

"Yes," Beatrice said, steadying her voice. "I'm Beatrice Morgan." The hostess checked her list and gestured toward a lounge area. "Please, have a seat. Monsieur Lambert, our manager, will see you shortly."

Her heart pounded as she sat on the velvet chair, hands folded tightly in her lap. When the manager appeared, tall, with graying hair, he greeted her warmly. "Madame Morgan?"

"Yes, sir." She rose and followed him into his office, where he offered her a seat and scanned her resume. "You've worked in customer service before?"

"Yes, back in Australia," she said. "I handled guests at a boutique hotel. I learned how to listen, how to stay calm under pressure, and how to make people feel welcome."

He asked a few more questions, about long shifts, about her comfort working with high-profile guests, and she answered each one with growing confidence. Finally, he leaned back and smiled. "You seem exactly the kind of person we're looking for. Professional, hardworking. We'd like to offer you the position."

Beatrice blinked, momentarily certain she had misheard him. "I got the job?"

"Yes," he chuckled. "If you're available, you can start tomorrow. You'll be working in the hotel's main lounge, where many of our most notable guests come to dine after a long day."

Her lips trembled into a smile. "Thank you so much for this opportunity."

****

That evening, she burst into Nancy's apartment grinning, and Ava ran straight into her arms. "Mommy, you're smiling! What happened?"

Beatrice scooped her daughter up and spun her around. "I got the job, darling! Mommy's going to work at a beautiful hotel."

Nancy clapped her hands together. "See? I told you they'd see what I see." Beatrice laughed. "Mhm. The seer. What exactly did you see?"

"Well, you wouldn't understand even if I told you," Nancy said, rolling her eyes. "We're celebrating tonight." Ava giggled in Beatrice's arms as the three of them embraced, none of them aware of how quickly that careful, hard-won peace was about to be tested.