CHAPTER 99 THE WEIGHT OF GUILT

The email was short and cold, without regards that she was once thought to be an important part of the company and a girlfriend to the CEO. All was suddenly lost at Ethan’s wish. She read it: Dear Ms. Smith, We regret to inform you that your employment with Jacobson Industries has been terminated, effective immediately. Please ensure that all company property is returned within 24 hours. Kind regards, Human Resources Department Claire’s vision blurred as she read the message, over and over. Ethan had fired her. Tears stung the corners of her eyes as she slumped against the bar, her mind numb with shock and betrayal. Ethan had taken her heart and now, he had taken her livelihood as well. “How could he do this to me?” she whispered, her voice a hoarse whisper as she stared at the cold, impersonal words on the screen. “I loved him, I trusted him, and he…” The room began to spin as the full weight of her predicament crashed over her like a tidal wave. Her breath came in ragged ga