Why can't they leave me alone?

Claire’s POV 

I walk over to fetch the two cappuccinos, trying to breathe through the tension collecting in my shoulders. It’s just another shift, I tell myself. Just another day of pretending that nothing bothers me. But the moment I return to the table, I already know it’s too late. Sienna doesn’t even look at the cups before she starts complaining.

“The cappuccino is cold. And the foam is wrong. Everything is wrong.” Her voice is sharp enough to cut glass.

Of course. Of course, she’s going to complain. Because I’m the one serving her, and Sienna Winters will never pass up an opportunity to make my life harder.

Then she says the words I’ve been waiting for but still dreading.

“I want to see the manager.”

I swallow the sigh threatening to escape and turn away. I know exactly how this is going to end. I know the manager is going to fire me, not because I deserve it, but because Sienna wants it. And Sienna always gets what she wants. She already took my husband, my whole life, really, and now she wants the only income I have left.

At least I’ve already accepted Damon’s job offer. At least tomorrow I’ll be somewhere else, somewhere not even Sienna can get me fired. If there is one person she cannot control, although she tries really hard, it is Damon Winter, her uncle and the original town rebel. 

I return with the manager, and Sienna wastes no time.

“Your waiter is utterly rude,” she announces loudly enough for half the café to hear. “She didn’t listen to anything I asked for. If I were you, I’d fire her before she drives away your customers. She’s a terrible waitress, and if she stays, I won’t.”

“Sienna,” Mike says softly, “don’t you think that’s going a little too far? Let’s just leave. Claire is doing her job. We don’t need to make trouble.”

He sounds almost uncomfortable, like my misery is rubbing up against his conscience. I know he feels sorry for me, and I hate that even more. I don’t need his pity. I don’t need anything from him. I wish both of them would just disappear and leave me alone. Can’t they see they’ve already taken enough?

I still don’t understand why Sienna hates me with such a burning obsession. We didn’t even socialize in school. She was always with the wealthy, popular group, and I was with the nerds. Mike was a nerd too, rich, yes, but still a nerd. He never fit in with her crowd, just like I never did. The only time our worlds even came close was because of Jake Tatum.

I remember how Sienna used to hover around Jake, trying to get his attention, trying to get him to choose her. And for a few ridiculous teenage months, Jake liked me instead. I told him I wasn’t interested, not because he wasn’t nice, but because I was already in love with Mike. Mike and I used to be inseparable… back when our love still meant something.

Could Sienna still be angry because Jake chased after me instead of her? Could anyone hold a grudge that long? Jake left the country right after graduation, went overseas on a sports scholarship because he was brilliant at football. He always said he’d escape this “one-horse town,” and he did. I doubt he even remembers any of us. But Sienna remembers. And she punishes me. Well, I think that is the only thing I can think of.

“I insist you fire her right now,” Sienna snaps. “She has given me terrible service. If you don’t fire her, I’m never coming back. And neither will my uncle. If you want our business, you’ll get rid of her.”

The manager looks flustered. She’s a good person, really. She’s never treated me badly.

“Ma’am, please,” the manager says. “Claire has always been wonderful with customers. I’m not sure what happened today. Can you give her another chance? It’s very hard to find good help.”

“Come on, honey,” Mike says again. “Let’s just go. I have work to do. We can’t argue about a café job. The pay isn’t even enough for her to live on.”

The words sting even though they’re true. Not because of what he says, but because it’s him saying it. Because he acts like I’m a burden now. Like I’m something to pity. The way he avoids my eyes tells me everything. He knows exactly what Sienna is doing, and he’s not stopping her.

The manager shifts awkwardly, torn between her conscience and the fear of losing two of the most powerful clients in this town. I don’t blame her. She has a family to support too.

“No,” Sienna says coldly, “I don’t care what she lives on. She can dig in a dustbin for all I care. She’s not staying here. Fire her.”

She has no idea her uncle hired me yesterday. The irony almost makes me smile, but instead, I untie my apron and fold it neatly.

“I’ll make it easier for everyone,” I say, keeping my voice calm. “I quit. Thank you for the opportunity. I really enjoyed working here, but I don’t want to cause trouble for you. You shouldn’t lose important clients because of me.”

The manager’s face falls, but she nods. She knows I’m right.

“Now that’s a good girl,” Sienna says triumphantly. “Make life easier for your manager.”

She takes Mike’s arm, and together they turn toward the door. But she can’t resist one last dig. She never can.

“Oh, Claire,” she says sweetly, lifting her hand. “Look at the ring Mike bought me. Isn’t it stunning? Not like that pathetic little diamond you used to wear.”

The air leaves my lungs for a moment. I remember that ring. It wasn’t big, but it was perfect. Mike bought it when we had nothing. I used to look at it and think we would conquer the world together. Even when he wanted to buy me a bigger one later, I refused. The small one held all our memories.

Now I can barely look at it in my drawer.

As they disappear out the door, the manager lets out a breath and mutters, “What a bitch. You could work in the kitchen, you know. Somewhere she won’t see you.”

I appreciate her kindness, but I shake my head.

“It’s okay,” I say softly. “I don’t want to put you at risk.”

I don’t tell her about Damon’s offer. She doesn’t need more drama today. And the truth is, I was going to quit anyway. I just didn’t expect it to end like this, with Sienna gloating, Mike pretending not to care, and me standing in the middle of a café trying not to fall apart. Tomorrow, everything changes. I feel a flicker of hope.