What have I done?

Claire’s POV 

What have I done? Why did I sleep with the most powerful man in town when I was drunk? I don’t even think he likes me. I don’t even think he wants me close to him. It feels more like he just feels sorry for me. Or maybe he feels sorry because he slept with me, and now he gave me a job. Oh well, I already lost my job as a waitress. I might as well go home and see what clothes I can wear to my new job tomorrow. I only have a few pieces of clothing that look right for a job like that. Mike never spent any money on me. He always bought himself new suits and everything else because he said he was always in the public eye, especially when he was in court, even though I did most of the work behind the scenes. Mike never wanted me to go to court on his behalf because he always thought a woman should not outshine a man.

I walk to the poor side of town. The rent is cheap here, and people still have hearts for each other. At least I got my tip money and the pay for the few weeks I worked at the cafe. I’m just glad that Sienna and Mike did not come in earlier. They must have heard that I’m working there, and that is why Sienna wanted to show up and give me grief. I grew up in this town, I went to school here, but we were never part of the wealthy people. I really don’t know what I have done to Sienna to deserve all her hate. It almost feels like I stole her husband instead of the other way around. I don’t know what to do anymore. Are they ever going to leave me alone?

I walk to my apartment, and that is when the landlord stops me. I don’t know what he wants. I already paid my rent. He cannot look me in the eye when he tells me that I only have this month to stay here. What the hell am I going to do? Where am I going to get other accommodation? I know it must be Sienna. I guess she has struck again. I don’t know if I should feel sorry for myself or try to find another place, but where am I going to go? I have no furniture, only a few pieces of clothing. I rented this little apartment because it was cheap and fully furnished. I feel like I’m going to cry. Why does Sienna hate me so much? She already took my husband, and she already took everything I had.

“Claire, I’m really sorry. You are such a good renter, but you know we cannot anger the Winter family. I don’t know what you have done to them to deserve all this. You really have to watch out. I don’t want you to feel like you are not part of this town. We all saw you grow up in front of us. Your mother and father were good people. Even though they were poor, they always made sure you had everything you wanted. I wish I could really help you,” Old Man Green says. I really like him, and I don’t want to make his life miserable. Sienna will not be satisfied until I live under a bridge and eat out of a garbage can. It makes me worry. Does she know that her uncle has employed me? Will she allow it? I don’t believe Damon Winter will let anybody tell him what to do. Willow Creek belongs to Gene Winter. This old town depends on him. Most of the people work at Winter Industries. Nobody wants to lose their job, so nobody will help me. They all know that if they help me, Sienna will come after them.

I’ll have to get out of this town. As soon as I have enough money to go to the city and get an apartment there, I will leave this place behind and never think of it again. It only gave me heartache. I don’t know what to do. If I had the money, I would already be gone. But I got nothing from my divorce because my ex-husband and his family made sure I walked out of that marriage with nothing.

“It is okay, Mr. Green. I will find another place to stay. Do not worry about me. I don’t want any of you to get into trouble. We all know that everyone is dependent on the Winter family. I really don’t know what I have done to Sienna. She took my husband and everything I had, and now she still doesn’t want to leave me alone. I don’t know if she’s afraid Mike might still love me. She is stupid if she thinks that, because Mike will never say no to someone like her.” I feel chills running down my spine when I think about Sienna finding out that I slept with her uncle. I am sure she will tell the whole Old Town, and then I will become the local whore as well.

I walk up to my little apartment. I might as well enjoy a good night’s sleep while I still can.

The end of the month is in three days. I have to be out of here, and I have no clue where I am going to go. I feel so alone in this world. I wish my parents were still alive, but they died in a car accident after I finished school and went to law school. Even though they were poor, they made sure I had enough money to study. I always thought I would become a big lawyer in the city, but then Mike and I fell in love, and I came back to this town to be with him. Now all my dreams are destroyed. I have nobody who can help me. I guess I am alone in this world. If only I could get the hell out of this town. Surely Sienna cannot follow me to the city to make my life even more difficult.