Divorce Retreat Donya Fenner
Divorce Retreat Copyright © 2020 by Donya Fenner. All Rights Reserved.
Dedication
In Loving Memory of Kimberly S. Robinson, gone but not forgotten.
Contents
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
About the Author
Chapter 1
On a clear bright morning, the light blue skies and the sound of birds chirping sweetly added an extra sense of warmth to Ashley’s heart. It was a special day, her wedding day. Walking down the aisle, she watched her guests admire her mermaid fitted wedding gown. Ashley’s heart melted when she caught sight of her handsome husband-to-be standing between the pastor and his best man at the end of the long white trail of wedding paper.
He smiled at her, softly, sweetly. She felt like the luckiest woman on earth. He was smart, good looking, well off, charming, an awesome lover. You name it, he was her dream come true, her Prince Charming. Ashley approached her groom, but he never looked at her. He kept looking toward the rear of the church. Ashley was puzzled. Why hadn’t he looked at her? She turned to see what he was looking at. To her great surprise, there was another woman dressed in a more beautiful wedding gown walking toward them.
The mysterious bride never took her eyes off of the groom. The bride then stood right in between Ashley and her groom.
The groom lifted the other bride’s veil and said. “I choose you.”
Shocked, Ashley’s warmed heart turned cold and dropped into the pit of her stomach. She felt as though she could barely breathe. What was going on? Her chest heaved as she spun around examining her guests for an explanation. Instead of finding answers, she watched people whispering amongst themselves. Some people were bent over laughing, holding their stomachs. Ashley whipped around and found the pastor, the best man and her bridesmaid laughing and pointing fingers at her too.
Tears sprang into her eyes. They’re all laughing at me. I can’t believe this is happening. No! No!
In horror, Ashley watched as the bride turned to face her.
The bride smirked, “You didn’t really think he would choose you? Honey, wake up.”
***
“Honey, wake up!”
Ashley awoke with a start, her body wet with sweat. In her panic, she saw her Mom peering down with concern. “Mom, what happened?”
“You fell asleep on the sofa again last night. Get up, I made breakfast. If you don’t get up soon, you will be late for work.”
A sigh of relief came over Ashley, it was only a dream. Mr. Prince Charming, the perfect man for her, still existed. At one time she thought her ex-husband Bryce Hernandez was the perfect man for her, that is until he was caught laundering money at his firm. She’d been suspicious several times of Bryce cheating on her, but was never able to prove his indescretions. Now he was doing time, and she had to move back home to start over with nothing.
“Mama, I’m going upstairs to wash up, but I can take my breakfast to go,” Ashley stood from the sofa.
“Sure thing, sweetheart. I will pack it up for you.”
***
The brakes on Ashley’s older model, silver c300 Mercedes Benz squealed as she came to a complete stop in front of White and Associates Banking. Her car remained one of a few extravagent purchases from her old life. Ashley had been with the company for two years following her divorce. Never in a million years had she imagined that she would return home to live with her mother. Bryce had spoiled her in New York, given her the best of things, cars, clothes, purses, a home. Ashley had loved her life in New York, but it wasn’t the material items she longed for. What she wanted was the only thing she really couldn’t have, all of him.
Life was different before she found out her husband was a criminal. Houston, Texas was a great place and she loved her mother dearly, but having to come back after experiencing the New York lifestyle was kind of a drag. Ashley struggled with finding her way, but knew she couldn’t give up. Thanks to her experience as a teller, prior to marriage, she was fortunate enough to land this job as a banking consultant at White and Associates. Good thing she did or she would be without an income.
Ashley got out of her car and closed the door behind her. Her co-worker Debra approached. The quirky, blue-eyed, blonde-haired, slender ball of joy was upbeat and wide-eyed as usual.
At least someone is happy. Ashley wondered if anything ever got this woman down.
Debra stopped in front of her, “Morning, Ashley.”
“Hey. Good morning, Debra, you look nice today.”
“So do you,” Debra said.
“Oh, this old number I’m wearing,” Ashley waved the compliment away. “Thanks.”
The women walked into the bank continuing their conversation. Ashley caught Mr. White’s attention as they strolled towards him. Her boss lifted his blue coffee cup to greet them. His other hand held a Shipley’s donut wrapped in a napkin. Ashley returned his greeting with a smile, while Debra waved. The wave reminded Ashley of a happy kid’s wave at Disney World.
Debra, could you bring it down a notch?
“See you later,” Ashley said to Debra as they passed their boss’s office door. With another enthusiastic, kid like wave, Debra continued on to her work station and Ashley entered her own office.
She had barely opened the blinds behind her desk when her co-worker, Grant Lamar knocked on her door.
“Morning, Grant. Come in.”
“You know why I’m here,” Grant pointed at her before crossing one long, slender leg over the other as he leaned against her door. Everything about him, from his tailored navy blue suit to his impeccable, close cut and dreamy brown eyes, screamed professional and handsome. When she first arrived back in town, Ashley briefly considered dating him. Thankfully those thoughts disappeared in the wind as she’d come to think of Grant as more of a brother figure than
