Hell Hath no fury like a billionaire's Ex

Diane's POV

Morning came as I stood in front of the full-length mirror in Joan's guest room, smoothing down my navy blue blazer. The woman staring back at me looked familiar, yet somehow different.

My eyes, once clouded with confusion and hurt, now held a determined gleam. I placed a protective hand over my barely visible baby bump.

"You've got this, Diane," I whispered to my reflection.

A soft knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts. "Come in," I called out.

Joan poked her head in, a warm smile on her face. "How are you feeling, honey?"

I turned to face her, taking a deep breath. "Nervous. Excited. A little terrified," I admitted with a shaky laugh.

Joan crossed the room and took my hands in hers. "That's perfectly normal. But remember, you're Diane Ashton. You're smart, capable, and stronger than you know."

I squeezed her hands gratefully. "Thank you, Joan. For everything. I don't know what I would have done without you these past few weeks."

"That's what friends are for," she replied, pulling me into a hug. As we separated, she asked, "So, are you ready to make that call?"

I nodded, my resolve strengthening. "Yes, I think I am."

We made our way downstairs to the kitchen, where my phone lay on the counter. I picked it up, my finger hovering over the contact for my former boss, Robert Thompson.

"Do you want me to give you some privacy?" Joan asked.

I shook my head. "No, please stay. I could use the moral support."

Taking a deep breath, I hit the call button. The phone rang three times before a familiar voice answered.

"Robert Thompson speaking."

"Hello, Robert. It's Diane Ashton."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Diane! It's been a while. How are you?"

I could hear the genuine warmth in his voice, and it helped ease some of my nervousness.

"I'm doing... better," I replied carefully.

"Robert, I was wondering if we could meet. There's something important I'd like to discuss with you."

"Of course," he said without hesitation. "How about lunch tomorrow? Say, 1 PM at Le Bernardin?"

"That would be perfect. Thank you, Robert."

After ending the call, I looked at Joan, a mix of relief and anxiety washing over me. "He agreed to meet. Tomorrow at Le Bernardin."

Joan smiled at me. "That's wonderful, Diane! Robert always thought highly of you. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see you."

I nodded, allowing myself a small smile. "I hope so. It's been so long since I've been in that world. What if I've lost my touch?"

Joan scoffed, waving away my concerns. "Please. Marketing is in your blood, Diane. You were born for this. And now, you have even more motivation to succeed."

She was right, of course. My hands instinctively went to my stomach again. Everything I did now was for my children. They deserved the best life I could provide, and that meant reclaiming my career and my independence.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of preparation. Joan helped me select the perfect outfit - professional yet comfortable enough to accommodate my changing body. We went over potential talking points, and Joan even insisted on a mock interview to help me shake off any rust.

As I lay in bed that night, my mind raced with possibilities. Could I really do this? Jump back into the cutthroat world of marketing after years away? The doubts crept in, whispering that I was in over my head.

But then I thought of my babies, of the future I wanted to build for them. I thought of Liam and his attempts to control me, to leave me with nothing. My resolve hardened. I could do this. I had to do this.

The next morning, I woke early, taking extra care with my appearance. My pregnancy wasn't obvious yet, but I chose a flowing blouse that skimmed over my small bump. As I applied my makeup, I saw a fire in my eyes that had been missing for far too long.

Joan drove me to the restaurant, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze before I got out of the car. "You've got this, Diane. Go show them what you're made of."

I entered Le Bernardin, the familiar scents and sounds washing over me. It felt like stepping back in time, to a life I'd left behind. The maître d' recognized me immediately, his eyes widening slightly.

"Mrs. Ashton! It's wonderful to see you again. Mr. Robert is already seated. Please, follow me."

As we wound our way through the restaurant, I could feel eyes on me. No doubt news of my separation from Liam had made the rounds in our social circles. I held my head high, refusing to let their curiosity or judgment affect me.

Robert stood as I approached the table, a warm smile on his face. "Diane," he said, pulling me into a brief hug. "It's so good to see you."

"You too, Robert," I replied, settling into my seat. "Thank you for meeting me on such short notice."

We exchanged pleasantries as we perused the menu, catching up on surface-level topics. But I could sense Robert's curiosity, the unasked questions hanging in the air between us.

After we placed our orders, Robert leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "So, Diane, what's this important matter you wanted to discuss?"

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "Robert, I'll get straight to the point. I was wondering if my old position at the firm is still available."

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You want to come back?"

I nodded, my voice steady. "Yes, I do. I know it's been a while, and I understand if the position has been filled. But if there's any opportunity, I'd like to be considered."

Robert studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "Diane, you were one of our top executives. Your work was exemplary. But... forgive me for asking, why now? Last I heard, you were quite content with your life."

I felt a lump forming in my throat, but I pushed through it. "Things have changed, Robert. Liam and I... we're getting a divorce."

His eyes widened in shock. "Oh, Diane. I'm so sorry. I had no idea."

I couldn't hold back the tears then. They spilled over, hot and fast, as months of pent-up emotion finally broke free. "I'm sorry," I whispered, fumbling for a napkin. "This is so unprofessional of me."

Robert reached across the table, placing a comforting hand on mine. "Don't apologize, Diane. What you're going through... it's not easy. Take your time."

I took a few deep breaths, composing myself. When I spoke again, my voice was stronger. "The truth is, Robert, I need this job. Not just for financial reasons, though that's certainly part of it. I need to reclaim my identity, my independence. I was good at what I did, and I want to be that person again."

Robert nodded slowly, a thoughtful look on his face. "You're right, you were good. Exceptional, even. And to be honest, we've struggled to find someone who could truly fill your shoes since you left."

Hope bloomed in my chest. "Does that mean...?"

He smiled, squeezing my hand. "Diane, I'd be a fool to turn you away. The position is yours if you want it. In fact, I think we could use your expertise on some of our bigger accounts. How soon can you start?"

Relief washed over me, so intense I felt dizzy for a moment. "Really? Oh, Robert, thank you. I can start immediately."

As we finished our lunch, we discussed the details of my return. Robert was even willing to be flexible with my hours, understanding that I might need some time to sort out my personal affairs.

By the time we said our goodbyes, I felt lighter than I had in months. I had a purpose again, a direction. As I stepped out onto the busy New York street, I felt ready to take on the world.

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. I threw myself into preparations for my return to work, reviewing industry trends and catching up on the latest marketing strategies. Joan was an invaluable support, helping me organize my schedule and even accompanying me on a much-needed shopping trip for maternity work clothes.

The morning of my first day back, I stood in front of the mirror once again. This time, the woman looking back at me wasn't uncertain or afraid. She was confident, determined, ready to reclaim her place in the world.

As I walked into the office, familiar faces turned to greet me. There were surprised looks, whispered conversations, but also genuine smiles of welcome.

"Diane! Oh my God, you're back!" My former assistant, Emily, rushed over to envelop me in a hug. "We've missed you so much!"

I returned her embrace, touched by the warmth of her welcome. "I've missed you too, Emily. It's good to be back."

As I made my way to my old office - now mine again - I was stopped by several colleagues, all expressing their delight at my return. It was overwhelming, but in the best possible way.

Robert met me at my office door, a broad smile on his face. "Ready to dive back in?" he asked.

I nodded, feeling a surge of excitement. "More than ready."

He handed me a folder. "Great. We've got a new client presentation this afternoon. I'd love for you to take a look and give us your input."

I took the folder, already flipping it open and scanning the contents. Ideas began to form immediately, my mind slipping back into the familiar rhythms of strategizing and planning.

"I'll have some thoughts for you within the hour," I promised.

Robert chuckled. "And that, Diane, is why we've missed you so much around here."

As he left, I settled into my chair, breathing in the familiar scent of leather and paper. It felt right, like coming home after a long journey.

I placed a hand on my stomach, a small smile playing on my lips. "Well, little ones," I whispered, "Mommy's back in the game. And I promise you, we're going to be just fine."

The day flew by in a blur of meetings, presentations, and catching up with colleagues. By the time I gathered my things to leave, I felt exhilarated and exhausted in equal measure.

As I walked out of the building, my phone buzzed with a text from Joan: "How was your first day back?"

I smiled, typing out a quick reply: "Amazing. Exhausting. Perfect."

Hailing a cab, I settled in for the ride back to Joan's house. My mind was already racing with ideas for upcoming projects, strategies to implement, ways to prove myself all over again.

But as the city lights blurred past the window, I allowed myself a moment of quiet reflection. Just a few months ago, I'd felt lost, alone, unsure of my future. Now, I had a renewed sense of purpose, a career I loved, and two precious lives depending on me.

The road ahead wouldn't be easy. I knew there would be challenges - balancing work and impending motherhood, dealing with the fallout from my divorce, rebuilding my life on my own terms. But for the first time in a long time, I felt truly hopeful.

As the cab pulled up to Joan's house, I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of peace settle over me. I was Diane Ashton, soon-to-be mother, marketing executive, and survivor. Whatever life threw at me next, I was ready to face it head-on.

With a smile on my face and determination in my heart, I stepped out of the cab and into my new future.