Page 94 of Unfaithful

Sara's office was still quiet; only a few people had arrived. I walked with my eyes fixed ahead, trying to block out their stares. But I was getting better at ignoring them after more than a month of doing this. With each step, I walked down the corridor, calm, the single red rose and the pink rose in my hand, making my way toward Sara's office.

I could still move in and out freely, as the separation of her company from mine was still in the works. I wondered what I would do after its completion.

Stepping into Sara's office, I walked to her desk and gently set the roses down, their petals still fresh with morning dew. Then, I reached for a Post-it note and a pen, writing the same simple words as always: "With love."I placed it carefully beside the roses, just as I had every day before.

I didn't put my name there. She knew it was from me.

Then I walked out, avoiding their gazes once more. They must've been thinking about how much I'd messed up and how relentlessly I was trying to win my wife back.

And probably wondering how pointless my efforts were.

Ex-wife. I had to keep reminding myself of that. The judge had signed the final divorce decree, and I couldn't move to dismiss or delay the case anymore. It was too late. Maria surely worked really fast.

I took the elevator down and stood in the same spot, just like every morning, waiting for her to arrive.

She was late today, and I couldn't help but worry that I'd be waiting for over an hour like many times before. She often had to go to one of her projects, and I never knew when that would keep her.

But then I saw her, hurrying toward the elevators, her handbag in one hand and her laptop bag in the other.

When she spotted me, she frowned, just like the days before, while I smiled so damn wide, happy to see her.

"Cole," she mumbled as she breezed past me. I hurried to catch up and stood beside her as we waited. Gently, I took her laptop bag from her, offering to carry the heavy one, like I always did when we were still together. She let me, probably because she was too tired to keep pushing me away.

"Morning," I said softly to her. She was wearing the soft pink blouse that somehow made her skin glow, paired with a gray and pink skirt that reached just below her knees. I saw her radiant beauty and knew my gaze held only adoration; I didn't need a damn mirror to confirm it.

"You look lovely today," I said, unable to stop myself.

"Thank you," she replied politely. Still detached, but polite.

The elevator arrived, and we stepped in, joined by a few other people. When we reached her floor, I walked beside her, feeling the weight of the stares. But now there were more of them as more people had arrived. But I didn't care. All that mattered was the beautiful woman walking beside me.

I walked her to her office and placed her bag on her desk, watching her gaze linger on the roses.

"Have a lovely day today, Sara." I said to her. I gave her a smile, which she didn't return, and walked out.

As long as she didn't outright forbid me from coming back, I'd be there every day. Well, technically, she had,but by now, she'd given up on trying to keep me away.

Walking toward my office, I was consumed with thoughts about what I needed to do for Sara that day. It had become all I could focus on lately, and work had taken a backseat, much to Bobby's dismay. She was getting overwhelmed with the extra workload I hadn't been able to keep up with.

"Maisie, come to my office, please," I said as I passed her desk.

"Sure, Cole," she replied, quickly rising from her seat and following me to my office. I sat down, and she took the chair across from me.

"It's time for the regular maintenance on Sara's car. Please remind her through Dona and arrange for the car to be delivered to the shop." It was something I always did for her since she often forgot about it.

Maisie scribbled quickly on her notepad. "Got it."

"And give me the latest report on her company's financials. Send me by email, please."

"Okay," she said. "Is there anything else?"

"Doctor's appointments," I said. "Remind her of that, too. I'm guessing it has been a while since her last check-up."

Sara had low blood sugar, and even though it wasn't serious, her doctor recommended that she have regular check-ups. She always needed to be reminded of that. Even though we're separated, I wouldn't stop taking care of her.

Maisie scribbled that on her notepad before leaving.

Within five minutes, I received an email from her with the latest report on Sara's company's financial status.

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