Page 27 of Due Process
All those years earlier, I had conceded to Felix, all because I thought he would treat her right, that he was the one who brought her true happiness. But he had fumbled and lost sight of the rare gem he held.
I am not going to make that mistake again.Stella Foster was going to be mine.
As I let the internal oath resonate through my soul, I distantly processed the cool taste on my tongue.
Strawberries.Stella’s favourite. Suddenly mine as well.
Chapter 15
FELIX
For the past week, Stella and the boys had iced me out, pissed that I had missed Eli’s final. I didn’t blame them. I had been preoccupied and dropped the ballagain.
But not anymore.
The next day marked ten years of marriage, and we were going to celebrate, just the two of us. It was the first step in reclaiming what I had lost—the night I would win back my wifeandlife.
I’d organised for my father-in-law to watch the boys so we could celebrate our anniversary without interruption.
I smoothed a hand down my freshly pressed suit jacket as I entered the nostalgic restaurant—one we used to dine at regularly until time ran away from us. The head waiter rushed forward at my entrance, relieving me of my gifts and flowers.
I had spared no expense for my love, the space deserted except for one lone table overlooking the water, candlelight dancing over the walls in romantic suspense.
A certain nervousness had been building throughout the day, but I also couldn’t deny that a familiar anticipation skirted down my spine.
I was a dog, a goddamn wretch. But after several months of waiting, Stella was going to bemineforthe entire night.
For the past six weeks, I had eagerly watched my wife transform back into the formidable boss I had always known. And those tight office skirts—damn—had my veins heating with so much desire and want that I was on the verge of flipping into madness.
When she had taken on the role of a stay-at-home mother, I had fast forgotten how impressive and fucking sexy my wife could be.
I was not in danger of ever forgetting that again.
Especially when she was seen alongside Heather. Although they had similar hair colour and stature, that was where the parallels ended. I wanted to fucking kick myself for ever falling for the delusion of something ascheapas five minutes of pleasure.
Heather knew she had lost me, but that didn’t stop her from trying to win favour. Of course, she kept on with her bullshit, offering her services one day, then cutting me with threats the next.
Her bark was more like a chihuahua that didn’t have the jaw strength to withstand the bite. Her intimidation tactics fell short as she held out her palm for those crisp bills that I so generously provided.For now.
That was something I had to attend. Sure, she kept our affair to herself. But I would soon have to spin the narrative and portray her as the crazy, obsessive bitch she was because I knew my bankroll wouldn’t keep her mouth shut forever.
I refused to let her sabotage what I had built. She wasn’t worth it—never was.
To say I regretted our office tryst was an understatement. I was just lucky that I had come to my senses before it was too late.
Guilt and self-loathing were now my constant companions. However, it wasn’t enough for me to admit to the truth.
I’d hadonelapse of judgement in our entire life together. One glitch that would never be repeated.
Stella was myeverything.And no matter how deprived or fucked up I was for withholding my indiscretions, I was selfish enough to lie and deceive in order to keep her with me.
That concept solidified when my woman walked through the door. Her gaze swept over the empty restaurant covered in rose petals and firelight, which reflected a glowing aura off her blonde crown.
Stella was breathtaking in the outfit I had specifically bought and picked out for her. The expensive turquoise dress made her curves all luscious and fucking lickable. I couldn’t hold back any longer.
I pressed in close and planted a kiss to the corner of her mouth. A gasp escaped her supple lips, and my features soon shaped into a smirk.Fuck yes.
I wanted her as desperate for me as I was for her. I wanted Stella to feel my longing and all my attention solely placed on us. I wanted her to feel my deep, soul-altering love when we physically reconnected after so long.Let the teasing begin…
