Page 4 of Due Process
Cheers and hoots rang out, but as the noise gradually died down, the roaring in my ears continued.Thump. Thump. Thump.
What’s happening? What’s happening?
“As you’ve probably guessed, Felix, this isn’t just any celebration. This is a welcome-back party for the most valuable asset to this company. I think I speak for everyone when I say we’ve missed her charm, expertise andcounsel. Let’s give it up for Felix’sbetterhalf, his wife, Stella!”
The room erupted into raucous applause as surprise and delight shone from my face, whilst my insides exploded with utter terror.
What do I do? What do I do?
My wife of nearly a decade rose on stage, and when her blue eyes searched, found and locked with mine, I suddenly knew what I had been missing.
I’d stupidly conned myself into thinking I could separate my two lives. Compartmentalise my home life from my work one. But I suddenly saw how reckless that thought process had been.
My two worlds were on a collision course, and all I could do was paste on a generic smile as my heart screamed for relief.
My wife was my home, my soulmate, my absolution. And I had momentarily given that up for a cheap knock-off who held no substance.
Fuck, I’m going to be sick.
Stella gave a wide, friendly grin and began her speech. I had no idea what she was saying, completely transfixed.
Gods, she is beautiful.Not the kind that passed with age or time. But the classic kind, where her beauty and attractiveness were only enhanced by her charismatic personality.
To know her was tocraveher.
Women wanted to be her, and men wanted to beme.
I was the luckiest moron to ever walk the earth, and I was on the verge of losing it all.
How did I lose sight of that? How did I ever think I could search for happiness outside of us? I am nothing without her.
Conscience and fear clashed together inside me to create an internal storm of catastrophic proportions.
When was the last time I looked into my wife’s eyes? Truly stared into their depths to see my love safely secured within? I can’t remember.
Entirely too late, everything just clicked into place, each puzzle piece resounding in its damnation.
I missed my family. I missed my boys. I missed my wife. I missed her so fucking much.
I’m going to save us. I’ll do anything to save us.
Chapter 3
FELIX
Reality seemed to melt away, my thoughts disjointed as I watched the crew congregate around my wife, freely giving their praise and accolades.
They weren’t forced. My wife was widely respected and garnered devotion wherever she put her energy and time.
I’d foolishly forgotten.
The past couple of years had been tough, with her shine placed solely on our sons, where I felt unseen, unwanted and neglected. So, I searched for that validation in all the wrong places.
Now, starkly thrust back in her glow once more, I knew how cheap that artificial imitation was. No soul, no life,no love.
I was going to be sick.
That was when my wife pulled away from the crowd and made a beeline for me, our colleagues giving us a second to be alone.I wish they wouldn’t.
