Page 8 of Due Process
She was trembling at that point, shaking her head like a damn bobblehead. But she found the resolve to pull on my arm and whisper the damning statement.
“Don’t go up there, Stella.”
“Why?”
“Please.I don’t want you to see that.To see them together…”
Oh, that idiot!Felix had become so brazen and bold that he hadn’t just been caught by me. He was putting on a whole show and dance for the entire workforce.
Brilliant.My cheating husband and his errant, disease-ridden dick were going to ruineverything. The reveal was too early. All my plans were askew and on the precipice of falling apart.
Frustration rapidly took over, and I pulled her into a crushing hug. “It’s too late for that, Alicia.”
Then, she surprised me. Alicia resigned on the spot as she found Felix’s actions abhorrent, refusing to work for a boss with values such as his.
She was a girl’s girl, her authenticity shining through.
I smiled—well, as much as the situation allowed. “Thank you for being sincere in a world that tramples the weak, Alicia. But I want you to stay in the company.”
“I can’t work for him.”
“He won’t be your boss for much longer,” I said, the statement a threatanda promise. “Will you stick around to see what happens? I promise your new boss would love to have a loyal employee such as yourself.”
I was genuine. Most people would turn a blind eye to the events she had just witnessed. But she held integrity, which I respected and acknowledged.
I desperately appealed to the woman before me, literally placing my future in her hands. “If you do decide to stay here, Alicia, I only have one request. Please keep thisdiscoveryto yourself…for now.”
“How long do you want me to wait? I’m not a good actress.”
“You will know when.”
She looked at me—reallytook me in—blatant respect slowly coating her features.
Then she caught me off guard by tackling me in another hug. “Welcome back, Boss.”
I let her weight settle, happy to take on the newfound support and glad I could rely on someone with fortitude and backbone.
“Alicia!”
Ah, there it is.
Now it wasmyfortitude that was going to be tried and tested. In the face of my betrayer, I wondered if I would be able to staunch my hurt and give him my blank face in return.
Bury it, Stella.The lost love. The broken marriage. The disloyal husband.
I wasn’t going to give him my pain. I refused to let him win.
Squeezing Alicia’s hand, I implored her to go home. Taking my word seriously, she pressed a kiss on my cheek, leaving me to face my opponent front-on and alone—how it always should’ve been.
You will not crumble. You will rebuild and find purpose again… without him.
Felix hesitantly approached.
“Husband.”
Chapter 5
FELIX
