Absent dad

Chapter 001

Zara's POV

“Mom, it's getting dark and dad hasn't come Back up till now,” Charles, my five-year-old son said, worried.

“I guess he is on his way, baby, he promised you he would come and celebrate your birthday with you, and you know dad doesn't break promises,” I said, as I swallowed the painful lump in my throat.

Deep down I knew Armstrong had definitely forgotten about Charles' birthday, or just chose not to come back home.

I said those words without any iota of hope. I just said them to Charles just to calm him down.

I grabbed my phone from the dining table and dialed Armstrong's number again for the 33rd time, but there was still no response.

It was already 4pm, and I had been calling him since morning. He neither picks my calls nor replies to my texts.

Charles sensed something was wrong. “Mom, dad isn't answering the phone right?” he asked, his eyes filled with tears.

“Ah… Y… Yes Maybe he is driving,” I argued as my heart tightened painfully. I had been giving excuses to him since morning.

Charles knew I was lying this time around because it was getting out of hand. He rolled his eyes before going to lie on the couch.

I texted Armstrong again. ‘You have to come back home, Charles is sick and worried!’

I knew he would ignore the text as he ignored the texts I sent earlier.

I walked to Charles, who was already sobbing. I went on my knees to reach his face. I plastered a fake smile on my face which didn't even reach my eyes as I wiped the tears on his cheeks.

I raised my head as moisture gathered in my eyes. I turned my head away as I couldn't bear looking at his sad face again. It was his birthday and he was supposed to be happy, not the other way round.

All he needed was his father to be present on his birthday. Is that too much to ask?

Just a day for your son, Armstrong!

Why was he nonchalant?

Why?

No. It can't continue to happen. I needed to go and get his dad. I won't forgive myself if Charles' birthday passes without him spending it with his dad.

“It's OK, sweetheart, let me go and get daddy, OK? I won't be long,” I said with my hoarse voice.

Without sparing me a glance, he snapped his head away, which made tears stream down my face.

I got to my feet and walked to the dining table where the car key was. My heart clenched painfully when my eyes pinned the ice-cream cake on the table which had already melted. All our efforts seemed to be in vain.

I bit my lower lips, held the key and made my way to Armstrong's office.

After a 20-minute drive, I arrived at the company. I let out a heavy sigh when I saw Armstrong's car packed, he was definitely in the office.

I rushed inside. “Good morning, ma'am,” Sophia, the receptionist, greeted me as she recognized me when I walked in.

“Morning, dear, Armstrong is in his office, right?” I questioned.

“No, ma'am, he is in a meeting, but I guess he will be out any moment. You can wait for him in his office.”

“Okay, thanks Sophia,”

I used the elevator which took me to the top floor, where Armstrong's office was.

As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, my eyes snapped at Armstrong through the transparent glass opposite me.

He was in a meeting, leading the discussion. He focused unwaveringly as he spoke with dedication.

My anger slowly gave way to hope as he was really busy. That was why he didn't pick up my calls or reply to my texts.

Though I felt a little annoyed as he knew today was his son's birthday, our son's birthday, a special day for us. He was the CEO, and he had the capacity to postpone the meeting and be with his family.

I let out a heavy sigh and made my way to his office as I hoped the meeting would be over soon.

I knew Armstrong would be mad at me for coming to his office because he hated seeing me around his company, but I wouldn't mind, as long as he would follow me home after the meeting.

As soon as I pressed the password, his office door opened, and I couldn't believe who I had seen. Victoria again.

His personal assistant and his high school lover. Ever since Victoria returned from Canada last year, my marriage has not been thesame.

Without a word, I went and sat on the couch. Victoria, who was seated on Armstrong's office chair, stood up and walked to stand in front of me. She placed her hands on her hips.

“Armstrong left his phone here, and I watched every text you sent, and I enjoyed listening to the ringtone when you called,” she said, in a mocking tone.

“I don't give a fuck!” I screeched, my fingers already balling into my fist. I tried not to do anything stupid. I hated that sexy bitch. She always gets on my nerves every time we meet.

Victoria was the main reason I hated coming to Armstrong's company.

“You know Armstrong doesn't like you. Why do you keep making things difficult for us all? Huh? And I know you married him because of his money.”

“Everyone knows me as “Mrs Armstrong ", his wife, the mother of his child, not as his mistress. You should be ashamed of yourself fucking someone else's husband,” I chuckled angrily.

Victoria was rendered speechless as she lowered her head, the evil smile on her face began fading. What I just said hit her hard, and she couldn't pretend to not care.

“If I were you, I would….”

Before I could complete my statement, Victoria took out a small, sharp knife from her pocket and stabbed herself in the shoulder. She quickly threw the knife in my direction as she placed her hand on her shoulder where blood was rushing out.

“Ahhhh! Help! She wants to kill me!” she shouted, her voice filled the entire floor.