Chapter 4

Juliette 

 

 

One week to November 15th

 

 

"Do you think he even knows?"

 

I raised my eyebrows and scoffed at Summer, who asked that question. "What do you mean, does he know? Of course he does; it's our fourth wedding anniversary."

 

"Yes, but you're the one who said he's been getting distant. You've been saying it for weeks now."

 

"It's because he's busy. The company and everything, it's possible to get distant."

 

"Denial is a river in Egypt, my love. Hold that man accountable for his shortcomings and stop making excuses for him."

 

"I'm not making excuses. I just need to get this dinner prepared and have a great night with him. You said you'll take the kids for me, right?"

 

She nodded after a moment.

 

"Aw, thank you."

 

She groaned and scrunched up her face when I tried to hug her. "Let's just go make this pasta or lasagna or whatever you call it."

 

I rolled my eyes. "It's spaghetti and meatballs, and you know that."

 

She shrugged and got out of the car, taking her bag with her.

 

"So what are we buying?"

 

"These." I handed the list of things we were to buy once I got out too.

 

"Basil, eggs, mascarpone cheese—wait, what is that for?"

 

"Tiramisu."

 

"You're making that?!"

 

"He likes it."

 

"And... what are the mushrooms for?"

 

We got into the store and picked up a cart each. She was planning to buy a few things for her home too.

 

"The appetizer. Stuffed mushrooms."

 

"Damn, I should have just gone for that damn meeting."

 

I chuckled and hit her arm, "Come on. You love cooking with me."

 

"Only because I get to eat out of it too."

 

She had agreed to help me with the food so as to make things faster, and I couldn't thank her enough, really.

 

"Okay, enough with the chit-chatting. We have to get home in exactly thirty minutes if we're going to make it in time for when he gets back."

 

She scoffed, "Chit-chatting?!"

 

I pulled her along with me and started dumping things into our cart. "Ugh, come on."

 

We finished picking out everything fifteen minutes later, and we went to the counter where they checked out everything for us.

 

"Okay. Let's get this party started!"

 

Summer helped with cutting the vegetables while I got started on preparing the spaghetti and meatballs, and about four hours later, we were done with both the appetizer and main meal.

 

"The school would soon be over for the day, and I need to get started on the tiramisu."

 

"Don't worry..." She started to remove her apron, "... I'll get the kids and take them to my apartment. You can finish the rest on your own, right?"

 

I nodded.

 

"Thank you so much."

 

She sneered, "You owe me a Birkin bag because as much as I love those kids, they're a handful."

 

I nodded again, "Love you."

 

She blew me a kiss and left after picking up yet another stuffed mushroom.

 

I couldn't help but laugh at it.

 

Okay, I needed to get started on the tiramisu, then set the tables and candles.

 

I have a little surprise for him.

 

Just the thought of it made me giggle.

 

I couldn't wait to see the surprise on his face tonight.

 

He'll be surprised, right?

 

I tried to push down this gnawing feeling that I've been feeling for the past couple of days now. Like a bad thing was about to happen.

 

Okay, get a grip.

 

I had a table and food to prepare.

 

Another three hours of preparing and arranging, it was finally 7 pm and dark.

 

He should be home anytime soon.

 

I patted my hair and straightened the edge of my gown.

 

I had gotten it just for this purpose.

 

It was similar to the dress I wore on our first date.

 

An hour passed.

 

Two...

 

9 pm.

 

I picked up my phone and contemplated calling him.

 

Isn't he coming home tonight?

 

Hey, no way, it's literally our anniversary.

 

But he could be busy...

 

And could call.

 

But maybe he was too busy to call.

 

Ugh!

 

I sat on the couch and checked the time again.

 

You know what? Fuck it.

 

I'm just going to meet him at the office and have dinner with him.

 

It doesn't have to be so elegant and extra; I just want to celebrate the night with him and feel the warmth I had gotten drawn to on our very first night.

 

I smiled at the thought.

 

That would be a great idea and would surprise him more.

 

Maybe I should call him.

 

Nah...

 

Let's sneak in unannounced.

 

I packed the food I had set out on the table into a box, then wrapped it with a little ribbon I found around.

 

We can work things out.

 

We just need to find that warmth again.

 

****

 

The ride to the company was short but long. Long in the sense of this anxiety I started to feel. Short in the sense that it was just a forty-minute drive.

 

The security officer who was just about to leave let me in right before closing the gate.

 

Okay.

 

I touched up my makeup and calmed myself down in the car.

 

He would like this.

 

He would like this.

 

He would like this, right?

 

The elevator dinged when it got to the sixth floor, and I patted my dress down again for some reason before heading for his office.

 

I've been there many times, firstly as the CEO of the company, considering that my mom left it to me, then as his wife when I finally made the decision to step down so as to take care of our family, so I know the place.

 

It had been his suggestion, but it had made sense to me.

 

Olivia and Ethan were indeed a handful.

 

"Arghhh... Mmm... Oh my God, yes... Ah..."

 

I felt my steps drag as I got closer to the office.

 

What were those sounds?

 

"Hmm... Harder..."

 

It got louder as I got to the door, and right there on my husband's table was a woman moaning as that same husband pounded into her.

 

She had her legs wrapped around him while he had his back turned to the door, and my breath caught in my throat when I finally saw who he was fucking.

 

Vanessa.

 

Her eyes widened when she saw me, but it immediately turned into a smirk, and right before my eyes, she wrapped her hand around his neck and moaned.

 

"Arghhh, James... harder!"

 

The box in my hand fell to the floor.