I awake to a sobering realization. This is my last full day here. Tomorrow morning, I’ll wake up in Braxton’s arms, and then, I’ll have to tell him goodbye. He’ll take me back to my old apartment, to my old life, to my old husband, and all of this will fade away, like a wonderful dream, one that couldn’t last.I am somber as we eat breakfast. Braxton had paid attention the day before and just asked the chefs to prepare my favorites, so there isn’t quite so much waste, though I could never eat all of the food that he’s had spread before me. We chatt, and he makes me laugh, but in the back of my mind, I can’t shake the idea that this will all be coming to an end far too soon.Then, we walk along hand in hand through the stables. He is introducing me to all of his beautiful horses. I am petting them and running my hands through their manes. They are wonderous creatures, and I would love to ride one of them one day, but I have turned Braxton down each time he’s offered to have a pair sadd
Julia looks divine in a beautiful white bathing suit. It is a one piece, but the center is cut out, so I can still see all of her beautiful curves. I’ve had the pool heated to ninety-seven degrees so that it is plenty warm enough, even though the spring air is a little cool. While the pool is large, we choose to stay in one area where it is only about five feet deep, sitting on a ledge I had built into the design for just this purpose. The waterfalls are on and add to the ambience of paradise. They cascade over carved rock, making a slight splash as they enter the pool. Julia watches them, smiling, likely remembering the natural waterfall we saw the day before. She smells of coconuts and vanilla, and I want to kiss her, to take her here in the pool, but I don’t think she will like that, even though I could assure her of our privacy. The servants wouldn’t dare snoop or try to watch us. I keep myself in check, though, only holding her hand beneath the water’s surface, letting her come t
I can’t remember the last time I was in a hot tub. It is a cool spring evening, and the warmth radiating from the bubbling water feels good on my skin. Braxton feels even better on my skin as his hands explore me through the thin fabric of my bathing suit.I’ve wanted him all day. Ever since I was able to get my mind off of the future while we sat in the garden, I’ve been craving his touch. We’ve stolen kisses, shared a few caresses, but for the most part, we’ve spent our day getting to know one another. Chatting about our families, our lives, our futures. Not one future together, mind you, but futures nonetheless. Now that we have moved into the hot tub together, the shade of a thousand plants and an awning protecting us from a direct view from the house, I know exactly what his intentions are, and mine are the same. I want him inside of me.He begins by kissing me deeply, his tongue dancing around with mine, swirling, exploring, probing. My hands are on his wet, chiseled chest, but
It is my last night with Julia. That’s all I can think about. After we made love in the hot tub, we went inside, showered, got dressed, and ate dinner. We chatted about normal things--our pasts, likes and dislikes, the sort of things that drive conversation. Then, she went into the art room to paint some more while I sat and watched. All I could think about was how I wanted to untie the dress she wore, a bow at her neck the only thing keeping my hands from the soft mounds of her breasts. I didn’t do it, though, not while she was working. I watched her instead, watched how her mind moved her brush across the canvas, each stroke an ingenious work of art. It amazes me to see true talent at work, regardless of the medium, and when it comes to Julia and her painting, it is clear to me that she is remarkably talented and deserves the opportunity to explore what might be with a few lessons and the chance to show her work to the world.She’ll never get that with Jeff. Not only does he not hav
My hands are shaking. I am trying desperately to unbutton Braxton’s shirt, to take his clothes off so I can feel him inside of me, but my hands are trembling so badly, I’m having a hell of a time with it.He doesn’t seem to notice, only goes about taking my clothes off of me, kissing me deeply, his mouth devouring mine, trailing down my exposed neck. I want him so badly, I’m afraid I may never get his clothing off of him.Eventually, I work his shirt off and then take a step backward, naked myself now, leaving his pants and underclothes to him. He makes short work of all of it, and then, when we are both completely bare, he moves back to me, scooping me into his arms and falling with me onto his bed.I cannot get my legs apart fast enough. I want him so badly, the ache inside of me is all consuming, like a fire raging in a building full of kindling, I burn for him. He understands my need and pushes inside of me immediately. I am slick with my own juices, and he has no problem filling
I wake up with Julia in my arms. I haven’t been asleep long at all. After I made love to her most of the night, I finally fell asleep with her resting her beautiful head on my chest, my arms wrapped tightly around her in a protective arch. She is still asleep, which is just as well. I don’t have to get up to get ready for work for another hour, and she doesn’t have to get up until she is ready to. I will have my driver take her home later, if that is what she wishes. As I gaze at her lovely face, I wish that I could find the words to change her mind, to convince her to stay here with me, to leave Jeff and all that she knows of her married life behind.She doesn’t seem to think that is an option, though, for reasons I can’t quite understand. I wish that she would explain to me what it is that is keeping her from telling Jeff off and leaving his ass behind. He doesn’t deserve her! Surely, she can see that now, can’t she?I don’t know what Julia thinks of herself at this point, but I hop
The streets are crowded as the sedan winds its way slowly toward my apartment building. There are lots of cars everywhere as people hurry to make it to work on time. Once we are downtown, the sidewalks are full as well. People pass by quickly, briefcases or attaché cases in their hands, some of them on their phones, others looking straight ahead as they try to get to their destinations on time without interacting with any other human beings.I understand the need to keep to myself. For the last two years, I have walked the streets near my apartment, on the way to the market or to run other errands, without truly looking at anyone unless I absolutely have to. I have told myself it is because I’m in a hurry, but that’s not really the case. The truth of the matter is I’ve been scared to get close to anyone. I’ve been afraid that, if I were to make friends with another woman, I’d be tempted to tell her the truth about my empty marriage. And there’s no way in the world I would ever conside
I sit in my office, staring out the window at everyone else who is working, while I do nothing. For a very long time. Normally, by 10:00, I have already done more work than most people will do all day long. But not today. Today, I can’t help but think about Julia, how she has arrived back in the apartment she lives in with Jeff. And Jeff himself--sitting over there in his office, right across from mine, where I can see him.He looks… bothered. He doesn’t look like his old cocky self. He certainly isn’t staring at his phone, the way he does most days. Instead, he is staring at his computer. But not in that excited way he does when he is watching pornography at work. Instead, he is staring at his computer blankly, the same way that I am staring at him. If he has noticed me staring at him, he hasn’t given me any indication of such. He simply sits there, a disheartened look on his face,I want to speak to him. I will speak to him. It’s difficult to get my thoughts together because I want
I am the woman in the painting now. It’s finally happened. When I first envisioned this beautiful scene, a man and woman with their arms around one another, standing in front of an ancient landmark with the Italian sun glinting as it dips below the horizon, I didn’t know for sure that I would ever occupy this space. But here I am, my arm around Braxton, his around mine, as we gaze at the sun setting behind the gorgeous scene before us.What makes it even more amazing is that we are not alone. In front of us, our children, our daughter Braxi and our son Julian, are running around, playing chase, and having the time of their lives. I never knew true romantic love until I met Braxton, and I never knew how full my heart could be until four years ago when the twins were born.Sometimes, I think back to my life before Braxton, when my days consisted of staying at home, cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, only getting out to go to the grocers. It was a meager existence, one that would’ve never
I’m fine. I feel fine, anyway. My hand is still wrapped in gauze, and I’m told I may need more surgery down the road. I will definitely need physical therapy, but that’s okay. Braxton says he’ll pay for the person to come to the house so I don’t have to go to a clinic for my treatments. He’s even volunteered to find a therapist who will move into the house so I can have it every day. It amazes me how different it is to have a plethora of money at one’s disposal, but I will have to get used to it because, as the wheelchair takes me to the waiting car, I know I will be with Braxton forever now.I get out of the wheelchair, which I’m only sitting in because the hospital staff insists it’s part of their dismissal policy, and Braxton helps me into the car. It’s been three days since I was rushed to the hospital, and I am anxious to get out. I am anxious to go home--back to the place where Braxton and I fell in love.Once I am in, Braxton closes the door behind me and slides in on the other
“Mr. Merriweather, perhaps it would be better if you waited in the hallway,” Detective Margaret Folk says to me in a no nonsense sort of tone that tells me she is not used to having anyone disagree with her.I might be the first.But before I can even open my mouth, Shawna is speaking up on my behalf. “I see no reason why Mr. Merriweather can’t be in the room while you question Mrs. Thompson, unless of course, she would prefer for him to leave,” my lawyer says.Det. Folk arches an eyebrow, but it’s clear that Shawna is just as bold as the other woman, and when the investigator looks at Julia to see what she would like to do, Julia says, “I would like for him to say.”Shawna doesn’t gloat, but she does take a moment to introduce herself to Julia. “It’s nice to meet you,” she says, offering her hand. Julia shakes it lightly as Shawna tells her her name and says, “You have nothing to worry about.”Julia smiles at Shawna, but I can tell she’s nervous. She doesn’t want to be having this co
I am floating. I don’t feel as if I have a body anymore. I am only a spirit, hovering above the earth a little ways. I can’t feel a single thing--not my hands or feet or inner organs. Even my head feels lighter than air. My memory is hazy, and all I can recall is that something awful has happened. For a few moments, I try to remember if there’s a chance I am actually dead, and I feel like I am hovering above the ground because I am doing just that. Slowly, the memories come back to me. Just as they sink into my mind, reminding me about the window, about the pain and the blood, about the horror of seeing Jeff lying there, not on top of the car but partially through the roof of the vehicle, the feeling of my body begins to sink in as well. I can feel my eyelashes fluttering on my cheeks as I attempt to open my eyes. I can feel my hand resting on something soft. A bed, I think. My legs are stiff. My other hand… I can’t feel it at all. It’s as if I only have one now. Remembering what hap
I lie awake, staring at the ceiling above my bed, unable to sleep, though it’s getting late, and I know I have to go to work tomorrow. I can’t help but stretch my arm out across the bed, which I find cold and empty. Julia should be here, but she’s not. My thoughts return to her. Where is she now? How is she doing? Is Thompson with her? Is she hurt? Does she need me? My mind refuses to slow as all of the possibilities circle around. I wonder if I will ever be able to get her back.My phone is on, just in case she calls. I get all sorts of emails all time of day, so it is constantly chirping. I have learned to ignore it. Until I realize it isn’t just chiming to let me know an email has arrived. The phone is ringing.Hastily, I pick it up from my nightstand, praying that it’s Julia, but when I see that it is Stringer, my heart races just the same. I pray he has good news, that he’s gotten Julia back, and they are on their way to my home.“Stringer?” I say upon answering. “What’s going on
Glass grinds into my knees as I am tugged against the windowsill. Jeff is doing his best to pull himself back up into the apartment, but my grip on him is slipping. My knees are on fire as the glass slices deeper and deeper. I grab the windowsill with my free hand in an attempt to keep myself from flying out into the night air, but the broken glass cuts deep into my palm. Blood coats the window ledge and begins to drip down, red raindrops flying toward Jeff’s face.He is terrified. No longer drunk, the reality of what is happening has him sobered. He has my wrist and is trying to pull himself back up, but he is too heavy for me to lift. I hear Stringer coming to my aid, but Jeff reaches up with his other hand and grabs hold of me, and I am pulled further out the window. Glass digs into my chest, scraping down my stomach. I see the street below, and terror grabs hold of me even more strongly than my husband. With my last effort, I grab ahold of the window with my other hand as my legs
The driver wanted to help me carry my stuff up the stairs, but I insisted that he leave me. Now, I am standing outside of the familiar apartment door where I lived with Jeff for over two years. It seems foreign to me, like a place I was never meant to be in the first place. The fact that I’ve come back here of my own choice seems surreal. I stand staring at the door for a long moment, unable to force myself to take this last step. I’ve made it this far. I just need to go inside. I just need to speak to Jeff and let him know that I’ll stay with him as long as he promises to leave Braxton alone. The fact that he didn’t choose the money tells me that he’s so focused on winning, he isn’t thinking straight. I know this isn’t about me. It’s about allowing another man to dictate his fate. Jeff refuses to let that happen, even when that other man is a billionaire and his boss.I hear footsteps echoing up the nearby stairwell and know I need to go in. I don’t need neighbors seeing me standing
She’s gone. I can hardly believe it. I’m still standing in the foyer, near the window, where I watched my driver take her away, wondering how in the world I’m going to function without Julia here.I have no idea. Everywhere I look, I’m going to see her. Every room I walk into, I’ll smell her perfume. Every time I lay down in my bed, I’ll feel her beside me. I’ll see her near the pool, at the dining room table, in the gardens. And… in her art room. How can I possibly go into that room again without feeling the ghost of her?It’s obvious to me that Julia is making a huge mistake, but I can’t change her mind. It was clear to me when I saw her face that she was resolved and wasn’t going to be swayed. The idea of her walking back into that apartment, of her trying to live with Jeff Thompson again, as his wife, makes my skin crawl. I can’t bear to think of him touching her. Tears sting my eyes, and I have to rest my hand against the windowsill to keep from doubling over as a wave of nausea
Braxton’s face has my heart leaping up into my throat. After my initial statement, letting him know that I have to go, I don’t know how to explain myself to him, to tell him that I can’t stay or why.“What do you mean you have to go?” Braxton asks, taking a few cautious steps toward me but stopping well short of touching me. “Why would you need to go?”I clear my throat, swallowing hard. “Because… it’s for the best if I do.”His eyes widen in shock. “For the best? For who?”“For everyone,” I tell him. “Especially you.”“No, Julia,” he says as he shakes his head emphatically. “It is most definitely not best for me.”I disagree with him. “Braxton, I heard what happened today. Jeff didn’t take the settlement, right?”He doesn’t answer, only continues to stare at me, unblinking. I don’t need him to answer. I already know I am right.“For him to turn down that sort of money, it tells me he will be relentless, Braxton. He’s never going to stop. Never. He won’t leave us in peace. I need to g