Stringer leaves, and I fix Julia a cup of warm tea trying to settle her nerves. I know she’s upset, but she has yet to tell me exactly what happened. I want to drive to Jeff Thompson’s apartment myself and punch that bastard in the face, and I don’t even know yet what’s gone on.Julia sits on a couch in the room near the window overlooking the city. She is stunning, even in an old outfit I’m sure she’s been wearing all day as she cleaned up Jeff’s messes and did her best to make their apartment into a home, which is difficult to do under the best of circumstances. When your husband is an ungrateful bastard, I can’t even imagine how she gets out of bed in the morning.After a few sips of her tea, she says, “I’m sorry to barge in on you in the middle of the night.”“Are you serious?” I ask, studying her from the chair across the room from her. “First of all, it’s hardly the middle of the night.” It wasn’t even 9:00 yet. “And secondly, as I told you, I am always available for you, Julia.
At first, I only want Braxton to hold me in his strong arms and assure me that I am okay, that nothing has changed in the few days that we’ve been apart, that he still loves me and wants me. But the longer I linger in his embrace, the more I realize I want more from him.I want him.I nuzzle my face against his neck, and his grip around my shoulders increases. We are sitting on a couch in the living room of his apartment. His place, even this small one that isn’t actually his home, is large and well appointed. It makes the shitty little apartment I shared with Jeff look like a hovel. But my eyes are not on the room. They are on the man. I inhale deeply, wrapping his scent around my insides. I have missed the smell of him, the smell of a true man, the smell of someone who is strong, secure, and loves me.My lips peck against the sensitive skin of his neck, lightly at first, but then increasing as I am overcome with the emotions welling up inside of me. I can’t deny the fact that I want
I hear Braxton’s alarm go off and a flood of memories from the night before come back to me. It’s odd to think about waking up here, in the bedroom of his apartment, when I should be at home, in my old apartment, with Jeff.I glance at the clock and note that Braxton gets up earlier than Jeff, even though his apartment is much closer to work. I think about how I would still be sleeping for a few more minutes if I were lying next to my husband instead of this man who loves me. I think about how he would swat at his alarm and then roll on top of me. Braxton will not do that, but if he did, it would be welcome because it wouldn’t just be him laying on top of me until he got his fill.I do not expect for Braxton to make love to me before he goes to work, though. I expect him to get up and get ready for his day, kiss me goodbye, and tell me he’ll be home at 6:00, or something like that. Instead, when I roll over to look at him, his head is propped on one arm and he is staring down at me.“
The moment I step into the office, I can tell by Cindy’s face that there’s something she doesn’t want to tell me. I don’t have to ask whether or not it has something to do with Jeff Thompson. I can tell that it does. I am confused, though. Jeff doesn’t have to be at work until 9:00, and it’s barely 8:30. In the two years that he’s worked here, I can never remember him ever being early one time. In fact, most days he’s not even on time.“Good morning, Mr. Merriweather,” Cindy says, tension in her voice.“Good morning,” I say, arching an eyebrow at her. “What is it, Cindy?”She hesitates before she says, “Jeff Thompson is… demanding to see you. Right away.”“All right,” I say with a shrug and a nod. “You can let him know I’m here.”She still looks nervous, and I have to wonder if Thompson has said something rude to her. “Yes, sir.”I go into my office and turn my desktop computer on, wondering what I’m going to say to Thompson. I’m sure he’s angry that his wife has chosen to be with me.
“Kyle Warren?” I repeat, not that I’m not sure that I heard Jeff Thompson correctly, but I need a moment to consider what this means.“That’s right,” Thompson says, his head held high, his chin in the air. “The Kyle Warren--famous attorney who is known for being ruthless and rarely, if ever, losing a case. He’s agreed to take me on as a client.”I know Kyle Warren all too well. I don’t have a problem saying, “Oh, he’s lost a case or two.” I know that he has because it is my head lawyer, Shawna Steel, that has defeated Kyle Warren in the courtroom twice on my behalf. It’s one of the reasons that Kyle Warren hates me, and I’m assuming, it’s why he’s agreed to take on Jeff Thompson’s case against me. I’m guessing Warren will even go so far as to wave his fees, at least unless he wins.Thompson makes a cocky noise in the back of his throat. “Not often,” he says of Warren’s record. “Anyway, he thinks I have a solid case against you. Enough to take everything from you. Then, you’ll find ou
Walking up the steps to Braxton’s home without him is odd. I’m looking at the house with a new perspective this time, as if there’s a chance this is where I will live--from now on. It’s hard to imagine. It’s hard to believe I could be calling this place home. Braxton makes it seem like it is as simple as me making up my mind that this is what I want, and I can have it, but I have to wonder if it’s really that simple.I am greeted by Susan, one of the servants. She is standing in the foyer, a warm smile on her face. She is old enough to be my mother, a thought that reminds me I will need to call my parents and tell them what has transpired. I wonder if Jeff has already called them….“Good morning, Ms. Julia,” Susan says, taking my hand in hers. “Welcome home!”“Thank you,’ I say, but the words catch in my throat a little as I consider what she’s saying. Home. Is this place my home? I can’t even fathom that truly being the case. Never in a million years would I have ever dreamt of a pla
“Yes, honey. Kyle Warren. Do you think there’s reason to be nervous? For Braxton?”“No, Mom,” I say, but I’m not sure I believe it. After all, even I know that Kyle Warren hates Braxton, that they are constantly at each other. I’m not sure what the history is between them, but I know enough to be worried about it. “I’m sure that Braxton has plenty of attorneys to help with this sort of thing. Besides, I don’t even know what Jeff could be suing over. I left of my own accord. It wasn’t as if Braxton made me leave my husband.”“Jeff seems so sweet when he calls to talk to us, honey,” my mom continues. “It’s just so hard to believe that everything you’ve said about him is true.”I’m not sure what to say to her. It’s like she’s daring me to defend my allegations about my husband. “People can be deceiving, Mom,” I say. “Believe me, he’s not sweet. Not at all. He’s been misleading you and lying to you for years. I’m sure that you’ll see his true colors come out soon enough.”“I’m sure you’re
I can see Jeff Thompson’s office from my own. I wish that I couldn’t. I find myself looking up, all day long, looking over there, checking to see what he’s doing, glowering at him. It is a waste of my time, I know that, and yet, here I am, doing it again.My lawyers are due any moment now. I have hardly tasted a bite of the lunch Cindy brought to me. I end up tossing most of it in the garbage. All I can think about is Kyle Warren and how much I hate him. Thompson must have already known that before he decided to sue. He must have known the history between me and the asshole who has been trying to take everything away from me ever since we both graduated from the same university. Back then, it was a bout of jealousy that kept Warren constantly nipping at my heels. Now, clearly, that hasn’t changed, but he’s willing to get sucked into a situation that has absolutely nothing to do with him on the chance that he might get the opportunity to be a pain in my ass once more.The buzzer on my
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