What the fuck? No kiss hello or how are you? She barely spared me a glance.
That was when my surroundings started to trickle in.
The board members followed her command, shuffling past without any acknowledgement or concern for my well-being.
Except for Howard, who was the last remaining. “Call out if you need me, Stella,” he said before knocking into my shoulder on the way out, shaking me out of my comatose state.
What alternate reality have I stepped into here?
When the door closed behind me, I was left alone with my wife. But instead of feeling long-awaited relief, the atmosphere spiked with wired friction.
Stella waved a hand to the chair on her right. “Take a seat, Felix. There’s much to discuss.”
“You’reinmy seat.”
“It suits me better, no?” The question was teasing, but there was a certain underlying factor to it—almostthreatening.
I approached hesitantly, and when I finally lowered in the offered spot, Stella placed a briefcase on the table between us, fiddling with the lock mechanism.
“I’ve been in custody.”
“I know.”
“I’m out on bail.”
“I know.”
“Have you been looking into my case?” I asked, barely above a whisper. I didn’t know why I was so quiet, as if I didn’t want to disturb the charged tension in case I caused the whole room to explode.
When her keypad device clicked open, Stella’s gaze finally met mine—straight on, unencumbered and severe.
That look made me pause. There was something brewing underneath, something sinister that I couldn’t quite pinpoint.What the fuck happened while I was away?
“Now, Felix.” She clucked. “You know I don’t specialise in criminal law. But, based on some evidence I’ve managed to gather, there are three main points on the agenda that must be addressed.”
Phew.She’d had me shitting myself for a second there. My girl was just working her ass off to look out for me. It was no wonder she didn’t have time for pleasantries.
Stella collected a manila folder from her briefcase and slid it in front of me.
My spine snapped straight. “Alright, sweetheart, let’s get this shit done. Hit me. What’s number one on the list?” I asked, opening to the front page of the document.
The title took me a solid minute to process as my brain revolted against the stark black letters.
DIVORCE.
Chapter 18
FELIX
DIVORCE.
“Wha-what is this?” I asked, my voice shaky and unbelieving.
Without missing a beat, Stella placed another folder on top, blocking the words beneath. Yet, they were forever scored on my brain.
She continued to collect more files from her never-ending trunk, acting all nonchalant, as if I were a mere client rather than her fucking husband.
“Stella?” I managed to demand more forcibly.
