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“Well, there’s someone here to see you.”
I walk into the kitchen, and low and behold, I find Charlie sitting at the counter.
She smiles awkwardly. I haven’t seen her since our fight, and to be honest, she looks like shit. Her skin’s pale, not the usual glowing bronze, sun-kissed tan she normally sports. The dark circles around her eyes aren’t hidden behind any makeup. She appears tired, drained, and I sigh as I notice how thin her frame is. She obviously hasn’t been eating. It’s only now I realize the magnitude of how much this ordeal has affected her.
“What am I doing, Nikki?” She sobs, placing her head down on the counter.
I throw my bag on the floor, extending my arms around her.
“I’m so sorry I said those things to you, of all people.” She cries, her words are barely audible.
“C’mon, let’s talk.” I grab her hand leading her to the living room.
Rocky comes in with a bottle of gin, two glasses, and tells me he’s taking Will to his mom’s where they’ll both spend the night.
It doesn’t matter what names she called me, or what she accused me of.
All that matters is that she needs me and is finally ready to talk.
It’s also the moment I realize my best friend is in a very dark place. I no longer take sides. I no longer act in defense. I’m going to hold her hand, walk along this dark path, and remind her that no matter what happens in the end, I’ll forever be by her side.
LEX
From: Lex Edward
To: Charlotte Mason
Subject: I’m Sorry
Charlotte,
Please just hear me out. All the stuff was fabricated. Victoria Preston is a colleague, and while she has made advances on more than one occasion, I have very firmly put my foot down. There is no other woman for me but you. Please don’t do this to us. We are trying to make this work, and both of us need to trust each other. I’d never do anything ever again to betray you. I lost you the first time and am not that stupid to make the same mistake twice.
Talk to me please, baby. Don’t do this. I know you read my texts. Just please email or call or text me. Tell me what you are thinking.
Lex Edwards
P.S. I love you Charlotte, my wife. That still hasn’t nor will it ever change
The screen flickers as I stare into space. If I stare long enough, the images morph into different shapes. This consumes me, and for the few minutes I’d spent lost in my computer screen, I forget the pain which pierces every part of my soul.
The pain is tugging on my heart, begging it to come out and play, go for a jolly stroll together.
The pain that ate me alive the moment she disappeared that morning in The Hamptons.
I beg her to speak to me. I send emails and texts relentlessly but nothing. I even put read receipts on my emails, but all I get in return is an ‘unread.’ Nikki warned me to stay away but, how can I? She’s my fucking wife. She said ‘I do.’ Is this my fault?
Confusion plagues me along with guilt and remorse. Maybe I could’ve done more. Should I have been firmer with Victoria? The team I had built around myself should’ve prevented this from happening. Why the fuck aren’t they doing their jobs correctly?
Yet, surely, she has to know how ridiculous this all is.
Why would I even look at another woman when Charlotte is mine? Was I not sincere enough that she couldn’t believe me after I said the words ‘I love you’ when I vowed to be her lawfully wedded husband?
Questions, more fucking questions with absolutely no answers.
I take a long drink of the flask tucked into the pocket of my jacket. It burns as it makes its way down my throat, but the numbness it brings me makes life more bearable until it wears off. I’m not one to drink at work, and this unprofessional behavior is out of character for me, but I have no other escape.
The trip back to London was the longest flight of my life, and even worse was having to deal with my sister who flew back with me to make sure I was okay. Yeah, I guess I’m okay for a man who lost the woman he has been waiting for his whole life.
