Emily faked a smile and said,
“Daddy has said he has work. If he wants to leave, why not let him, we will talk some other time.”
“Yes, she's right, I'll stay next time, okay?”
“Daddy, will you stay tomorrow?”
Noah nodded and made to leave.
“Daddy! You didn't kiss my forehead and mummy's too!”
For three years, Liam had grown used to the bond and togetherness they shared in their family. Little things like this helped to keep them together and it was out of place if any routine was missed. Noah had wanted to do that but he knew his wife didn't want him anywhere near her. Even while eating, he wanted to join the conversation but she clearly didn't involve him and to avoid any awkward moment, he claimed he had work to do.
“I'm sorry.”
He bent down and kissed Liam's forehead and kissed Emily's lips. Emily didn't want it but her son was there, so, she had to play along. Noah could swear that the kiss was empty and emotionless. However, he kept quiet and went out, waiting for the right time to bring it up at night.
When Noah came into the bedroom from his study, Emily wasn't in the room. He checked the bathroom but she wasn't there. That was quite unusual because she always came to bed before him. He went into the bathroom to have his bath and when he came out, she was in the room.
“Emily, what's going on? You are making me uncomfortable. Can you tell me what the problem is? If you don't talk, how will I know?”
“How long were you planning to keep it from me? How long did you plan to keep it a secret before telling me the truth? When were you going to tell me that you have found a replacement for me?” Emily spat.
“What are you talking about? Keep what from you? You know that I haven't hidden anything from you, Emily. I married you because I loved you and I still do! And no one will ever replace you.”
“Lies! Keep lying to me!”
Emily stood up and took her phone from the bedside table.
“Where are you going? We are still talking.”
“I'm going to my room. You disgust me!” Emily sighed and left, leaving the door wide open.
“I disgust her? For goodness sake, can you save me this torture?” He turned and looked in the direction she left. Emily had her own room in that house but she had been using Noah's room since there wasn't any need for separate rooms.
Noah lay on his bed, unable to sleep. He tossed from one end of the bed to the other, his mind burdened. He didn't want anything coming between his marriage but Emily only made it worse with her silence. He finally fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning and still woke up early. He didn't bother forcing himself to go back to bed. He got up, had his bath, got dressed and went off to work. He didn't even eat his breakfast. He had no appetite because he was unhappy.
Mr. James, Noah's secretary, arrived at work at the usual time, 7:45 am since working hours began by 8:00 am and was surprised to see the CEO's car already parked in the garage! He wasn't the only one who saw it because everyone was taken aback and they all hurried to their places in no time.
“Good morning, Young President Harper. I brought you your coffee,” the secretary said carefully.
Noah looked up from his table and stared at the coffee in the man's hands.
“I'm fine. I don't need it.”
James was surprised. His boss was a fan of coffee and always took it daily, regardless of the weather.
“Sir? Do you want me to…
“James….Fine, drop it here,” Noah finally said. He saw the surprise on the other man's face and didn't want him asking questions.
“What's my schedule for today?”
“10:00 am: Meeting with the marketing team to discuss the new campaign for the project
11:00am: Conference call with the investors
2:00pm: Review of the quarterly financial report.
Should I print out the details or send them to your phone sir?”
“Print it.”
“Okay sir.”
Noah was silent during the meeting, scaring the marketing team and nearly making them wet on their persons.
“We believe this campaign has the potential to increase brand awareness, drive sales and solidify our position as industry leaders. Also, we believe it's going to enlighten the public and create massive awareness on the new project, deep harbor. We are happy to share our proposal with you and we look forward to your feedback and approval,” the team leader finished his lines carefully. Everyone waited for Noah to give his feedback. Noah was carried away, and the only thing he heard was the last line before he fell back to his thoughts. When he raised his head, he met so many eyes staring at him, waiting for his reply.
“Can I see the file?” he asked.
“Right here, sir,” his secretary said, tapping the file in front of him. The file had been passed to him earlier but his mind wasn't there. He looked at the file or, glanced at it and said,
“Approved.”
The team members couldn't believe their luck. Noah approved the campaign easily but something was off about him but they were yet to figure it out.
Grace on her own part noticed that her boss was acting up and she guessed the picture she sent to his wife must be the reason. This made he realize that she was almost there. She only needed to push a bit more and he would be hers.
Meanwhile, Emily lay on her bed, thinking about the picture that she received from Grace a few days ago. She had gone to check the authenticity of that picture, hoping it would be a fake one but she was disappointed. The image was real and not fake, editted or tampared with.
She thought for a while and asked herself series of questions. What should she do now that she has confirmed that her husband was cheating on her? Sooner than later, he would come clean about his affair and tell her to get out of his house. She had watched that in movies and read them in books. She feared that would happen to her very soon. Was it better to leave him now, and bear the pain or wait for him to divorce her himself? She chose the option of leaving the marriage by herself. After all, he might be in his office with Grace, doing some inappropriate things. He had even left the house earlier that morning so he could be with his mistress. She went to the study, turned on her laptop and set to draft the divorce papers.