The Wrong Wife by Maya Alden

Chapter 14

Declan

Iwas still in love with Viv. It was a harsh realization, if not surprising. What was astounding was that I'd just had one of the best make-out sessions since I was a randy teenager in the backseat of a car with Viv's little sister. I was having trouble navigating the dichotomy of my feelings.

What also was startling was the pinch of jealousy I felt when I saw Phoenix talk to Esme. I would've walked up to them, but Viv was leaning against me, and her closeness was a comfort after difficult days.

"Do you hate me, Dec?" Viv asked as she snuggled closer.

I felt her breast against my arm, and I thought about the fullness of Esme’s breasts in the palm of my hands.

"No, Viv. I could never hate you."

"I still love you."

"I know. I still love you too."

"I'm such a fool, Dec. I got confused. I was afraid that we were together for the business merger and not because we were in love. And the past months, I was in San Francisco for that case, and you were traveling. I was vulnerable and…. I'm so sorry."

She was sincere, and I patted her hand. "What's done is done, Angel."

"You married Esme," she accused.

"You knew I'd have to."

She nodded and burrowed closer. "I miss us, Dec."

"I miss us too."

"What's it like to be at home with her?"

"Nothing like it was with you," I confessed. It was different—not bad or good—but different, peaceful. No rushing around. No competing phone calls at the dinner table.

"I don't want to lose you."

"You could never lose me."

"Even though I cheated on you?"

I felt my heart contract. "Yes." Because love was all-consuming and all-forgiving, and I loved Viv. No, I couldn't have sex with Esme, I thought as I held the love of my life close to me, ignoring Phoenix chatting up Esme at the other end of the gallery.

"Give me some time, Dec," Viv pleaded. "Please."

"You have a lot to make up for, Viv. It won't be like it was," I warned her. She'd have to fucking grovel. "You'll have to convince me that you love me; this time, it's forever."

"Oh, I will, Dec. I…already talked to a partner at the law firm. We're going to work on an annulment. It wasn't very smart of me. Reckless. I regret it so much."

“Let’s take it one moment at a time, Angel.” I held her close, inhaling her scent. I had her again where I wanted her and yet, it was the smell of jasmine that actually filled me from within.

∞

Esme drove with her father and my mother, while I went with Viv to Melisse. Mateo would meet us at the restaurant with Senator Rivers and his wife.

I felt guilt course through me as Viv sat where Esme just had, from where she'd given me one of the best hand jobs of my life. Viv and I'd had sex in the backseat of many limousines and cars. We'd fucked like rabbits when we'd first started dating, regardless of where we were. Though after the first six months, I had to admit, the sex had become relegated to a few times a week. But that's what happened to couples, right? They got busy with life. The lust for early sex developed into the comfort of making love in a long-term relationship.

Viv talked about the merger between Hartley Industries and Knight Tech—and how she was navigating that along with several lawyers at her law firm. She was capable as a lawyer, impressive. I felt a surge of pride: my smart fiancée, the one who knew how to get her clients what they wanted.

Besides that, this was a woman who shone on my arm. The way she dressed and carried herself. Her tall frame and those blue-blue eyes. Her makeup was spot on and elegant. Her Valentino gown was a beautiful second skin. Esme, in her Marchesa dress, paled in comparison. She'd looked better in that shitty black dress—more comfortable. And that's why the marriage would end when this year was up, and I'd find my way back to the woman who was next to me. This woman who had lost her way—but I'd forgive her. Oh, I'd make her pay, I thought with satisfaction, but we'd get back together, and I'd make sure she'd never stray again.