Chapter 6 - The Fall from Grace
The atmosphere inside the Sterling Enterprises executive suite was absolutely suffocating.
Alex sat behind his massive mahogany desk, staring blankly at the breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline.
The sprawling city below usually made him feel like an untouchable king.
Today, it just made him feel incredibly small and entirely alone.
His cell phone vibrated aggressively on the polished wood surface for the twentieth time that hour.
He didn't need to look at the screen to know it was Valerie.
She had been calling him incessantly since he abandoned her on the sidewalk outside the burning building.
The heavy glass door to his office swung open without a warning knock.
Valerie marched in, wearing a skintight crimson dress that was entirely inappropriate for a corporate environment.
Her perfectly manicured hands slammed down on his desk, her perfectly plumped lips locked in a deep pout.
"You haven't answered a single one of my texts, Alex," she whined loudly.
Alex slowly raised his head, looking at her as if he were seeing a stranger.
The illusion of her innocence had completely shattered in his mind.
"Keep your voice down," he warned her, his tone dangerously low and cold.
"People are staring through the glass."
"I don't care who stares!" Valerie dramatically exclaimed, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder.
"You left me there crying like a fool while you chased after a woman who clearly hates you."
Alex felt a sharp, sudden spike of pure rage ignite in his chest.
He stood up so fast that his heavy leather chair slammed backward against the floor-to-ceiling window.
"That woman is my wife," Alex gritted through his teeth.
"She is the mother of my unborn child."
"And she almost died because I was too busy playing hero to my demanding assistant."
Valerie took a step back, her eyes widening in genuine shock at his aggressive tone.
She wasn't used to him talking to her this way.
"Alex, baby, you're just stressed," she purred, trying to reach out and touch his tie.
He violently slapped her hand away.
"Don't touch me," he snarled.
"You are a mistake, Valerie."
"The biggest, most destructive mistake of my entire pathetic life."
Tears immediately welled up in Valerie’s eyes, but this time, Alex could see the pure manipulation behind them.
"You're firing me?" she gasped, her voice trembling.
"No," Alex replied, pressing the intercom button on his desk.
"I’m having security escort you out of the building."
"Your severance package will be mailed to your apartment."
"You can't do this to me!" Valerie shrieked, finally dropping the sweet, innocent act.
"I know all your secrets, Alex Sterling!"
Two large security guards stepped into the office, firmly grabbing her by the arms.
"Get her out of my sight," Alex ordered, turning his back to the glass door.
As Valerie was dragged screaming through the corporate bullpen, Alex closed his eyes.
May you like
He had successfully removed the mistress from his life.
But he knew it was nowhere near enough to win his wife back.
