The Return of the Neglected Wife

I buried myself in work, refusing to let the memory of Selene's stunt linger any longer than necessary. My company had three major deals in motion, and I planned to ensure all of them were flawless. If nothing else, my work was my sanctuary—a space where my choices were clear, my actions impactful, and my success entirely my own.

The morning started with a flurry of meetings, followed by an afternoon at the office reviewing contracts. My assistant, Harper, buzzed in occasionally with updates, her efficiency reminding me why I had hired her in the first place.

"Ms. Brown," she said, poking her head in, "the Q-Tech proposal is ready for your review."

"Perfect. Send it to my tablet, and I'll look it over before the end of the day."

Harper hesitated, her lips twitching as if she wanted to say more.

"Is there something else?" I asked, glancing up.

She smiled nervously. "There's a delivery for you. It's... big."

I frowned. "Big how?"

"See for yourself."

Moments later, she wheeled in a massive bouquet of red roses. The fragrance hit me before the sight of the impossibly extravagant arrangement—easily hundreds of roses in full bloom, arranged in a crystal vase that looked more like a work of art.

A note was nestled in the center, written on cream-colored card stock.

"Thinking of you always. — Julian."

The gesture was sweet, and I couldn't help but smile. Julian had an effortless way of bringing lightness to my day, something I desperately needed after the tension of recent weeks.

"Put them in the corner," I said, motioning to a spot near the window. "Thank you, Harper."

She placed the vase carefully and left the room, her curious glance lingering just a moment longer than usual.

I returned to my work, but the flowers reminded me of Julian's earlier proposal.

"Let's get out of the city," he'd said last night over dinner. "Just you and me. Somewhere quiet where we can breathe and be ourselves."

The idea had sounded appealing, but I'd hesitated, unsure if I could take the time away from work.

"Think about it," he'd added with a charming grin. "You deserve a break, Malia. Let me spoil you."

Now, with the roses staring back at me, I realized how tempting the offer was. I picked up my phone and sent him a quick text:

"A trip sounds perfect. Let's do it."

By the weekend, Julian had arranged everything. We were headed to a private lakeside resort a few hours outside the city. The itinerary promised seclusion, scenic views, and all the peace and quiet I hadn't realized I craved.

When we arrived, the place was even more beautiful than I'd imagined. The cabin was perched on a hill overlooking the lake, its modern design blending seamlessly with the surrounding forest. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered stunning views of the water, and a private deck extended out with a hot tub nestled at one end.

"This is incredible," I said, taking it all in.

"Only the best for you," Julian said, wrapping an arm around my waist.

He leaned down to kiss me, and for a moment, I let myself relax into his embrace. Julian's presence was warm and steady, a reminder that not all relationships were a battlefield.

"Come on," he said, tugging my hand. "Let's open some wine and enjoy the view."

The first day passed in a blissful haze of relaxation. We took a walk along the lake, shared stories over a candlelit dinner, and ended the evening stargazing on the deck. For the first time in what felt like forever, my mind wasn't racing with thoughts of work, or worse, Nixus.

But peace has a way of being short-lived.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of voices outside. Frowning, I slipped on a robe and went to the window.

Julian was standing near the driveway, his body tense as he faced someone I couldn't see.

Curious—and slightly alarmed—I opened the door and stepped out.

And there he was.

Nixus Salvatore, in all his infuriating glory.

He stood by a sleek black car, dressed impeccably as always in a tailored suit that looked wildly out of place in the rustic setting. His expression was unreadable, but the sharp intensity in his eyes told me he was here with a purpose.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I demanded, storming down the steps.

Nixus turned to me, his lips curling into a smirk. "Good morning, Malia. I was in the area and thought I'd drop by."

I gaped at him. "You expect me to believe this is a coincidence?"

Julian stepped in, his jaw tight. "You're trespassing, Salvatore. Leave."

Nixus ignored him entirely, his gaze fixed on me. "I needed to speak with you, Malia. It couldn't wait."

"This is beyond inappropriate," I snapped. "Whatever it is, it can wait until I'm back in the city."

He took a step closer, his presence suffocating. "I think we both know it can't."

Julian moved between us, his posture protective. "You heard her. Leave."

For the first time, Nixus acknowledged him, his expression darkening. "This doesn't concern you."

"It does when you're harassing her on our vacation."

"Our vacation," Nixus repeated, his voice laced with derision. "Cute."

The tension crackled like static electricity, and I could feel the situation spiraling out of control.

"That's enough," I said sharply. "Nixus, you need to leave. Now."

He didn't budge, his jaw tightening as he stared at me. "We have unfinished business, Malia. You can't run from it forever."

"I'm not running," I shot back. "I'm moving on—something you should consider doing."

His eyes flashed with something I couldn't quite place. Hurt? Anger? Obsession?

"Is that what this is?" he asked, gesturing to Julian. "Your idea of moving on?"

Julian's hand clenched into a fist, but I grabbed his arm before he could act on it.

"Enough," I said, my voice firm. "You have no right to question my choices. You lost that privilege a long time ago."

For a moment, Nixus said nothing. Then, without another word, he turned and got into his car.

As the engine roared to life and he drove away, I felt a mix of relief and unease. Nixus wasn't the type to give up easily, and his sudden appearance here only confirmed what I'd feared: he wasn't done trying to control me.

Julian pulled me into his arms, his warmth grounding me. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, but the truth was, I wasn't.

Because deep down, I knew this wasn't the end. It was just the beginning.