The CEO's Entanglement

11 A Little Suffering Never Hurt

Elise POV

I sick on my parents wrap around porch staring out towards the woods that line their property. I refuse to let any more tears fall as I sip my coffee. I believe in my heart that Morris loves me, but that doesn't make his choices hurt any less. The sound of the screen door opening breaks me out of my thoughts. "I figured I'd find you out here. I checked Emmy, and she is cool as a cucumber," my mom says. "Hopefully whatever bug she caught at daycare won't last long."

"Are you ready to talk about what's going on between you and Morris, Elise?" I'm just about to tell her we are fine when she glares at me. "Elise, you are my baby girl. You can't hide when your heart is hurting from me. I know damn well that your husband is the cause. I love Morris as if he were my own son, but I'm not above letting your father and brothers take him into the woods and teach him a lesson if he hurt you enough to run home."

I take a deep breath. "I know he loves me mom, but over the last few months I've felt like he is more and more absent in our marriage. I know he is busy and running his company isn't easy, but I need him to make me and Emmy a priority too." I pause, wondering if I should tell her about his bimbo secretary.

"As much as I'm sure his absence is upsetting you, I know you baby girl. This kind of upset isn't just about him working. Please tell me what's happening," she says. I can feel tears staining my cheeks despite wanting to be strong. My mom comes to sit next to me wrapping her arms around me like she did when I was a little girl.

"Morris' new assistant is a woman. A young beautiful woman who looks like a model." My mother stiffens but doesn't say anything besides reminding me that I'm a beautiful woman too. "Do you remember the night we were in your driveway?" I feel her nod her head as it rests against my hair. "I made his favorite dinner because, once again, he was working late and when I got to his office he was having a quaint little dinner with his assistant."

"Do you think something is going on between them, Elise" my mother asks. Her tone harsher than I've ever heard it before. I tell her exactly what Morris said, and I can feel her relax. "Do you believe him, Elise?" "I do, but it hurt me, mom. Here I am at home every night with our daughter, and he's sharing a meal with a woman that isn't his wife. I understand he said it was innocent, and maybe it was, but she shouldn't be getting anytime with him unless its work."

"You are absolutely right baby girl, but men aren't exactly the brightest creatures," she says. I chuckle "that's what Connor said when I told him about Morris working all the time." "He isn't wrong, but that is no excuse if what he is doing is hurting you. Have you talked to him about his long hours and this woman making you uncomfortable?"

"I did. After we left here, I gave him a chance to explain, and he assured me he would be speaking to her about boundaries. He wasn't supposed to share any more meals alone and everything was to be professional. He even offered to reassign her to another executive, but I felt like I needed to trust him and not act overbearing."

"So, you think this woman wants Morris?" I give my mother the side eye. "She is young, single and my husband is hot, mom." "I don't believe that Morris would ever do that to you, Elise, but I would never tell you to bury your head in the sand. If something that your husband is doing is making you uncomfortable, you have the right to tell your husband to knock it off. It's his job to fix it," she says.

"Now, tell me what made you head here this morning. I love having you and Emmy here, but you can't run from your feelings, baby girl." "Morris was supposed to be home on time last night. He was about twenty minutes late when his name lit up on my phone screen. I assumed he was calling to let me know he was on his way, but I was very wrong. Apparently, she was in some kind of danger and my husband swooped in like a white knight."

"Not only did he disregard everything we talked about, he doubled down by driving her in his car to Derek's hotel and booking her a room under his name." My mother stares at me before she finally takes my hand in hers. "No matter how attractive or young this woman is, Elise, Morris loves you. I watch him when you are together, and I have no doubt that you are his everything. That's not to say he is using the brain cells that God gave him right now," she says.

"I want desperately to believe that, but after everything I heard about Trey" I start to say, and she cuts me off. "Don't do that. Do not paint your husband with the same brush. I've had many conversations with Louise, and they are nothing alike. I know you're hurt right now and rightfully so, but don't give up on your husband just yet," she says. I know she's right, but I'm still too angry to forgive him yet.

I'm just about to tell her I haven't given up when she gives me a knowing smile. "That doesn't mean you shouldn't make him suffer for being an id*ot." I smile, and she pulls me in for another hug. "You know your daddy is going to want to know what's going on and despite the fact he likes Morris, he might just shoot him in the a** for hurting his princess." "Mom" I say and she giggles. "I won't let him really do it, but I might let him threaten to take him hunting with your brothers." For the first time since my discussion with Morris at the table, I don't feel like I'm drowning.

Morris POV

After Amber left, I started to tackle the stack of contracts on my desk. The paper work helps me keep my mind off missing Elise. Tomorrow we have our final meeting with the Lincoln corporation to finalize the contract, and I'm still planning to take time off. I'm just hoping that I can convince Elise to come home so I can show her how sorry I am. That she is the most important person in my life next to our daughter.

As I lift the next paper my heart aches. It's the confirmation of our trip to Maldives for next week. As I stare at it, I notice that the reservation is only for two. I know I told Loreli that my daughter would be going with me and Elise. I'm just about to set the paper down because at this point I'm sure Elise won't agree to the trip, so the screw-up isn't a big deal, when I notice the initials that will be listed on the tickets. M. McNair and L. McNair are printed in bold letters.

What the f**k? I want to try to rationalize that it's just an honest mistake, but the sinking feeling in my gut tells me it's not. Looking down at my phone, I see that its already four. I couldn't be happier at this moment that I had Loreli reassigned. I know Elise wants space right now, but I would really like to see Emmy. Even the nights that I have been late, which are way too many lately, I always spend time with Emmy before she goes to bed.

Even as I say it, I know how pathetic I sound. I need to do better for my wife and my daughter. "Would it be alright if I stopped to see Emmy? I won't make you talk to me. I know you want space from me for being an id**t, and I totally deserve it, but I want you to remember I love you. You and Emmy are my world. I'll be here when you want to talk."

I debate before sending the message but finally push send. It doesn't take long for her to answer and my heart sinks. "I will never keep Emmy from you. You can pick her up if you can drag yourself away from work before eight." I hate that I've done this. I've made my wife doubt my love for her. I've neglected my family for this company. I need to take a hard look at my priorities before the only thing I have is this company.

"I'll be there soon" I text back. As I start to pack up my computer, there is a knock on my office door. When I call out to enter, I'm shocked to see a crying Loreli step inside. She closes the door behind her and I stiffen. "Morris, can we please talk about why I'm really being moved?" What the f**k?