Chapter 7
1162 Words
Maximus:
I watch him as he topples over in laughter, clutching his stomach. He adjusts his tie when he notices I’m not laughing with him, clears his throat, and sits up straight.
"Are you done? I don’t know what’s so amusing, but I’m not finding this situation funny. I told you that my ex-wife is back, and instead of sympathizing with me, you’re here laughing at my downfall.” I roll my eyes at his obvious mockery. “Seriously, I’m starting to rethink our friendship, Raymond."
With how red his face is, I know he’s trying to hold in his laughter but is failing miserably.
I don’t understand why he’s laughing. This situation isn’t funny. I’m in crisis here.
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry." He pouts, raising his hands before letting them fall. "You know you’re my best friend. It’s just that it’s extremely funny that the woman you kicked away five years ago is back and she’s no longer a nobody."
“Raymond, I’m aware-"
"Who would have thought she owns that big hospital?” Raymond cuts me off. “It’s one of the largest in the city, with some of the best doctors too. Don’t tell me you’re regretting divorcing her."
My heart thuds, and I wish more than anything I could turn back time. If I could, I wouldn’t have divorced her. I wouldn’t have kicked her out. I would’ve done whatever it took to make our marriage work, but it’s too late for that.
When Raymond senses how down I look, he leans in again.
"I think it’s too late for that, Maximus. You chose her stepsister over her. There’s no way she’s coming back to you. And on the day you chose to divorce her? It was your wedding anniversary. That was harsh, man."
I bite my lip in frustration as I remember how heartbroken Selene looked that day.
The look in her eyes was filled with so much hatred. She never stared at me that way when we were together. Instead, she always looked at me with so much love in her eyes.
I took her for granted. I took advantage of her kind heart, and now I’ll live with the regret for the rest of my life.
I thought everything would be perfect once I married Jess. I thought I would still love her the way I did before she disappeared before our wedding, but the spark is slowly dying. I don’t even think there’s any love left anymore.
All I have for her now is just an obligation because we have a child together, and I don’t want to be the kind of father who abandons his children.
I think that’s one of the reasons I’m still married to Jess. Our marriage hasn’t been smooth sailing. We argue sometimes over the most ridiculous things, and I’m getting fed up with her constant jealousy and possessiveness.
It’s making me spend extra hours at the office, unlike when I was with Selene. Back then, I returned home, but now, I just give Jess the cold shoulder.
"I know, okay? I know I screwed up. You don’t have to rub it in my face all the time, Raymond.” I roll my eyes at him again before grabbing the glass of wine in front of me. I gulp it down in an instant. "I already go through enough hell at home. I don’t need it at work. But maybe it was meant for me to meet Selene again."
He laughs.
"You should’ve seen the way she looked, Raymond. So different. Even more beautiful than before, but so different in how she acted. She didn’t even pay attention to me. How am I supposed to get her to talk to me if she keeps denying that she’s my ex-wife?" I set my cup down and start tapping my fingers on the table, looking conflicted.
I can close business deals in less than a minute. People invest in my company, and I have thousands of employees working for me at different branches. I have enough money and assets to be called a billionaire. I’m the most important person in this city, and yet when it comes to talking to my ex-wife, I’m completely nervous.
I was so stupid. I lost the best thing that ever happened to me, all because of my own selfish ego.
I couldn’t fight for her, and I believed every lie that was told to me. I didn’t give Selene the benefit of the doubt. Every day I wake up is a constant reminder of how much I screwed up.
I can’t believe Selene is turning me into a high school boy all over again. I wasn’t even this nervous talking to a girl back in high school. Selene has so much of an effect on me.
I smile when I remember her face. She looked so pretty when she was angry.
"Are you okay, Max, or have you totally lost it? Why the hell are you smiling?" Raymond smirks, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Besides, you know there’s no way you can get her to talk to you. Maybe she’s right. Maybe she isn’t Selene."
I frown. What the hell is he saying?
“She may be Dr. Andrea, as she told you. People can look like each other. I’ve seen so many cases like that. You know Jess’s father isn’t exactly a saint, right?”
He furrows his brows, trying to make sense of it, but he’s not even coming close.
“Maybe he slept with someone, and they had Dr. Andrea. Selene may not be her. You’re clearly mistaking her for someone else. She wouldn’t treat you this way if she were really your ex-wife.”
I harden my gaze at Raymond, and he snickers.
“Yes. A total stranger banned me from coming to her hospital, told my mother she didn’t care if I’ve been miserable without her, and glared at me like I killed her pet.You weren’t there, Raymond. That’s why you’re making all these annoying assumptions. I’m telling you, Dr. Andrea and Selene are the same person.”
Is he really serious right now? Does Selene have a twin? Since when was that even possible? As far as I know, Mr. Norman had only two daughters, Jess and Selene. That nasty old man doesn’t really know how to keep a secret.
If he had an affair, I’m sure everyone would know. He always had a thing for bragging, especially at big events. He doesn’t understand what a secret is.
I wouldn’t even bet on what Raymond just said.
“She’s not telling me otherwise, and I won’t stop until she talks to me again. She’s the only person I can think about right now. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m crazy in love with Selene, and I’m willing to make this work again.”
Raymond nods, smiling.
“Just one problem, Max. What about Jess?”
- Writer
