Chereads / My wild boss / Chapter 38 - 38

Chapter 38 - 38

The next day:

"It's only 6 in the morning, can't you wait until Jay wakes up?" Steph said to Felix, "you know I can't do that, employees are waiting for me. This project is not one I can slack on."

Felix replied.

"I promise you once I'm done with it, I'll spend more time with you, Jay, and our precious babies." He smiled.

Stephanie stood in the doorway of their bedroom, arms folded across her chest, watching as Felix quickly buttoned his shirt, his mind clearly already on the work ahead. His words felt like a script, promises she'd heard too many times before, and yet there was a part of her that still wanted to believe him.

"Felix," she began, her voice quieter than she intended. "You've been saying that for months now. I know your job is important, but… when is this going to change? When do we become a priority again?"

He paused, his hands stilling as he adjusted his collar, and for a moment, he looked at her—really looked at her. He walked to her cupped her face and kissed her, "I'm really sorry, I'm sorry. I promise after all of this you will have me all to yourself."

Stephanie closed her eyes as Felix kissed her, feeling the warmth of his lips but also the distance between them. His words, though soft and apologetic, didn't fully reach her heart. She wanted to believe him, wanted to hold onto the hope that once this project was done, things would go back to the way they used to be.

But deep down, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that these were just words—another promise made in the moment, only to be broken when the next project came along.

She gently pulled back, her hands resting on his chest as she met his gaze. "Felix, I don't want just words. I don't want promises that keep getting pushed further and further away."

"You promised me that you'll be here through the pregnancy, but it just feels like when I was pregnant with Jay." She told him.

Felix's face tightened as he heard Stephanie's words. The mention of her pregnancy hit him hard, and for a moment, he was speechless. He knew exactly what she meant. When she was pregnant with Jay, he had abandoned her through the pregnancy.

"I didn't mean to make you feel this way, after today I'll be next to you every time you need." He reassured her, "You know I love you, I'll do anything for you." He cupped her face and kissed her forehead.

"If this continues I might have to rethink this whole thing, I never want to hurt Jay or our unborn kids. But I won't stay in a relationship where I'm constantly overthinking, Jay was so happy to have you back but now it feels you're drifting away from him." She told him.

"You dont Even have to care for me, I just want you to be their for Jay. Be his father."

Steph sniffled as she slowly pulled away from his embrace and walked over to the door, "I made a small breakfast plate for you, eat it before you leave." She said walking out the room."

Felix was left standing their his chest thighting by her words, after all this time he thought things were going perfectly with Steph. Especially with the news about the pregnancy, but I guesss his been to caught up in work to see that everything he tried to fix was crumbling down once again.

Felix stood frozen in the room, staring at the door as it gently closed behind Stephanie. Her words echoed in his mind, each one a dagger that left him feeling more and more helpless. How had he let things get this far?

He had thought that by working hard, by securing their future, he was doing the right thing for his family. But now, it was clear that all the long hours, the missed moments with Jay, and the broken promises had only pushed them further apart.

He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair as the guilt weighed heavier than ever. The news of their second pregnancy had felt like a fresh start, like a new chapter in their lives. But now, it just felt like another chance slipping through his fingers.

—————————

David's company:

"Is that all for today?" David asked Sarah his assistant as he sighed the last document, "Yes sir, but what do you want me to do about the dinner date tomorrow?" Sarah asked.

"Cancel it, tell them I have to deal with family matters." He told her.

"But sir, this is really important dinner." She protested, David got up grabbing his key and jacket getting ready to head out. "Well my wife and child comes first."

"But sir-" she said but David sushed her, "that's enough out of you Sarah, and make sure before you leave you send those documents to where they need to be." He told her.

"Next time don't try to protest against my words, if I say something it goes. You have no decision on what I say." He added as he walked out of the office.

In the parking lot as he was about to enter his car James suddenly appeared at the corner of his eye, "hardworking husband I see." James grinned as he walked up to him.

"Yeah, but you wouldn't know what that is." David replied, "Because you're to busy focusing on shit that doesn't envolove you." He added.

"You killed the-" David cutt him off, "This bullshit again, if you think that I killed her go down in hell and ask her yourself. Now if you would excuse me I have a family that's waiting for me." He got in the car started the engine and drove off leaving James standing there angry.

As David drove down the darkening streets, his mind drifted to his family. The thought of his wife and child always brought a sense of calm that he desperately needed after days like this. Work was relentless, and the tension with James had only made things worse. He couldn't understand why James kept dredging up the past—it was as if he was looking for someone to blame, someone to be angry at, and David happened to be the convenient target.

David's phone buzzed on the passenger seat beside him, jolting him from his thoughts. He glanced at the screen; it was Sarah again. Rolling his eyes, he considered letting it go to voicemail, but he decided to pick it up instead.

"Sir, I know you're probably on your way home, but Mr. Collins just called about the contract. He's insistent on discussing it before the weekend," she informed him, her voice tense.

"Sarah, I don't care if he's insistent," David replied, keeping his tone firm but calm. "I have given you clear instructions. Handle it or tell him to wait."

There was a pause on the other end. "Understood, sir," she replied quietly.

As he hung up, he let out a sigh. He had once enjoyed his job, the challenges and the victories that came with it. But lately, it had started to feel like a never-ending battle, with everyone around him expecting something. Maybe that was why he had become so short-tempered.

By the time he pulled into the driveway, his mood had softened. The warm lights from the house spilled onto the front lawn, and he felt a wave of relief wash over him. This was where he could let his guard down, where work and grudges didn't matter.

He stepped inside, greeted by the faint sound of laughter coming from the living room. He stepped inside, greeted by the faint sound of laughter coming from the living room. Mary appeared in the hallway, a gentle smile on her face as she noticed him.

"You're home," she said warmly, walking over to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Dinner's almost ready. Soren has been a little handful, can you help."

"Of course, where's my little boy at." He smiled as walked over to the living room where Soren was cuddled up in his little rocking chair. A huge smile appeared on his face as he saw Soren's little chubby face, "did you miss daddy!" He asked as he lifted him in his arms.

He let out a small goo with his little hands jumping up and down.

David chuckled softly, feeling his heart warm as he held his son close. Soren's tiny hands grasped at David's shirt, his big, curious eyes wide with joy. He bounced excitedly in his father's arms, letting out a string of adorable sounds, a language only he could understand but one David had come to treasure.

"Oh, I missed you too, little guy," David whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to Soren's forehead. It was moments like these that reminded him what he worked so hard for. The stress, the late nights, the constant battles with clients and co-workers—all of it faded into the background when he looked into his son's smiling face.

"Has he been a handful today?" David asked, turning to Mary as he rocked Soren in his arms.

"Oh, you have no idea," she laughed, rubbing her forehead playfully. "He refused to take his nap, and then he decided to make a mess of his lunch, all over the kitchen."

David raised an eyebrow, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Did he now? And where was Mommy during all of this chaos?"

"I was trying to contain it," Mary laughed, playfully swatting his arm. "But he was just full of energy today."

Soren let out a delighted squeal, as if he understood every word they were saying and wanted to chime in. David bounced him gently, eliciting a few more giggles from the boy, which filled the room with warmth.

"Looks like he's not slowing down anytime soon," David said, grinning. "Maybe he just needed a little daddy time."

Mary leaned against the doorway, watching the two of them with a soft expression. "It's like he knows when you're about to come home. He gets all fidgety around this time of day, almost like he's waiting for you."

David looked over at her, his heart swelling. "Guess that means I need to be here more often then, doesn't it?"

They shared a quiet smile, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Despite the demands of his job, David knew that Mary and Soren were his priority—the anchors that kept him grounded in the chaos of his career.

"Why don't you two go sit down? I'll finish up with dinner," Mary suggested, nodding towards the living room.

David nodded, carrying Soren over to the cozy armchair by the window. He sat down, settling his son comfortably on his lap. Soren leaned back against his father's chest, content and quiet now, occasionally babbling as he stared at his little hands, entranced by his own fingers.

As they sat there, David felt the tension in his shoulders melt away. The world outside—the office, the deadlines, even the unresolved tension with James—felt distant, almost insignificant.

Soren suddenly reached up, placing his tiny hand on David's cheek, his expression full of wonder. David smiled, pressing his hand over his son's, feeling the warmth of the little fingers that were still so new to the world.

"Are you tired now, buddy?" David whispered, but Soren just looked at him, wide-eyed and curious.

The room filled with a comfortable silence, interrupted only by Soren's occasional babbling and the faint sounds of Mary moving around in the kitchen. David closed his eyes, savoring the moment. There was something so simple, so pure about being here, in his own home, holding his son close. This was what he had been looking forward to all day—a break from the demands, a chance to just be a father, a husband.

A few minutes later, Mary called from the kitchen. "Dinner's ready! You two better come before it gets cold."

David got to his feet, lifting Soren and resting him on his hip. "All right, little man, let's go see what Mommy's made for us."

As they headed to the dining room, David felt a pang of gratitude for this life he'd built with Mary. It wasn't perfect—there were always challenges, both at work and at home. But he knew he wouldn't trade it for anything.

They sat down together at the table, with Soren babbling happily in his high chair as Mary served the food. David reached across the table to take her hand for a moment, giving it a gentle squeeze. She looked up, surprised but smiling, as they shared a quiet moment of gratitude for their family.

"Thanks for waiting for me," David said softly, his eyes meeting hers. "I know it hasn't been easy with how things have been at work."

Mary's smile softened, and she squeezed his hand back. "You're here now, that's what matters."

They started their meal, the warmth of the evening wrapping around them like a blanket. David knew that, no matter what challenges awaited him the next day, this—his family, their quiet moments together—was the reason he'd always keep coming home.

TBC