Chapter 107

Sarina

Two days had passed, and Maximus and I still hadn't spoken, although he kept trying. I was still hurt and didn't want to cry in front of him anymore.

I felt guilty and a bit embarrassed for slapping his secretary, who turned out to be Aries' girlfriend. I wanted to speak to her and personally apologize. From Maximus' expression when he revealed who Lavinia really was, I knew nothing had happened between them. Still, it hurt that he kicked me out, giving the shallow excuse that he was just surprised or shocked.

It was Saturday, so Maximus was home, but he was in his mini office talking to Aries. Earlier, he had been playing with the kids, and excused himself to speak with his assistant for a moment.

I waited for their conversation to end, watching for him to come out. "I want to tell you something," I said. He nodded quickly and moved closer to touch me, but I stepped away and walked into his office.

Maximus followed me and sat down at his desk while I remained standing in front of him. "Can you stop that?"

"Stop what?"

"Why are you standing there like you're one of my employees?" he said, annoyed, but I ignored it and got straight to my point.

"I'm going back to school." He didn't react; he just stared at me, waiting for me to say more.

"Alright. From the beginning, you've known I'd never stop you from doing what you want, and I'll always support you."

"Thank you," I replied, ready to leave, but he spoke again.

"Can we talk now?"

"No."

"Please, Sarina, let's fix this." His voice was filled with desperation, and I wanted to feel sorry for him. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to yell at or throw you out of my office. I swear, I regret it."

He stood from his seat and quickly moved toward me, probably worried I would pull away again. He hugged me so tightly I couldn't escape, so I let him.

"I miss you, my wife. I miss you so much. I'll do anything to earn your forgiveness. And I swear on my parents' graves, I never cheated or even looked at another woman with desire," he said, rubbing my back and kissing the top of my head.

"You're the only one, my wife. The only woman I want. Damn, one of the reasons we have so many kids is so you'd never think of leaving me. So you'd have no way out. You don't know how scared I was, wondering if I was enough for you and if there was anything more you needed. I wanted to make sure you'd find everything you desired and sought in me. Because everything I want is already in you."

I wasn't made of stone and I truly loved him, so I couldn't stop myself from hugging him back, my tears flowing. I buried my face in his chest. "I'm so sorry, my wife."

I could feel his remorse in the way he clung to me as if he couldn't bear the thought of losing me. I missed this feeling-the certainty that I was the only woman he loved, that he would never leave me.

"I'm so sorry for making you feel insecure, my wife. I didn't realize. I never wanted you to go through that. Whatever you're dealing with, whatever's making you hurt and lose confidence in yourself, I want to be a part of it. I want to be there for you, to share the burden."

"I thought-"

"Shh... You're the only one I'll love until my last breath. You've never lacked anything. You're more than enough. I never imagined I'd be lucky enough to marry a Superwoman," he said, pushing me slightly away and lifting my face. He looked into my eyes, wiping away the tears streaming down my cheeks.

I noticed his eyes glistened with tears, so I also reached up to wipe them. He took my hand, kissed it, and said, "I'm sorry, my wife. I've been so thoughtless. But you-while our family grew, so did your responsibilities. I never once considered that you might have been forgetting about yourself."

"It's not like that-" I didn't want him to think that way, so I tried to stop him, but he didn't let me.

"I was too careless. I know you wanted to become a doctor, but I never even asked if you still wanted to study again."

"You asked if I wanted to work again."

"That's different, my wife. Being a doctor is your dream. I should have given you the chance to finish school before we had more children. This is all my fault. Out of my fear of losing you, I trapped you in the responsibilities of our family."

"I wanted to have more children, too. It's not your fault. I was the one who always spread my legs for you." He chuckled at my words.

"My wife, I want you to be open with me. Whatever you're feeling is, tell me. Don't hide anything. I can be slow and oblivious sometimes, so you have to let me know. I don't want us to go without talking. I don't want to sleep at night without holding you."

When he said that, I realized he hadn't changed in that regard. Even when I thought he might be with someone else, I would still wake up at night in his arms. Maybe I was wrong, too. As Dr. Susan would say, I had doubted him, wallowing in self-pity-a postpartum episode.

"I'm sorry for doubting you. I didn't know what to do when I saw you with your secretary. You were so close to her. She's beautiful and sexy, and I thought I'd changed so much that you-"

"I never looked at any other woman. Remember that, my wife. I'm like a horse on a race track with blinders on-I only see you, and you're the only one I'm running toward. You're my only finish line." I smiled at his words, knowing our relationship would be better from now on. I took a deep breath, stood on my toes, and kissed him.

He quickly wrapped his arms around me, and I did the same around his neck. "Fuck! I miss you so much, my wife," he said as our lips parted briefly, only to meet again.