Understanding that I've lost the love of my life

**STEVEN WOLKER’S POV**

A week later…

I was on the verge of losing my mind, searching for news of Sophie and finding nothing; she had become an enigma. I was trying to focus on the notebook in front of me, but all those words were scrambling my mind in an absurd way. I couldn't think straight, couldn't eat properly, and couldn't even sleep, and it was showing in my appearance.

I grabbed my phone in a hurry and for the thousandth time dialed Sophie's number only to have it disconnected, and I realized she had gotten rid of that number. This made communication even more difficult; I had to find some clue about her.

There was a knock on the door, and the secretary came in, holding her iPad, trying to indicate pending appointments.

"Mr. Wolker, I think you forgot about the meeting that was supposed to start fifteen minutes ago, and the investors are waiting."

I looked up, damn it! I had completely forgotten. I got up, buttoned my blazer, and hurried to the meeting room. When I entered, everyone was irritated because punctuality in business was essential. Indeed, its absence was affecting every aspect of my life.

"You look terrible, Wolker," one of the partners stated as I sat at the head of the table. I had a mirror at home and didn't need anyone reminding me how defeated I looked. But I wouldn't disrespect another partner unless I wanted the company to go under. The business management we offered was extensive and involved a lot of money, so a negative perception of the company at this time would not be good.

We started the meeting, and I tried to pay maximum attention even though it was almost impossible because all my thoughts were focused on that woman who turned my life upside down.

"Where's your planning supervisor? I can see a striking difference in these new plans here!" one of them complained.

"She needed... to take some time off indefinitely. I hope she'll be back at the company soon."

"We hope so too, look at this..." Another one threw the papers on the table.

It was incredible how she had become essential in all areas. I squeezed the corners of my eyes with my fingers and closed them for a few seconds without any idea of how I was going to deal with it.

"I promise to find a new temporary planning supervisor worthy of Sophie. I ask for everyone's patience."

My patience was not at its best, and I silently thanked that it was ending. When I reached the point where I couldn't stand being there anymore, I went back to my grandmother's house. I wanted to return to the house where I lived with Sophie, but at this point, it would be too painful because I would imagine her there countless times, especially the son we lost; how would everything be now?

I hurried in, going straight to Leon's room. I knocked on the door, and he opened it with a towel around him, drying his hair. I ignored him and entered the room hastily.

"You're pretty bold, brother, if I were with my girlfriend..."

"But you're not!"

I turned to face him; I needed to use every possible means to find her. The more time passed, the more I felt she was distancing herself, not physically but emotionally.

"It's precisely about Sally that I've come to talk. She's Sophie's friend. She probably keeps in touch. Try to find out from her if she knows anything."

It might have been one of the few chances I had to find out my wife's whereabouts as soon as possible. I had the impression that the more time passed, the more she might be forgetting me, and that guy didn't sit well with me, perhaps because he was someone I should have been to her.

"Well, she hasn't said anything up to this point. She's coming to dinner tonight, so you can ask her directly."

I was glad to hear that; it was a glimmer of hope. However, small.

__________________________

I rush down the stairs, heading towards the dining room, knowing Sally was there and it would be the opportunity to inquire about Sophie's whereabouts. As I enter the room, I notice everyone at the table looking at me, surprised by my disheveled arrival.

"So, Sally, do you know about Sophie?" I ask straight away.

"Come on, man, good evening first... breathe!" I realize my rudeness; my anxiety was so overwhelming that I didn't think twice before asking. I notice she takes a sip of water and looks at me awkwardly.

"Mr. Wolker..."

"Steven, please, you're my brother's girlfriend, not at the company now," I avoid formalities.

"Okay, Steven... I don't know about her. We haven't spoken in days!"

That was the worst answer I could hear at that moment. It confirmed even more that she wouldn't return, that her decision was final and that I wouldn't see her again. Everyone looked at me, feeling sympathetic towards my reaction. I didn't feel comfortable, so I took a few steps back, trying to disguise my discontentment, and turned away.

"Dear, join us for dinner," my grandmother invites.

"I'm not hungry, Grandma."

I left without looking at them; I felt like a complete idiot, and now even more so. Trying to portray an image of being okay when I wasn't was utterly pointless. So I left home that night for that reason, driving aimlessly to many places. I started passing by some like a lunatic, thinking I might occasionally find Sophie there, but it was utterly useless.

Everyone had already gone to bed when I returned home, and I thanked them for that. I went upstairs feeling quite dejected. It was time to return to the house where we lived. However, I would do that after going to the company.

The next day, I arrived at the company and had a good idea as I walked. Since I don't know how she left the company, if she had just taken a leave of absence, I would know because it would still be active in her contract. I hurried to HR to find out more information.

When I got there, everyone was surprised because my appearances in that department were not so common. I entered the room, and people organized their desks, but I didn't care. If they thought I would be bothered by something trivial, never!

"What do I owe the honor, Mr. Wolker? Here in HR?" the director speaks excitedly.

"I need to know details about someone, her contract!"

"Sure, what's the name?"

"Sophie Madson."

He confirms and looks at the computer, typing something, which makes me apprehensive. Everything I thought would work out becomes even more frustrating.

"Sir, she resigned. That's all that's on record here."

I stopped immediately, swallowed hard, and asked him to repeat that information in detail. I couldn't believe it; she really left everything behind. Then, a sad reality fell upon me. It was as if a small voice whispered in my ear, "Understand once and for all that you've lost!"