The Wife He Never Loved

Chapter Seven

Adams Pov

I woke up with this heaviness in my heart. I had barely slept ever since my wife left me. My wife?... The word sounded really odd in my mouth. I have never seen Evie as my wife nor have I given her the privilege to be one to me. I promise to make things right.

I sluggishly stood up from the bed to get ready to face the board of the company today. The board of directors are beginning to doubt my leadership skills over the company, and that is because investors started pulling out the moment news about my marriage broke out to the public.

If I can't manage and keep my marriage, how can I control such a big enterprise without pulling it down. So they thought. Things hadn't been smooth ever since she left. My life sucks!

Entering the office, I could hear whispers of every worker, eyes so fixed on me. It got me all worked up and I showed them, I own them and not the other way round.

“Be ready to lose your job or you go back to work!” I vented out my anger,looking around to find a scapegoat.

Seeing none, I walked into my private elevator and pressed the top floor number, heading to the boardroom. My stern look never leaves my face.

I walked into the board room and was a little taken aback when I saw everyone sitting with an unimpressed look written all over their faces, including my Father. Not like I was surprised, I expected it anyways. Instantly, I knew this is going to be a long meeting that won't end well because the projected screen that's being displayed before everyone, still had the news headline that has made stock investors back out from signing a deal with the company.

‘The Billionaire Heir’s Wife Vanishes Amidst Cheating Scandal’

Nevertheless, I walked over to my seat which was at the end of the long glass table.

Clenching and unclenching my jaws, I slightly leaned back into my seat. “Let's get this over with”. As soon as the words left my mouth, murmurs broke out among the board members.

One of the board members, Mr Halverson, cleared his throat. “This isn't something we can ‘get over with’ Adams” he stated. “The Investors are pulling out and the company is losing its light all because of your scandals”.

“Mr Halverson, may I remind you that this is a private matter.” I replied coolly. “My marriage is not company business”.

Another member scoffed. “It became the company's business the moment your private life started tanking stock confidence.”

“The public grew fond of our company all because of your marriage.” A woman I know as Mrs Deslon, spoke bluntly from across the table. “Your marriage made you look stable, reformed and responsible. And now she's gone, every one of your scandals before you married her is being dugged up and dragged back to limelight” she added, looking at me with distaste.

It's true that the truth tastes bitter. Dreading their decisions, I asked. “So what do you want?”

Silence fell. One could easily hear the drop of a pin.

My father's voice cut through the silence. “You will step back from facing the public in every of our adverts and promotions for the next six months”

“That's not happening, Father” I voiced out, readjusting my sitting positions and sitting upright.

“You don't have a choice, Adams.” My father replied evenly. “This is the nicest we can be. You'll retain your title as the Acting CEO but every decision you must take henceforth regarding the company must have to go through me and through the board members. No interviews, No appearances in business gatherings and No public meetings” he concluded.

I can't believe this! This isn't happening. My mind began racing all inside.

“You are grounding me?” I laughed humourlessly.

“We are containing the damage done and trying all possible best to maintain it, Adams” My father corrected. “And there's more.”

My chest tightened.

“If this divorce leaks to the public in any way” my father continued. “You'll leave us no choice but to reconsider your position as the CEO of The Tyler International Holdings”

The words hit harder than I had expected. I looked around for a minute, glancing through every face and then back to my father's.

“You're threatening me?” I said slowly.

“This is not a threat, my son” My father looked at me as though he was looking through my soul. “This is a call to fix your image and also the company's. The board members have decided to be lenient based on my plea as your father. You must do what is right or you should be ready to leave your position for good!” He dangerously but calmly replied.

I stood up abruptly, my chair scraping loudly against the floor. I was beyond angry and I needed to vent it out. “Meeting adjourned!” I snapped and walked out without another word.

_____

“Hey Peter” I greeted the bartender, as I sat at the counter, loosening my tie.

“Hello sir” he greeted. “Give me my normal” I requested. Waiting for my order, I looked around the bar and I saw how bodies were smashing bodies, couples kissing and almost getting themselves naked.

On a normal day, I'd have been attracted by such a sight but today, I wasn't even moved.

“I guess the meeting went bad after all” I heard Dylan's familiar voice, erupting from my back.

I didn't need to look up because I could sense his presence already. “You could say that”. I replied as I grabbed the two whiskey bottles I ordered, pouring it into the shot glass. I had made up my mind to drink to stupor. At least, I'll forget about my problems for a while.

Dylan slid into the stool beside me, signaling to the bartender to give him a drink.

“How did the meeting go? With the board members” he asked

I exhaled sharply “My position is at stake, Dylan” I took another shot. “I'm grounded for six months from making decisions for the company and also promoting the advert brands under TIH(Tyler International Holdings).

“Hmmmm…. You kinda deserve it though” he carefully stated, studying me carefully. “By the way, you look like hell”

“Not in the mood” I took another drink, the burn doing nothing to settle the pressure in my chest.

I could feel his eyes on me and I know he has something to say.

“Say it” I demanded

“Say what?” he asked innocently.

“Talk Dylan. I know when something is eating you up” I looked at him.

“Right. You know me well enough to depict I've always wanted to lash you out with words” he started.

“You deserve every pain you're going through now and even more. You treated Evie like she was a piece of s**t even when I kept pleading, you should be nice to her. Even if you won't acknowledge her as your wife,you should have been patient enough to get to know her!” His voice was laced with so much disappointment.

“You cheated on her because you care less about her feelings, forgetting the fact that she's also human and she has feelings too. She is a very nice woman. The first conversation I had with her, I knew she's the perfect lady for you and anyone could clearly see she loves you even when you don't deserve it…bu..”

I interrupted him. “I never promised her love, Dylan. She agreed to this marriage without my consent.”

“No,” Dylan agreed quietly. “but you promised her dignity. The moment you got married to her even if it was an arranged marriage by your parents.”

My grip tightened around my glass. I spoke up, facing Dylan completely. “She knew who I was yet she chose this”

“I know she wouldn't choose to be humiliated this much,” he said, leaning close to me.

I had nothing to say anymore. I let the silence speak for me.

“She'll come back” I muttered, looking away.

“I don't think so, Adams,” he replied, shaking his head slowly.

“I know so. According to what my mom told me, she's without a family because she has never mentioned any” I sighted.

“That's the problem right there,” Dylan said. “People don't leave when they have options. They leave when staying destroys them”

His words sank really deep, piercing my heart and making me feel pains I've never felt before.

I gulped down a shot “I've tried tracking her but I couldn't find her. Leo couldn't find her. You know how skilled he is. She seems as though she has disappeared from the surface of the earth” I sighed

His phone rings…

I picked up my ringing phone from my pocket. It was Leo

Leo: Mr Tyler, there's good news!...