Chapter 30
FELIX
I sat in my home office, staring down at the manila folder on my desk as if it were going to attack me.
I had PTSD or something, the shade and colour sending me spiralling back to that boardroom—a time and place I desperately wanted to forget.
I opened one side, tentatively slipping the documents free. A familiar chill penetrated inward, causing my eyes to close on the impactful text, desperately hoping they would just disappear.
My divorce was settled. Stella was no longer mine.
I leant back, my palms digging into my eye sockets, trying to prevent the torrent of tears trying to break through.
The end was inevitable. But that didn’t stop my heart from aching for her, forever missing my wife—ex-wife.
Six months of mediation had brought us to that conclusion.
Due to my circumstances, Stella received primary care of Eli and Phoenix. However, they came over most weekends, and stayed whenever they requested.
Michael was currently negotiating on my behalf to alter the specific conditions of my sentence, so I could be granted to drop off and pick up the boys from school.
I had been trying hard, choosing to pour everything into my sons. I wanted to be better than my parents, better than my previous self.
My kids deserved all of me, and that was what they got. If only I’d come to the realisation sooner.
I managed to keep the house, thanks to my father, who stepped up and offered to pay Stella her share.
That had been another surprise and gift that I’d gladly taken.
Dad was trying to make amends the only way he knew how—through financial means.
But that was the stepping stone for us to reconnect and possibly create something more meaningful.
I had insisted on paying him back, and accepted a job at his company, although the debt would probably take the remainder of my lifespan to clear.
It was a fall from grace, going from CEO of a multi-million-dollar company to entry level administrative work.
But I had no complaints, knowing I was luckier than most. I wasn’t about to let the opportunity go to waste.
Despite my new reconnection with my father, there were appropriate boundaries set in place, as I was especially protective of Eli and Phoenix.
I’d also never do anything to jeopardise Stella’s trust again.
She had been gracious throughout the betrayal and the aftermath that followed, so the least she deserved was full transparency.
Surprisingly, Dad understood. As age and time caught up with him, he soon realised that he’d end up alone. So, that was how the most stubborn man I’d ever known surprised me, proving that change was never too late.
It was early days, but I was proud of him.
Inhaling deeply, my palm skimmed over the documents, my fingers catching on a bulge left behind in the envelope. I flipped the paper, and a small trinket fell out, spinning across the surface to halt right in front of me.
The expensive platinum band gleamed in mockery, a stark reminder of all my failings wrapped into one. It was the ring I had gifted Stella on our ten-year anniversary—the same exact piece that Heather wore on her finger before hers was repossessed.
My mind was reeling, my thoughts conflicted.
Why did Stella bother giving it back? Why did she keep it for so long? And why does this not feel like a coincidence?
My fingers tapped against the desk, instinct warring at me to push a little further.
I picked up my phone and called. I had no doubt I was a paranoid idiot, but I had to follow through.
“Everlasting Diamonds, how may I help you?”
“Hi, this is Felix Johnson. I have an enquiry about a purchase I made earlier this year.”
“Welcome back, Mr Johnson. I’ll be glad to assist you.”
I knew something was off. Everlasting Diamonds was Stella’s favourite high-end jewellery store that specialised in signature designs. Over the years, I had built a rapport with the manager to the point I could call on a whim, and they would select a few pieces that best fit Stella’s style.
Our latest anniversary was one of those occasions, and they had sworn to me that they’d chosen the best work for my wife.
Hence why I was surprised that there was a repeat design sold to another. After I probed with the necessary questions, the store manager returned with a few clicks on a computer keypad sounding in the background.
“Ah, I see what happened,” she said, her voice thick with amusement.
“Your wife called ahead of time and knew you’d contact us.
In preparation, she sent us detailed designs of what she’d like made.
She said it wasn’t her usual style, but she saw someone with a similar design and said she just had to have it. ”
I was shocked mute, the information confusing and entirely far-fetched. Did Stella get a custom piece made—an exact replica of Heather’s ring?
“Mr Johnson, are you there?”
I cleared my throat and huffed in confirmation, speechless.
“Your wife said she didn’t want to hurt your feelings, so might be best to keep this quiet. It was a rushed order, but we were happy with the end result.”
“When was the piece commissioned?” I croaked.
“Hmm. Six weeks before you picked it up. Was she happy with the ring?”
“Um. She definitely acted surprised.”
The lady on the phone chuckled. “Women know what they want, Mr Johnson. I’m glad we could provide another gift for your wife. Is there anything else?”
“No. Thank you for your help,” I said before hanging up.
Six weeks... Six weeks before our wedding anniversary. And based on the records from Heather’s transaction history, she had purchased her ring months before that one was made.
Which meant that Stella knew the whole time.
Why would she wait? Why orchestrate such a mess?
That was when everything clicked—she was testing me.
At that moment, our entire history played out before me. I had known her once, truly recognised every part of her. My girl had always been calculating, patient, resourceful. And I was starkly made aware of that clever tenacity being turned on me.
If I chose to dig deeper, what else would I find? I realised it didn’t matter.
I was a fool.
Picking up my phone once more, I called the number I knew by heart, just wanting to hear her voice.
“Felix?” Stella asked, voice wary.
“I-I…”
“You received the documents?” she asked.
“Yeah. And the… gift. Why did you wait?” To tell me, to say anything, to end things.
“I had to protect myself.”
She meant the prenup and the risk of me leaving her with nothing. I ran a hand through my hair, sadness weighing me down. “Fuck, I would have signed it all over, Stells. Despite everything, you could have trusted me with that.”
“No. I couldn’t trust you. Never again.”
“The ring—”
“That ring was your final opportunity,” she confessed, her voice hesitant.
“I-I don’t know. I think it was my last-ditch effort to see a change in you.
To see if you’d notice. To see if you cared enough to notice.
I wanted to see if my husband was still in there… That was truly the end for us, Felix.”
Each word was like a stab in my chest, each cut piercing deeper than the last. She was tearing me apart.
“I’m sorry,” I repeated. I was empty. What else was there to say?
“We were beautiful once,” she whispered, her tone nostalgic. “And we have two sons to show for it. But now it’s time to give them what you couldn’t give me.”
“I promise.”
“Good.” She paused, contemplating before following through. “Find happiness, Felix,” she said, giving me back my words.
Then she hung up.
Her statement was thoughtful—borderline caring, even. But I knew what she said was unobtainable.
I’d never find true happiness without her.