Mad Girl Publishing

Dear Wife was a WIP I never got around to. Maybe someday! In the meantime, enjoy what I’ve written so far. (Subject to change in the future if I start back up again.)

Prologue

Max

“No. Absolutely not. There has to be another way.”

Despite the snowfall that was soaking into my dark hair, heat poured from my skin making me sweat as I stared-down my father in front of his multi-million-dollar mansion. My head was still shaking, and I somehow couldn’t get my mouth to close at the shock of his order. 

“There’s no other way, Max. You’re going to marry Pamela before the next two weeks is out. What the hell were you thinking?” he snapped. “You take advantage of my biggest client’s daughter, knock her up, and think you can just walk away from that? No. You’re taking responsibility for what you’ve done. You’re marrying her. Cecil is already aware that you’re going to propose tonight.”

“Tonight?”

The ground shifted beneath my feet, and I tried to fight back the anger and panic that was swarming within. Hell, I hadn’t seen Pam since that night. Pregnant? Was she? Why didn’t she come to me? Why didn’t she tell me? I had used protection, but obviously it hadn’t been good enough. She had told me that she wasn’t on anything, but I’d trusted the condom I couldn’t get unwrapped fast enough. 

Married? Jesus, this wasn’t happening. 

“Dad—”

“You’re wasting my time. Don’t you need to be out buying a ring?”

My fingers slid through my damp hair, and I tried to slow my breathing. My entire life I listened to what my father told me. I couldn’t do it anymore. 

“What if I say no?”

Dark brown eyes nearly disappeared from his lowering lids. “Do you really have to ask? I’ll disown you. You’ll be out on your ass with no money and no job. I’ll make your life a living hell. You will not embarrass me this way!”

Red tinted his face like it always did when he lost his temper. It was rarely directed at me, but this time there was no escaping his wrath. 

I flexed my jaw repeatedly, standing taller as I let his reality for me sink in. Married to Pamela, a stranger for the most part — and me, a father at the age of twenty-six? Fuck, I’d never seen my life going this way. I had never even pictured myself as a dad.

“Look on the positive side,” he said, lowering his voice. “It’s happening, and your choice could have been a lot worse. Pamela Phillips is the daughter of a very wealthy man. She’s polished and beautiful. Most of all, you’ll have more power than I ever did. Take it for all its worth. Love her, or don’t. I don’t give a shit. But you better not mess this up. It’s a damn good match, Max.” 

His hand clamped on my shoulder and I saw the underlining threat as his eyes bore into mine. It didn’t matter. Nothing would if I followed his orders. 

“I can’t. I won’t do it because you say I have to. I’ll take care of what’s mine, but not for you. Not anymore.”

Chapter 1

Pam

“Kill it! Kill it! Don’t … Wait! Jesus!”

The high pitch yells were followed by Geoff’s voice cracking. I couldn’t do anything but hold to the shoe and stare in nothing short of shock while he sidestepped, keeping his focus on the wall. For a man who was nearly six feet tall and widely built, his strong persona melted at the sight of one tiny bug. 

“Oh, God, it’s moving. Kill it!”

“It’s just a jumping spider. It’s not going to hurt you.” 

I reached over, opening the window from my second story apartment, tapping the shoe along the seal as it scattered onto the brick-lining outside. Geoff rushed forward, slamming the glass shut before I could so much as move out of the way.

“Tiny? That thing was huge. Did you report your pest problem to maintenance like I told you?”

“Pest problem? I think it’s the same spider as before—”

“Then kill it, already. I don’t see how you can live like this. What if it crawls in your mouth while you sleep? Or bites you?”

I laughed, letting my shoe drop as I slid it back on. “I’m sure I’ll be fine. It’s outside now.”

“I don’t see why you’re so opposed to staying at my place. Pamela, we’ve been dating nearly five months. Move in with me. You know I love you. I’ve told you countless times.”

My lips pressed together and the smile melted from my face as I stepped back. “Actually, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about that. About us.”

When Geoff came forward, I couldn’t help but step back. The grin he sported melted away and his brow creased as he studied me. 

“You said that last week. Are you going to try to break up with me again?”

My lips separated and I clasped my hands. “I’m sorry. I just feel—”

“Is it because of the spider? I can kill it next time. I was just caught off guard. That’s all.”

“Of course it’s not the spider. I told you weeks ago that I wanted to slow down. I love the time we spend together. You’re a fantastic guy. I just think you’re not the one.”

“It’s the money, isn’t it? I don’t make enough to impress your dad.”

Anger flared while I tried to hold in my temper. One that got me into more trouble than I wanted to think about. I was bred for the battles of facing my father’s board. Power was in my blood, and what my father enforced in me since I was young would never leave. Unfortunately for my father, I didn’t take the path he had prayed I would. I couldn’t after our blowout. “That has nothing to do with it. Do not for one second bring my father into this. Does it look like I’m surrounded by luxury? I make my own money. I don’t take his. And truthfully, what you make at your job doesn’t matter to me in the least.”

“Then what is it?”

I turned my back to him, letting out a deep sigh. Flashes of Max—of the man who defied both of our fathers—blinded me. Maybe the what-ifs would always haunt me. We could have been married right now. Or, maybe not. Maybe we wouldn’t have worked out if I would have left with him. I would never know. The four months he tried to convince me were ones I’d never forget. He was so sweet. So … determined after my initial rejection. He tried to convince me that we could make this work. Before we could really figure anything out, the heartbreak of my loss happened. I refused to see anyone for weeks following the car accident. The heated fight that followed led me to say things I regretted. And then he was gone. Gone from all of us.

 “I just can’t,” I breathed out. “I’m sorry, Geoff. I tried to warn you. I told you I wasn’t looking for anything serious when we met. Things just escalated over time, and I have to be honest with you about where I stand. Your declarations of love and proposals that we move in together is too much. You deserve to find someone who is looking for the same thing as you. That person is not me.” 

“You just need more time. That’s all. I can back off. I can take things slower.”

I gave a hard shake, turning back to face him. “I let you convince me of that before and nothing has slowed. If anything, you’ve become more persistent. I’m sorry, but I can’t see you anymore.”

My stomach twisted in knots. I hated being the bad guy, and that’s how I felt, but I shouldn’t have. I was being true to myself and that’s what mattered. 

“Don’t make any rash decisions. I’ll give you some time,” he said, running his fingers through his sandy blond hair. “You just need some space. I can understand that.”

Aggravation swept through. “No. You don’t understand. I don’t need time. We’re over. This isn’t going to work. You need to go.”

Anger and sadness masked his face while he stared at me. Moments passed before his lids lowered and he stalked to the door. When his hand stopped at the knob, I braced myself for what I knew was coming. This wasn’t the first time I had to end things with a man. There had been a good handful since Max.

“You’re making a big mistake.”

“Goodbye, Geoff.”

The door swung open, slamming in his departure. A pent-up breath left me, and I headed for the door, locking it. I should have felt upset for ending something that could have been good for me, but in my moment, all I felt was relief.  And longing. A pull to a man who probably didn’t even remember me. 

Seven years had passed since Max and I stood outside my parent’s house—me in tears, and him begging for me to run away with him. I didn’t. It seemed petty that what I secretly loved about him was what left me afraid to follow his lead. He defied our parents. He had been disinherited. And I was the cause of that. Why, in that moment, did I not choose him? Why didn’t the magnitude of our situation sink in? 

Maybe inside I knew the truth. Hadn’t I been a mirror to Max after he left? I followed in his footsteps, leaving my own father’s plans he had for me. The decision devastated my parents, but Max had always stressed for me to follow my heart. And I had. My heart—his heart. I left, just as I felt I needed to. But it was hard to follow something that was already gone. 

“You don’t have to stay. Your father doesn’t own you. Come with me, Pam. Just because we lost our child doesn’t mean I’m finished with you. I love you. I see that now. When I thought I lost you, it destroyed me. I know three months isn’t a long time, but every day I want to be with you even more. I don’t want anyone else. Please. Let’s go.” 

“Max, I can’t.”

“You can,” he stressed. “What does your heart say? Do you feel nothing for me?”

I blinked away the rest of the scene, remembering the isolation I suffocated myself with. Then, weeks later, the argument that followed with my father. 

“Are you going on a trip?”

My mother’s spoon hesitated just outside of her lips as she and my father peered up from the large dining room table. My suitcase and bags were resting at my feet and although I wasn’t necessarily afraid of my parents, I did respect their opinions. 

“I’m moving to the city. I found a place and a job there.”

“A job? You have a job with me when you’re not in school.”

Slowly, my head shook at my father. “I’ve found a new one.”

“Doing what?” My mother asked, cautiously.

I paused, looking between them. “There was a posting online for a teacher’s aide. I got the job. I’m going to be changing my degree to education.”

“You what?”

My mother’s mouth separated as her gaze shot to my father. 

“She’s lost her mind. She’s been in that room too long. I told you, Daniella. I said ‘get that girl out of there’ but did you listen? You said she needed time. Now, look at her? Fancying some outrageous dream of teaching. Teaching,” he roared, making her jump.

“Deep depression, maybe? I could call Dr. Daily and have him come over.”

“Mom, no.” I walked forward, trying to ignore that my dad was now standing. “I’m not doing this from depression. I’m doing this for me. I want to teach. I’ve always wanted to teach. I’m sorry. I love working with you dad, but I don’t think that’s what’s right for me.”

“It’s that boy. Max,” he growled. “Is that what you’re planning? To live some blue-collar life with your construction worker boyfriend? Tell me, Pamela, how will that work out? Do you think you’ll be happy struggling to put food on the table? Scraping your pennies together so your lights won’t get cut off? Coming to me when you need money? I’ve been there. I will not have that for you! I forbid it.”

“You forbid me being happy?”

“Happy? Pamela, honey, you won’t be happy living that life,” my mom said, softly. “Max was a great guy and maybe if he goes home and patches things up with his father, we can overlook—”

“This isn’t about Max! This is about me. I have to do this. I have to see how this plays out for myself.”

My father walked around the chair, stopping when he was only a few feet away.

“All you’ll see is hardship. If you walk out that door …”

Silence only stretched out for a few seconds. I looked from him to my mother, wiping away the tear that escaped as I lowered and grabbed my bags. My action was only the beginning of our true fight. One that still lingered until this day.