Chapter 9
After that chaotic wedding day, Calix and I settled into our new life together. The media frenzy eventually died down.
Thanks to Calix’s security team, no reporters had managed to photograph me or Karina, we were able to focus on building our life together.
For the first two years, everything was perfect. Calix was attentive and loving, making time for both me and Karina despite his demanding business.
But as Calix’s business empire expanded across Europe, he began traveling constantly. At first, he’d call multiple times a day and fly home at least twice a month, no matter where he was in the world.
“I miss my girls,” he’d say, bringing gifts from every corner of the globe.
Gradually, though, the calls became less frequent. The visits stretched from twice a month to once a month, then once every few months. When he was home, he was distracted, always on his phone or laptop.
By Karina’s fifth birthday, Calix had missed most of her school activities. He sent extravagant gifts, but they couldn’t replace his presence.
That night, I confronted him during our video call.
“You’re missing her childhood, Calix. She needs her father.”
He looked tired, the hotel room behind him anonymous and bland. “I know, I know. This expansion is critical, but it’s almost done. Another month, maybe two.”
“That’s what you said three months ago.”
After that conversation, I made a decision. If Calix couldn’t come to us, we would go to him. He’d been based in the same city for nearly a year now, overseeing his European headquarters.
Within weeks, we had relocated to a beautiful house near his office. Karina was enrolled in Oak Lane Academy, the most prestigious elementary school in the city.
At first, it seemed like the perfect solution. Calix came home most nights for dinner, and Karina blossomed with her father’s renewed attention.
But I soon noticed something troubling.
Whenever Calix’s phone rang with a certain ringtone, he would step away immediately, speaking in
21:43
The Dead Fiancé’s Return: Too 1-4-
Chapter 9
hushed tones. He began having “emergency meetings” that kept him out late, sometimes overnight.
One evening, I was picking up Karina from a playdate when I saw him across the street, entering a restaurant with a beautiful woman and a young boy about Karina’s age.
The woman had her hand on Calix’s arm, laughing at something he said.
I recognized her immediately: Cathy, his ex–girlfriend from college. She had suddenly married his best friend years ago, only to be widowed when he died in a mysterious accident.
When I confronted Calix that night, he was defensive.
“She’s going through a hard time. My friend left them with nothing but debts. The boy needs a male figure in his life.”
“And that has to be you?”
“He was my best friend. I owe him this much.”
I tried to understand, to be the supportive wife. But as weeks passed, Calix spent more and more time with Cathy and her son Tyler.
When I expressed my concerns, he dismissed them.
“You have everything, Anya. A beautiful home, financial security, my name. Cathy has nothing. She and Tyler need more support right now.”
I swallowed my hurt and focused on Karina, who was struggling to adjust to her new school. She mentioned a boy who wasn’t nice to her, but I assumed it was normal childhood conflict.
Then came that terrible day when my five–year–old daughter burst into tears the moment she got home…
