The Wife He Lost

PART 2 — THE HOUSE WITHOUT HIS NAME

Victor Rinaldi arrived at his attorney’s office twenty minutes later.

He threw the photograph of Norah onto the desk.

“Tell me where she is.”

Mr. Harrison adjusted his glasses.

“Your wife specifically instructed me not to disclose her address.”

Victor leaned forward.

“Do you understand who you’re talking to?”

“Perfectly, Mr. Rinaldi. But your wife is no longer financially dependent on you, and she has legal representation.”

Victor’s expression hardened.

“Show me the custody documents.”

Harrison opened a folder.

“Norah is requesting primary custody of Leo and Mia. She’s also requesting that all communication concerning the children go through her attorney until further arrangements are made.”

Victor stared at the papers.

“She can’t keep my children away from me.”

“She isn’t asking to. She’s asking you to become a father before demanding the privileges of one.”

The words hit harder than Victor expected.

He signed nothing.

Instead, he stood and walked toward the window.

“Does she still love me?”

The attorney looked down at the folder.

“That isn’t a legal question I can answer.”

Victor gave a bitter laugh.

“She used to tell me she loved me every morning.”

“Perhaps you should have listened when she stopped.”

For several seconds, neither man spoke.

Then Harrison placed another envelope on the desk.

“She also left this for you.”

Victor opened it.

Inside was a photograph of the twins, taken on their first night in their new home. Leo was sleeping in Norah’s arms, while Mia was lying beside her.

On the back, Norah had written:

They deserve a father who wants to be present, not one who remembers them only when they’re gone.

Victor folded the photograph carefully.

“Where did she buy the house?”

“I cannot tell you.”

Victor left without another word.

That evening, Sylvia arrived at his penthouse wearing a red dress.

She found him sitting alone in the living room, staring at his wedding ring.

“Victor, we need to talk.”

“There’s nothing to discuss.”

She sat beside him.

“I heard Norah left. I’m sorry, darling, but perhaps this is an opportunity for us.”

He slowly raised his eyes.

“Us?”

Sylvia smiled.

“We’ve been seeing each other for months. You know how much I care about you.”

Victor placed the ring on the table.

“Did you ever care about my children?”

Her smile disappeared.

“Why would you ask that?”

“Because you knew I had two babies at home, yet you never once asked whether they were sleeping, eating, or healthy.”

“Victor, they’re babies. They won’t even remember this.”

He stood.

“Get out of my house.”

Sylvia’s face turned red.

“You’re throwing me away because your wife finally discovered your affair?”

“No. I’m throwing you away because I finally discovered what I lost.”

After Sylvia left, Victor called Thomas.

“Cancel my appointments tomorrow.”

“All of them, boss?”

“All of them.”

“What are you planning?”

Victor looked at the photograph.

“I’m going to find a way to see my children. And this time, I’m not sending armed men to bring them home.”

For the first time, he intended to ask permission.

But he had no idea whether Norah would even answer.