The Love Of My Life

Chapter 29

Tony's POV

I woke up to the faint light of dawn creeping in through the curtains. The house was quiet and peaceful, but my mind was already stirring. Lying there, I glanced over at Maya, still fast asleep beside me. Her curls were spread out across the pillow, her hand resting lightly on her stomach. She looked so beautiful, so serene, even after all these years. Twenty-six years. That's how long we'd been married. It still amazed me sometimes—how we'd built this life together, how we'd weathered every storm and come out stronger on the other side. She was my anchor, my best friend, my everything. And now, she was carrying our child.  I smiled at the thought as I quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake her. Maya needed her rest. She'd been pushing herself a little too hard lately, as usual, and I'd been reminding her to slow down—not that she ever really listened. In the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face and brushed my teeth, going through the motions while my mind wandered to the day ahead. There were meetings to prepare for, contracts to review, and emails that had probably piled up overnight. Running a business wasn't easy, but it was a life I'd chosen, one that Maya had supported me every step of the way.

Once I was dressed in my robe, I headed downstairs to my office. The house was still quiet as I walked through the hall, the hardwood floors cool under my feet. My office was my sanctuary, a space where I could focus and get things done. The bookshelves were neatly organized, and the large window overlooked the backyard, where the pool shimmered faintly in the early morning light. I powered up my laptop and opened my email, scanning through the messages as the screen glowed to life. Most of them were routine—updates from clients, reminders from colleagues, and a few flagged items that needed immediate attention. But then, there it was, sitting in my inbox like a ticking time bomb: an email from Taylor Bryant.

Taylor,  my assistant, someone I'd worked with for years. She was sharp, efficient, and knew how to get things done, but recently, things had started to shift. There had been comments that felt a little too personal, glances that lingered too long. I'd brushed it off, convincing myself that I was imagining it. But the subject line of this email sent a cold wave through me: "I Can't Stop Thinking About You." My heart sank as I clicked on it, and the words on the screen made my stomach churn.

"Tony,

I know you're married, but I can't keep pretending I don't have feelings for you. We work so well together—it's hard not to imagine what we could be outside the office. I care about you deeply, and I just needed to tell you that. Please don't think less of me, but I had to get this off my chest."

I sat back in my chair, my hands tightening into fists. My jaw clenched as I stared at the screen, my mind racing. What the hell was this? Taylor had crossed a line—a line I thought we both understood. I had never, not once, given her a reason to think this kind of email would be okay. Maya and I had built a solid foundation, a partnership that had lasted decades. And here Taylor was, trying to plant seeds of doubt, trying to undermine everything Maya and I had created. I exhaled deeply, forcing myself to calm down. This wasn't just disrespectful—it was dangerous. It wasn't just about me; it was about my wife, my family, everything we'd worked for. I opened a reply and started typing, my fingers moving with purpose.

"Taylor,

This email is completely inappropriate and unprofessional. I am happily married to a woman I love more than anything in this world. There is absolutely nothing between us beyond a working relationship, and I need you to understand that.

I trust you to be professional in the workplace, but if you cannot respect these boundaries, we will need to reevaluate your position here.

Tony."