4#04

4

Eric tucked their little one into bed and instinctively draped his arm over Wanda.

"You didn't seem yourself this evening," he remarked softly. "Remember, it's not about the specific day. It's about who you're with that counts."

He grinned slightly, his thoughts wandering to the surprise he had in store. Come her birthday, he'd unveil a special present - a new product line he'd named "Wanda" in her honor. But he'd keep this under wraps for another week.

Wanda remained silent, fearing her cracking voice would give away her feelings. She lay motionless in his embrace, offering only a faint murmur in response.

By the time Eric considered saying more, he realized she had drifted off. Their boy, Ben, worn out from play, was also sound asleep in her arms.

Suddenly, Eric's phone buzzed repeatedly. A message from Christina appeared.

He carefully removed his arm from beneath Wanda's neck and opened their conversation. Perhaps out of guilt, he deliberately turned away from the sleeping Wanda.

Upon seeing Christina in provocative attire, he couldn't help but clear his throat awkwardly.

She messaged him, "Fancy a night out?"

Just as Eric was about to decline, she initiated a video call. "Are you sure you won't join me?" Christina flirted. "Christmas is coming up and I can make one of your wishes come true... how about I play the role of a Christmas fairy? The kind that grants all your desires."

Eric's pulse quickened. Christina certainly knows how to entice, he thought. Yet, tonight marked his wedding anniversary, and leaving Wanda alone had already pushed boundaries. Meeting someone else in the dead of night would be a step too far.

However, even as logic battled in his mind and Wanda lay quietly beside him, his longing intensified as the woman on the video call seductively shed her remaining garments.

Gradually, Eric rose, promising himself this would be the final time he'd give in to temptation before Wanda's birthday.

As he reached for his jacket, Wanda stirred. When their eyes met, Eric feigned composure and smiled, "Work emergency. Did I disturb you?"

He bent down to kiss her forehead reassuringly. Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed his car keys and left.

The door slammed shut, and silence once again enveloped the room.

Ben, startled by the noise, rubbed his eyes sleepily.

Noticing Eric's absence, he mumbled quietly, "Dad's sneaking off to see Christina again, next time I'll make sure to follow!"

Wanda froze. Her eyes fell on her son as her heart shattered.

Realizing his mistake, Ben quickly covered his mouth and hugged her, trying to backtrack.

"Mommy, Daddy must be busy working," he said, his voice gentle and reassuring. "But I'll always be here with you."

Despite his words, a hint of regret shone in his young eyes.

Wanda didn't respond. She didn't praise his thoughtfulness as she usually would. She simply tucked Ben back under the covers, then stared vacantly at the ceiling.

Hearing the car engine start below, she curled up and covered her ears.

Perhaps if she blocked out the sound, she could convince herself that Eric truly was working and not with another woman.

Eric didn't return that night, nor did he come back in the morning.

As Wanda sat down for breakfast, her phone pinged with a message from him:

"I've asked Jane to prepare chicken soup for you. Make sure to have some. Let the nanny take Ben to kindergarten. You should take it easy and not overexert yourself."

Eric had meticulously planned out her daily routine.