Chapter 5: The Christmas Gift My Wife Left Me

On the first day of Christmas, my ex-wife gave to me....Nothing! Because she apparently left me. Alfonso I drank way too much last night. I should've stopped after the first bottle. I needed to be home early so Jay and I could drive to my grandfather’s place together. He is always on my case about treating my wife better. I have to keep him happy if I want to inherit everything. But I can never say no to Anne. And she wanted to get wasted and f**k like bunnies, so that is what we did. Now I am rushing home, hoping I get there before my wife leaves. I haven't been home much lately, and Jay doesn't complain anymore. Now that I think about it, she has been very docile since she lost the baby. Maybe she realized that she was being a b***h by treating her own sister so badly. Shit, I just realized yesterday was the anniversary of our son’s death. That is another thing I hate my perfect little wife for. She was so jealous of her own sister, that she pushed her down the stairs. She lost her balance and fell along with Anne, causing her to miscarry. Thankfully, Anne was okay, but I will never forgive her for that. And if it wasn’t for grandpa, I would've made her pay. She was probably sulking yesterday, but she was with my grandpa. He would've made sure she was okay. I thought I loved Jay, but Anne is my one true love, and I was supposed to marry her. Jay was just the replacement bride that my grandpa signed off on. He is the matriarch of our family and what he says goes, and he raised me after my parents died in a plane crash. I really don’t know what spell Jay has him in, but he always takes her side. She can do no wrong in his eyes. I always thought she was so sweet and innocent. She was the perfect wife and partner. That is why I fell for her. But ever since I located Anne and brought her back to her family, Jay showed me her true colors. She is wicked and vengeful, and she tries to hurt Anne every chance she gets. The worst part is that Anne still covers up for her with their parents. Jay does not deserve Anne’s love. I was almost at my house when Anne called me. “Merry Christmas baby. Why didn’t you wake me?” she asks in her morning voice. “You looked so peaceful, and I was running late. I need to be at grandpa’s place and I have to show up with Jay, or he will throw a fit.” “Urgh, that old man is growing senile. You should have him moved to a home,” she says, making me frown. I would never do that to him. His mind is still way too sharp. “He is fine, he is just easily fooled by Jay. I need to go. I have to get ready. I will come see you later.” “Really?” “Yes, you understand, right?” “Fine, but I will come to you. I will meet you all for lunch at your grandfather’s place.” “I don’t think that is a good idea,” “I think it’s a great idea,” she says and hangs up. f**k! My grandpa does not like her, and no matter what I say, he won’t change his mind. But maybe when he sees how sweet she really is he will. I will just let the cards fall where they will. I park the car and run inside the home I share with my wife. I know I haven’t been here in a while, but why does it look so empty? The house is mostly open plan and flows perfectly. Jay actually designed it herself and she did a good job. I am standing at the entrance, looking at an empty lounge. All I see is the huge Christmas tree she always puts up. And there seems to be one present under the tree. What the f**k is going on? “Jay!” I yell, but all I hear is the echo of my voice. I decided to go upstairs to look for her in our room. I open the door and frown when I look around. The room is empty too. Even the bed is gone. What the hell? “Jay!” I yelled, walking to our bathroom. That is empty too. Not even a toothbrush or towel in sight. “Jernail?” I yell again and get no answer. I go back into the room and all that’s left is the built-in cupboards, and her vanity table. All the movable furniture is gone. I notice a ring on her vanity and go over to it. This is her wedding ring. The one I had made for her. It cost me a pretty penny, but I wanted it to be to her liking. And she loved it. She never took it off. So why is it here? I put the ring in my pocket and checked the rest of the rooms. They are all empty too. So I go downstairs and check there, but it’s the same. I am so confused right now. Did she decide to remodel and not tell me? Maybe if I had come home more I would have known what she was up to. I take out my phone and call her, but it goes straight to voicemail. The twinkling of the lights on the Christmas tree caught my attention. It seemed to be the only thing in the house, other than her wedding ring. I walk over and pick up the gift box under the tree. It barely weighs anything, and it’s neatly wrapped and has a big red bow on it. This must be for me. I open it and there is a piece of paper inside and all that’s written on it is, ‘Goodbye’. What the actual f**k? Did she leave? Is she leaving me? I look around the house again, and then it dawns on me. My wife actually left. I call her again, but it goes straight to voicemail again. Nah, she wouldn't just leave like that. She is too madly in love with me. And she is so blinded by her love for me, that she doesn't know that I have been having an affair with Anne these past three years. She is just trying to get my attention, like always. She is probably at grandpa’s. She won’t be at the Walters estate. They wanted nothing to do with her after she started getting physical with Anne. They cut her off, and I don’t blame them. I really don’t know what has gotten into Jay since Anne came back. I call Grandpa and he answers immediately. “Merry Christmas son. You are late,” he says when he answers my call. “Merry Christmas, Grandpa. Did Jay arrive safely? I had some last-minute things to handle, but I will leave soon,” I ask, phrasing my question just right. I can’t have him going off on me again. “Jay is not here. I thought you were coming together. It’s okay if you are a bit late, I will wait,” he says and hangs up. What the f**k? He didn't even allow me to ask any other questions. I called him again, but his line was busy. So I ring the landline and speak to the butler. “Is Mrs. Du Pont there, Larry?” I ask when he answers. “Merry Christmas sir. No, she hasn't arrived yet. In fact, I haven't seen her in a few days.” “What? But I thought she was there yesterday to help set everything up.” “No, she never came by. Your grandfather canceled the dinner because he wasn't feeling well. Is everything okay sir?” “Everything is fine. I will be there shortly. Tell Grandpa I am on my way,” I say, and hang up. Did she lie to me about where she would be yesterday? I called the only other person she could possibly go to. “Merry Christmas, Derena,” I say when my old assistant answers my call. “Merry Christmas sir. What can I do for you?” I can hear loads of laughter and talking in the background. “Sorry to disturb you on Christmas day. I just wanted to check if my wife is with you,” “No sir. The last time I saw her was three days ago. I am in the Seychelles, remember? I told you I planned a trip here with my family for Christmas.” “Oh right, sorry I forgot. Do you know where Jay could be? I can’t seem to find her.” “I am not sure. If she isn't home, then she should be at your grandfather’s place. She likes to go early to help him open his presents.” she answers, and I hear someone yelling for her in the background. “I have to go, sir. If she calls me, I will tell her to call you,” she says and hangs up. Why the f**k is everyone hanging up on me today? And where the f**k is my wife? I check the house a second time for anything she may have left behind, but find nothing. I called our head of security, James, and asked him to try and locate her. Her phone is off and both her cars are in the garage. Where the f**k would she go, and how did she get there without a car? I get in my car and drive to grandpa's villa as fast as I can. When I got there, he was on a call. But he ended it when he saw me. “Merry Christmas grandpa,” I said again, and hugged him. “Where is Jay?” he asked, looking behind me. “I was hoping she was here. I think she is mad at me because I was late. I just had so much work to get through, and I had a meeting last night with a new investor,” I say, and grandpa frowns. “A meeting at the club?” he asks me with one eyebrow raised. s**t. “We did go for drinks after in my private room. But I didn’t stay long. I had too much to do,” I lied. “Hmm, well, that still does not explain where my granddaughter is. I won’t start our traditions without her,” he says and I sigh. I was about to answer, when the butler came in with Anne, who was carrying loads of gifts. She actually came. “Merry Christmas grandpa Charles,” she says happily as she walks over to greet him. “You can address me as Mr Du Pont. What are you doing here? I did not extend an invitation to you,” he says, not allowing her to touch him. “Don’t be rude, grandpa. She wanted to spend Christmas with us,” I say, annoyed. “She has a family she can spend the day with. Larry, please see Miss Walters out. I am not taking guests today.” She looks taken aback, but puts the gifts down. “I think you may have the wrong impression of me, grandpa. What has my sister been saying about me? She is always trying to hurt me. I know…” Anne explains, but grandpa cuts her off. “Jernail has said nothing about you and she won’t. She is too much of a lady. I, however, have eyes, unlike my grandson, who seems to be blinded by what’s between your legs. Now leave, and don’t set foot on my property again,” Grandpa says, getting up and he looks pissed. Anne stomps her foot and walks away, with Larry following her. “What the hell was that? She is my best friend and the Walters heir. You can’t treat her like that.” I yell at grandpa. “I can and I will. Now why don’t you f**k off too. Don’t come back here unless Jay is with you,” he says, dismissing me. I stand and look at him in shock. What the hell is going on? I feel like my life is turning into an episode of the twilight zone. I need to find my wife. She is the one behind all of this.