The Dying Wife's Final Gift

mployed. Before her transfer to this small branch for Craig's sa

She had, by her own efforts, designed the core architectur

had been the architect-in-chief, the mind that resolved the impossible equations and labored through the silent hours of the

ee times. Each time, Elek Preston had made a personal appeal to persuade her. Each time, she ha

t was no longer an opportunity sacrificed; it was a spa

e over the telephone. "This is a high-security project. It requi

tain," De

tone warming. "Frankly, you are the o

you,

r current manager, he will nee

ell him anything. This is a direct transfer from you. I

would know something was amiss. "Understood. The tra

ill

The decision felt like the first clean breath she ha

personal items. As she rounded the corner, she s

g a box of personal effects, a bright, saccharine smile

fe, Chanel. She'll be joining us a

eir congratulations. The air grew

he occasions Craig had insisted th

aid. "We do not want anyone thinking I am showin

onal integrity. She had thought their love was a private

phy, she understood the genuine reason. He was not p

nniversaries, the holidays spent with just the two of them because he

iumphant smile spread across her perfectly painted

umiliation, the injustice of it all, boi

died down as

said, her voice

ring when he saw her expre

looked directly at C

glances. Chanel's sweet facade t

ered, her eyes wide with feig

id, her voice rising. "Be

. People stared, their eyes darting betwe

her face in Craig's shoulder. "Craig, what i

ssed, his face a mask of fu

shook with rage. "We are marri

" one of the senior managers said, ste

ficate in her lockbox. The official records that n

eration creeping into her voice.

pity and suspicion. She sound

t understand. Craig, why is sh

ensified. She took a step toward Dessie, her

calm down," Ch

and, her grip surprisingly strong. De

go of

nly for Dessie's ear, was laced with a venomo

such exaggerated pantomime that it belonged upon a stage. Then, as if her

!" Crai

wife. He cradled her in his arms, looking up at Dessie with a look of s

isruption to the office's placid machinery. Their gazes, a mixture of curiosity, cen