Chapter 21
Clara knew better than to get her hopes up about it. It was just a fleeting thought, nothing more.
After dropping Martha off at home, Kimberly had already prepared lunch. Once we finished eating, Clara and I tidied up the kitchen and made sure Martha was settled and comfortable for a nap.
Martha took my hand. “I think I should just go back. I don’t want to be a burden to
you two.
you go back, thaill really be a burden,” I said. “Just stay here and rest. Don’t even think about leaving. I am making good money now. How could 1 let you suffer? You want people talking behind my back?”
Before I could finish, Kimberly leaned in suddenly, her eyes gleaming “Sylvia, you’re making that much money! Tell me, how much are you making in a year!”
I quickly closed my mouth. Her question was so sudden, just like her approach. With Dexter already acting distant, I had to be extra cautious about what I said, especially with Kimberly’s probing questions
1 smiled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. “It’s going well. Dexter and I are planning to buy a new house. When we do, you and Mom can stay there too. Il be nice and spacious.”
Kimberly froze for a moment. “Buy a house? Dexter didn’t mention anything about buying a house.”
“It’s something we decided together,” I said, trying to sound casual.
“How can that be?” she blurted out. “Dexter’s money can’t just go into your pocket!”
I looked at her coldly.
Manha, too, was shocked, her mouth hanging open.
Realizing she’d overstepped, Kimberly quickly lowered her head and mumbled, clearly e
embarrassed.
I couldn’t help but scoff “Did you forget! Dexter and I are married. Every penny he earns is half mine.”
Kimberly awkwardly palled at the corners of her mouth and, clearly uncomfortable, turned and left the room.
Martha looked at me with concern. “You and Dexter… are you two. okay!”
I met her gaze and smiled reassuringly. “It’s fine, Mom. It’s nothing.”
I that more to comfort myself than her.
Today, Martha was being discharged from the hospital. Dexter was supposed to come, but he had a company dinner he couldn’t skip, so he sent his apologies and asked for time off.
I thought, “What can I do? At such a crucial time, with Dexter about to take on the role of Vice President, how can I hold him back?
After settling Martha, I waled Clara through some advice for her new job.
Clara had passed her interview, and the job was a good one. The company was a leader in the industry, and if she worked hard, she could definitely go far in the role.
Just as 1 finished saying that, my phone rang. It was Holly
“Sylvia, guess who I just ran into?” she said, her voice dripping with mischief. I could already tell it wasn’t going to be good news.
I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. “Just get to the point, Holly. Don’t make me wait”
Holly added. “I was at a company dinner with my boyfriend, and guess who I saw? Your husband. But here’s the thing–I didn’t see you there. Strange, rightTM*
I fror for a moment. “He did tell ane he had work”
“Well, what he didn’t sell you was that this dinner required partners. And the woman with him? Not you. It was someone else. Do you want to come and see for yourself?”
Holly’s words made my heart race. I thought, Dexter… how can he? Not only has he kept me in the dark about the dinner, but he’s actually brought
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Chapter 21
another woman w
with him!
Without thinking, I grabbed my keys, jumped in the car, and sped off to the address Holly had given me.
The entire drive, my hands were clammy with sweat. I thought, Is today really the day? Am I finally going to confront this woman?
I threw open the door to the private dining room and immediately saw Dexter, sitting close to a woman.
