Chapter 2
Tuesday night from the texts–that was tomorrow.
The next afternoon, I was already staking out the hotel lobby.
1
Twenty minutes later, Luke texted me.
[Babe, stuck at work late tonight. Won’t make it home. Love you.]]]
Before I could even reply, I spotted a familiar figure walking through the hotel entrance.
Luke.
He was on his phone, walking fast.
Nothing like his sweet tone with me–he sounded pissed.
“Stop nagging me, I’m already downstairs!“]
“Did you put on the lingerie I bought you… and the bunny ears? You’re not leaving that bed tonight!“]
He practically jogged to the elevator[]
My hands went numb, but I followed him inside.
Watched him head straight to room 1307.
The second the door opened, thin arms reached out, wrapped around his neck, and pulled him inside.[]
I stood outside that door for twenty minutes.
I didn’t bust in
Instead, I called him.]
He picked up immediately.]
His voice was breathless.
“What’s up, babe?”
“Are you at the lab?”
“Yeah… everything okay?”
“My stomach’s killing me. Can you come home?“]
“…of course. On my way.”
He hung up. Two minutes later, he walked out of that room.
His voice was sharp and rushed:
“My wife’s sick. I gotta take care of her.”
“Stop being such a fucking tease! You’re driving me crazy!“[]
I pressed myself against the corner wall.
Watched him make out with some girl in a bunny costume.
“I’ll take care of you next time, okay baby?”
She whined and clung to him.
But he pushed her off and finally left.]
The second he was gone, I finally got a good look at her face.]
My world tilted.[]
I knew that face.
Ms. Rachel Warren. Connor’s homeroom teacher.
Fresh college grad, sweet and pretty with long brown hair. All the kids loved her.
Connor was always comparing us.[]
“Mom, why do you always look so tired? Ms. Warren looks like a movie star.
“0
“I can’t focus with you around. If Ms. Warren tutored me, I’d definitely get straight A’s!“]
No wonder Connor couldn’t stand me.]
Turns out he knew about his dad and Rachel Warren this whole time
Father and son, playing me for a fool.
My chest felt like it was caving in.
I was shaking with rage.
Called my assistant immediately.
“I need you to run a background check on someone.”
Then I called my lawyer.]
“Draft me a dive
divorce agreement.”
After that, I went home-
Luke was in the kitchen wearing an apron, making soup.
“Babe, where were you?”
“I thought your stomach hurt? You shouldn’t be running around. I made you that chicken soup you like, and got your favorite takeout from that Italian place.”
There was a whole bag of Tums on the coffee table.
He coaxed me to take them, then brought me the soup.
If he was acting, he was damn good at it.
After that, Luke went to check on Connor.
“Just gonna see how homework’s going, babe.”
I stood by the door and listened.
“Dad, weren’t you and Ms. Warren supposed to hook up tonight? Why’d you come back?”
“Your mom’s sick. Of c
course I came home.”
“Ugh! What a buzzkill! That outfit was so hot!”
“You little perv, stop looking through my phone!”
“You’re the one who won’t delete the photos! But seriously, Dad, Ms. Warren’s smoking hot–doesn’t Mom seem gross after being with her?”
“Watch your mouth! That’s your mother, my wife! Keep talking like that and I’ll ground your
“It’s true though. She’s old and ugly and always nagging. Only you think she’s speciall
Connor kept trash–talking me.
That’s when I know. My own son–the kid I raised–hated my guts.
“She’s like a total co
total control freak. You guys should just get divorced! I want to live with Ms. Warren.“]
My knees gave out.]
I used my last bit of strength to turn around and go back to the bedroom
Couldn’t hold it in anymore and ran to the bathroom, throwing up violently.
Luke heard the noise and immediately rushed into the room.]
“Honey! I’m taking you to urgent care!”
He was freaking out, rubbing my back.
But his touch only made me sick.]
“Don’t… don’t touch me.“]
Luke looked confused, asking what was wrong.]
I pushed his hands away and curled up.
“Babe… did I do something wrong?“]
“No.”
I got up. Washed my face. Pulled myself together.
In the mirror, I could see the panic in his eyes.
“If I messed up, just tell me. I’ll fix it, I promise.“]
“I’ve been working too much lately. I’ve been neglecting you.“]
re.–1
“Our 16th anniversary’s coming up. I want to throw a huge party, invite everyone we know, show off how happy we are.”
“I want to give you the most romantic celebration ever.“]
He wrapped his arms around me from behind.
“Sound good, babe?“]
“Perfect. Let’s invite everyone.“[]
I would be really happy that them all to see WHO YOU REALLY ARE.
101
