Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
6
“This is beautiful,” I say, admiring the high ceilings with elaborate cornices. The natural city light filters through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and it has the added benefit of privacy. I can rest assured that leaving the blinds open at night won’t invite prying eyes.
“This place won’t be on the market long, so a quick decision would be ideal,” Janet, my realtor says. I’m sure she says that to seal all deals, but this one will definitely be snapped up if I don’t stick my foot in the door.
“Lucky you rang me, and even luckier I answered. This is so different to the ones we looked at last week. Are you sure it’s in my price range?”
“Quite positive.”
I’m unsure how it could possibly be the case. Perhaps the owners are in urgent need of funds and are happy to drop the rental price.
Opening the French bi-folds, I step onto the balcony, the cool winter’s breeze caressing my face. It would be quite a change going from a suburban house to an inner-city apartment on the twentieth floor, but a place like this could surely have me settling in quickly so I can focus on buying again when the divorce is finalized.
“Should we make a time for your husband to view the property?” Janet asks.
I shake my head. “No need, we’re separated, hence why I’m here with you.”
I wonder how many times I can say ‘separated’ until it won’t hurt anymore.
Fear flashes across her amber eyes before she quickly perks up. “Well then, you’re in the right spot. There are plenty of bars in Manhattan, so one thing’s for sure, you won’t be shy of a good time.”
“Thanks, but—”
I’m cut off when my cell beeps, its sound bouncing off the walls in the empty room.
“Hmm,” I mutter, forgetting I’m not alone.
Shawn’s ears must be burning.
Opening the text, I read the four words he should have said a year ago.
We need to talk.
I leave Janet so she can organize the paperwork and drive back to the house where Shawn waits in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, arms folded tightly across his chest.
“You’re home,” I say, weakly pointing out the obvious.
His jaw twitches, and I feel his icy demeanor. “Why are there boxes full of your belongings lining the hall?”
Is he serious?
“Shawn, what part of me saying I’m leaving do you not understand? I pleaded with you not to go on the business trip and you treated me like an insolent child. I told you we needed to work this out and you walked out on us. That’s why there are boxes full of my belongings lining the hall.”
“And I told you we’d work it out when I got home.”
“I’m sick of waiting, Shawn. You checked out of this marriage a year ago, so don’t imply I’m walking out on us, because we both know that’s not the case.”
“I need you to be patient, Blythe. I needed—”
“Patient about what? You’ve never once even hinted about why I need to be patient.”
Shawn’s nostrils flare, his own patience running thin.
“Are you having an affair, Shawn?” I ask with a force that surprises me. When he doesn’t answer straight away, I continue, “Is this what it’s all about? Have you been fucking someone else this whole time and you’re simply waiting to see if it works out between you two before you finally send me packing?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he scolds, looking disgusted at the mere mention of the word.
“It’s an easy conclusion to come to when you haven’t so much as looked at me in three hundred and sixty-five days. We went from having crazy sex every day to not even kissing. It happened literally overnight, Shawn, so you tell me again why I shouldn’t jump to those natural conclusions.”
“Because you’re my wife,” he seethes.
“That means shit. You’ve proven that much already.”
“Says my wife who’s seen at a club getting extremely personal with Kane Alexander.”
I recoil like he’s slapped me. “I don’t even care how you came to find that out, but it certainly wasn’t done in secret or to deceive. Samantha actually took me there as a way to cheer me up because, if you haven’t noticed, our marriage has reached crisis point, and Kane just happened to be there later on.”
“You danced with him?”
“Yeah, I did, while we discussed work.”
“You let him put his hands on you?”
“Jesus, Shawn, why are you being so petty?” I snap. “Why are you making it sound like I’ve done something illicit? I’ve danced with plenty of guys before, while you watched, and it was never a problem. So why now? Or is this a way to deflect off you and what you’ve done?”
He steps forward until his warm breath hits my face. “Unlike you, I can actually say with a hundred percent certainty that I have not cheated on our marriage.”