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[You don’t know me, and I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your husband is sleeping with my wife. Cliché isn’t it? The CEO has a movie-like affair with the receptionist...]<br /> “Do you believe this guy?” Her sister asked.<br /> She recalled her husband&#039;s face, the tight lipped smiles and the way his eyes avoided hers...Something was definitely amiss.<br /> “I may have a scumbag for a husband, but I’m not losing my marbles.” The pages fell from her frozen fingers, floating gently to the kitchen floor.<br /> “We have guests tonight,” she said, reaching for her make-up bag. “And if I don’t get a move on, I’ll never be ready in time.”<br /> ————————<br /> <br /> Beginnings are hard.<br /> The balled-up sheets of paper littered around the room proved that. Sitting somewhere in the middle of that pile of discarded pages, Marcus sat, his smoking burning down to the butt and stinging his fingers. Another lit smoking sat in the ashtray, perched next to a near-empty glass of bourbon as wisps of smoke drifted towards the open window.<br /> He’d long given up on civilities, choosing instead to drink straight from the bottle. But even that was nearly gone as he stared bleary-eyed at the sheet of paper on his desk. He tapped his pen obnoxiously, chewing his lip as he tapped his foot against the leg of his chair.<br /> How did one start a letter that would ruin an innocent person’s life?<br /> “Sorry your husband is a cheating jerk,” Marcus muttered to the empty room, shifting in his seat as he finally threw away the burned-out smoking. “But my wife’s a bimbo, so we’re even.”<br /> He chuckled without humour, running his hand through his hair. Forcing himself to sit up, he blinked hard, hoping the lines on the page would stay still. He had drank far too much. He began writing, keeping his pen steady.<br /> Hello, my name is Marcus and I -. <br /> With a growl, he tore the page from the pad, screwing it up in his fist before tossing it over his shoulder.<br /> How many times had he attempted this? How long had he sat at this wretched desk, agonising over this letter?<br /> “Cheating fuckin’ bimbo,” he muttered, pressing his fingers into his eyes. He didn’t want to send this letter. He didn’t want to put someone else in this position. But he couldn’t, in good conscience, say nothing, not when he was living through the same underworld. Even when her husband couldn’t, he owed the truth to a woman he never met. He straightened his back, pushing away the ashtray. Putting pen to paper, he let the words flow, not giving himself time to think. The more he wrote, the easier it became.<br /> You don’t know me, and I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your husband is sleeping with my wife. <br /> <br /> “There are moments which mark your life. Moments when you realize nothing will ever be the same and time is divided into two parts, before this, and after this.”<br /> - John Hobbes, Fallen<br /> “A huge mistake we make in life is confusing a real person with the image we have of them in our mind.”<br /> - Deb Caletti<br /> “Do you want to climax, Erica?”<br /> A simple enough question, with an incredibly easy answer. The only problem was, Erica couldn’t speak. Trying to form words around the gag in her mouth, she muttered one simple word.<br /> “Yes!”<br /> The man between her legs laughed cruelly, his fingers teasing over the sensitive nub of her cherry as he thrust inside her body. “I can’t hear you baby, what did you say?”<br /> “Yes!” Tears sprung to her eyes as her pleasure overwhelmed her, desperate for the sweet release of her climax. All it would take would be a fraction more pressure from his fingers. She was so close.<br /> So. Very. Close.<br /> “If I didn’t have a client in the next twenty minutes, I’d make you beg for me. Even with you all tied up like this.” Alex raked an approving gaze over her body, laid across his desk. Her arms ached from the way they were restrained against the legs of his desk, but she didn’t care. Every inch of her body felt incredible, every fibre of her being was ready for release. “You can climax this time, baby. But you better let me hear you.”<br /> Gripping her hip tighter, Alex picked up his speed, his hips pounding into hers. Her eyes rolled back into her head as she did nothing to control the volume of her moans. She knew that just beyond the door of his office, anyone could hear her.<br /> The thought just made her wetter.<br /> “That’s it, baby, let me feel that cherry tighten.”<br /> Closing her eyes, Erica zoned in on the pleasure radiating through her body, feeling herself racing towards her climax. If she could move, she’d be squirming with the intensity of the sensations. Instead, all she could do was lay there and take it.<br /> Feel it.<br /> When the moment came, the gag did nothing to muffle her screams as wave after wave of pleasure radiated through her entire being. Her toes curled as her back arched off the desk, her arms and legs stretched to their limit as she fought against her restraints.<br /> Still Alex slammed into her, focused on his own climax and prolonging hers in a way that forced the tears from her eyes.<br /> <br /> She relished the deep moan of satisfaction as he came, holding himself inside her as his body collapsed against hers. She could feel him twitch and shudder as his body rode through the euphoria.<br /> Their heavy breathing, almost in sync, was the only sound in the otherwise silent room, and as they lay there, too consumed in one another to care about anything else, Erica felt perfect contentment.<br /> And then it was over.<br /> Alex lifted himself from her, staring down at her and cupping her jaw. His smirk still made her tummy flip, his eyes holding a promise of more to come. “You’re so beautiful.” He pulled on the gag, releasing it from her mouth. “Are you okay?”<br /> “I’m okay,” she whispered, her mouth incredibly dry from the gag. “Thirsty.” Alex chuckled and set about releasing her restraints.<br /> “Yeah, those gags’ll do that to you. There’s water in the fridge.” With one arm free, she worked the ache from her joints. What felt good in the moment was a killer in the aftermath. She sat up as soon as she was able, watching Alex move with purposeful strides.<br /> That was the first thing she noticed about him all those years ago. The way he moved as though he never second guessed himself. And he never did.<br /> Not when he asked her out, and subsequently proposed on their first date. Not when he opened his business, sinking their entire savings into it. Even when they nearly lost everything through a freak accident, Alex knew what to do and how to fix it.<br /> He never faltered, and she loved him for it.<br /> Finally free of her restraints, she stood and bussed his cheek before starting to dress. Beyond the door of his office, she could hear the hustle and bustle of his employees as they started to arrive for the day. Now she wasn’t lost in the throes of passion, her cheeks tinted pink.<br /> She hoped nobody heard her.<br /> “I’ve invited Josh and Liv for drinks this evening,” Alex said, fastening the button of his sleeve. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes, hiding her face behind her hair as she smoothed down the front of her skirt. Alex always said he could read her like a book, and sure enough, he was there in front of her within seconds, tilting her chin towards him.<br /> “What’s that?” He asked, amusement flickering in his eyes. “What’s that irritation?”<br /> “Not irritated, darling,” she insisted. “It just means longer before we can be intimate again.” Alex chuckled, the sound rich and warm.<br /> “I don’t know about that. We managed alright last time, didn’t we?”<br /> Erica flushed at the memory of Alex pinning her to the kitchen counter, hand covering her mouth as he slept her with his fingers, their guests drinking mere meters away.<br /> “You’re right,” she said, moving her hands over his chest. “We do alright.”<br /> His head swooped, capturing her lips in a seering buss. Her heart leapt at the passion of his lips, the strength of his hands as his grabbed her behind.<br /> Eight years of marriage and their passion for one another had never waned. Alex only had to look at her a certain way to get her excited, and she knew beyond a doubt it wasn’t just her that would be waiting anxiously for their guests to leave tonight.<br /> “Mr Carr, I-.” Erica pulled away from the buss, looking over Alex’s shoulder to his secretary lingering awkwardly by the door. “My apologies, I didn’t realise you had company.”<br /> “No apologies needed, Sophie,” Alex said, turning to face her. He slipped an arm around Erica’s back, his hand patting her butt. She couldn’t help the thrill that went through her.<br /> “Your 9 o’clock arrived early, Sir. And they seem pretty impatient.”<br /> Erica glanced up at Alex, trying to read his expression. Maybe it was the lighting, but he looked confused. She chuckled softly, nudging him with her hip. “Darling, you have the London Group here today.”<br /> Alex turned a smile down on her bussing her forehead. “Where would I be without you? You’re right, of course.” He cleared his throat, brushing his hand through his hair. “Give us a minute will you, Soph?”<br /> “Of course, Sir.” With a small smile, she left the room as quickly as she came, leaving Alex and Erica alone once again.<br /> “I suppose that’s my cue to leave,” she said, pulling away from him to gather her bag. “And I only came to bring you coffee on your big day.” Now that she was looking at him, she could see how much this client meant to him. She could be mistaken, but she could have sworn there was a touch of nervousness lingering in his eyes.<br /> “What’s a man to do when his wife looks so delicious?” He asked, his tone playful, but his expression stony. This was Alex in business mode, his flirty demeanour from only minutes ago, completely gone.<br /> “What time are Josh and Liv arriving?”<br /> “Seven, I believe,” he said absent mindlessly, running his hand through his hair once again. Erica observed him for a moment before taking a step towards him and placing a soothing hand on his chest.<br /> “Hey, you’re gonna smash it,” she said, fixing his tie. “You’ve never lost a client you really wanted, and you won’t be starting today.” She bussed him once. “You’ve got this.”<br /> Giving her a tight lipped smile, he nodded in agreement, his mind clearly on his upcoming meeting.<br /> <br /> Time to go.<br /> She pulled away one last time, shrugging on her coat and straightening out her hair. Alex moved behind his desk that she had been undressed on not too long ago and set to work, their escapades clearly long forgotten.<br /> “I’ll see you later then, yeah?”<br /> Barely glancing up at her, he nodded. “Yeah, I’ll be home as soon as I’m done. Don’t wait for me if I’m running late.”<br /> She watched him for a moment before opening the door. “Okay, well. I love you.” She thought she heard a muttered reply before the door closed behind her, but she couldn’t be sure.<br /> Smiling at Sophie as she passed, she made her way through the building, trying to put Alex’s change in moods out of her mind. It wasn’t the first time he had switched to business mode on her, after all. But something about his mannerisms as she was leaving left a sour taste in her mouth.<br /> He wasn’t usually so rattled. Especially not by a potential client, no matter how lucrative the contract was. But the hand through his hair, the tight lipped smiles and the way his eyes avoided hers.<br /> Something was definitely amiss.<br /> As she reached her car, she glanced up at his window, debating heading back inside to check on him. After all, if something were wrong, she wanted to do what she could to help. She lingered just inside her open car door and fought against the urge telling her to return. Never before had she felt anything like it, as though her gut knew she was supposed to be inside that office building.<br /> Despite herself, she ignored the feeling, getting into the car and starting the engine.<br /> Realistically, what good could she do? She pulled out of the parking lot, laughing into the silence of her car as she imagined the look on the faces of his clients. Alex Carr needing his wife to hold his hand during business meetings because he had the jitters.<br /> That didn’t send the wrong message at all.<br /> Signalling for home, she joined the early morning traffic and switched the radio on to her favourite station. With Cyndi Lauper belting out a banger, Erica forced Alex and his company from her mind and cast it instead to the evening festivities.<br /> Despite her early reluctance, she was looking forward to seeing Josh and Liv tonight. It had been a while since they last had a get together, after the two of them swanned off on their honeymoon.<br /> They had been neighbours for five of the seven years her and Alex had lived at their current address, and while most people couldn’t stand living so close to a sibling, Erica and Josh were close enough that it worked.<br /> And she loved him even more for giving her such an awesome sister-in-law.<br /> Liv was a beautiful girl with the most stunning green eyes. She worked in the beauty industry and always looked immaculate, while Josh was slightly more stocky and enjoyed his time as a PE teacher at the local highschool.<br /> Sure the lovebirds would be returning looking all tanned and lovely, Erica made a last minute decision, indicating right instead of left and driving further into the city. She needed a new dress tonight. And a manicure, for sure. It wasn’t that she felt she had to compete with Liv, but there was no chance she was going to be out dressed in her own home.<br /> By the time she reached her favourite shopping outlet, she already had a clear idea of the look she was aiming for, and a few hours later after a sizable dent on her credit card, she knew her mission was a success.<br /> She couldn’t wait for Alex to see this dress, and even better, rip it off her. Letting herself into their shared home, she grabbed the mail from the floor and carried it through to the kitchen, intent on a strong coffee.<br /> “Oh, Miss Erica,I’m sorry, I didn’t expect you so soon. I’ll be out of your hair in no time.”<br /> Glancing up from the mail, Erica smiled at Gloria and waved a dismissive hand. “No rush,” she assured the older woman. “You’ve done great work today.”<br /> Gloria flushed with pleasure at her words and retreated back into the hallway. In all honesty, Erica couldn’t see a difference in the kitchen from when she left this morning. But then she supposed that was a reflection on Gloria’s work. The house was never out of place thanks to their wonderful maid.<br /> Dumping the mail on the counter, she left her purchases in the hallway. No doubt by the time she finished her coffee, Gloria would have taken care of her bags too, and Erica could relax for the day before Alex came home.<br /> With a happy sigh, Erica settled with her coffee and pulled the letters towards her once more.<br /> Bill. Junk. Pushy sales pitch. Bills.<br /> More junk, another bill, and…<br /> Her fingers paused over the handwritten envelope. No stamp or address, just her name. It may have got mixed up with her regular mail, but this was clearly not a regular letter. Whoever sent it, had delivered it by hand.<br /> Trying to place the handwriting, she opened the letter with a touch of excitement. She loved receiving mail. Even if most of it was nonsense. Tearing the contents from the envelope, her smile froze in place as she unfolded the sheets and read the first few lines.<br /> Tears blurred her eyes before she could even process she was crying, a whooshing sound in her ears while her hands shook as she tried to make sense of the scribbled words. The pages fell from her frozen fingers, floating gently to the kitchen floor, as her entire body shivered as though she had been plunged in ice.<br /> She took a breath.<br /> And then another.<br /> She felt it rattled in her chest as she heard a gasping sound from the distance. It was only when she felt the tightness in her heart that she realised the rasping sound was coming from inside of her and she was hurtling her way towards a panic attack. She rested her head on the kitchen counter, letting the coolness soothe her clammy forehead, forcing herself to count slowly to ten. Once she finally had control of herself, she straightened up, her hands firm on the counter to steady herself.<br /> There had to be a mistake. No way this letter was meant for her. No way. Because if it was, it meant her entire life was a lie. That everything she believed in and trusted was nothing but a facade. She reached for the envelope, turning it over in her hands.<br /> Mrs Carr.<br /> Well. Okay, so it was addressed to her, but perhaps she had misread something. Maybe she had the wrong end of the stick. She forced herself to retrieve the letter off the floor, taking a slow and shuddering breath.<br /> Maybe everything would be okay.<br /> Or maybe, just maybe, every single word was the truth and Erica was about to lose everything.<br /> Whispering the words, she read them out loud.<br /> “You don’t know me, and I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your husband is sleeping with my wife.”<br /> <br /> You don’t know me, and I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your husband is sleeping with my wife. You have absolutely no reason to believe me, I know, so let me introduce myself. <br /> My name is Marcus Copeland, and if my name sounds familiar, it’s because I share a surname with Alex’s secretary. Cliché isn’t it? The CEO has a movie-like affair with the receptionist. Unfortunately, in our case, this is our reality. Sophie is my wife and we’ve been married for just over a year. <br /> I have agonised over this letter for the past few days, trying to find the right words, debating whether I should even tell you at all. Sophie doesn’t know I know. She doesn’t have a clue that our marriage is done, and I’m about to revenge her entire world like she did to me. <br /> That’s what ultimately made me decide, by the way. <br /> Just so you know, I’m pissed off at Sophie and this letter isn’t about getting back at the guy who slept my wife. In the end, Alex doesn’t owe me anything, and if he’s the type of scum to sleep with a married woman, that’s his problem. Sophie is the one who promised herself to me, who took those vows with me, so she’s the one that I’m angry at. <br /> But with that thought in mind, Alex may not owe me anything, but I’m certain he made the same promises to you that Sophie did to me. Therefore, I think it’s only right if you know the truth so you can make your own (informed) decision. I’m only sorry that the truth is so hideously and is likely to hurt you. <br /> Oh, I suppose I should say how I know about the affair and if I have any proof. After all, I could be anyone, and why should you believe me over your husband? To clarify, yes, I have proof. There are copies of some messages sent back and forth between them, which I’ll share with you. I wasn’t digging for these messages, by the way. I was living in blissful ignorance until Sophie left herself signed in on my laptop - she had borrowed it to do some work. <br /> I don’t know what you plan to do with this letter, or if you want to contact me further, but just in case, I’ll attach my number and email address. If I don’t hear from you, I wish you luck and hope you can find some peace. <br /> Please, believe me, I didn’t want to send this letter. But I couldn’t, in good conscience, sit on this information without saying something. <br /> I’m sorry again. <br /> Best wishes, <br /> Marcus. <br /> “No.”<br /> Erica met her sister’s gaze as she finally finished reading the contents of Marcus’ letter. Lottie had rushed around after a panicked phone call from Erica and had spent the past ten minutes getting caught up to speed.<br /> “Do you believe this guy?”<br /> “Yes.” Erica nodded as she lit another smoking - her third since Lottie had arrived. “I spoke to him after I called you and-.”<br /> “You spoke to him?”<br /> Erica resisted the urge to laugh at the shock on her sister’s face. “Of course I spoke to him, Charlotte. You don’t get a letter like that and ignore it!”<br /> “Well, no. I suppose not.” Lottie reached for her smoking, burned away to nothing in the ashtray, and tutted. “But still, I can’t believe you contacted him. What did you say? Did you lose your mind?”<br /> “No,” Erica said, shaking her head. “No, I thanked him for his letter, and-.”<br /> “You thanked him?”<br /> “Lottie, if you interrupt one more time, I swear.”<br /> “Okay, okay. So you thanked him for the letter, and then what?”<br /> Erica finally stubbed out the smoking. Alex for pushing her back to smoking. She had been doing so well. “Well, then I asked him to meet me.”<br /> “Hello?” <br /> Erica was a bit surprised by the deep manly voice on the other end of the line, although she had no clue why. Her heart pounded with nerves, her tongue feeling about ten times too big for her mouth. <br /> Just. Say. Hello. <br /> “Am I speaking to Marcus Copeland?” <br /> Silence. <br /> And then he cleared his throat. <br /> “Mrs Carr?” <br /> “Yes, hi.” <br /> God, this was painful. Silence stretched between them as she figured out what to say next. Erica was usually so sure of herself and it was a rare occasion she couldn’t find something to say. <br /> “I’m sorry Mrs Carr-.” <br /> “Erica, please.” <br /> “Erica. Okay. Well, Erica, I’m sorry you’re having to make this phone call and that circumstances have forced us into this awkward conversation.” <br /> “There’s nothing for you to apologise for.” She chewed her lip. Did she mean that? “Although I feel the need to apologise to you also, so I guess we’re even.” <br /> “Whatever should you apologise for?” His tone gave away his surprise. She hated everything about this. The formal way of speaking, the repetitive words. The constant apologies. <br /> It was enough. <br /> “I shouldn’t apologise, Alex should. But since he won’t… I’m sorry my cheating scum of a husband stuck his manhood in your wife.” <br /> Silence. <br /> “Well, I wouldn’t put it quite that way.” Was she crazy, or did she heat a hint of amusement in his tone? “But I accept your apology. I’m sorry my cheating bimbo of a wife let him stick his manhood in her.” <br /> Erica felt herself relax as he matched her tone and dropped the formalities. “Did she let her?” She asked, clearing her throat. “I mean, is that what the messages imply?”<br /> “Are you asking who came on to whom?” Marcus asked, sighing. It was the sound of a broken man, and it told Erica everything she needed to know. “I think from what I read, Sophie did the chasing.” <br /> “And Alex allowed himself to be caught.” <br /> Silence again. <br /> Different this time. More relaxed. Contemplative. <br /> “How much did you actually read?”<br /> “Not as much as I’d like,” Marcus said. Another sigh. “Once I realised what I was reading, I signed her out of my laptop as though that made it all go away. I don’t know why. I just remember my heart sinking and the thought ‘I shouldn’t be reading this’ going through my head.” <br /> “Almost like you stumbled on a stranger’s conversation?” <br /> “Yes! Yes, exactly like that. How did you know?” <br /> “That’s how I felt reading your letter.” Erica glanced over at the pages still littered on the kitchen counter. “My heart sank at first. I could feel my face flaming. And then I felt almost embarrassed. Because I couldn’t believe I was reading about Alex. My Alex.” <br /> “I’m sorry.” <br /> “Yeah.” <br /> Silence once more. <br /> “Erica-.” <br /> “Marcus-.” <br /> “Go on,” he said, cutting her off before she could offer the same courtesy. “I was only going to repeat myself.”<br /> “Okay.” She took a slow, calming breath. “I just wanted to thank you, Marcus. I know it can’t have been easy thinking about someone else when your entire world was crumbling. And I just… I really appreciate you telling me everything.” <br /> “You’re welcome. I’m surprised at your reaction, but you’re welcome.” <br /> “Surprised why?” <br /> “You haven’t questioned me once. You haven’t demanded proof. Why not?” <br /> Erica took a moment to gather her thoughts. The truth was, once she heard the pain in his voice, there was no doubt in her mind Marcus was telling the truth. A small part of her still held onto the hope that someone had made a mistake - that it wasn’t her Alex who had exchanged those texts with Sophie. <br /> Perhaps it was another Alex. Or a fake profile posing as her husband. She’d rationalised it a million different ways before she even picked up the phone. But none of those possibilities mattered now. For Marcus, there was no denying his wife had broken their vows. Even if her little shred of hope blossomed into reality, it felt like rubbing salt into the wound. <br /> A gotcha moment. Haha, my marriage isn’t over after all. <br /> She couldn’t be that person. Not when she could hear how utterly broken Marcus was. <br /> “I believe you,” she said simply. “Do I hope that there’s been a mistake? Of course. But given how dejected you sound, I doubt a decent person would make another feel the same way.” <br /> A last moment of silence. <br /> “Thank you for that, Erica. I’m grateful you see it like that.” <br /> “This might seem a bit unorthodox,” Erica replied, her heart racing. “But would you like to get coffee?” <br /> You invited him for coffee? Honey, are you okay?” Erica couldn’t hold back her laughter this time. What a ridiculous question to ask. “Okay, I know you’re not okay, I just meant-.”<br /> “I know what you meant, Charlotte,” Erica said, taking the letter from her and neatly folding it back into the envelope. “I may have a scumbag for a husband, but I’m not losing my marbles.”<br /> “No? What would you call meeting a perfect stranger?”<br /> “A Tinder date?” Erica laughed at her own joke, leaving the room and heading to her bedroom. “You watch too many crime shows, sis.”<br /> “And apparently you don’t watch enough,” Lottie said, rushing after her. “Honestly, Eri, just think about this. How do you know he’s telling the truth? He could be any old creep just waiting for an opportunity.”<br /> “You can’t fake that kind of hurt. You just can’t.” Erica pulled her arm gently from Lottie’s grasp, walking through the double doors to her bedroom. Grabbing her purchases from earlier, she hung her dress on the back of the door and sat at her vanity table. “I could hear it in every word he said, Lottie. And at the moment, he’s the only person in the room who understands what I’m going through.” Looking in the mirror, she met her sister’s eyes as Lottie sank onto the bed.<br /> “Well, I can understand that,” Lottie said, scrunching her nose. “Just. Give me his number before you go meet him. That way, if you end up missing, I have a lead to give the cops.”<br /> Erica chuckled despite her low mood, nodding in response to Lottie’s request. It wasn’t unreasonable, but in her gut, she knew Marcus was no danger to her. He was just another broken heart who was the only person in the world who had a chance of understanding how she felt.<br /> Putting her meeting with Marcus to the back of her mind, Erica turned her attention to her reflection, starting her usual skincare routine. As Lottie watched with a judging eye, Erica cleansed, exfoliated and moisturised, focusing on the task at hand so her mind wouldn’t wander and she wouldn’t succumb to her hurt.<br /> “What are you doing?” Lottie asked, sitting up and perching on the edge of the bed.<br /> “Moisturising currently. I’d have thought that was obvious.” Lottie rolled her eyes and sighed.<br /> “Yes,” she said. “I know you’re moisturising. But why?”<br /> “Skin care is important, little sister.”<br /> “Erica! Stop with the nonsense, you know what I mean!” Erica smirked at her through the mirror, finding enjoyment in her frustration. Moments like this with Lottie reminded her of those precious years sharing a bedroom as teenagers. She’d hated it at the time, but now she would give anything to be fifteen again and arguing over lip gloss.<br /> “We have guests tonight,” she said, reaching for her make-up bag. “And if I don’t get a move on, I’ll never be ready in time.”<br /> “You can’t be serious, Eri.”<br /> “What is it this time?” The smile she gave her sister was a little strained this time. Lottie had done nothing but question her this whole time.<br /> “Your husband is screwing his secretary!” Erica winced at the pain of those words. “And you’re planning on playing the dutiful wife by entertaining his guests?”<br /> Erica shrugged and applied her base coat.<br /> The truth was, she wanted nothing more than an endless tub of Ben and Jerry’s and a collection of tear-jerker movies to drown her sorrows in. She wished she could put on her ratty old clothes and climb under a duvet, only resurfacing for more ice cream. Every moment brought her closer to succumbing to the immense pain in her heart that threatened to break her.<br /> But if she allowed herself a moment of grief, Alex had won.<br /> Despite all of her pain, and all of her heartache, Erica was angry.<br /> “... And I just think you should cancel and let him have it!” Erica forced herself to focus on Lottie’s rant, taking a slow breath. “You’re just letting him get away with it, Eri. How can you do that?”<br /> “Oh, Lottie. Who said anything about him getting away with it?”

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