Chapter 6
The second I realize what’s going on over the line, I hang up fast. []
Nausea hits again, and I sprint to the bathroom, hand clamped over my mouth. []
After retching until my stomach’s empty, 1 feel lightheaded, legs like jelly. []
I shut off the faucet, brace against the wall, and slide out, tears streaming.
Sitting on the bed edge, shell–shocked, I think of Jay. [
1 grab ray phone, scrolling through contacts and DMs.[]
Who else can help? Besides Chad, no one’s got clout. Vance is just a doc.]
My finger stops on a contact labeled “SC.” [
Wait, who’s that?
Jopen the chat–only one message:[]
It’s Shane.] []
Shane Cooper. Son of a mogul, Chad’s investor. He’s got more juice than Chad.
But why would he help me? We’ve only had dinner twice, and that was me tagging along with Chad.
Desperate, I shoot a message:[]
0030
As soon as it sends, I cringe.[]
So lame. He probably doesn’t even remember me.[]
Before I can call, he replies:[]
Joanna Jones?]
Holy shit, he remembers. []
[Yes, Chad’s wife. Mr. Cooper, we met at the hospital. My brother’s in trouble–can you please help me?]]]
I feel so needy.[
It’s past 11 PM. Who begs for favors at this hour?[]
He’s probably cursing me for waking him ready to block my ass.
Then my phone rings. []
rahim D
My heart pounds as 1 answer. [
His deep voice rumbles: “What happened?” []
I lurt out Jay’s situation [
0
Ay bad Letter Sexssary- ve Baker way they Ques
29.4%
He says, “Wait for my call,” and hangs up.
Is this real? Shane’s actually helping? |
Right after midnight, Mother calls, raving that Jay made amends with the other guy. [
I text Shane:
[Thank you.] [
[That’s it?]]
He’s still up.
[I’ll buy you dinner?] [
[Deal.]
I frown.
Chad’s MIA, so it’ll have to be just me.
0
Whatever, cross that bridge tomorrow.
1 set my phone down to sleep when a text comes from an unknown number.
Just a video. I open it.
It’s basically porn.
Raw, explicit.
The guy’s face is clear as day.
My husband, Chad.
I know who sent this. []
Disgusted, I almost delete it, block the number–but stop.
I save the video instead. [
… 0
Every day since, I’ve been drowning.
I can’t stomach the thought of Chad with another woman.
But he’s “amnesiac“-how do I yell at that?
I even blame myself: if I’d stopped fighting, if I’d begged him to stay that night instead of letting him drive for pie… would we still be happy?
We’re 28 now, tangled up in each other’s lives for decades.
Like bones and flesh–ripping us apart would be agony. []
But this… it’s so filthy. So disgusting. I
What the hell do I do?
I bury my face in my hands, chest aching. It’s like sinking in black water, no light, no escape. []
My Husband Left Me for a Secretary His Billionaire Buddy Finally Time to Crown My Queen!
I scroll aimlessly on my phone, looking for someone to talk to, when my phone dings. [
It’s a message from SC.