Discovering Truths B. Benfield (ereader ebook .TXT) 📖

When I reached his room, I pushed the door open quickly and saw Katie and Todd sitting in the visitor chairs. Marcus laid there in the hospital bed connected to IVs and machines.

“Are you okay?” I walked to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. Really, this was for show. I wanted Katie to see it, and I wanted her to feel like shit.

“I’m fine.” He said.

“Thank you guys for bringing him, but you can go. I’m staying.” I said, directing my eyes toward his co-workers, the female in particular.

“Feel better, man.” Todd said.

“Let me know if you need anything.” Katie said. Her eyes stayed focused on him as she walked out the door. Maybe it was all in my head, but I could have sworn I saw an exchange between them, like they knew exactly what the other was thinking. I recognized the exchange, because I was now in their shoes.

Now was the true test. Now it was time to see how Marcus acted with me having just been in the same room as his mistress.

“Why didn’t someone call me earlier?” I asked.

“It wasn’t a big deal. I didn’t even want to come to the hospital, but they insisted. I was just having some chest pains. They’re getting my discharge paperwork ready now.”

“It doesn’t matter that it’s not a big deal, what if it turned out to be something worse? You’re my husband; I want to know these things.” That was also a truth. Although things between us were a secret mess, I still cared for Marcus. The love was just lost.

“I didn’t want to bother you at work. It’s a new job and I know you’re trying to focus.”

“Still, that doesn’t matter. I would have liked to know the moment you got here. You said they’re getting your discharge papers ready now, were you going to let me know at all?”

He was silent.

“Wow. How did that chick get my phone number then?”

“Todd must have given it to her.”

And now I had the number of the woman who had stolen my husband. He was fine until he met her, or so I thought. At this point, who knew? I grabbed my phone and deleted the number. I didn’t want it. I wasn’t going to waste my time worrying about them when I had my own thing going.

I wasn’t sure what I expected from him, but he acted the same way he had been acting at home. I guess he thought that I thought it was normal. He didn’t know that I knew better.

The nurse brought in some papers for Marcus to sign, and just like that, it was over. We stopped by the office for him to pick up his car and he followed me home. It was the first night in a while that he was home before eight. If all of this hadn’t happened, I was sure he’d still be gone.

I catered to him that night, making his favorite dinner and getting his shower ready, but you could tell it wasn’t appreciated. I was trying my hardest to act like a normal, caring, loving wife. Did he see through me like I saw through him? Surely not. If he knew about my secret, he’d put me through the wringer for sure. It was okay for him, though, that’s how he worked.

He insisted that he was going to work tomorrow, so he went to bed early. I lay there, aimlessly flipping through the TV channels.

Me: Hope you had a good evening.

I sent Gage a message, but never got a response. That gave me an uneasy feeling, but I tried to shake it off, telling myself that he was probably busy. I truly hated that I was so caught up, but at this point, I couldn’t help it. Gage had me hooked.

Chapter Sixteen

 

Gage: Sorry I’m just now getting back to you. It was a rough night.

Me: I’m sorry. It was an eventful evening for me yesterday as well. Want to talk about it?

Gage: Just a fight with the wife. Nothing unusual.

Me: Oh. I’m sorry.

Gage: What was eventful for you?

Me:  The husband’s co-workers took him to the hospital, they thought he might be having a heart attack. It was just chest pains, though.

Gage: Oh wow. So, I’m assuming all is okay now…

Me: Yep. Just fine.

Gage: What are you doing today on your day off? Poor normal people like me still have to work.

Me: LOL, I won’t be doing anything exciting, trust me. I’m going to catch up on all the normal things I would be doing throughout the week. Cleaning, errands…

Gage: Sounds like a blast.

Me: Don’t be jealous.

Gage: Wish I could see you today.

Me: Can you meet me on lunch? Truck date?

Gage: Probably not. They’re going to need me today, got another busy day ahead.

Me: Bummer. Hopefully next week?

Gage: I better get to see you next week.

Me: Well, have a good day. Text me when you can.

Gage: You too, sweetie. I will.

I felt ridiculous for getting worried last night, but when I didn’t hear from him, I freaked. Unfortunately, I had to realize that he had a life, and I wasn’t the center of it. Did I even mean anything to him? I’d probably never know.

***

Marcus texted and said that he and the whole office were going out for a celebratory dinner because Todd had won a huge case. I was tired of sitting around the house being so freaking lonely all the time. It wasn’t fair. I texted Melinda and hoped she’d be down to do something.

Me: Girls night?

Melinda: What did you have in mind?

Me: Dinner. A bar. Drinks. Something. Marcus isn’t going to be home tonight and I need to get out of the house.

Melinda: Let