SEVER Jane, Melissa (management books to read .TXT) 📖

wine and toss my cell on the sofa. It’s a movie and ice cream night. Either The Notebook or Dirty Dancing, and salted caramel swirl ice cream.

My cell buzzes on the cushion next to me, and when I see Shawn’s name, I opt to leave it where it is. A simple message will suffice. I don’t need to be dragged into a bitter argument.

Moments after the ringing ends, he sends a message. Relenting, I pick up the cell and read it.

Shawn: Come on, Blythe. I know you’re ignoring my call, because you only just sent that message.

Me: That’s because—

My reply is interrupted when he starts calling again. “Damn you,” I mutter before answering, “Shawn.”

“Well, I guess, thank you for not ignoring me.”

Doesn’t feel nice, does it?

Despite it all, his voice still feels like home. The only man I’ve ever loved will always challenge my resolve.

“All the information is in the message, there’s no reason for us to talk outside of mediation.”

“Whoa,” he seems affronted. “I thought we’d made some peace last time I saw you. Has something changed?”

I feel my blood boil. “A lot has changed, Shawn. I’m done with being lied to. Everything you told me the other night was simply lie upon lie, and I’m tired of those closest to me thinking it’s okay to treat me like this. I was only ever a good wife to you, Shawn. I gave you the benefit of the doubt on so my occasions, and last night you just proved—”

“Last night?”

“Don’t play stupid with me. In fact, just be honest with yourself because you can’t hurt me anymore. You’re free from this marriage. Free to do whatever you want, even though you’ve been doing just that even during our time together.”

“Blythe, babe, I told you to trust me. I would never—”

“And I’ve told you to stop calling me babe. Surely you have enough girls hanging off your arms to call babe. I’m done with whatever you think this is. So, take whatever money you want, or whatever’s left after you’ve already helped yourself. And screw any girl you choose because… we’re done!”

I hear him protest but it’s too late, I end the call and throw the cell on the floor. While swiping angrily at the tears that flood my cheeks, I refill my glass and turn on the television. Fuck The Notebook and any other soppy shit. I flick through the channels until I find a movie which reflects my current mood. The Terminator.

13

“Y ou’re back early.” Amanda frowns and looks at her watch while I slump onto the sofa.

“He didn’t turn up.”

“Holy shit! But I guess that’s a good thing. It can only make you look better.”

“Maybe so, but at the end of the day, he’s found yet another way to demonstrate how he can make a mockery out of our marriage. By not turning up it tells me how little he thinks of me.”

“Don’t look at it like that. It will only encourage you to be down on yourself, and you’ve done nothing wrong.”

“I just wish he’d have done something a year ago, if this is how he feels. At least, I guess, he had the courtesy not to sleep with me while he was screwing around with side pieces.”

When Amanda’s eyes widen, I know I’ve said too much.

“His side pieces? You know this for certain? Did you catch him in the act? I have so many questions.”

“Yes, to all. I caught him the other night when he told me he’d been faithful during our marriage, even right up to that point. Turns out, he was just feeding me lies upon more lies.”

“Shit, girl. Wait…” her brows shoot up, “was this when you were out with Kane?”

“In the same room.”

“Did he see you… with Kane?”

“No, thankfully. Not that he has a leg to stand on, but for some reason, Shawn has this idea in his head that Kane is public enemy number one, and is rather… passionate about me not seeing him.”

“The hypocrite.”

“Quite. Especially since he had two young things hanging off his arm.”

“The pig!” The fire in her eyes cools and is replaced with warm empathy. “I’m sorry, Blythe. You still love him, don’t you?”

I swipe angrily at the tear rolling down my cheek. “I will always love him no matter how much he’s broken my heart, because he was my first love. And although he fell out of love with me so quickly, doesn’t mean I can do the same.”

“And no one expects you to.” Amanda’s eyes turn cheeky. “Kane Alexander is a wonderful distraction, though.”

I chuckle because she’s right. Besides Kane being an awesome distraction against my marriage woes, he’s also everything Shawn has been lacking in this past year—kind, respectful and attentive.

But one thing I’m learning quickly in life is that men, no matter how attentive they are in and out of the bedroom, there’s always a catch.

~

It seems a far cry that I would be accepted into this secret society given I’m a woman who might only just meet the taxable income bracket. The way Amanda had described it, the exclusive venue seems very male-dominated. Choosing not to put all my eggs in one basket—in the event of rejection—I decide to pay Samantha another visit, but this time I won’t be spending my night playing peeping Tom with Beast and dining out on peanut butter protein bars. Tonight, I need to confront my little sister and refuse to leave until she starts delivering some plausible answers. Of course, she will wonder how I came about knowing where she lives since she’s refused to divulge such information. I don’t yet have an explanation for that, and in truth, I’m hoping to keep her on track enough that the question can go ignored.