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

And while I expect nothing but the truth from her, I decide keeping my plus-one entry to the secret society all to myself, on the off-chance I’m accepted.

Pulling up to the curb knowing Samantha’s getting ready for work, I’m disturbed to find she isn’t alone. More disturbing is seeing Shawn’s BMW parked out front. While the two were most definitely friends during our marriage, I feel a sense of betrayal that they’re visiting each other, especially with Sam knowing everything.

“What the hell is going on here?” I mutter, pulling the handbrake with too much gusto.

Is he here discussing our marriage with my sister? Seeking advice on how to repair the damage he’s done? I don’t know what I’ll do if that’s the case because a huge part of me believes it’s a waste of time. I can’t unsee him with those girls. I can’t unhear all the rejections knowing he was refusing me, so he could go fuck around elsewhere.

Seeing Shawn’s car throws me off my game, and my confidence takes a nose dive. I came here for a particular set of answers, but now I’m forced into finding others I may not like hearing. Sighing, I slump back against my seat knowing there won’t be any confronting anyone tonight. Looks like Beast and I do have a date after all.

Slipping out of the car, I skulk across the street, sidle up alongside the house, and take my position against the fence. Beast is there within a heartbeat, snuffling and grunting through the gap, and claiming his stake next to me.

“At least you’re still loyal to me, Beast. Even if we did start out a little rocky.” I give his head a ruffle in greeting, and wait and watch for anything that might give me some answers. At first there’s nothing, I can’t see or hear them. But after a few moments, a conversation springs to life in what I assume is the kitchen. While still out of view, the voices are close enough to hear.

“You have to talk to her, Shawn,” Samantha starts, her tone causing my heart to thud. It isn’t a suggestion between concerned in-laws. “We can’t carry on like this behind her back. It’s already been going on in secret for too long.”

“That’s a ridiculous idea,” he says, shutting her down. “We can’t, Sam, you know that. There’s absolutely no way on this earth that Blythe can find out, no matter how intense things get. Things are already fucked-up enough.”

What the actual fuck?

Shawn and Sam!

Sam and Shawn!

A knife plunges into my heart.

I’ve imagined many scenarios. But. Not. This.

“She’s asking questions, and a lot of them. My sister isn’t stupid, she’s knows something’s wrong with us both, and soon she’s going to piece it all together. And I can assure you, Blythe will explode and we’ll regret not saying anything sooner.”

“I understand what you’re saying. I truly do.” Shawn’s tone turns desperate and it makes me sick. It’s the sound of a man who never wants his wife to know his dirty little secret. “But I’m doing what I can to stay away from her, so you should do the same. I even missed mediation so I wouldn’t have to answer her hard-hitting questions. And my wife is good at those. And I’m doing that because the less she knows, the better.”

“You’re still calling her your wife as if you’re still together,” my traitorous sister states with annoyance. “She doesn’t want anything to do with you, but you insist on keeping her hanging by a thread. Why don’t you put Blythe out of her misery?”

The knife twists a little more.

Just go straight for the jugular, Sam.

“It just doesn’t seem right,” she continues. “My relationship with her fractures a little more with every call I miss, all the messages I never respond to, and the questions I dodge and weave. I’m running out of excuses.”

“So, don’t give her any.”

“You just told me not to tell the truth, Shawn. Which is it?”

“Look, Sam… what you’ve done is nothing in comparison to what I’ve done.”

“That doesn’t make any of this right.”

“That’s because none of it is right.”

At least he has the balls to admit that much.

Their voices grow louder as they emerge in the living room, tears flowing while I observe the state of them. Shawn’s pressed white collared shirt is unbuttoned, revealing his toned and impeccable abs, while Sam turns her back to him so he can zip up a very sexy, very expensive, designer dress. I watch his knuckles graze her skin while he handles the zip. I watch as Sam pulls her beautiful straight locks over her shoulder, exposing her flawless shoulders. The whole scene plays out, and I can feel every touch, deliberate or not.

What had they been doing prior to my arrival?

My heart plunges at the very thought I’ve caught them post-fuck.

“Look, Sam…” Shawn gently spins my sister around to face him and cups her cheeks in a tender moment that makes me want to vomit, “I just need a little while longer. Can you give me that?”

A while longer?

What for?

To have me killed off before he can move on with my own sister?

Sam sighs heavily. “Fine, but I’m not happy about it.”

“Neither am I, but right now Blythe is better off left in the dark. We both have too much to lose otherwise.”

I clamp a hand over my mouth, stifling the sobs. The two people I love the most have committed the ultimate betrayal.

How long has this been going on?

Have they spent wild, crazy nights together having sex, while laughing at my stupidity?

Unable to stare deceit in the face any longer, I stagger to my feet and run to the car. Before I climb inside, I bend at the waist