Chapter 33 — Accusations
891 Words
“I thought we agreed not to bring this up—”
Jacob began but Maggie cut him off.
“We agreed.” Maggie echoed, with a scoff. “Can you even hear yourself, Jacob?”
"Maggie—" Abby said, trying to touch her.
“Don't Maggie me, Abby," she screamed, slapping Abby's hand away.
“He's a f*****g cheater.”
I glanced at Lena, but she was staring at her phone instead.
“There are kids here, Maggie—” Mum chastised, but Maggie wasn't having any of it.
"You mean adults, Denise. They're not f*****g kids."
“This isn't appropriate though—"
"Is it you, Denise?"
"What do you mean?" Mum asked, frowning slightly.
“Are you the f*****g w***e he's been cheating on me with?"
Shit.
Mum's mouth fell open in shock.
"Okay... Let's get the kids out of here," Abby said, rushing to us.
“No, Abby. The f*****g kids… need to hear this."
“Oh you did not," mum scoffed, shaking her head in surprise.
"You're going on a business trip tomorrow and so is Jacob. Every single f*****g time you're both going on business trips."
“Because we work together, Maggie—"
“Which means I could be right about you both f*****g—"
Mum stood up abruptly.
"Stop this, Maggie. My fiancé is here."
Maggie laughed mockingly.
"Well, that's good. He should know what kind of person you are."
"Enough Maggie." Jacob thundered.
"Don't scream at me, you f*****g cheater." Maggie shot back.
Jacob shook his head, mumbling profanities.
"You have no right to accuse me like this, Maggie. And you certainly don't have proof that I'm sleeping with your husband."
Maggie turned to face mum.
"It's always like this with you, isn't it?"
Mum rolled her eyes and began pacing the living room.
"First, it was my best friend.”
At this… mum stilled.
“Now my husband. Have you no shame, Denise? Our kids are friends, for Christ's sake."
Mum's jaw clenched in anger.
“You will not bring Richard into this."
"And so what if I do?" Maggie shot back, standing up too.
"Let's all calm down," Abby said.
Mum scoffed, deciding to walk out.
"Can't handle the truth, Denise? Is that why you're walking away?" Maggie screamed after her.
Mum ignored her, pushing open the door.
"Goddammit, Denise. Answer me, will you?" Maggie croaked, voice breaking.
Mum turned back sharply.
"What do you want me to say, Maggie?" Mum yelled back.
The room fell silent.
"If you have a problem with your husband's infidelity, why don't you take it up with him, seeing as you're not ready to believe a word I say?”
Mum's chest rose and fell fast.
Lips quivering as she held back the tears threatening to spill.
"You never learn, Maggie. No woman would have access to your husband if there was no invitation.”
Maggie ripped her gaze away, staring at the floor instead.
“Even if I knew these women your husband was cheating on you with, I wouldn't tell you—cause as your friend, I won't want you going out there to disgrace yourself."
“Denise—”
“No, Abby. You all sat down and watched, while she accused me of something I didn't do.”
Abby exhaled, shoulders sagging tiredly.
Mum turned back to Maggie, eyes hard.
“Have some damn respect for yourself, Maggie. If you wish to keep on fighting for Jacob. Then fine.”
She sniffled, desperately trying to keep the tears at bay.
“If not, walk away.” Mum continued.
“Lena would survive being the daughter of divorced parents, after all this whole thing has been broken from a long time ago.”
With that, she stormed out of the room, leaving silence in its wake.
No one moved.
No one said a word.
The soft blues still played faintly in the background, almost mocking the tension in the room.
"Maggie—"
"f**k you Jacob." Maggie seethed, silent tears falling down her face. “Denise is right.”
"Maggie, please don't do this." Jacob begged, walking up to her.
"I'm done," she stated, pulling her ring off and throwing it at him.
"Please Maggie, let's talk about this—"
"Get out of my way," she murmured, pushing him as she headed for the door.
Jacob followed close behind, running after her.
"I'll-I'll go and see how it's going." Abby murmured, rushing out too.
Henry stood up, motioning towards me. “Let's go home, Rosie."
I didn't argue, I said a quiet bye to Lena, not surprised at her lack of response.
Henry walked towards Samuel.
"Can you make sure she gets home safely?"
Samuel nodded.
I stared at her one last time, then walked out of the door, heading for our car.
"What about mum?" I asked.
Henry smiled softly.
"She needs some time to herself, Rosie. I'm sure she'll be fine."
"But we didn't take another car. How would she get home?"
"Let her worry about that," he replied, opening the passenger side for me.
I glanced at the door, watching as Samuel opened the door for Lena.
She entered quietly, not once looking my way.
All I wanted was to know if she was okay, maybe give me a reassuring smile
But she never looked back.
- Writer
