Chapter2
836 Words
Don't wait up… will be with the boys…
The boys… right.
Laurie knew it was an outright lie but there was nothing she could do about it. If space from her was what he needed then that was what she would give him.
Suddenly tired and feeling a bit light headed, she sought out Vivian who gave her a concerned look.
“I'm heading off.” she informed Vivian.
“Why? It's still too early.” Vivian protested.
“I'm feeling a bit dizzy and lightheaded.” Laurie confessed.
“Oh my! Did you drink one or those punches, they are stronger than they taste?” Vivian asked, alarmed.
Before Laurie could respond she already had her by the wrist, dragging her out the building to her drivers.
“Take her to my house. Be careful with her and make sure she arrives safely.” she instructed.
Laurie protested. “But… Ethan.”
“Shhh… Give me your phone.” Vivian demanded, holding out her hand for the phone.
Laurie handed it over reflexively, watching idly as Vivian quickly typed a message.
“There. I've texted him.” She handed back the phone to Laurie.
Laurie peered at the screen. The message was straight and precise… and so unlike her.
I'm sleeping over at Viv.
She got into the car without further protest, her mind absently wondering what Ethan was really up.
****
She peeped out the window to be sure the coast was clear before sneaking out of the house and walking out the gate.
She hailed a taxi and gave her address, preferring to be in her home than at her godmother. She also needed to prepare for both Ethan and her anniversary tomorrow.
She didn't even know why she was doing all this, after all, it was clear Ethan didn't love her.
Just a couple of weeks ago, she had mistakenly stumbled upon a painful discovery and it explained Ethan's behaviour towards over the last couple of months.
He hadn't really been in love with her. She was more or less a substitute for the woman he really loved.
According to the pictures she saw, the lady was a spitting image of her, only looking more classy with lots of makeup on.
She had confronted him about it and he hadn't denied it.
“It's true… You weren't the initial plan…” he had told her with an air of nonchalance like it didn't matter what she thought.
“That means you never loved me.” she had said back to him, her lips quivering.
“Who knows… maybe in time, I might actually come to love you.” was his response.
Cut, and clear. He didn't even have the decency to deny it.
Laurie’s heart beat against her ribs as the taxi slowed to a stop in front of her gate.
The lights were on. That was strange. She was sure she had turned off the lights when they left earlier.
Something didn’t feel right.
A strange stillness clung to the air, the kind that made her skin prickle.
Taking a deep breath, she unlocked the door and stepped inside.
The faint scent of cologne and perfume mixed in the air—Ethan’s… and someone else’s.
Her pulse quickened.
“Ethan?” she called softly. No answer.
Then she heard it, soft laughter coming from the living room. A woman’s laughter.
There he was. Ethan.
And in his arms, pressed close against him, was a woman Laurie recognized instantly.
Jane Liam.
The same Jane from the old photos. The same Jane who had left him years ago to chase her career.
The same Jane Laurie-Ann had been foolishly compared to.
For a second, she couldn’t breathe.
Jane’s lipstick smeared as Ethan broke the kiss, his eyes widening like a deer caught in headlights.
“Laurie—”
“Don’t,” Laurie-Ann interrupted sharply, her voice trembling. “Don’t you dare say a word.”
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Jane turned, a cruel smirk tugging at her painted lips.
“Oh, it's only you.” She gave a small, mocking laugh. “Perfect timing.”
Laurie felt her knees threaten to give way, but she stood tall.
“What’s going on?” she demanded even though it was pretty clear what was going on. She at least wanted to be lied to at least once.
Ethan ran a hand through his hair, looking everywhere but at her.
“It’s… not what you think.”
“Oh, really?” Laurie’s tone cracked, but she forced a bitter smile. “Because it looks exactly like what I think, Ethan. I guess this was what you meant by staying with the boys.”
Jane chuckled, stepping forward like she owned the place. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor.
“It’s exactly what it looks like, darling,” she said, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “I’m back. And I’ve come to take my man back, and my rightful place as his wife.
- Writer
