“Secret properties, offshore accounts, investments.” I waved a hand, “The usual white collar shit.”
Everyone sat in complete silence for a few minutes while I munched on the snacks and they drank Ben’s guilt scotch.
“Can I punch him if I can make the footage disappear?” Kyle suddenly asked with an excited grin. Everyone cracked up laughing, and I shook my head with a small smile. Kyle scowled and mumbled something under his breath.
"How far along are you?" My mother asked. Her eyes were still misty, but there was a flicker of hope in them.
"I'm not sure, but it's still early."
"You haven't been to the doctor?" My father looked at me.
"I found out the same night I found out he was cheating on me." I shrugged. "I've been a bit busy every since."
"How did you already get him served?" Kyle asked.
"The lawyer Gram hired for the prenup is very efficient. Griffin was able to compile the evidence very quickly, and the quicker we move, the less likely I will be showing by the time we see a judge." I looked down at my flat belly and placed a hand over it. "I won't hide it forever..." I looked back up at them. "I know he deserves to be a father, even if he wasn't a good husband. I just need time..."
"We understand..." My mom said softly, "Sweetheart, it's been less than a week since you left here. I can't imagine how unsteady you must be feeling with all these rapid changes.That boy doesn'tdeserveanything from you right now." She insisted with a firmer tone.
I nodded and tried to blink back the tears. She was right, it had only been a handful of days since my entire life was turned upside down and then set on fire.
I hadn't slowed down long enough for reality to catch up to me, but I knew it was coming.
21-Angela
When I had picked a destination for my temporary banishment, I stupidly chose a tiny town near New Haven, Connecticut, because of a TV show I loved about a mother and daughter duo who lived in a sleepy little town, and the daughter was going to Yale. Turned out… the idea of the quaint town life was far more appealing in the TV show than it was in real life.
In reality, I was stuck in a cheap motel, in a town with nothing to do, waiting for a man who was clearly blowing me off.
“The number you have dialed…”
“FUCK!” I whined and threw my phone.
Ben had stopped answering my calls after that first day, and now his snake of a lawyer was ignoring me. He had answered one call yesterday, but only to tell me that Ben was having technical difficulties with his cell phone and that I needed to be patient. He then reminded me that I had signed an NDA, so to keep my mouth shut even if I was unhappy with Ben. Which I knew meant I shouldn’t expect a call back anytime soon.
“He can’t do this to me!” I snarled and paced back and forth in the tiny room.
When I had told my sister that Ben was paying for me to temporarily relocate, she had told me to leave my old life behind and move on.
“Angie, that man ruined your reputation, your career, and dragged you into his toxic marriage… take the money and run. You can start over anywhere you want.”
“But I want him…” I had insisted. Before his wife had caught us together I hadn't really set my heart on Ben being mine. It was obvious he loved her but once she knew... it started to seem more and more realistic that I could have him.
Honestly, it was less about him and more about wanting to settle down with someone who could provide. I didn't want to do things the hard way anymore. I wanted the easy life.
I had done the work, or gotten the work done I should say, necessary to win a rich man. I had kissed my fair share of frogs, more than a few married, and now this was the first time one was actually going to get a divorce.
Why?” She had asked, as if it were such a ridiculous notion.
Why? Because he should be mine.
She couldn't possibly understand.
Yes, we had both been raised by the same gold digging stripper. Yes, she'd had the same desire to get out of that godforsaken trailer park, but unlike me, my sister found her forever guy.
The prick was even loyal.
So when she asked me why I'd want a guy like Ben I couldn't give her an answer that she'd understand.
