Jackson didn’t even question it; he just waved to his dad before following her to the car.
I was halfway down the hall when I heard them.
Clara and Mason.
“I told you, Mason, if she comes near Jackson...”
“Clara...”
“You need to get rid of her, Mason.”Clara’s voice was low but sharp, every syllable honed to a point.
I froze halfway to the stairs, the wood cool against my bare feet.My chest tightened.
Mason’s voice was lower, as if he knew someone might be listening.“You’re overreacting.She’s great at her job.I don’t have time to train someone new.”
Clara let out a laugh, sharp and humourless.“So you’re choosing your whore?The twenty-year-old who’s been spreading rumours about you fucking her since the week she started?”
“That’s not...”
“You take her to lunches she has no business being at.Business trips she doesn’t need to attend.You buy her gifts.But you don’t think you’ve crossed any lines?”
“Ihaven'tcrossed any lines, Clara.”
She laughed, but it sounded cold and distant.“At minimum, it’s an emotional affair.At most...”
“It’s not cheating.Iamnotcheating.”
“You don’t believe emotional affairs are a thing because it’s convenient not to.But you’re blind if you think what you’ve done isn’t betrayal.”
Mason’s voice tightened.“You’re overreacting.It isnotwhat you think.”
Clara’s reply cut clean.“She is telling everyone who will listen how good your cock feels, Mason...SHEis the problem, not me...not yourwifewho you supposedly love...how would you feel if the roles were reversed?"
"Clara, I will talk to her, but you need to calm down and come home...I didn't cheat on you."
"Really, Mason, because I don't remember agreeing to an open marriage."
"I didn't fucking cheat on you with her or anyone else..."
"If she ever comes near Jackson, if I find out she is anywhere near him, in the home that is supposed to be ours...I’ll take you to court, I will go for full custody, and I’ll win.Don’t test me.”
"Clara, don't do this..."
"You are the one who did this, Mason, and are the one who continues to dothis."
A pause.The creak of the porch boards.Then Mason muttered something I couldn’t catch before the front door opened and snapped closed.
Dinner was an exercise in pretending.
Mom and Dad wore careful smiles, keeping the conversation light for Jackson, who chattered about school.Clara picked at her food, and I found myself doing the same.Mason was long gone, but the shadow of him echoed in the house.
Later, after Jackson was tucked into bed and the house had gone quiet, I curled up on the daybed outside, the night air cool against my cheeks.The crickets were loud enough to almost drown out my thoughts.Almost.
The screen door squeaked, and then Clara was there, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.She slid under mine without asking, tucking her cold feet against my legs like she used to when we were little.
“How much did you hear?”she asked softly.
“Enough,” I said, not surprised she knew.“How are you?”
