Over my dead body was I giving him that money without a fight. I wanted to be sure it was there for Cleo someday. I would respond calmly and politely—matter-of-factly. I might even lieand agree to give him the money in order to get him to tell me what was going on with Cleo. But it was time for me to stop feeling responsible for solving problems of Aidan’s own making. In fact, it was time for me to start seeing Aidan as the problem. And solving problems was something I was very, very good at.
The elevator chimed as the doors opened onto Aidan’s floor. The funky earth-toned wallpaper in the hall looked more expensive than what we had in our home. Maybe once we moved on to actual divorce proceedings, I’d make Aidan leave this ridiculous office for something more affordable. After all, I did pay his company’s bills. I could draw all sorts of new lines.
As I approached Aidan’s office, I noticed that the lights were off. I checked the time: 11:45 a.m.—I was early again. God only knew how long I might be waiting. Flipping the switch as I stepped inside, I found myself facing Bella’s empty desk. Aidan had fired her right after I saw the texts. It had been a lucky accident, too. I’d been prepping dinner when Aidan asked me to hand him his phone. It was on the kitchen counter and her text lit up the screen as I reached for it.Can’t stop thinking about what your mouth feels like on me.
I hadn’t suspected a thing, either. I’d been too busy doing what I had done for the past twenty-odd years—taking care of everything—when Aidan’s affair jumped up and hit me square in the face.
As I’d crossed the room that night and handed the phone to Aidan, prone on the couch, I braced myself for an emotional fallout that never came. Even in the days and weeks that followed, what I’d felt most was relieved. Like the texts had blown my cage apart, leaving me no choice but to make my escape.
But I did know that a divorce court wouldn’t care about his infidelity. It certainly wouldn’t care that Aidan had used my past to manipulate and take advantage of me. The only thing that would matter to the court would be when and by what means our joint assets were acquired.
“Aidan!” I called down the hall toward the conference room at the back.
When there was no answer, I pulled my phone out as I made my way over to his private office—door open, light off. Standing in the doorway, I looked over at his absurd Roche Bobois desk. “Melt”—that was the name of the style, and it did indeed look like molten wood and steel had been poured to form the rounded abstract edges. Hideous, if you asked me, especially for the insane $13,585.00 it had cost. I remembered the figure exactly. It was the kind of thing that stuck when you were footing the bill.
I’m here?
The ellipses appeared instantaneously.Oh, you’re early … Got stuck at a meeting with HBO I forgot I had on the calendar. But I’m right around the corner. Be there in a second.
A meeting with HBO? I wasn’t buying it. And so there I stood alone in Aidan’s empty office, his desktop computer only steps away. Booted up and locked, but I knew Aidan’s password—it was always the same. His birthday. Sure enough, the computer opened right up. Emails and texts right there within reach.
I started with the messages.Herwas up at the top, under the message I’d just sent. Couldn’t he at least have had the courtesy to change it back to Bella? There was something so insulting about the pseudonym.
She really cannot leave that kid alone, can she? Doesn’t she realize she’s in college!!!
I know. That’s what I said!
Kat is the one who needs a good therapist.
Agreed. But it’s not like I can suggest that!
You can’t let her push you around, Aidan.
I’m only trying to stay out of harm’s way!
I took a step back from the computer, hand to my chest as if to physically shield myself. It was so much worse than I’d expected. I hadn’t imagined they’d be talking aboutme.And as if I was a regular topic of conversation. But there was no way I was going to confront Aidan about the messages. They were too humiliating.
My phone vibrated in my bag. I stood, closed out his messages, and sent the computer screen to sleep before digging for it.
Did you really think you’d get away with it? That you’d get to keep all that money? That no one would find out about the blood on your hands?
I dropped down onto the couch. No, I hadn’t thought I’d get away with it. But I also hadn’t intended to kill him.
“So sorry!”
Aidan rushed into the office, coffee in hand, sunglasses still on. His hair was messy and he was unshaven. I stared at him. He laughed in a burst as he put his things down on his desk, took off his sunglasses. He seemed nervous.
He sat down on the other end of the couch, took a long sip of his coffee.
“Cleo,” I said.
Aiden nodded. “Oh, she’s trying to have a positive impact. That’s the good news.”
“I don’t understand.”
“The money was for an environmental activism group she’s a part of,” Aidan said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
“Environmental activism?” I asked, not trying to hide my skepticism. “Seriously?”
