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Anonymous sources said they had been involved for six months.

They started their relationship around the time of Max’s and my last wedding anniversary.

Francesca was 22, 29 years younger than Massimo.

They met at an award show.

She begged her director friend to cast Max as her co-star in the period drama so they could hide their illicit connection on set.

Every single sentence about their affair was so disgusting that I cursed several times.

Deacon stood close by, leaning on the jamb of the door.

I glanced at him now and then.

‘Can you believe this?’ I asked at one juncture.

He scoffed, lips pursed.

‘I can. He was always a fuckin’ revolting loser, and now a monument to stupidity.’

He ground out the words, sharing his unadulterated disdain and disgust for Max with me for the first time.

That’s when I remembered my sister Lucia and even my mother’s apathy towards Max.

Fuck, had I been the last to realize just how much of a jerk my husband was?

The fact that I’d been so stupid hit me, and I closed my eyes, shame burning in me.

My phone rang, and I opened my eyes.

I stared in horror at the caller ID, holding up the device to Deacon.

‘Who is it?’ Deacon asked.

‘It’s Max. Should I take it?’

The irony of asking my ex-husband whether I would take a call from my cheating current spouse struck me as I waited for Deacon’s take on the whole sordid affair.

Our eyes locked across the room and Deacon arched a brow.

‘Hear him out,’ he said, his jaw tight. ‘Let’s see what the bastard has to say for himself.’

The handset kept buzzing, but I ignored it.

‘I want to kill him; I want to fuckin’ murder him,’ I hissed.

‘I’ve got your six, mama,’ Deacon murmured. ‘You’ll get through this as you did in Ethiopia. Talk to him. I’ll let you have your privacy. When you’re done, come find me.’

‘Thank you.’

He gave me a chin raise, swiveled away, and strolled down the corridor.

I was on the brink of calling out, asking him to settle in behind me on the bed.

To hold me close while I worked shit out with Max.

However, it’d be unfair to Deacon.