Chapter 35 #2
I stare back at him blankly, unsure of what this is.
His expression isn’t giving anything away; his face carries an odd sort of controlled neutrality, although the twitching fingers are a dead giveaway.
I don’t know how to play this because I don’t know if Bren’s told him or if he’s somehow found out. “How the fuck did you find me?”
Chris’s eyes turn stony. “Does that even matter?”
“Yes, it does fucking matter.”
Chris huffs. “It wasn’t hard to find your Instagram. You follow this gym. I came down yesterday, told a few white lies to the receptionist, and she told me you normally come in around this time. Satisfied?”
I shift my gaze across the road, still trying to figure out how to play this. “What do you want? And can you make it fast because I need to pick up my daughter.”
“Based on the aggressive and defensive attitude, I think I already have my answer. But just for fun, are you having an affair with my husband?” Chris steps closer, trying to stare me down, but I’ve got a few inches on him, and he’s about as intimidating as an…accountant.
I know Chris loves Bren and is here to fight for him. But no matter how much he tries to hide it, I can smell the fear and desperation.
“No, I’m not,” I answer, meeting his eyes. “But I do love him. I always have and I always will, so treat him right. He deserves the world with all the shit he’s been through. You’re a lucky man Chris Walker, so don’t fuck it up.”
With that said, I push past him, knocking his shoulder on the way.
But I’m rattled, and it takes a while to pull myself together.
If Chris suspects enough to come looking for me, then he and Bren must be having trouble.
It seems like things might have changed for Bren since our night together.
I want to reach out, but I also want to respect his wishes.
The last text I’d sent went unanswered. “Fuck,” I mutter under my breath: maybe Chris had seen it.
Adjusting back to work leaves me dead tired but also fulfilled.
I’d forgotten how much I loved it. Yes, it’s a lot of pressure and I haven’t had to deal with losing a patient yet, but I’m doing something good in the world, and, as cliché as it sounds, it makes me feel good about myself. The only thing missing is Bren.
Pulling my phone from my uniform pocket, I tap out a text. I know it’s a risk, after the Chris incident a couple of weeks ago, but I’ve heard nothing more.
Me: Hope it’s okay to text. I wanted to share my news with you. I’m back at work—posted at the Seaford Depot and I’ve got a new address too—299 Fleetwood Cres, Mount Eliza. And Bren remember always and forever!
I’m certain he’ll be happy for me. Proud, even. I probably shouldn’t have added my new address, but I want him to know where I am if he needs me.
After saying goodbye to my workmates, I head off to my appointment. I’ve been thinking about doing it for a while now and today I’m ready.
Twenty minutes later, still stuck in peak hour traffic, my mind wanders to the state of my separation.
Despite James being the biggest fucking asshole to walk the earth, I do have faith that Charlotte will secure a fair division of our assets.
While the divorce cannot be finalised until we’ve been separated for twelve months, James can, if he wants to, push for half or full custody of Lu.
So far he hasn’t, and I can only hope James is more interested in romancing his young boytoy.
We’ve communicated via email and temporarily agreed Lu will spend every second weekend with him.
Lu is happy with the arrangement and, despite feeling physically sick when I dropped Lu off last weekend, nothing untoward happened.
But I don’t trust James and the longer things go on without any drama, the more I suspect he’s cooking something up to destroy me.
Charlotte is working on formalising our parenting agreement, along with a monthly child support payment.
I’m still hoping that James will agree to divide our assets fairly so we can both get on with our lives.
Surely he won’t risk discovery of his workplace affair and jeopardise his career?
James doesn’t know I only have a photo of them kissing, not the video I pretended to have.
It had been a calculated lie: I know James likes to beg for dick and be fucked over his desk at work because we’d done just that so many times early in our relationship.
Plus, Lu had overheard his conversation, all but confirming it.
She’s coping better than I expected. I hadn’t realised how depressing our home had become for her over the years.
Now we eat dinner in front of the TV if we want, and we talk, like really talk.
The house feels light and easy and happy.
It’s how I imagine a family is supposed to feel, even if it is just the two of us.
Nathan had us over for dinner. When we arrived, I was over the moon to see my sister Krystal there too.
It was a great night, although I got a little sentimental watching Lu talk and laugh with her cousins.
Natalie has also finally agreed to meet for coffee.
I burned a bridge there, or completely blew it up, and now I need to repair it.
By the time I push open the door to the tattoo parlour, there’s a noticeable buzz of excitement in my stomach.
Lying back in the chair, my heart slows, and a feeling of peace settles over me as Bren is inked above my left pec in elegant cursive.
It will serve as a reminder of my vow to remain steadfast in my love for Bren, something I completely failed to do in my youth.
Afterwards, as I slip back into my car, I’m determined to get on with my life and cherish all the gifts I’ve been given.
A beautiful daughter, a job I enjoy, a place to live, food on the table and money in the bank.
Despite all my mistakes, I’m blessed to have made it this far.
It may have taken me way too many years to gain the courage to leave James, but I’ve done it now, and it was Bren who gave me the final push that I needed.
“Thank you, Bren,” I whisper as I start the ignition and merge into the traffic.