CHAPTER TWO
Blair
“How was work today?”
It was a couple of months after the failed anniversary weekend. I’d been watching Scott that entire time, looking for signs of him being unfaithful again. I wanted to go into a divorce with all the information I might need. If I decided to go through with it.
He’d given me plenty of signs.
And he was ignoring me right now.
Scott was looking at his phone. He’d just gotten another text. He looked at it and smiled while eating a bit of the beef stew I’d kept warm for him. He’d been late. Again. The kids were already in bed.
“Scott?”
His eyes shot to mine, and I saw a brief flash of guilt in his eyes. He turned his phone over. Another simple gesture that could mean so much. “What did you say?”
“I asked how work was.” I was exhausted, and the effort just to have a conversation with him was almost too much. If I didn’t want to observe his behavior, I would have already excused myself and gone to bed.
“Oh. Fine.” His phone buzzed again. His hand hovered over it for a moment before he glanced at me. The look on my face must’ve told him he’d better quit ignoring me for whoever was texting him. He put his hand down and forced a smile.
“Who’s texting you so much?” I tried to keep the anger out of my voice, but it was difficult. We’d been down this road before. I’d forgiven him then; I wouldn’t do it again.
“Just a new employee. She’s having trouble learning the ropes.”
I raised my eyebrows. “A new employee? Like a new hygienist?”
“Mmm.” He made a non-committal noise as he hurriedly took another bite of stew so he wouldn’t have to answer me.
“What in the world would a hygienist need to know that’s work related after ten at night? Especially since I’m assuming she was working late with you, and you only left her about an hour ago.”
Scott’s face colored. “What… do you mean?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. I’m going to bed. Please put your dish in the sink.”
“Blair…” he started, but then his phone buzzed again. He obviously wanted to look at the text.
“Just answer her. I’m sure the teeth cleaning emergency she’s having at this time of night is vital and much more important than your wife or kids.”
“Goodnight, then,” he said absently, already having flipped his phone over.
I was pretty sure he hadn’t heard a word I’d said.
The anger I was feeling gave me a sudden burst of energy.
“Actually,” I said, coming back into the room and pretending not to see him jump and almost drop his phone in the stew, “I’m going out.
Listen out for the kids. Sutton should be in bed by eleven unless she’s finishing up homework.
The twins are working on a virtual group project, but they should be through soon.
Everyone else is down for the night. Oh, and there are no devices allowed overnight in anyone’s room. ”
“Wait… what?” He stood up, dropping his spoon onto his plate with a clatter. “Where are you going? Is this because I got a text?”
“No,” I said shortly, grabbing my keys. “See you later. Don’t wait up.”
“Blair.” He was getting mad now. “Tell me where you’re going at this hour.”
I cocked my head at him. “Tell me where you were until nine-thirty. Then show me your phone.”
He blanched.
And I knew. “That’s what I thought.” I grabbed the keys and fled. I thought he’d follow, but when I looked over my shoulder, he was just staring after me.
I drove like a madwoman over to Sadie’s house. I had to blow off some steam before I said something I couldn’t take back.
But I knew one thing for sure—Scott had an emotional affair with an employee once before.
I recognized the signs that it was happening again.
There would be no second chances this time if he did it again.
I wouldn’t put myself through it again. The kids would be happier in a happy home.
Not one where their parents fought all the time.
It was time to find a solution.