Chapter 3
The next morning, the woman, Monica King, I'd hired, showed up at the card parlor.
"Hey, sir, you really have that vibe. Were you some kind of boss or something?" Monica's voice was soft and sweet. She looked fresh-faced, no makeup, gentle and easygoing.
When she smiled, her eyes curved up, and her figure was full and inviting. She was the kind of woman people liked right away.
David gave her a once-over, grinning. "Me? Nah, not at all. You here for cards too? Come play with us."
Monica covered her mouth, giggling. "Oh, since you're inviting me, of course I'll play. Whatever you say, I'll do. Guess we hit it off, huh?"
David was all smiles.
Monica took out a pack of cigarettes from her bag and handed them around, and everyone started praising her.
Some of the guys at the cards parlor started joking around, "Hey, Alex, who's this? She's a real looker and sure knows how to charm people."
"Man, Alex, you're one lucky guy. Got a fierce wife at home and a soft cutie right here."
"Where'd you find this beauty? Is she single? I got divorced. Think I stand a chance?"
David was loving all the attention, already treating Monica like one of his own, even though they'd only met. "No way, you don't stand a chance."
He didn't suspect a thing, kept his cash strapped to his waist, making sure nobody could get near it.
He had no clue. This whole thing wasn't about his money at all.
Monica kept setting David up to win, and he kept raking in the victories.
She was totally fangirling over him. "Wow, you're incredible. I'm so clueless. I keep letting you win every time."
My father-in-law was grinning from ear to ear. "You're my good luck charm."
"Oh, stop it. You're making me shy."
Monica never said anything over the top, but her eyes were practically dripping with sweetness, full of playful, teasing charm.
Over at the card table, things were lively as ever, while on my side, things were getting pretty intense too.
Linda showed up at my place, trying to persuade me, "Emily, come home with me. Alex hasn't had any kids with that woman, so it's a fling. He still cares about you, you know."
"I'm not going back," I shot back.
"You're married now. This is your parents' house, your brother's house, not yours, got it? Once you're married, you're out of this family for good.
"There's no taking you back. The only home you have is with my son, and he's the only family you've got now."
Linda really had her own warped values.
No matter what she said, I wouldn't budge. "Why should I go back? So I can watch your son keep cheating on me?"
Linda raised her voice, sounding totally self-righteous. "So what if he cheated? Big deal. Most men out there have cheated.
"Your dad did too, and your mom still stuck around, didn't she? Why are you acting like you're too pure for this world, like you can't handle a little mess?
"Seriously, what man hasn't messed up before? My son hasn't dumped you or asked for a divorce. What more do you want? He cheated, and now he knows he loves you the most.
"If he didn't compare, how would he know who he really cares about? Honestly, I think this affair was a blessing. It'll make your relationship even stronger."
I almost saw stars. I'd promised myself not to let her get under my skin, but damn, she really went for the jugular. No matter how ready I thought I was, I couldn't keep it together.
"Why don't you go have an affair too? Maybe you and Alex's dad will end up even closer."
Linda put her hands on her hips. "Me? Cheat? Please, I'd never do that. I'm happy, thank you very much. You're having a case of sour grapes because you can't have what I do. I was born lucky.
"I know how to handle a man. All you do is make a scene and mess things up. Is it really so hard to suck it up? Look at you now, stuck in this mess. All because you refuse to look the other way. That's how you survive in marriage.
"Don't come crying when this family falls apart. Don't say you didn't see it coming. It'll all be your fault."
She stood there, looking down on me like she was the moral authority, every word drilling in the same point: Apparently, it was all my fault. Alex did nothing wrong, and the real problem was that I wouldn't put up with it.
I stood there, not moving a muscle.
Linda raised her voice even more. "Why are you standing there like that? I'm telling you, whether you want to or not, you're going back today. Don't go making a scene and shaming our family out here."
I gave a little laugh. "Not going back."
"Pathetic. My son cheating proves he's got what it takes. Now let's see if you have what it takes to keep him. Don't be a coward.
"Your father-in-law's been well-behaved his whole life and never gave me any trouble, because I know how to handle things. The reason you're in this mess is that you don't know how to deal with people."
She got even louder, practically screaming, "You don't know how to be a person."
She was getting more and more fired up, totally convinced she was right. "So what if he fools around outside?
"As long as he still comes home and doesn't ask for a divorce, you should be grateful. Hell, you should be worshipping him for still coming back."
Just then, my phone buzzed with a message.
It was from Monica: [Done. I've got him meeting me at the hotel tonight at six.]
I sent her 900 dollars.
Monica replied: [Thanks. If you ever get another gig like this, call me.]
I replied: [Will do.]
[I haven't blocked him yet. I'll wait until I lure him to the hotel.]
[Alright.]
I snapped my phone shut and couldn't help but burst out laughing. "You seriously think your husband hasn't been messing around behind your back?"
"What are you talking about?" Linda's expression froze, panic flickering across her face.
"Oh, nothing," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Why don't you go ask your precious husband yourself? And hey, don't go straight to him. Maybe ask the folks around him first. See what you dig up."