Chapter 3

I didn't want Emily coming back to deal with all this mess either, so I agreed.

David pretended he needed to make a phone call and left the room. Natasha said she was going to wash some fruit and headed to the kitchen.

That left me alone in the living room. I turned on the TV and cranked up the volume.

I watched them slip into the kitchen one after the other, so I quietly walked over to the kitchen door.

It was already shut, but I could hear David and his mother talking in low voices on the other side.

David asked, "Mom, why did you follow me here?"

Natasha whispered, "Because I'm afraid you'll do something stupid and actually give in to Sarah's demands. Whether it's this house or the savings account, you earned every single dollar. She's never worked a day in her life. Why should she get any of it?"

David said, "Relax, Mom. I'll just sweet-talk her a little, and she'll go along with whatever I say."

Natasha asked, "And David, does Sarah suspect anything?"

He scoffed, "No way. She's home all day with the kid and the housework. She doesn't have time to go out and find out about any of that. You're overthinking it, Mom."

Natasha pressed, "Then why was she acting so strange today? She used to agree to whatever you said without a second thought."

David laughed, "She's probably been watching too many of those trashy drama clips online and got some ideas in her head. But don't worry. Sarah's easy to fool. I've got her completely under control."

Natasha nodded and said, "Well, you'd better move fast. We need to get this settled today.

"Jessica is already six months pregnant, and my grandchild can't wait any longer. Jessica is such a sweetheart. She brings me a gift every time she visits. Not like this one, walking around with a sour face all day like I owe her something."

David cut her off, "Alright, Mom. That's enough. I know what I'm doing."

The two of them started chatting about other things, so I crept back to the couch and pretended I hadn't heard a word.

I couldn't believe the other woman was already six months pregnant. I had noticed David sneaking off to make phone calls and sending secret texts, but he always told me it was work stuff, and I actually believed him. God, I was so stupid.

I didn't want to drag this out with him either. Who knew when his stroke would hit again? If it was going to happen on the third day like last time, I needed to get out early and see if his precious mistress was willing to take care of him.

Or better yet, let Natasha do it herself.

I didn't actually want the house. It still had a mortgage, and I couldn't afford the payments even if I got it.

But I couldn't walk away without fighting for something.

Natasha smiled and pushed a plate of sliced fruit toward me. "Sarah, have some apple!"

She never lifted a finger around the house. Washing and cutting fruit had always been my job, but today she'd done it herself to hurry me out the door.

I smiled sweetly and thanked her.

David sat down beside me and draped his arm over my shoulder. "Babe, I just called your dad. It's all set. Emily's staying with them tonight."

I shot him a look of disgust, but didn't pull away.

He squeezed my shoulder and kept going. "Babe, you saw that villa, right? It's amazing. I know you love gardening, and it has a little yard out back. You can plant whatever you want."

He nudged me gently. "And Emily's been begging for a bunny. You always complain about the smell, but we could keep it outside in the yard. Perfect solution, right?"

I bit into a slice of apple and said nothing.

David rocked my shoulder and pressed on. "That place is selling fast. The agent called me and said there are only a few units left. I asked her to hold the one we liked, but she said she can only keep it until tomorrow. After that, no guarantees."

He turned to face me. "Let's just lock it in today, okay?"

I turned to study David's face. He had a sharp nose and deep-set eyes, the kind of looks that had drawn me to him in the first place.

That was why I had chosen him over all the other men who had pursued me, even though his family had nothing to offer.

But those eyes that once looked at no one but me were now fixed on someone else.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and let my voice tremble. "Babe, I'm just scared. A friend of mine went through this. Her husband talked her into a fake divorce so they could buy a second house, and he never came back. She lost everything."

I pressed closer and whispered, "You wouldn't do that to me, would you?"

I locked my eyes on his, and he shifted uncomfortably.

He pulled my hands away and turned his head. "Come on, we started dating in college. It's been years. You know me better than that. I've only ever had eyes for you."