Chapter 1
In the fourth year of our marriage, Ian Swift secretly kept a beautiful painter on the side, pushed into it by his best buddy.
One day, I overheard him arguing with his buddy.
He said, "Jessica already planned to confront Lara. You were the ones who shoved Jessica at me in the first place. Now you clean this mess up."
Someone asked, "So pick one. Which one do you want us to deal with?"
Ian hesitated, then said, "Well, Jessica is different."
*****
Before the plane took off, I overheard two girls in the row ahead of me chatting.
"Who are you even talking about?" one of them asked. "Wait, your boyfriend is Ian Swift? Come on, get real. Do you even know who he is?
"Plus, he's super close with his wife. Stop making up stories. I don't have time to mess around with you."
The girl who was being questioned huffed, pulled out her laptop, and opened up a folder called "Boyfriend."
"Don't believe me? See for yourself," she said. "We've been together for half a year. Trust me, he's a totally different person from the one you see in those finance magazines."
She flashed a coy smile, her expression hinting at something more.
"Wait, for real? Ian Swift? How did you guys even meet?" the first girl pressed, eyes wide.
When it came to her love life, the second girl looked even more smug.
The second girl said, "You know me. My family's broke, I've got little siblings to take care of, and my mom's stuck in bed. I'm always hustling part-time gigs just to keep things afloat and pay for school.
"I met Ian at the bar where I was working. My boss set us up.
"Once Ian and I got to know each other, he kept asking me out. He sent flowers, diamonds, and even organized my last solo art show.
"And this trip to Potstead Cove? All on him.
"Not bad, huh? Want me to hook you up with one of his buddies?"
Her friend sighed, shaking her head. "No thanks, I don't need it.
"Seriously, it's obvious you're just his sugar baby," she said. "Better quit while you can, or you'll end up in a mess you can't fix.
"Let's be real, you're the side chick. You really think he's gonna ditch his wife and kids for you?
"Mr. Swift's just having fun because you're pretty and something new. Give it a little time, he'll drop you like it's nothing."
The second girl instantly looked annoyed.
"Oh, you don't believe me? I've got Mr. Swift eating out of my hand," she snapped. "Getting him to leave his wife? All it takes is a few words from me."
With that, she whipped out her phone and dialed Ian's number.
It was picked up right away. "Who is this?" came a cold male voice.
Hearing his frosty tone, the second girl switched gears, acting all cute and spoiled.
"Ian, you don't love me anymore, do you? You can't even tell it's me?" she cooed. "I knew it. You really are a two-faced jerk. Hmph, I'm done with you!"
That was when I heard Ian say things he'd never said to me before.
"No, baby, I was just in a meeting. I didn't even realize it was you calling," he said, his voice soft and apologetic.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault. What do you want as compensation? A new bag? Some jewelry? I'll get you anything you want," he added. "Oh, and remember how you said you wanted to have your own art show in Potstead Cove? I've already got people working on it.
"Next time, I'll take you there myself. You can arrange the paintings however you want. I've even invited a bunch of famous artists, including those you've always looked up to.
"So, baby, please don't be mad, okay?"
With every sweet word Ian said, the second girl's grin got wider. She was absolutely basking in it.
Her friend's jaw just kept dropping, totally stunned by what she was hearing.
So this was the real Ian? A cold wave washed over me as I witnessed the hidden side of him.
Then, the second girl said something so outrageous that her friend practically shrieked.
"Are you insane? How could you even think about confronting Lara Bowler? She's Ian's wife," her friend blurted out. "Don't push it, okay?
"Just because we're friends doesn't mean I can sit back and watch you go after his wife.
"Seriously, keep your head down, alright? I don't want to wake up one day and see your face all over the news."
The second girl looked even more smug, brushing off her friend's advice and bragging louder than ever.
"What, you scared now?" she shot back at her friend. "I told you, I can get Ian to dump his wife for me, and I will. Just wait and see. When I'm living large, I won't forget you."
After that, they stopped talking. Meanwhile, my phone lit up with a message. [Lara, when are you landing? I'll send someone to pick you up.]
It was from Ian.
I texted back: [Don't you have time to come get me yourself?]