Discovering Truths by B. Benfield (book series to read .TXT) 📗

physical contact we shared. His touch used to make me melt, now it just disgusted me.

Marcus liked to flaunt his money, so the restaurant was fancy with white tablecloths and candles. I ordered water, but it was served in a wine glass. As I sat there, I began to think about how this really wasn’t me. For so long, I thought it was. I thought this was what I wanted. He was right, I had it made…but it wasn’t me. Gage made me realize that. All the time we spent talking opened my eyes to see that maybe I rushed my life along. I married Marcus because we were high school sweethearts and that’s what we were supposed to do. We were supposed to have the happily-ever-after…but things were nowhere close to happy. My husband went behind my back, and now I was going behind his. When would it end?

“So, I wanted to tell you…George is retiring…and he wants me to take over the firm.”

I knew there was a reason for this dinner. He wouldn’t take me out just because. He had another woman for that. This was an obligatory dinner.

“Alright,” I said, lifting my glass to my lips. The waiter placed a basket of bread between us and asked if we were ready to order. Marcus rattled off a few dishes and once the waiter disappeared, I asked, “What does that mean?”

“It means I’m going to buy the business. I’ll be the owner and lead attorney. I think that’s why he’s had me so busy lately and why he sent me on that trip. I think he’s been preparing me for this.”

I was sure that wasn’t the only reason why he was so busy.

“You’re buying the business? Do we have the money for that?”

“I have the money, yes.”

“You have the money?”

“I have some money set aside in a separate savings account,” he said, taking a long sip of wine.

“I’m sorry, what? A separate savings account? Why are you hiding money?”

“I wasn’t hiding money; I’ve just been putting some aside…and now I’m going to use it.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t tell me about it, and to me, that seems sneaky. Not cool.”

“You do realize I’m the one that makes the money, right?”

“And you realize that we are married, and you always insisted that I not work, and it was our money, right? Don’t pull that crap with me.”

He rolled his eyes like I was the problem. Did he not see the issue? Of course he didn’t.

“It’s not like I was hiding it to be secretive. I’m using it to better myself, help my career, which in turn, is a good thing for us.”

“I’ll just go open a separate account when I start working and my paychecks can go there.” I said. Yes, I went there.

“And that’s fine, Abby. I’ve always told you I would take care of you. Any money that you make is yours. You don’t have to contribute to the household budget.”

I wanted to reach across the table and shake him. He was such a joke. He was saying what he could to appease me. I knew this because I knew him. He needed me blind to his secret life, so he wanted to make sure I was happy…that everything was okay on the outside. I honestly didn’t understand why he didn’t just end it with me and move on to what he truly wanted.

How was this my life?

All I wanted was for this dinner to end. I picked around my food and ignored all his attempts to lighten the mood.

“You know this means I’m going to be a lot busier now. Probably be gone more and more stressed.” He said. I didn’t want to hear any more of his bull crap. Of course that meant he would be home less, because working wasn’t the only thing he would be doing.

“What’s new? I feel like you’re gone all the time now.”

“Abby…”

“Well, it’s true. And that’s something you want?”

“It’s the right career move.”

“Yeah.” Maybe if I agreed with him, it could finally end. I didn’t care anyway.

Once home, he went straight to sleep. I climbed in the shower, searching for some sense of calm and comfort. When I got out, he was snoring in the bed and I slipped on some pajamas and headed for the office.

Gage: You okay? Haven’t heard much from you.

Me: I’m good. He’s home. It’s been a rough evening.

Gage: Want to talk about it?

Me: Not really. It was a fight about money, really.

I didn’t want to get into the details. Living it was exhausting enough. I didn’t want to talk about it anymore than I had to. Especially with Gage. We had much more exciting things to talk about.

Gage: I’m sorry. What can I do to make you feel better?

Me: If I could just see you, I’d feel a lot better.

Gage: Wish I could see you every day.

Me: Me too.

Gage: We’ll have to figure something out for next week.

Me: Yes please. Speaking of next week, I have a job interview.

Gage: Sweet! How exciting! Where?

Me: Security Financial. It’s a loan company. The position is for an administrative assistant to the Underwriting Manager.

Gage: Listen at you. Sounds all fancy. Good luck, babe. I know you’ll do great.

Me: Thanks! I’m super excited. I really hope it works out.

Gage: Me too. I know you want it, but selfishly, I’m a little disappointed that you won’t have as much availability.

Me: Lol. We’ll make it work.

Gage: Any weekend plans?

Me: Nothing special that I know of. You?

Gage: Bentley’s football game tomorrow, dinner at the in-laws Sunday, wish me luck.

Me: Yuck. Good luck.

Gage: I’m going to head to bed. The game is early in the morning. Goodnight, beautiful.

Me: Night. Good luck tomorrow.