by J. G. Sumner
“The less you know, the better off you are. You’ll know what you need to when the time is right. Until then you need to follow my directions implicitly. Do you understand?”
“No, I don’t understand. I don’t know why I have to be involved in you getting back at a dead man. This all needs to end right now. I want my husband back. I don’t want him to pay for some stupid riff between you and Jonathon. Count me out of any more of your plans!”
“Listen, young lady. That is not how you will speak to your father. If you don’t start behaving yourself, you’re going to lose not only your trust fund, but I’ll make sure that Trent knows your dirty little secret. After that, no one in their right mind will want to be with you, let alone one that can afford the lifestyle you’ve become accustomed to.”
With tears in my eyes, I silently curse myself. I made it a point years ago to not let my father get to me like this, but he still can.
“Why would you do that? Why would you want to destroy my life? What have I ever done to you?”
He laughs. He fucking laughs into the phone.
“What have you done? You almost made a laughingstock out of our family. Do you know how many people I’ve had to pay off to keep your secret quiet? You didn’t care in the least. All you thought about was yourself. What the hell did you need to experience? All you needed was to find some poor soul who was willing to take care of you. You couldn’t even do that. I had to make sure you and Trent got together. Thank God for that or you’d be nothing but a two cent whore working the street corners. You’ve done plenty. Now you’re going to do plenty more to make sure that our family name remains intact. Do you understand?”
Hearing that my father thinks so little of my cuts me like a knife. I already was feeling pretty down on myself, but this has taken me to the bottom of the barrel. “Yes, Daddy. What do you need me to do?”
“That’s more like it. I need you to bug Trent’s home office. I want to know about every conversation he’s having. If there are still burner phones, I want to know who they’re from. You’ll head over to your brother’s office today, pretend you’re popping in to see Trent. Your brother will give you everything you need and show you what to do.”
“Yes, Daddy.” I’m like a robot. I’ve switched into self-preservation mode. More than anything I want to run away. I want to forget that I’m a Davis or a Matthews. I just want to be Parker, the girl who was curious about life and excited to try new things. The girl who fell in love with another woman. Now I feel dead inside, as though someone beat the life out of me. I guess in a way my father has been doing that for years.
“Don’t fuck this up. Oh, and just to add a little incentive, your nanny was in New York with your hubby while he was identifying his father’s body.”
The air is sucked right from my chest. I can’t breathe, I can’t speak, I can’t do a damned thing but imagine that little whore hanging all over my husband.
“I guess you did one thing right. You found the right person to tempt your husband into an affair. An underage one at that. Oh, this will be quite the scandal. I can’t wait to watch that husband of yours implode.” He laughs.
“H-how do you know she was there?”
“There was security footage of the two of them together outside the bank. I assume that’s when he was moving his trust fund money. The only problem I’m having is figuring out where they went after that. They disappeared until she showed up back in Boston. I can only imagine what the two of them were doing that entire time. But don’t worry. I’ll find out and I’ll provide you with proof that your husband is fucking someone else.” My dad’s evil laugh signifies his disgust for me.
“You don’t know for sure that they slept together.”
“Come on, Parker. You have to be smarter than that. I don’t need proof to know what I know. I just need proof to hold it over his head. Don’t you worry, I’ll get it. Until then, you should keep the image of the two of them together when you think twice about betraying your husband. Trent Davis is not worth your time or energy. All you need to focus on is how you’re going to get his fortune.” My dad hangs up. I throw the phone against the wall with a scream of frustration. That asshole is destroying my life. He speaks to me like I’m ten years old and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. He’s holding way too much over my head.
I grab my clutch and the shattered phone. That’s eight-hundred dollars I wasn’t expecting to spend today. Trent won’t be happy about that. Although at this point, it’s probably the last thing on his mind.
I head out to the garage to the convertible Mercedes and pull out of the driveway for the fifteen minute drive over to Trent’s office. Along the way, I replay the conversation with my father in my head. His words bite like a rattlesnake. Sometimes I wonder if he’s ever loved me at all or if I’ve been just a complete disappointment for him. Self-loathing sets in and I feel worthless and trapped. I have no happiness, nothing to live for except for my children. I’m sure if they found out about me they’d hate me too. The only person who has ever truly cared for me is the one I’ve been forbidden to talk to for almost twenty years. The one who truly owns my heart. The one I’ve been trying to deny my feelings for far too long.
I wipe away the warm tear that slides down my cheek, trying to figure out what happened to my life. When did everything go so horribly wrong? I want so badly to drive this car off a cliff. Only knowing Trent is putting his father to rest in a couple of days prevents me from doing so. The last thing he needs is to plan my funeral too. I don’t think he could handle one more thing.
The thought of he and Beth together makes my stomach turn. I picture them rolling around in some hotel bed and I instantly become nauseated. I feel betrayed, but I can’t blame Trent. I brought her into my home knowing damn well what her history was and that there was a good chance she’d come on to him. And with me all but disappearing, there wasn’t hope for much else.
Why haven’t I been strong enough to stand up to my father? Why have I let it go this far? I don’t know why I’m doing it. I just keep getting the same runaround from him. Jonathon tried to destroy our family and now we need to circle the wagons and protect ourselves. Destroy them before they destroy us.
I pull in the parking lot of the law firm. Relief and nervousness wash over me at the sight of Trent’s car. I have to play the world’s best acting game when all I want to do is take my husband and children and leave this all behind. Why can’t we just leave? Yes, it would be hard to forget about Delia again, but I want to live in the bubble where everything is perfect. My husband, kids, and marriage. Can’t I just pretend? It would be so much easier.
I glance in the rearview mirror to ensure there is no makeup circling my eyes from crying. I wipe away a smudge and pat my cheeks to give them color, get out of the car, and walk in the building. I’m greeted by the receptionist whose name I can never remember.
“Hello, Mrs. Davis. Your brother is in a meeting, but will be out shortly. He’s expecting you.”
I force a smile. “How about my husband. Is he free?”
“Yes he is, ma’am.”
Without waiting for her to announce my presence I make a beeline straight to his office. When I enter, he looks up from whatever he’s working on in surprise.
I rush to him and put my arms around him.
“What’s wrong? You’re shaking.” Trent squeezes me tight.
The conversation with my father rushes through my mind. Do I dare share what I know with Trent? How could I possibly tell him about my betrayal and about my secrets? He’d never forgive me.
“I’m just so upset about your dad. I can’t believe that he died the way he did. What kind of person would just go up and beat someone to death? To the point that he’s unrecognizable. It’s just so horrible.”
“Shh. It’s going to be okay. The closed casket isn’t going to be that big of a deal. I get kind of creeped out looking at dead people anyway. Besides, I want the kids to remember him alive, not how he is
now.” Trent tries to soothe me from behind his desk. “What about your mom? Have you heard from her yet?”
“Unfortunately not. That must be some cruise. I just keep thinking she forgot her cell phone charger or something. I’m not too worried. We can always have a small family ceremony when she gets back, although I know she’ll be completely horrified she missed this. I just don’t know what else to do other than wait until she comes back, and that doesn’t seem like a good option. It’s still a month away.”
I stare at him, trying to read the unspoken words hiding behind his eyes. “You aren’t the least bit worried?”
“No. She’s on a cruise in the middle of the ocean. This is her first big vacation with her sister. If I go hunt her down and have her leave the boat, she may never go on another trip again. It’s probably better this way.”
Either he has no clue his mom and aunt aren’t on that boat, or he’s one hell of a liar. I play along. “I don’t know. If it were you, I’d want to know. You wouldn’t have to drag me off the ship, I’d be demanding they land a helicopter to pick me up. There’s nothing that would keep me away.”
Trent takes a deep breath while contemplating his response. “I guess I’m still trying to process the fact that he’s dead. It’s not like I have a brother or sister to help with any of this. It’s all unchartered territory for me.”
This could be my opportunity to get us out of here. “Have you given any more thought about that trip? I think it might be best to go away sooner than later. It will help you deal with your dad’s death.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Trent pauses. “Parker, I think it’s time we looked at separating. Neither of us is happy and our relationship is going nowhere. I don’t want to be married anymore.”
His words are like a sword that just cut me in half. I bleeding out and there are no amount of bandages that can stop the life from being sucked out of me.
“No! You can’t mean that. You’re just going through a lot right now. You can’t make a decision that will affect our family when you’re still trying to process your grief. You just can’t do it. I won’t have it. We are going to get through this. There isn’t another option.”
I’m rambling, but I can’t help it. I can’t lose Trent. My dad’s right, without him I’m nothing. I’m just a used up woman with three kids, no career, and no one to love me. I don’t like who I have become. How can I expect anyone else to?
Trent sighs. “Parker, I don’t want this anymore. We aren’t happy and haven’t been for a very long time. I’m ready to move on with my life. I’m ready to find some happiness.”
“No! I need you. I can’t live without you. We are meant to be together. Even our parents thought so. Everyone always comments about how perfect we are together.”
“Those people don’t know our real lives. They see the face we put on when we leave the house, not what’s going on behind closed doors. As for our parents, they just didn’t want our family names to be given to people less worthy.” Trent makes air quotes.
Tears flow from my eyes. “You’re wrong. We are good together. We made three beautiful boys and a wonderful life.”
“Parker, we haven’t had sex in over a year. How is that wonderful? How is that being good together? A man can only go on so long without his wife not wanting to be with him. I want someone who wants to be with me.”
“You mean like Beth?” I clap my hand over my mouth as soon as the words come out.
Trent’s eyes widen. “What are you talking about?”
“I know she wants you. I see how you look at her. There’s a mutual attraction there that I can’t compete with. You haven’t looked at me like that since…well, since Tanner was born. You’re not the only one who doesn’t feel desired or attractive. We’ve done this to each other. We have failed to nurture our relationship.”
Trent leans back in his chair. “You’re right we have. Unfortunately, it’s too late to go back. Too much has gone on between us. We need to move on and find happiness. Life is too short not to.”
“Give us just one more month and I’ll show you we can be happy.” I’m ready to get on my knees and fight for my husband if necessary.” I don’t know why I suddenly want to fight. Maybe it’s the thought of losing Trent to another woman. Perhaps it’s pride.
“We’ve been trying for a couple of months and barely anything has changed. What is another month going to do? When is it time we cut our losses?”
“We committed our lives together. As long as one of us is willing try, we need to give it another go. Our children, our family, deserve us working at it.”
Trent approaches me and tucks some hair behind my ear. “We can’t keep using the kids as an excuse to stay together. Kids are smart and can tell when parents are unhappy. They are my world, but I’m not going drive them nuts trying to stay in a relationship I don’t want to be in. That’s not fair.”
I can’t stop the tears from flowing from my eyes. I recognize I’m the one who destroyed our family, but I still want my husband. He’s my world. “So this is it?”
Trent pulls me into his arms. “I’m afraid so.”
God, I love the smell of his cologne. It’s always turned me on. It’s a scent that screams testosterone. Pure man. I nuzzle into his neck, inhaling every whiff I can. I stand on my tiptoes and breathe lightly in his ear as I suck on the lobe. This has always driven him wild. Something that he’s never been able to resist.
“Are you sure you’re ready to give this up?” I whisper.
Trent doesn’t move initially. Instead, he allows me to continue. I rub my hand against his groin. His breathing becomes more labored. Just when I think I’m getting to him, he grabs hold of my arms and pushes me away.
“Stop! You know I find you attractive and desirable, but this isn’t going to change anything.”
I deflate like a balloon. “When are you going to move out?”
“I don’t know. I need to get through this funeral first. I’d like to try and make this as amicable as possible. We’ve been friends a long time. I want to keep it that way.”
I nod, trying to prevent myself from completely breaking down. Fortunately, Porter walks in before Trent can say anything else.
“Am I interrupting something?”
“No, we were just finishing up,” I say. “Dad said you wanted to speak with me. How about we go to your office?”
I straighten my posture and take Porter’s hand to lead him out of Trent’s office. He looks back at Trent, searching for answers as we walk out the door.
“What was that all about?” he asks as we get to his office and I shut the door.
“He wants a divorce. He’s moving out. I think he’s leaving me for her.”
He crosses his arms and stares at me intently. “What makes you think that?”
I rehash the conversation with our father as well as tell him that Trent didn’t deny he was attracted to Beth.
Porter grins. “This is going better than expected. If he moves in with her, that’s the end of his career and life. I’ll get the company, Dad gets Jonathon and his prized son out of the way, it’s a win, win.”
“Except for it’s not. All this is done at the expense of my marriage. At the expense of Trent’s life. At the expense of my children’s happiness. I want my family back. Doesn’t anyone care about me?”
Porter rubs my back. “You know I do, but you’re much better off without him. Any man who can be with a child is sick. He doesn’t deserve to be free on this Earth.”
“Yeah, but we pushed her on him. We set him up. It’s not his fault.”
“Of course it is. He has the ability to say no. He knows the difference between right and wrong. He’s a lawyer for Christ’s sakes. I don’t feel the least bit bad for him. He dug his own grave and he’s going to lie in it. He might as well be six feet under like his father.”
“What is wrong with you? You’re sounding more like Dad every day. When did you become so callous?”
&nb
sp; Porter’s left eye twitches, a sure sign that he’s angry. “The question is what’s wrong with you? Where is your loyalty to this family? We come first. Blood always comes first. And you stand to benefit greatly as well. Think of the millions of dollars you’re going to get when the divorce is final. He’ll have to pay you alimony and you can go on and find happiness with someone else.”
“How about the loyalty to my children?” I screech. “Any parent knows their children come first. I’ve been neglecting their needs for far too long. I’m not going to do it anymore. I’m going to fix my family if it’s the last thing I do.” I start to walk out of Porter’s office. He grabs my arm and spins me around, getting in my face.
“You have one more job to do.” He places some tiny metal pieces in my hand. “Put these in his office. Hide them behind things, but don’t cover them up or it will muffle the sound.”
“And if I don’t?”
“I guess you’ll have Dad to answer to. I know you don’t want that.”
I purse my lips, pissed I’m giving in yet again. When am I going to be strong enough to stand up against them?
“How do they work?”
Porter quickly explains how to install the tiny metal objects and the best place to put them. I shove them in my purse. “This is the last thing I’m doing. I’m done with these stupid games. Trent isn’t the enemy. He’s been your best friend your entire life. It’s time you remember that.” I slam Porter’s door behind me and practically run out to my car.
Once there, I let the dam break. I ugly cry. Tears gush out of my eyes like a river. Who could have known the decisions I made as a young adult would come back to haunt me twenty years later? Who would have thought my own father would be the one to use them against me?
I’m a strong woman. More so than people give me credit for. Today is the day I take my life back. I’m going to get back my husband, my family, and my life. I refuse to let my father have control over me anymore. Whatever happens is in destiny’s hand.
I dry my face, fix my makeup in the mirror, and dial my mom. If anyone can put a stop to my father’s behavior it’s her. Fortunately she picks up. I fight to hold back the tears. I wish I could be there so she could hold me and tell me everything is going to be okay. I pull over to the side of the road knowing that I’m in no position to drive.
