Baby, me so horny, too!!!! Not too sad, bc Mom was 105. I didn’t know she was such an art collector! The Sotheby’s guy went cray-cray.

John’s IQ had dropped well before his accident, so I felt no compunction about making him sound like an idiot.

WORK: Really??? Can’t wait to hear!!!

“I bet you can’t,” I muttered.

JOHN: So many wonderful surprises! Much to discuss. When can we meet??? I miss U!!!

WORK: ANYTIME! Love you so much, tiger!!!

I sighed.

JOHN: Will be in touch soon! Love you too, my sweet honey angel kitten!!!

Nothing appeared to be too nauseating with these two.

I then took a screenshot of the exchange and texted it to Caro.

I’m going to meet the other woman. You in?

The answer was immediate.

Holy crap, yes.

Caro was worth her weight in diamonds.

After that, I read for a while. When it was time for me to go to bed, I got up first to check on John. Sadie was in there, just getting up from the chair next to his bed.

“I was reading to him, and he fell asleep,” she said, her voice husky. “Just like he used to do for me.”

“That’s real nice of you, honey. I’m sure he appreciates it.”

For once, there was no hostility or subtext. “Well. Good night, Mom,” Sadie said. She went upstairs, the sixth stair creaking reliably, just like it had when she used to sneak out to meet Noah Pelletier.

I sat down next to John. “You used her birthday so you could text your mistress in secret,” I whispered. “How do you think she’d feel about that, her perfect dad having an affair? I was in labor with her for two and a half days, John Frost. How dare you use her birthday?”

He didn’t answer, as he was asleep. “You know, if you’d asked me for a divorce, I’d have burst into song, mister. I would’ve said yes so fast, it would’ve given you whiplash. But no. It was more fun to sneak around, I guess. Maybe you were never going to divorce me. After all, I’m a darn good housekeeper, aren’t I?”

God! I couldn’t bear it. I hated him, this man I once loved. Once, I’d felt so lucky that he’d married me. I’d taken such pride in the life we’d made. The old love, dusty from neglect, was still there, and yet, the knowledge of his affair was a corrosive acid, eating away at it.

“I’m going to meet your lover,” I said. “I’ll report back. Tiger.”