Page 4 of Twisted Betrayal

“The kids were crazy today, and I think I’m getting sick.”

“What kind of sick?”he asked.

God, how was she expected to come up with quick answers?“I’m not sure.”

“Do you have a fever?”

“No.I feel lethargic, and my stomach hurts.”That was the truth.

“I’ll get the bed turned down unless you want to rest on the sofa in the family room?”

“No, up here, please.I think if I go to sleep, I might feel better in the morning.”

“I don’t want you to push it if you don’t feel well tomorrow,” he said.

She turned off the water, and he held a towel out to her.She held it tightly against her chest because she was afraid Rick would compare her to his mistress.

“Damn, you do look like you’re ready to fall over.”He held out his hand.“Come on, I’ll help you with your hair.”

She shook her head and used another towel to squeeze as much water out of it as possible.“No.I’ve got this.I’m sorry I didn’t have dinner waiting.”

“Sweetheart, I don’t care about dinner.I’m perfectly able to make soup and sandwiches for us.”

“Oh, not me.I don’t think I could eat anything,” she told him.She kept her eyes lowered because she was afraid if she looked at him, she’d burst into tears.

He didn’t give her a break.He lifted her onto the counter and pulled out the blow-dryer.He pulled a comb from a drawer and got her hair tangle-free before starting the dryer.It seemed to take forever.

She almost lost it when he turned the dryer off and then tilted her head up so he could see her face.She tried to think of anything besides the tearing pain in her chest.

“How about I get you some juice and aspirin?”

She nodded and tried to smile.“I’d like that.”

He helped her to the bed and got her tucked in.He leaned over and kissed her temple.“I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.”

Riley closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep when he came back.She noticed how careful he was to keep quiet.A day ago, she would have thought it incredibly sweet.Now, she just wanted him gone from the room so she could let her tears fall.She needed to cry because the searing band of pain in her gut grew tighter every minute.

He finally turned off the lights and left the door cracked open a few inches because she knew he’d want to be able to hear her if she needed him.God, he was the best husband a woman could ask for.Except for the other woman.

She waited until she heard the TV turn on in the family room before she buried her face in the pillow and sobbed harder than she ever had.At one point, she grew concerned when she couldn’t seem to catch her breath and her chest felt so tight, but she concentrated hard and finally calmed down.

She got out of bed and put a cold, wet compress on her face to reduce the swelling and redness.When she was satisfied it was good enough, she crawled back into bed, turned the pillow over to the dry side, and thankfully fell asleep.

She woke up the next morning to Rick’s voice and was confused until she realized he was standing in the hallway talking on the phone.

“No, let’s meet another time.My wife is sick, and I don’t want to leave her.”There was a pause.“I’ll call you when I get some time.We’ll meet then.Okay, bye.”

She snapped her eyes closed.She almost gasped when she felt his hand on her forehead.“Can you wake up for me for a bit, Sweetheart?”

She took a moment and then opened her eyes.

His scowl darkened.“You look worse today.How do you feel?”

“Worse.”She tried to smile but knew she had failed.

He studied her for a long time.“Are you sure you’re just sick?”

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