Page 20 of The Wife Stalker

“Joanna, I understand that your mother’s vulnerable right now, but so are your children. Can you hire someone to stay with your mother so you can get a new place where the children can be with you?”

“I guess I could, but I’m honestly just . . . in a bit of shock. Ofcourse I want to be with them, but I also want what’s best for them. To move them out of the house they’re used to, their neighborhood friends and school—it’s not fair to them.”

“They’re used to the house, but children adapt.”

What did she know about children? “If I recall correctly, you’re not a mother, right?”

A frown crossed her face quickly. “Well, no—”

“Then you don’t get it. When you’re a parent, you put your children first, not yourself. Evie and Stelli don’t need to be dragged all over the place. They need stability. It’s bad enough they’re having to deal with problems between Leo and me. I won’t allow them to be the sacrificial lambs.”

Celeste put a hand out. “Okay, okay. I’m not suggesting that at all. I suppose you know what’s best for your own children. I’m just saying that they need their mother more than they need a nice house.” She arched an eyebrow.

I was getting exasperated. “Of course they need me. But this is only temporary. Leo has to come to his senses. If I go and buy a new house and get it ready for the kids, he’ll think I’ve given up on him.”

And there it was again. The look of pity on her face. She took a minute before answering. “We’ve discussed Leo’s distance these past few months and your suspicions that he was seeing another woman. And now he’s admitted that he loves someone else. You’ve even signed divorce papers. Don’t you think it’s time youdidgive up on him? I’m concerned, Joanna, that you’re holding on to an illusion that you can magically make things right again.”

I shook my head, my face hot. “It’s not magic. It’s love. It’s believing in the power of love and the power of our years together. Yes, I signed the divorce papers, but only because I want him to come back to me of his own accord, not because I’m holding apiece of paper over his head. And besides, Piper has bewitched him and turned him against me. I know she’s hiding something, and I’m going to find out exactly who she is and what she’s done.”

She cocked her head. “Forgive me, Joanna, but you’re talking out of both sides of your mouth. On the one hand, you say Leo is a wonderful judge of character, yet he chose Piper. If he’s such a smart and savvy lawyer, don’t you think he’d be able to see through her if she really were hiding some kind of nefarious past?”

I shook my head.

“I think you need to work on acceptance,” she continued, her voice gentle. “You need to start a new life without him. I know this is probably bringing back all the abandonment issues from your father, but it’s not healthy to delude yourself.”

I could feel the vein in my neck pulsating and had to clench my hands together to keep from screaming at her. “You’re wrong! My motherdrovemy father away. I’ve been nothing but wonderful to Leo. He’s going to realize what he’s throwing away.”

She pursed her lips and clicked her pen a few times. “Let’s pick this up in two days, during our regular appointment on Friday. I’d like you to really think about what’s happened and what it is that you need, Joanna. Try not to focus so much on Leo and saving him from Piper, but on how you’re going to build a life as a divorced mom.”

I didn’t bother reiterating that I had no such plans. It didn’t matter what Celeste thought. I knew Leo, and I knew he’d come to his senses eventually. I just had to do whatever I could to make sure it was sooner rather than later.

17

Piper

Piper unpacked her grocery bag, where a jar of Jif peanut butter sat on top—Leo had been very specific about the brand Stelli liked. She unscrewed the lid and, bringing the jar to her nose, sniffed and made a face. Even the smell saidunhealthy. Then a can of tuna for Evie—Piper shook her head. All that mercury. She wondered why Joanna hadn’t tried to improve their food choices. She continued unpacking, finding more of the items she’d chosen, like a box of organic granola bars and a fresh pineapple.

Leo was bringing the children to her house for lunch. They had agreed that it might be better and less upsetting for them to meet her here for the first time. It would seem more casual, like dropping in on a friend, rather than having her come into their home. And even though she and Leo had talked it through at length, trying to foresee any hiccups, she was still nervous. What if they hated her on sight? Their mother hadn’t been gone that long. Piper would have to make them believe that she and their father were just good friends. Maybe they’d come to see her as a friend, too, and then, when things progressed, they would be more likely to accept the changes.

It was ridiculous to feel so apprehensive, but what kept running through her mind was the night Mia had discovered that her father and Piper were dating. The ensuing confrontation had gone very badly, with the girl either snarling at Piper or not speakingto her, making it plain that she had no intention of accepting Piper. Her responses to Piper’s polite questions were curt and snide, unless she was ignoring her completely, which was usually the case. Piper breathed in and out, trying to settle her nerves and her thumping heart. It would be different this time, she told herself. Stelli and Evie were young. They would adapt.

When the doorbell rang, it jarred her, and she felt her pulse quicken once again as she opened the door. Leo stood between the children, each of them with a hand in his.

“Hello,” Piper said brightly. “I’m so glad you’re here. Come in.”

Evie smiled up at her shyly, but Stelli’s face remained impassive. Piper swallowed and took a step back as they entered, searching Leo’s face for some sign of reassurance. He winked at her as he ushered the children in, and she felt better.

“Piper,” Leo began, as they stood in the foyer. “I’d like you to meet Stelli and Evie.” He placed one hand on Evie’s shoulder and his other on Piper’s, nudging them closer to each other.

Piper reminded herself that she needed to be careful. Even though they were young, the children would pick up on any physical affection between her and Leo. It would be hard to keep her hands to herself after the delicious intimacy they now shared, but it was necessary at this point. She bent down so that she was eye level with them. “Your father and I are good friends, and I’m really happy to meet his two favorite people.”

Evie’s smile grew wider, but Stelli gave her a sullen look, one that reminded her of Mia.

She stood up straight and beseeched Leo with her eyes. “Well,” she said, turning to the kids, “I’ve made some lunch for us, and I thought we could eat on the back porch by the water. What do you think?”

“I love the water,” Evie said politely.

“Sounds good. Do you need some help in the kitchen?” Leo asked.

---