Page 74 of Fight Or Flight

As soon as Emily left, Tina turned on her. “Anne, you’ve really upset her. She doesn’t like seeing you like this.”

Anne rolled her eyes. “She’s fine. She loves the spa.”

Tina walked out of the room. The sound of the garage door opening and then slamming shut a moment later jarred her aching head. When Tina returned, she was holding several empty wine and gin bottles.

“You’re getting out of control again, Anne. Did you drink this morning before you came to the brunch?”

Anne ignored her. “Tell me the rest of what happened with Susan’s daughter.”

“Maybe you should take some time off. Get some help. Or just get out of town. You could go the cottage in Muskoka for a couple weeks.”

“That’s the last thing I need.”

Tina’s face fell. “What do you need, then?”

“What I really need right now is my best friend to help me with some information so I can make a plan.”

Tina stared at her for a long moment. Anne knew Tina didn’t like drinking, but she never told her no. Never.

“Afterward ,” she started with a quiet voice, “Ethan and Natalie left together. Apparently, they kissed and looked very cozy. People are saying it’s serious.”

Anne reined in her temper, took another drink. “I think she was at Gayle and Mark’s house on Sunday night for dinner. I didn’t see her, but I just know.”

Tina nodded. “Uh, there’s one other thing I found out.”

“What?”

“Chelsea Davenport has an appointment this week with Mrs. Landet to enrol her son, Ben, in kindergarten at Mapleton Elementary.”

“Enrol . . . she’s staying?”

Tina nodded.

“At the house?”

Another nod.

“With Robert’s grands—” She couldn’t even get the rest of the word out. The anger took over.

Then the disgust.

Then the panic.

She clutched her chest as it tightened under her hot, creeping skin. “I have no choice now . . .”

Her brain started turning a mile a minute. She had to get rid of them. Now. And she knew how to do it. It just wasn’t ideal. It could easily backfire. But she couldn’t let them stay and coexist with her in Mapleton. They were a constant reminder to the whole town that her marriage was a sham. Her husband had penetrated every vagina he could find, and she was a complete and utter failure.

“Maybe it’s time to just walk away,” Tina said. “You’ve fought this for so long. I think you should focus on taking better care—”

“I can’t walk away. I have to carry through with my plan.”

Tina threw up her hands, stood from the table. “We talked about this, or do you not remember that, either?”

“I can make it work.” She worked to steady her breathing. She needed to get out of her head and let the anxiety recede so she could think again.

She strode out of the dining room, through the foyer to the untouched kitchen. She leaned against the spotless island counter, then remembered she’d forgotten to eat again that morning and pulled an apple from the bowl.

Tina followed her, leaned on the opposite side of the island. “You can’t make this work, Anne. You’re not thinking clearly. This will backfire. Unless . . .” She looked up, hopeful. “Did Victor’s lawyer call you back?”

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