Page 14 of Just Desserts

Everything in this house was something Jonathan and I purchased together, or something Jonathan insisted on having because it was the latest trend. I walked through all the rooms scanning, trying to see myself in the house at all. I got into the kitchen and that's the only time I felt any familiarity.

It turned out we didn't need boxes or movers. I didn't want any of the furniture from this house, anything that Jonathan's touch lingered on. I took my baking supplies and my mug collection. I cleaned out the rest of my closet and the entirety of my marriage was packed in the trunk of my best friend's compact car.

She looked at me knowingly, sensing an imminent breakdown. She took her cell phone out and started dialing.

Aiden's voice came up over the Bluetooth, "Hey princess - how's it going? Everything ok at Isla's house? Do you need my help?"

"We're actually all done here, she has everything she needs. She's gonna need new furniture though. Wanna meet us at her new place in an hour so we can get some measurements? We can hit up the shops after so she can start picking out pieces." Jen got straight to the point, somehow knowing exactly what I needed.

"Sounds like a plan. I'll go grab some gear then meet you guys there. Love you babe! Text me when you get to the new place." Aiden replied easily and my heart rate slowed a bit.

"Will do, bye honey." She disconnected and then gave me her patented stare until I put my seatbelt on. She backed out of thedriveway and I watched the house get smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror.

"So, what vibe are you thinking? Pottery barn? Crate and Barrel? Antiquing? You know I love a good shopping mission."

She grinned and looked at me from the corner of her eyes. Taking a deep breath I took a moment to appreciate my friends. No questions asked, they made sure they were there for me, and they made sure I kept going. Picking out my own furniture, getting a new bed set just for me felt really important and I never even considered it.

This apartment, this next chapter was a blank slate for me. A bubble of excitement built in me at the idea of shopping. I tried to visualize what I wanted my apartment to look like but I wasn't sure. I needed to look around, explore stores, find what fits me, and finally find myself. Not to mention, there's nothing like a little retail therapy to help with depression.

Chapter 13

Jonathan

The last two months have been pure hell. I feel like I'm wearing a mask, pretending everything is fine while inside I'm screaming. After that disastrous meeting with Isla in her shop, I've kept a careful distance. I finally figured out she was staying at a local Inn. I drove by regularly just to make sure she was alone, but I didn't confront her as much as I wanted to. The last few times I drove by though, her car was no longer there.

Just getting through the day was a chore now, I felt like all I did these days was lie. Christmas snuck up on me faster than anticipated and I needed a reason to explain my wife's absence, especially after she missed Thanksgiving. Taking the cowards way out, I told my parents I surprised Isla with a trip and that we were going away until after the New Years.

I hid out in our empty house, drinking and moping about the house, cursing Alyssa and pining for Isla. I would say and do anything necessary to buy myself time, buy me any chance to get my wife back. I was doing everything in my power to delay the divorce. I knew Lydia, the attorney representing Isla. We had crossed paths in court before but not frequently as I rarely handled divorce proceedings.

That being said, Lydia Glass had a reputation for being ruthless especially when adultery was involved. I was giving her a run for her money and she knew it, but I was not going to go easy on Isla, I wasn't going to just sign the papers and disappear. I would fight tooth and nail, use every trick and every player inmy pocket to make sure this went my way.

Work was an entirely different sort of hell. With Alyssa there I had to roleplay even more. After her brother kicked me out of Isla's bakery, I did wind up picking Alyssa up for a date. We went to a small restaurant a town over, making sure we were seated in a dark corner. I implemented the first part of my plan. I used that time to 'reunite' with Alyssa. I made sure dinner was romantic, I whispered lavish plans for once my divorce went through and we could be together officially.

I also heavily peppered in the need to keep our relationship quiet until the divorce was finalized. There was a morality clause for both of us at the firm, not to mention it could put my job at risk if it came to light. Knowing Alyssa's avarice, I played on that fear, if I lost my job, how could I buy her things? How could I fund our new life? She seemed to see reason and agreed to keep things quiet until the divorce was finalized.

We went back to her apartment that night and I fucked her. I closed my eyes and pictured my wife as I hammered into her from behind. The pent up energy from my fight with Isla came pouring out and we had sex several more times throughout her apartment. Exhausted, we crawled into Alyssa's bed and she sighed happily as she settled against my chest. I held myself rock still listening to the sound of her breathing, waiting for the even tone indicating she was asleep.

I slipped out from under her and waited, holding my breath as she repositioned herself and settled back down. I went out to the living room and decided to start my search there. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, a thumb drive? A camera? Printed photos? All I knew was I had to get my hands on whatever she had. No matter how long it took, how many times I had to come here I would find it.

There would be no evidence, no grounds for adultery. It may belate but I was protecting my marriage and my job, finally. No one could know just how far the affair went, especially not my wife or her bulldog Lydia.

The following weeks went by in a similar pattern. Occasionally I let Alyssa come back to my place but I pushed to go hers. Especially when not a week into February we came back to my house after a long day at the office to a noticeably different kitchen. The counters and cupboards were close to empty. There was a note on the island, the familiar swoop of Isla's handwriting felt like a punch to the gut.

I stopped by to get the rest of my things. I don't want any of the furniture, just my personal belongings. Here are the keys to the house and garage. If you have any questions, you can call Lydia. This is goodbye.

I held the piece of paper in my hand. She didn't want any of the furniture? Was she that eager to shed herself of our life together? Four years of marriage and she said goodbye on a note? I was seething, hurt, rage and anger all warring for the most attention. In my haze, I forgot Alyssa was there. She came up next to me and I stiffened as she read the note over my shoulder.

"Good riddance. Took her long enough to get her shit." Alyssa muttered, plucking the note from my hand and tossing it into the trash.

She looked at me with raised eyebrows daring me to react. I swallowed down the pain and gave what I hope was a lascivious grin. I let her fuck me in my and Isla's bed, the entire time my mind was whirring. I had to move faster, I had to find whatever Alyssa had on me so I could get rid of her and focus on getting my wife back.

Chapter 14

Alyssa

After the note Isla left at the house last week, it was obvious she had found somewhere else to live. Even if my family was speaking to me there was no way they would tell me where she moved to. My relationship with Jonathan was still too fragile, and I didn't like that Isla was still getting to him. He may be acting like he was OK with the divorce but I could see it in his eyes, feel it in the new distance between us. He was clearly struggling.

Before Isla found out about us, he was insatiable. He wanted me everywhere, anytime and even better if we got one over on Isla. Now, I had to initiate everything.When he fucked me it wasn't passion or desire, it felt like hate. Then there was the silence that developed between us. I didn't know silence could be so loud, that it could fill a space with so much unspoken emotions.

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