Page 15 of Just Desserts

With the lack of security in my relationship with Jonathan, it bugged me even more that I didn't know where Isla was. I needed to keep tabs on her. I wound up finding her new address on my own after following Isla from her bakery to her new building the other night.

I returned the following day and sat outside, fuming, as I watched my dad and brother move brand new furniture in for her. A few days later, I decided it was time we finally spoke. Isla had ignored and declined every call and message I sent her. I was tired of being dismissed and pushed to the side.

I made my way through the elaborate lobby of the apartment building Isla had run off too. It was disgusting, how easy she had everything. This place was nicer than mine and I bet she was using Jonathan's money to fund it. I put on a demure, shy face and approached a young maintenance man.

"Excuse me? Sir? Can you help me? My cousin just moved in here and I forgot which apartment number but I wanted to come over to help her unpack. She's not answering her phone, do you know which apartment Isla Conner is in?" I watched as he flushed, I leaned in close, trailing my hand down his arm.

"I'm so ditzy, I swear I had it written down but I just can't seem to find it anywhere. I'm already late, I just feel awful."

In a squeaky croak he finally replied, his eyes moving from my chest back to my face.

"You must be talking about 4B, she just moved in." I gave him a wink and a sultry thank you before making my way to the elevators.

Once the door closed I dropped my smile. I got off the elevator and stalked over to the apartment marked 4B. I started knocking and then listened for any movement. The muted sound of the television along with the shuffling of kitchen pans were evident even through the thick door, so I knocked louder.

Finally I heard the tell tale sound of a lock turning. I knew Isla could see me through the peephole and I made sure to hold my head up high. She opened the door and stared at me with a remote look in her eyes.

"What do you want Alyssa?" She asked coldly, blocking me from entering or looking into the apartment. I tried to peek around her, ignoring the smell of vanilla and lemons comingfrom her apartment. Of course she was baking. I rolled my eyes.

"How could you!" I hissed. "You're such a baby! You went to my parents instead of confronting me like a grown ass woman? You're pathetic, always using the family to get your way. Well it's not going to work this time. Jonathan is mine. We're in love. You and the rest of the family are just going to need to get used to it." I finished smugly. I watched, hoping to see some hurt or anger from Isla but she stayed where she was. The silence stretched until I felt uncomfortable. What game is she playing now?

"Is that all?" she asked drolly.

"Stay the fuck away from my parents. I don't need you poisoning them against me even more. Save your victim shit."

With that she shot up. The look in her eyes switched from remote to ice cold causing a shiver to go down my spine. She took a step toward me and before I even realized it I had taken several steps back until I hit the wall across from her apartment.

"How. Dare. You." She said in a low voice.

"I have done NOTHING but defend and try to help you. You can have Jonathan, I wouldn't touch him with a 10 foot pole after the shit he pulled. He is all yours and I made sure to let him and your parents know that you're welcome to him. I went to your parents first to try and protect you, but you know what? Fuck. That." She took a step toward me until we were face to face, she never raised her voice but the cold dismissal cut worse.

"You're an adult, you think you're in love with Jonathan? Fine, congrats, have at it. But remember, you will leave me the fuck alone. I do not exist to you or to that pathetic pile of shitanymore. Either one of you comes near me and I will let the hounds loose because mark my words I am the ONLY person stopping them from cutting you off completely."

She took a step back and a sinister smile broke out on her face, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Her face morphed into that terrifying cold serenity I'd not seen before today.

"Look, I'm even happy for you two. In fact, I can't think of a more perfect couple. You truly deserve each other." Isla chuckled mockingly. "And when the time comes and he gets bored of you, I look forward to seeing how much you'll stand by Jonathan then."

She gave me a withering look head to toes,flick flick flick,and made a face like she smelled something dirty. Holding myself still was difficult, but I didn't want to show her how much she was cutting me down inside.

"Get out of my sight, go home to your trophy. You're pathetic Alyssa, and I feel sorry for you. Maybe you could make yourself useful for once and tell loverboy to stop calling and texting me, since the two of you aresohappyandin love,I would hate for my lawyers to have to send out the restraining order they already have drawn up." Isla sneered.

With that she went back into her apartment, locked the door and slid the chain in place. This was not how I saw this conversation going. How dare she pity me!

Isla

I closed the door on Alyssa's face and made sure to lock it. I watched through my peephole making sure she got into the elevator. The timer on the oven went off and I grabbed my mitts. I pulled the tray of lemon bars and placed them on thecounter to cool. I would dust them with powdered sugar then pack them up for Frank and his wife Ellen who I found out had a wicked sweet tooth.

I tried to brush off the negative energy Alyssa's presence dragged over me and was grateful when I saw I had an incoming call from Lydia. Nothing like divorce proceedings to act as a good distraction. We greeted each other on the phone and caught up on chit chat. She asked if Jonathan had made any more surprise visits. While I was glad to report there had been no further sightings of my ex, Alyssa was now another story. I reluctantly told Lydia that Alyssa has my new address and stopped by. Sounding frustrated, I paused while Lydia composed her thoughts.

"I'm so sorry Isla, I know we thought this would be an open and shut case but your ex is putting up every roadblock possible. He has repeatedly failed to give full discovery which has wasted a ton of time not to mention money from your retainer fees. Also, he knows the judge on the case and got him to dismiss the photo as evidence of adultery and unfortunately, you can't be put forth as a reliable witness to your spouse's infidelity. That means it is critical to gather eyewitness testimony from someone else who has less of a vested interest in the divorce if you still want to prove adultery. We can change the filing reason to irreconcilable differences to try and speed up the process." She offered.

"No! He cheated! They're still sleeping together! She literally just came here to tell me to stay away from him. How can they say it's not true? He's sleeping with someone who works for him! How is that legal? Maybe I should give Marty a call. We were always close." I muttered.

"Martin Shaw? The head of Jonathan's firm?" Lydia asked.

"Yes, I've had dinner with him and his wife several times overthe years. I think he would believe me."

"You can't do that. Listen to me Isla, I know it doesn't seem fair but you cannot say anything about the affair to Martin or anyone else at Jonathan's company."

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