Page 3 of Just Desserts

Thankfully, she was happy with the scraps I would give her, happy with anything she could get over on Isla. Now we had all night together, just another opportunity for Alyssa to try and outdo her cousin by letting me do whatever I wanted, wherever I wanted. Life was good.

Alyssa

As I gripped the edge of Jonathan's desk, I felt a vibrationcoming from the side. I turned my head and caught sight of a notification from Isla before Jonathan yanked my hair, pulling my focus away from the phone. Jonathan's movement slowed and I felt my heart sink, assuming his wife was on her way home. I was startled as he pounded back into me, letting me know in his deep voice that we had the whole night to spend together.

My muscles softened once I realized that bitch wasn't coming home. I loved and hated this house. It was my dream home, with its huge open rooms, vaulted ceilings and large backyard. Far beyond anything I could dream of having, but of course Isla had it. My whole life I have lived in her shadow. Poor, precious Isla, we must protect her from the world.

The only child, with no Daddy, so she had to go and take mine. Not just him but my brother too. They all came running whenever their darling Isla called. My mom was always comparing me to her, in grades, sports and looks. It felt like Isla floated on water and no matter how hard I tried I could never touch her. I hated how nice she was, all these years knowing she genuinely loved me and considered me a close friend just made my unease and jealousy grow deeper.

She always included me, she stood up for me, she confided all her dreams to me and still I hated her. I know it wasn't rational, but it was my deepest secret. Jonathan saw me though. Despite his relationship with Isla, he noticed me. It was small at first, I barely realized as I was distracted trying to hide my disgust with the happy couple when they first announced their engagement, and he was introduced to the family.

Jonathan was stunning, of course he was, with his sandy blonde hair, tall athletic build and carefree smile. Smart too, already a lawyer and working his way up. We bumped into each other in the hallway one holiday as I exited the bathroom. He held onto me as I wobbled in my heels, our bodies pulledflush together. Tilting my head back I saw his gaze lingering on my chest, his hands ghosting over my back and ass before he took a hurried step back.

That one glimpse was enough though, I knew I could get to him. I would finally be able to take something from Isla. I stayed in the background, playing my part as a delighted bridesmaid and doting cousin. I even helped plan that bitch's bridal shower. She looked absolutely stunning on her wedding day, and I had no choice but to walk in front of her, clearing the path so she could have the life I desperately wanted.

My smile was frozen in place for that entire year. I became an actress, playing a good daughter, cousin and friend as I watched for cracks, chips in the newly wedded bliss. Anything I could use to my advantage when the time came. I was still away at college when they married, and I was still undeclared because career goals were never a priority for me. Now though, I had decided to take an interest in law. I was preparing for a reason to get close to Jonathan.

Just the idea of being able to talk to him about something that Isla wouldn't understand gave me a confidence I never had before. I know she went to a better school than me and got a degree in business but what is she doing with that now? All she does is stay home and spend Jonathan's money. He would lose interest, and I would make sure I would be there to pick up the conversation slack. This was the first time I had felt a purpose, a goal that was for me and mine alone.

The time away at college was good for me too. I was able to practice my seduction skills on men. I could finally exist outside of Isla's shadow. I wasn't her cousin or friend, I could be anyone here. I also took that time to learn the art of seduction, quickly moving on to newer, more difficult conquests. A married professor, a football player engaged to his high school sweetheart, I got them to break every promise they had given.

Men were fickle creatures, they either wanted the opposite of what they had or a younger, better model. I learned to shape myself into different versions of myself depending on who I was trying to impress. All of which led me to this moment, in her house, with her husband. I would make sure he took me on every surface. I would leave my fingerprints here any way I could. I would have Jonathan, I would have this house, I would see Isla ruined. It was finally my time.

Chapter 3

Isla

The clock over the stove indicated it was past 3:00 AM, and I still hadn't moved from my spot on Jen and Aiden's couch. I wondered what they were doing back at my house, were they in my bed now? Talking about me, laughing behind my back? What were they thinking! What had I done to make them betray me like this?

I rubbed my fist over my chest. I loved Alyssa dearly, from as far back as I can remember we were constant companions. I always felt like my relationship with her and Wes were closer to siblings than cousins. Was she in love with him? Was he in love with her? Did it matter?

Questions pinged around in my skull. I grabbed my ever-full cup of wine and downed it, trying to blur out the images and questions floating around in my head. I thought back to the phone call with my mother and quickly filled my glass. When I had called earlier, she had answered, her usual excitement and joy evident in her voice.

"Hello buttercup! How are you doing love? How's Jon?"

I couldn't hide the quick intake of breath, the gut punch of hearing his name. I tried to control any wobble in my voice as I calmly asked my mom if she was alone and if she could talk privately, that I had something I needed to tell her. The last thing I wanted was for my aunt and uncle to get involved, not yet at least.

"I'm home alone. I was just putting some tea on, what's going on? Oh my gosh, are you pregnant? Oh my god!" I could hear my mother working herself up to an excited frenzy and felt terrible when I cut her off.

"Mom, I am not pregnant, please sit down and let me talk. This is very difficult for me, please just let me get it out." I heard a chair scraping against the tile and my mom spoke into the phone.

"Alright dear you have my attention, please tell me what's going on, are you OK? Is Jonathan OK?"

"No mom, I'm not okay. I mean I'm safe - I'm not sick or anything. I just, I don't know how to say this, but Jonathan is having an affair. I walked in on him earlier, he didn't know I was there, but let's just say I saw plenty. I'm at Jen and Aiden's now."

"He wouldn't! Are you sure? Could you be mistaken?" My mother stuttered out the questions rapidly.

"Mom, I am very sure. I have some pictures on my phone if you need further evidence, but you need to understand what's going on. He cheated. I am not going to stay with him. There is nothing he could say or do that would make what I just saw and heard OK." I heard my mom sniffle, and I felt my heart breaking.

"There's more Mom, I uh, we know the person he's having an affair with."

"Who is it? Tell me the name of that hussy - I'll call Susie, and we'll find out everything about her. Why don't you come and stay with me? Why are you at Jen's instead of kicking that bastard and his whore out?"

"It's not that easy Mom; I need you to promise me something before I tell you anymore."

"There's more? Dear lord, I am going to kill this man, whatever it is I promise, just tell me."

"I need you to promise not to breathe a word of this to anyone, especially Aunt Susie and Uncle Charlie. Do you understand?"

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