Page 113 of Marriage (Red, White &) Blues

“Now?” It hurt like a son of a bitch going in, so I didnotrelish the idea of having her strip it out today.

“Well, I’ve got you here. Hang tight.” The doctor went about prepping to remove the IUD. Me in a pirate costume, lying on a table with my legs spread and my feet up wasn’t nearly as fun as when Blake and I tried it at home.

I left with a positive test from the doctor, initial ultrasound pictures, one failed birth control lighter and sore lady bits.

People probably wouldn’t have recognized my face but not wanting to take the chance, I chartered a private jet to take me home. The only issue was they were booked until the 5th. It gave me time to make arrangements for Georgie and Miranda—both going to Pen’s house incidentally. We moved all their food,and the litter box and fountain to their place so my pretty girl had familiar items surrounding her while I was away. Then, Pen drove me to the airport and I took the three-hour flight back home.

I rented a car and before going to Blake, I went to my voting precinct to vote against Brock. I waited in line and unfortunately, I got severallooks, but I powered through, cast my vote andthenheaded for my husband.

Excitement bubbled inside me closer to home I got. I couldn’t wait to sleep in our bed again. I couldn’t wait to surprise Blake. He didn’t expect me until later today. My husband’s Jag and Candice’s Audi sat in the circle drive. I didn’t factor Candice being here for the big reveal. I was sure once he saw me, he’d send her away. As quietly as possible, I used my key to unlock the door and slipped inside, setting my bag down, tiptoeing to his office.

It kind of got me pumped knowing she was in there, picturing him sending her away. I opened the door and walked in just in time to see Candice lean in to kissmy husbandonthe lips.

Candice.

Kissed.

Blake.

On the lips.

I gasped. He pushed her off and turned to look at me. I guess I chose violence today because for the first time in my life, I stormed up to Candice and slapped her across the face as hard as I could slap a bitch. She pressed a hand to the flaming red skin, her mouth gaping open, like she couldn’t believe I’d just done that.

Whatever bitch, don’t you ever come near my husband again. “We don’t touch things that don’t belong to us,” I said to her then turned to Blake, “I’m done. I cannot do this anymore.”Then I spun around, stomping out the door. I grabbed my bag, climbed back into the rental, and headed back to the airport.

About ten minutes after the confrontation, or as I like to call it, the slap heard ’round the world, my phone rang. It was Blake.

“Nice work, sweetheart,” he said. “That slap looked so incredibly real.”

“Oh—it was. I knew she had a thing for you but I never expected her to stoop that low.”

“I swear to you Glory, I don’t know if she planned that or took the chance because you walked in, but she surprise-attacked me with that kiss.”

“Don’t worry about that. You wouldn’t be going all super spy just to kiss Candice.”

“No, I sure as hell wouldn’t.”

“But now we have to make it look believable.”

“That was pretty believable, babe.”

“I think I’m leaving.”

“Where?” he asked. “Back to Michigan?”

“Probably to get my passport, but I’m thinking more a trip somewhere.”

“A trip without me?” He sounded disappointed.

“Yes. I’m a fully capable adult and it feels like the best course of action for us.”

“Honey, I know you’re capable but I want to be there with you.”

“And I want you with me, but it can’t happen or they’ll know I didn’t leave you. We don’t know if Candice taking her shot is separate from when I got set up.”

“She could be the one who hired Raymond Hill,” he said.

“Do you really think Candice has that kind of money to pay off a politician.”

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