Page 12 of Against All Odds

“Are you going to bang him?”

My eyes widen. “What?”

“Don’t look at me like that,” she scoffs. “Your husband has been sleeping with his mistress. You should hook up with someone. When’s the last time you had good sex?”

I ignore the question. “I’m not sleeping with Everett.”

“Why not? Is he married?”

“I don’t know.”

“If he’s not . . .”

I love Analeigh, but dear God she needs an intervention. “I’m not sleeping with him or anyone. I’m here to ... find myself, or at least find some peace away from Dylan.”

“Violet, I love you, you know this. I’m team Vi for life, but Dylan ... is a piece of shit. He somehow got a big break, considering he’s a mediocre actor, but he has a nice face, so he gets roles where people can look at him. You wanted to leave himthree years ago, but you stayed because he convinced you that you’d be lost without him. Then the dickface cheated, and, like, for three years you’ve been in misery. Go find some joy.”

“I stayed because I didn’t want my marriage to be over. I stayed because I thought I could fix it, make him happy. I don’t know, I was stupid.”

My parents had the most amazing marriage ever. They were happy, traveled the world, were explorers, and found joy in everything. My dad told me that he and Mom agreed they weren’t going to have kids, because of their careers, but then I came along and it was the best accident ever.

They loved me, found a way to have it all, and that is what they say a marriage is—sacrifice and understanding. Together, it was about balance and finding compromise to have their family.

I spent my entire life idolizing that kind of relationship. Where it’s not a sacrifice but a compromise to give each other what they need to be content.

Ana’s lip quirks into a sad smile. “He didn’t deserve you.”

“No, and I should’ve left years ago.” I wipe away a tear.

“Are you upset because you love him still or because of how it ended?”

I think about that for a moment. Do I love Dylan? I don’t. I wanted to love him. Lord knows I tried to make things work. I kept giving and giving, hoping he’d see the real me, but he never did. Not when all he could see was himself.

“It’s more that I’m mortified. I found out that not only was my marriage over, but he cheated on national television. This will forever be on the internet and in magazines. People will always look at me and make their assumptions about who I am, because of him. The comments on social media are scathing.”

Ana smiles warmly. “Look, people are fucking assholes. Let them be little keyboard warriors, blaming you, but remember that he’ll also be immortalized as a cheating prick. You knowthat, right? He’ll be judged as well, and I’m going to do everything I can to remind the world of exactly the type of man he is. It’s going on my next podcast.”

Oh, that’s going to go over well. “I wish you wouldn’t.”

There’s a gleam in her eye that I’m all too familiar with. “Wish away, bestie.”

“It doesn’t matter what type of things you say, Ana. At the end of the day, I married him and I put up with his shit and now I’m going to be divorced.”

“And I’m going to throw you the biggest party when it’s over.”

I laugh. “I can’t wait.”

“Now tell me more about your hot neighbor.”

I roll my eyes but tell her everything about when we saw each other again.

I forgot all the bad things about this house.

For instance, my house with Dylan was huge, and it came with all the modern amenities. A walk-in shower, butler’s pantry, big open floor plan with beautifully designed touches, and all top-of-the-line appliances.

In Ember Falls, this house is ancient, creaks when the wind blows, doesn’t have central heat or air, and has the hot water go out after three minutes.

I’m frantically rushing to rinse the conditioner out of my hair as my teeth are chattering.

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