Page 96 of Perfect Satisfaction

“Did you do the same?” Carys challenges.

I nod, shocking both her and Angie. “I read my father’s very detailed reports. What? Think I’m a preach-but-don’t-practice kind of girl? No, I went to the same church I stand at the pulpit of.”

“Holy Christ. He did have an affair with Liza Hina?” Carys breathes.

“Inconclusive, per the investigator.” I tick off my fingers. “However, they traveled together. They stayed together. At the time the investigators provided the report to dear ole Dad, they had been everywhere together.”

Angie turns to Carys. “I’d kill your brother.”

“I’d kill my brother. Let’s not leave out David. I’m ready to head to your place and take on your husband!” Carys shouts.

“What’s the point when he doesn’t want me except because I’m handy?” I whisper, defeated. “Love isn’t worth it.”

“You’re going to let him win by never offering your heart again?” Angie asks, outraged.

“It’s not just him. I’m easy to ignore. I’m apparently easier to leave. I don’t deserve something as precious as love.”

“This isn’t just about Arek,” Carys says knowingly.

“No. My father’s selling off pieces of what’s left of my soul. But Arek? To not agree to the divorce until the money came through makes me feel like I’m being bought and sold to the highest bidder.”

Angie sighs. “I never thought of it that way.”

“JB offered to buy him out, but Arek refused.”

“He believes you were lovers. Maybe that’s pride,” Angie reminds me.

“Should it matter? He can sod off. He’s had Liza. Even if JB and I actually happened—and ew—this is the biggest freaking double standard in the entire universe. Lest we forget, myhusband,” I spit the word, “was photographed with his paramour right after I returned to the UK—ahh, you didn’t know that? The rumors about me and JB didn’t start until after I walked out on him!”

“You’re right,” Angie agrees.

My body relaxes.

“And you’re wrong,” Carys contradicts. Before I can lambast her, she corrects me, “You deserve love, Sula.”

My head drops forward, unable to bear the weight of the emotions flowing through it.

“Now, let’s gorge ourselves sick on sugar, then I want to discuss you signing some documents.”

My forehead scrunches. She explains, “You invested the money from your mother. I want those assets protected so it doesn’t become a part of whatever happens between you and your husband. If you decide to go forward, your husband will sign those papers.”

“Or what?” I move back to the table. Angie reaches for my hand and squeezes it.

She bares her teeth. “Or he might find himself facing a slander lawsuit.”

“By whom?”

“You.”

“For what?”

“Insinuating you’re a whore. I’m certain we could get a closed-door hearing. Wouldn’t it be terrible if he lost all that shiny new money?” Carys’s eyes gleam.

Peals of laughter rip from my throat. “Yeah, Brendan is in so much more trouble for never introducing us long before now.”

For the rest of the afternoon, Angie, Carys, and I brainstorm safe topics I can discuss with Arek when we happen to bump into one another that wouldn’t lead me down a treacherous path of emotional disarray. We openly talk about my buzzwords—wife and darling being the top of the list—and how to react when he flings them around with derision.

Carys even suggests—after I tell them, albeit begrudgingly—going back to a roommate model. “Split cleaning duties, groceries. Make it clear where your boundaries are.”