Page 51 of The Awful Truth

“Sure, you can. We can help each other, Charlotte. We have to. He’s put us both in the worst position possible, especially right now, when we’re about to negotiate another contract. We’re exposed. All three of us, especially you, because he didn’t think to conduct all your communications on personal devices. The network owns every message, every heart and eggplant emoji.” She leaned in. “Travis Bishop has access to every personal, sordid detail. And I’m not sure if you noticed, but he’s not exactly the type of man you want to know your secrets. Especially when he owns you.”

Charlotte stared at her long enough for Antonia to start to worry that she was about to get up and go running to Ted for help. But she didn’t. She sat forward and lowered her voice. “I’m having trouble believing you, Antonia. I mean…you got Samir to download everything for a reason. You must be planning to go after us.”

“I won’t lie: for a few hours in the middle of the night, while he was in bed with you, I wanted that more than anything I’ve ever wanted. I had it all planned out. I’d file for divorce, then write a scathing article about it and sell it to The New Yorker. But then, when the sun came up, it hit me. Hurting either of you would ruin my career and make me an absolute laughingstock. My reputation would never recover. I’d never work again.” She felt the rage inside starting to build and forced it out with a single sigh. “I realized I have to be very careful. I had Samir create a backup of everything as insurance while I figure out how to salvage what I can.” She took another sip, then stared out to the water for a second. “The truth is, Ted’s been in control of everything from the start. I never wanted any of this. I wanted to treat patients and have a quiet life with our family. Wealthy, private, easy. But Ted needed more. He was always so driven. And he wanted to help people on a mass scale. First, it was just going to be one book and we’d see what happened. And then…it all just took off and I kept saying yes when I meant no.” She paused and licked her lips, realizing how dry they suddenly felt. “And I wonder if that’s what happened with you. All these months, maybe you kept saying yes when you meant no.”

“Oh my God, he didn’t rape me, if that’s what you’re getting at,” Charlotte whispered, her face angry.

“No, of course not. But I know firsthand how convincing he can be. The promise of him—a strong, wise, capable, sensitive man, who absolutely knows how to please a woman.” Charlotte flinched and Antonia’s lips curved up involuntarily. Part of her was enjoying this. Loving the discomfort on Charlotte’s face. “Oh, come on, how often do you get a chance to compare notes? Let’s face it—the man is a total rock star in bed. Even when I’m furious with him, I find myself saying yes.”

Charlotte’s jaw dropped and she blinked quickly.

“Did he tell you we stopped having sex?” she asked, running her fingers down her glass that was now wet with condensation. It was cool to her hot skin. “Of course he would have told you that. They all do.”

Charlotte turned away, resting her chin on her hand. “Yeah, I imagine they do.”

And that was the moment that Antonia knew her plan would work. She could convince Charlotte to get onside. “The truth is, Ted isn’t thinking about your future. Not at all. If he was, he wouldn’t have left you so exposed. Right now, you could be made to look like the homewrecker—some sort of evil young thing who gets off on screwing her boss when his wife is right there in the other room.”

“That’s not what it was about!”

“Then what was it about, Charlotte? Tell me everything, from the first time you knew what would happen until now. If I know, I can save you from the fallout.”

THE DAY AFTER THE INCIDENT

“We promise according to our hopes, and perform according to our fears.” ~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld

11:42 A.M. — THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

PETRA

Luka

So far, nothing but dead ends here. Whatever is going on, they are keeping a tight lid on it. Anything there?

Two developments: First, the captain of the yacht called an air ambulance two days ago. Apparently some sort of domestic situation, but it calmed down quickly and the captain canceled.

Luka

So the police weren’t called? Just an ambulance?

Yes, very strange. Whoever was in trouble didn’t want the authorities to get involved.

Luka

What’s the second thing?

Someone from the US Embassy called a few minutes ago. A very rude man. The Director is still talking to him.

Luka

That would suggest to me that the victim is American.

Or the murderer?

Luka

Could be, yes. See if you can find out anything about that call.

I’m definitely doing what I can, but I’m afraid The Director might figure out what I’m up to.