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“So, I was thinking the kids are going to a friend’s sleepover tomorrow night. How about we have some girl time? The library is closed this Monday, and I can get Elijah to drop the kids off at school.”
“I’d love to.” Robin winced. “I can’t.”
“Oh, it’s fine.”
“No, I’ve got a dinner I need to attend. Preacher needs me there, but how about you come to Sunday dinner? I can ask him and we can both go. It could be fun and if you’re there, I know I can get home. There won’t be any death or anything. We’d all be on our best behavior. Believe me, I don’t know if I can handle the thought of dinner right now, and you’d be helping me out a lot.”
“Your life sounds very exciting.”
In Robin’s mind, she instantly thought about losing her first child. “It’s not, believe me, you wouldn’t love my life at all.”
“I don’t know. Two men vying for your affection. A baby, and I bet they wouldn’t cheat on you for a secretary or anything, would they?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
“It must be nice.”
“It is nice.”
Anne placed a sleeping Bethany into the crib, running fingers through her hair. “I know you’re having a hard time with everything. I’m sorry if I’m seeming a little … callous.”
“You’re not. You’re far from callous. Believe me, it’s fine. I like that you treat me normal, like I won’t break at a moment’s notice. I’m not different to you, and I like that.”
“Will you pick between the two?” Anne asked. “Eventually, I mean.”
Robin sat down on the bed with a heavy sigh. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m going to do.” She blew out a breath. “A lot has happened in such a short space of time, you know? Old feelings, new feelings, they’re all combining and I’m more confused now than I’ve ever been. It’s a lot to take in. I know it’s wrong but I sometimes wish I could go back to not remembering, you know? It would be a hell of a lot easier.”
“It’s not wrong. Your life wasn’t as simple as you thought it would be. It makes a lot of sense for you to want to stop it, put your life on hold. If you ever need to talk about it, you know where to find me.”
“Thank you for all of this. I really needed to have some space to call my own.”
“Oh, to see the look on his face. I can’t deny there was a huge thrill in defying him. You’re welcome to stay for as long as you like.” Anne patted her knee with a smile. “I better go and see what he’s doing. I haven’t heard him leave yet and I don’t want his date coming here and starting something, not with the kids still home. If you’re hungry, I’ll make you a sandwich.”
“I am. I’ll be down in a moment.”
“Yeah, please, and save me from him.” Anne didn’t look afraid.
“Anne, why do you put up with it?” Robin asked.
Anne held the door as she stopped. “I don’t know.”
“Did it ever hurt you to find out the truth?”
“The first couple of times, yeah. I don’t know why I stayed, apart from the kids. I know a lot of families make it work. I didn’t … it felt important to stay together but also, the longer we’re together, the pain has become nonexistent. He can’t hurt me anymore. I just expect him to follow rules, like keeping the kids in the dark for as long as possible. What I don’t ever want them to think is I’m a fool.”
“You’re not a fool, Anne.”
“I know, but a lot of people would see it that way. I better go. Don’t keep me waiting long.”
She left the door open as she left and Robin looked down at her daughter. “I hope I’m making the right decision here, for you, for me.” She reached out and stroked her cheek. An overwhelming love rushed through her as she looked at her sleeping daughter. “I wish you came with all the answers, sweetheart. I could really use them right now.” Nothing came from Bethany. Taking another big deep breath, she watched her sleep, finding peace in seeing her little girl.
Her stomach chose that moment to growl and so she grabbed the baby monitor on the drawer beside the bed and made her way downstairs.
“This is my house. I should have a say who’s in it and who isn’t.”
“Really? Well, as my husband, your body should belong to me, and seeing as I can’t have a say in that, then I don’t see why you should get a say in this. Robin’s staying. Is this because she hasn’t giggled in your presence like a little schoolgirl? I know how you like them young, Elijah. Are you wanting to screw my new best friend? Is that it? You want to prove you can have any woman you want and you’re not just an old married man who has lost everything?”
Robin entered the kitchen and what she saw made her feel cold. From where she stood, it looked like Elijah had his hands wrapped around her throat and was about to hit her, but Anne’s smile didn’t portray any kind of fear.
