Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 116046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
“What’s going on?”
“I-I’m not just visiting. I left Greg, and I’m staying with Mom and Dad until I can get back on my feet.”
“Oh, shit. Brittney, I’m so sorry.” I hugged her tight, her chin resting on my shoulder as she made a soft whimper. “What happened?”
“Joy…it’s so bad.”
Panic filled me as I pulled back and searched her for injuries. “Did he hurt you?”
“Physically? No. But he eviscerated my heart and trust.”
I grabbed her hands in my own and led her over to the red velvet seat of the large piano bench, making her sit next to me. “Brittney, tell me. I promise, I won’t judge you, but I might kill him, depending on what he did to you.”
“Well…Memphis has a half-sister that’s one year younger than her.”
My jaw must have hit my chest. “You are fucking shitting me.”
“I wish.”
“Holy moly. Did you just find out?”
“Yeah. The other woman—who turns out to be awesome—” Brittney let out a soft, watery laugh, “Anyway, she thought Greg was single, that he traveled a lot for his job, but that he was going to propose to her any day. Then she found out he was married to me, and had me and Memphis waiting for him at home in California, and she decided to talk to me before she confronted him. She was devastated, like I was, but she never acted like it was anyone’s fault but his for being a cheating dick. Karen, Greg’s girlfriend, helped me get a lawyer who made sure I had my fair share of our mutual assets and that my personal money was safe before I filed for divorce.”
“You’re kidding me.”
“And he wasn’t just cheating on me with Karen. I snagged his laptop and let my lawyer take a look. Greg had active profiles on nine different dating sites. I’m so glad I insisted on him always wearing a condom after my birth control failed with Memphis. Thankfully, I’ve tested clean, but I never want to have to go through that fear again. I mean, can you imagine if he’d given me something that had gotten me sick, or made Memphis ill? All because he’s some kind of…of relationship addict?”
“This is so crazy.”
“And get this—Karen’s a lawyer, a really good one. She wanted to make sure Greg paid for what he did to us. Considering I was there the day he founded his company, and considering its current worth is in the millions, Greg will probably buy me out. I don’t want crazy money. Just enough to take care of Memphis and stay at home with her in a nice neighborhood, where I can give her the kind of childhood she deserves.” Brittney sighed and her shoulders slumped. “I know I’ve been a really shitty sister in the past, but I know you’ll be the best Aunt Memphis could ever want. You have so much love to give, and I could use your help once we move down here.”
“Anything you need. I mean it.” My protective instincts went on high alert. “Do we have to worry about Greg coming after you?”
“Probably not.” She chewed her lower lip for a second, her eyes darting away, then back again. “He was really mad when he found half of our checking account missing and one quarter of our savings.”
“A quarter? He got off lightly.”
She wrinkled her nose at me. “Don’t forget, he has to help Karen support her little girl, Opal.”
“So does that make Opal my niece?”
“In a way. Karen says we’ll always be welcome in Opal’s life, and she wants the girls to be able to spend time together. They are sisters, and family is very important to Karen. She’s very…loving.” An odd expression came over Brittney’s face. “She’s really nice and kind. I mean, you’d think she’d hate me, or I’d hate her because of what Greg did, but she’s just an innocent bystander like myself, swept up in his bullshit. I might have lost my husband, but I’ve gained a…friend who makes me feel happy in a way I haven’t experienced in a long time. She’s a big believer in good karma, and I sometimes wonder if what happened with Greg was a result of my past sins.”
I thought I heard something across the room, but a quick glance didn’t reveal much because of the spotlight blinding me. “I don’t think it works like that.”
“I was a miserable bitch,” Brittney said in a rush. “I’m so sorry I took out my bipolar bullshit on you.”
“Wait, you’re bipolar?”
With tears dripping down her cheeks, Brittney nodded. “I’m finally on medication for it, and I feel worlds better. Clear headed in a way I haven’t been in years. Not saying I’m perfect, or that I’m not a bitch, but I’m trying to be a better person for my daughter. I never could have imagined loving someone as much as I love Memphis. I know that if I want to go to heaven with her, I better start stacking up good karma. The more you have, the easier it will be for you to get into heaven and I have a lot of negativity and pain to make up for.”