1. Don't Look Away

Lori 

"You forgot the reservation?!" I snapped, pacing the kitchen ties, hands fisted. Today was supposed to be a special day and yet, I found myself in a whirlwind of anger. 

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. I thought..."

"You thought?!" I whirled on her. "It is our anniversary! I left one thing in your hands, one!"

The maid Ava bowed her head, Feigning regret. I saw right through it. I had been seeing right through her fake appearances for years and yet Alex wanted us to keep her still. Left for me, I'd rather fire her since she wasn't good for anything. 

I sighed.

"I had a long day." I muttered, trying not to scream. " All I wanted was a dinner with my husband."

Ava mumbled something under her breath, I glared at her. "What was that?!" 

Before she could reply, he walked in. Alex—my husband—Tall, warm eyed, still in his dress shirt like nothing's wrong. 

"Hey." He wrapped his arms around me, kissing my cheeks. "Babe, let it go." 

"She forgot the reservation, Alex. The whole dinner is ruined."

He kissed my temple. "We can order in, it's not the end of the world."

I pulled away, my blood squeezing in rage. "That's not the point."

"It's just dinner." He was too calm, too relaxed. It was unbecoming. 

"And this is our day." I hissed. "She's been slipping up. First, the laundry. Then the bills. Now this?" 

He breathed close to me, enough to smell the whiskey. "She's human, Lori."

"Don't defend her?!"

Ava silently slipped away. I didn't miss the little smirk on her lips as she leaves, my stomach twisted.

"Did you see that?!" I asked. "She smirked."

"You are tired" Alex sighed. "You are overthinking everything."

I stared at my husband. "Overthinking huh?"

He pulled me close again, trying to kiss my neck. "Let's not fight tonight please." 

"I'm not in the mood." I stepped back. "I need a shower."

"Lori..."

"Let it go, Alex." I left him standing there, in the middle of our living room as frustration bubbled under my skin.

Later in bed, he slide beside me, his arms snaked around my waist . Fingers tracing my arms, creeping up to cup my breasts. "I love you." He whispered.

"I'm tired." I mean, I said so earlier. 

"You are sure?" I nodded, giving in to the sleep that plagued me all evening. 

A beat. Then he rolled over, quiet. 

Finally. 

*

Something woke me up, a sound. Soft at first, then louder. 

Moaning. 

I sat up. What the hell? I screamed in my head. I listened, it was coming from the hall way. 

No. No way...

I slipped out of bed, quietly. Carefully. Barefoot across the cold marble floor. My heart pounded as I took each step. I followed the sound, down the hall. Towards the guest room. The door was cracked open. I pushed it. What I saw, stopped my breath. 

Alex. Naked and on his knees. His face was buried between Ava's thighs. She's moaning and gripping his hair. Time slowed, I forced my hands on my chest, struggling to breathe.

"What the fuck!" I gasped. I wanted to gouge my eyes out, they didn't flinch. Alex didn't stop. Ava opened her eyes and met mine. She smirked again. That smirk, she gave earlier. I knew something was off then. I stumbled back. "Alex! 

He pulled back, wiped his mouth, standing slowly. His expression was calm. Like I caught him making coffee. His chest heaved like he was about to speak.

"Don't..." I fought back the tears. "Don't you dare say anything."

"Come in." He said softly. 

"What?" 

"Come inside and shut the door." Ava giggled, her fingers rubbing her clit. 

"You are sick!" I shuddered at the sight before me. 

I reached for the door knob. "You are not leaving." His voice changed, dark and sharp. He had never talked down on me before. "Watch me, while I fuck her." He pulled the key out of the door knob, trapping me inside with them. 

"I am not. You are disgusting." He moved over to the bed. Laid down and pulling Ava over him. She squealed. "No, Alex." I tried to close my eyes as I watched my husband have sex with my maid. The bitch who has been working for me, for years. I thought back, wondering how long it has been going on.

He didn't stop, he guided Ava onto him, she sank down with a moan.

“You’re a monster.”

‎“Maybe,” he said. “But you need to see this.” Ava rode him, head thrown back, eyes on me.

‎I couldn't move. I was frozen. My nails dug into the doorknob.

‎“You can’t keep pretending,” Alex grunted. “You’ve been cold for months.”

‎“You cheated on me—on our anniversary!” I yelled. 

‎“And you shut me down,” he snapped. “Every time. Tonight? You’d rather sulk about a missed dinner than touch me.”

‎“That’s not an excuse.”

‎“I’m not making excuses. I’m showing you.”

‎I choked on air. “I hate you.”

‎“No, you don’t.”

‎I lunged toward the bed. Slapped him. Hard.

‎He didn't even flinch. Ava moaned louder. Riding him harder. His hands gripping her waist.

‎“Stop it!” I screamed.

‎He looked up at me. “You wanted honesty? Here it is.”

‎“You’re a pig.”

‎“Still married to me.”

‎I stumbled back. “Not for long.”

‎“Then leave. But stay tonight. Watch this. Let it sink into your memory.”

‎“You want me to watch you fuck the maid?”

‎He nodded once. “Yes.” Ava leaned down, kissed his mouth. Moaned louder. Her eyes never leaving mine.

‎“You’re both sick.”

‎“You’re the one watching,” Alex said, voice low.

‎“I...” My throat closed. “I didn’t want this.”

‎I turned to leave, my eyes searching for the keys. 

‎He barked, “Lori.”

‎I stopped.

‎He thrusted harder into Ava. She cried out. “Look.”

‎I glanced back. I shouldn’t. But I did hoping for something different. His hand was on her throat. His teeth on her chest. He looked wild. Animalistic. Nothing like my husband. Or maybe this was who he has always been.

‎“You don’t love me,” I whispered.

‎“I never did." He said. "You were just someone I wanted to have by my side, nothing more. You are nothing special. Just another whore at my mercy." Another? There were more? My heart breaks further. My hand is on my stomach. I didn’t even realize I was shaking.

‎“You humiliated me.” Ava laughed.

‎“You gonna cry, Mrs. Perfect?” she said. I rushed forward. Grabbed her hair. Pulling her off him. She screamed. ‎Alex grabbed me by the waist, threw me on the floor. Hard. ‎Pain shot up my back.

‎I crawled, dizzy.

‎“Don’t touch her,” he growled “She respects me.”

‎“She’s a maid!”

‎‎“She’s mine now.”

‎‎“Go to hell.” He knelt beside me. Leaned close.

‎‎“We’re already there, baby.” Rage boiled in my bones as I spat on his face. He didn't even blink, slapping me across his face. Holding my hand to my cheeks. He flung the keys to where I was kneeling. ‎I got up. Staggered toward the door which broke open.

‎“Lori.” ‎I turned one last time.

‎“Next time,” he said, “knock first.”

‎