Chapter 4 The Other Woman

My whole body was burning up. My head throbbed, and my voice was hoarse. "My phone. Give me my phone."

"Hazel, don't even think about calling the police. It won't do any good."

Dawson was afraid calling the police would hurt Lynn.

He cupped my face in his hands, his eyes full of pity. "Trust me. I have my reasons when it comes to Lynn."

I pulled away from him and stumbled to my feet. "It doesn't matter anymore. I don't want to know. Dawson, we're done."

I staggered into the living room, then froze.

A framed photo sat on the coffee table. It showed Dawson and Lynn holding a little dog. Beside the frame lay several unused condoms.

A black stocking was crumpled on the couch, and a lace thong hung over one corner.

A dog bed sat beside the couch, with a worn-out shirt lining it. It was the shirt I had saved up for a long time to buy, a $768 birthday present for Dawson.

A little black cat charm lay inside, its head cracked and twisted from being chewed on.

I had made it for Dawson myself. We had once promised that after we got married, we would get a black cat together.

Pain stabbed through my chest again, and I gasped for breath.

"You could've just told me you wanted to break up, Dawson. Why did you lie to me? Why would you give the things I gave you to an animal? Why would you throw away the love I gave you like it meant nothing?"

"That wasn't some animal. It was a dog Lynn and I raised for years. It was family. And it died in an accident. Could you not talk about it like that?"

Dawson rubbed the spot between his eyebrows.

"Hazel, stop being so stubborn. When I was starting my business, I went through a major crisis. If Lynn hadn't begged her father to help me, I wouldn't be where I am today. You should be grateful."

It was absurd.

I stared blankly at Dawson, unwilling to waste another word on him.

"Fine. If that's what you say."

I frantically searched the living room for my things. I just wanted to get away from this disgusting man forever.

But Dawson stepped forward and pulled me tightly into his arms.

"Hazel, stop this. Haven't you had enough of struggling all these years? I have money now. We don't have to live apart anymore. Give me a little time, and I'll buy you a place. That luxury apartment overlooking the river you always said you wanted. We can go back to the way things were—"

I cut him off coldly. "Dawson, do you want me to be the other woman, or do you want Lynn to be the other woman?"