CHAPTER ONE

“You don’t need to come. I know you don’t like these dinners” Jason Graham, my ever loving husband said over the phone

“That’s alright. I already said I would accompany you”

The other line went silent for a while before he finally spoke. “I would pick you and Ethan later”

“No need” I said

“Don’t be difficult Elena. I would pick you up”

Without waiting for her response he disconnected the call. He had begged her before to come with him to the dinner, and when she didn’t comply he gave her the cold shoulder. Now because he wanted Katie by his side, he pretended to care. Ever since Katie became his secretary he had adored her and neglected me. He would often buy her gifts and run to her every time she called. He would often try explaining to me.

‘Katie has been the best employee and I am just rewarding her’ he would say. At first I believed him and would often praise him for being such a good boss. But then I noticed the mistakes and I read the messages. Katie wasn’t one of the best employees and would often make mistakes. Jason who hated mistakes, especially when it concerned work would always let hers slide or push the blame to someone else. She would always send him flirty messages and would call in the middle of the night and when I asked him about he would always say he’s just being a good boss and helping an employee. She got bolder, with her posts and obvious hints to me. She would openly hold his hand and get closer to him in front everyone and when I brought it up to Jason he just brushed it off. Once, she sent a picture of her and Jason in a tight embrace and with Jason staring at her affectionately. She immediately apologized and deleted the message but I understood. The next day Jason came storming into the house.

‘This time you’ve gone too far Elena” he said fuming. ‘I’ve told you nothing is going one between Katie and I. she is just an employee. Did you have to bully her?

His scream had woken me up and I was still trying to understand what was going on.

‘We took that picture when Katie landed us that billion dollar project and you just had to harass her for it’

‘I didn’t’

‘Don’t lie. Katie told me what you said’

‘Katie?’ I laughed. He would rather believe his secretary than believe his wife’

‘Dress up, you’re coming with me to apologize’

‘Apologize? But I hadn’t done anything wrong’

‘You’re still lying? You have to apologize to her and give her a gift. Maybe she would forgive you’

‘I didn’t do anything wrong so why should I apologize?’ I shot back

This startled him. I never spoke back to him no matter what. ‘Since you wouldn’t apologize, then don’t blame me’ he stormed off.

Not long after Ethan our eight year old son walked in. ‘mum. I heard you made Aunt Katie mad and wouldn’t apologize’

Jason always did this whenever he was losing an argument. He would bring in Ethan. Somehow Katie had roped Ethan too. He would sneak out with Jason to have dinner with her and would kick and scream if I didn’t allow him to see her. They hardly spent time with me anymore. Jason would always enable his behavior making me look like the villain.

‘You have to apologize to my aunt’ he had said. My heart ached, I knew she held more importance in his life

‘But mummy didn’t do anything wrong’

He shook his little head disagreeing with me. ‘Aunty Katie wouldn’t lie. Didn’t you tell me to always apologize when I am wrong? His words pulled at my heartstrings

‘But mummy isn’t lie’ I said almost pleading.

‘No!’ he said firmly. ‘If you wouldn’t apologize to my aunt, I am not eating’

He was serious. He didn’t eat anything for a day, I had ended up buying her a limited edition handbag and apologizing. She had given me a self-righteous smirk as she collected the handbag. I knew this was part of her scheme. I later found out that Ethan had actually eaten throughout the day with Katie. My alarm went off, pulling me from my thoughts. I had to pick Ethan from school.

“What do you mean he’s not here?”

“Your husband’s secretary picked him up. He seemed to know her and we called your husband and he said he sent her”

“So you just let strangers take children here?”

“She didn’t seem like a stranger, he was very eager to go with her. We assure you madam our security is top notch and we wouldn’t just send a child with a stranger. I suggest you call your husband”

I nodded. I knew it wasn’t her fault. Jason didn’t tell me about this, he knew I was going to pick Ethan up. I went back to the car and dialed his number.

“Hello” his impatient voice came from the other line

“You told Katie to pick Ethan up?”

He went silent for a while, then replied calmly. “Katie was supposed to send you a message, she must have forgotten”

“Forgotten? Jason...”

“She made a mistake. I am going to talk to her” he said as he cut me off. “Ethan wanted to see her”

“And what about the dinner?”

“He would come with us to pick you up”

He disconnected his end of the line. I knew Katie had done this deliberately. She wanted me to react so she could play the victim and I knew Jason wouldn’t say anything. I sighed as I drove back home, I could feel her slowly take over my life and position in my family.

“Is Mrs. Graham upset with me?” Katie asked. “I really forgot. I guess I was just so eager to see Ethan”

“I know. She isn’t upset”

“Really?”

“Don’t worry Aunty Katie, my mum wouldn’t be upset with you”

“Thank you Ethan” she said as she crouched to stroke his face.

“You should take Ethan to the store and get him ready for the dinner” Jason said.

Ethan eagerly slipped his hands into hers and walked out of the office. He stared at her adoringly. They didn’t notice the mischievous smirk that played on her lips throughout. They were too engrossed in their care for her.

Back at the house I stared at the time. I knew Jason and Ethan weren’t coming home so I made food for myself and ate it silently. I had gotten used to this. Eating alone while my family ate with my husbands’ secretary. Somehow everything about her was more important than me. I remembered when Jason’s world used to revolve around me. He would buy me lots of things just because I glanced at them. Everyone envied me. He often got off work wanting to always spend time with me, but then Katie came into our lives. Even Ethan was always proud of me and always wanted my approval. Now my eight year old son would scold me for another woman. I laughed as I thought about this. I cleaned up my plate and went to prepare for the dinner.

I had waited for hours before Jason’s car finally pulled up in the driveway. I found my way to his car and was about to open the passenger seat when a hand stopped me.

“I’m sorry Mrs. Graham, I get car sick so Mr. Graham said I could seat here, I hope you don’t mind”

I just stared at her, the passenger seat was filled with stickers and a large sticker that said Katie caught my eyes. Jason noticing what I was looking at said.

“Don’t get the wrong idea, Katie is just a child and likes to decorate”

I nodded but still didn’t move, seeing this as an opportunity Katie said. “If you don’t want me to seat here I could go to the back, or better still I could take a car” she didn’t move, she just sat there and bowed her hair, dabbing at nonexistent tears like she was wronged. Jason held her affectionately and shot me a look

“Just sit in the back”

“Yes mummy, come sit here with me” Ethan added. I knew he didn’t want me there and was only trying to protect Katie, but I didn’t care, I nodded and was about to sit in the back when Katie said

“I guess Mrs. Graham isn’t really interested in the dinner seeing as she dressed plainly. I just hope she wouldn’t embarrass you. No offence Mrs. Graham”

Jason and Ethan looked at me with disgust. “Are you trying to ruin this dinner by embarrassing me?”

I stared at him in disbelief, he had bought me this dress and said it looked good on me. He had chosen it specifically for the dinner and now with the word from Katie, he despised it.

“Mummy, you should change. Why can’t you be like Aunty Katie? You’re going to embarrass daddy”

“I’m not changing” I said firmly.

“Then go to the dinner by yourself” he didn’t wait for my response and I just stared as the car disappeared into the distance.

I got in my own car and went to the dinner. I saw Jason and Ethan but didn’t approach them, I just sat by the pool sipping my wine. I didn’t know anyone and everyone seemed to want to speak to Jason. They looked like the perfect family with Katie on Jason’s arm. A lot of people mistook her for his wife but he didn’t correct them. They knew I was here but pretended not to see me. I didn’t care, at least not today. They still had two chances left. Katie walked towards me a smile playing on her lips. 

“Give it up Elena, Jason loves me more and Ethan just adores me”

I didn’t respond and just kept eating like I didn’t hear her. This infuriated her and she took my hand and pulled me up.

“Hey, I’m talking to you”

“What do you want me to say? Look I’ve had a long day and would love to just sit back and relax if you don’t mind” I said dismissively.

This didn’t seem to satisfy her as she pulled me closer to the edge of the pool.

“I’m telling you, divorce Jason”