Three

CHARLOTTE’S P.O.V.

I woke up with a pounding headache that was only made worse by my phone ringing. My hand slid across the bed as I searched for it, but I froze as I touched a warm, hard chest instead.

A flash of dark green eyes and a devilish grin popped into my mind, and I tensed as I tried to recall what had happened the night before.

My eyes opened slowly in terror as I tried to remember how I got here and where here actually was. I let out a breath of relief when I saw the disheveled, dirty blonde hair of my husband as he started to wake. 

The relief of being safe at home was short-lived, though, and the sudden crushing betrayal that had caused me to drink until I blacked out last night hit me like a bullet to the heart. 

“Good morning,” He whispered, rolling over to wrap his arm around me and kissing the top of my head. I jerked away instinctively, much to his surprise, and tumbled out of the bed. “Babe, are you okay?”

I groaned as I rubbed my butt cheek before seeing my phone beneath the bed and grabbing it. 

“I’m fine,” I snapped, squinting at the screen to see my old college professor’s name. He had been like a mentor to me, but we hadn’t talked in a while, not since I left work when I married Justin.

“Professor Simmons?” I asked as I answered the call, closing my eyes again as I scooted back to put my back against my nightstand. 

“Charlotte! How are you? I was so happy to get your message last night!” He exclaimed, and my mind went blank as I tried to think back to when or what I could have texted him. 

“Right! Of course! My message!” I exclaimed without any idea as to what he was talking about before wincing at my own volume as Justin got out of bed and began to pull on clothes.

“This could not have been better timing. I have just the place for you.” He said, and I silently shook my head in confusion. “My friend’s firm is looking for a new interior designer, and I let her know that she would be a fool not to hire you. I’ll text you her information, and you just need to send in your resume. It’s well-paid and not too far from you.”

My eyes snapped wide open as I slowly processed what he had just said. 

“Thank you!” I exclaimed in shock. “That’s amazing. Do you know when she would need me to start?” 

“She’ll let you know. I’ll text you later, and we can meet to discuss it further.” He said before disconnecting the call. I stared down at my phone, blinking several times as I tried to get the screen to stop blurring. 

“Start what?” Justin asked, making me jump.  For a moment, I couldn’t remember what it was that I had just been about to say as he pulled on his white button-up shirt. His chiseled abs and the seductive grin he sent me when he caught me staring made my mind go blank until, suddenly, flashes of Tara wrapped around him came to mind, and my heart squeezed painfully in my chest.

“A job,” I responded curtly, unsure how to talk to him without lashing out. 

“A job,” He repeated with a laugh, as if it were the most ridiculous thing he had heard. “Why do you suddenly want a job? Do I not give you enough money each month?" 

I pushed myself to stand, knowing this wasn’t a conversation I would win while curled up in a ball on the floor. 

"I’ve been home for years, and I’m a bit bored, Justin,” I spat, unable to hide my anger with him before clearing my throat and speaking more calmly. “I want to find something to do." 

He chuckled as he put on his watch, not bothering to even look at me as he spoke. "I’ll sign you up for flower arranging or yoga classes…something easy. My wife doesn’t need to work. All you have to do is enjoy yourself and have fun.” 

Like a toy, I thought bitterly. 

“Speaking of enjoying yourself,” Justin said, finally turning and gesturing toward the window. “I have a surprise for you downstairs.” 

An island wasn’t enough? I wondered, but kept it to myself as I pulled on my silk robe and walked to the window. 

In the driveway sat a brand new luxury SUV with a giant red bow on top. 

“I wanted to give it to you on your birthday, but there was a slight delay with when I could pick it up,” Justin said, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind me. I tensed, but couldn’t pull away again, not without him getting suspicious. “Happy birthday, baby. I love you. I hope you enjoy your present.”

I pressed my lips together as he leaned forward to kiss my cheek before pulling away and going back to the dresser to put on his tie. 

“And don’t worry, I already have our anniversary present ready for next week. That one won’t be late. You are going to love it.” He said as he walked out the door. 

“Oh, I have something for you, too, but you probably won’t love mine,” I whispered after him, but he was too far away to hear. 

My phone vibrated in my hand, and I pulled it up, expecting it to be the information from Professor Simmons, but it was a social media message request… from Tara Whitmore. 

My breath caught in my throat as I opened the message with shaking fingers, accepting it.

‘Do you like the car I picked out? It’s so roomy. We barely made it off the lot before Justin insisted on having sex with me in it. He wanted to… break it in. Sorry, it was late. Things got so wild that it had to be sent for cleaning before he could give it to you. I had them leave something in there for you, though. Consider it my birthday gift. I wonder how long it will take for you to find it…’