ログインEvelynI was still sitting on the couch when I heard Alfred’s car in the driveway. The front door opened and slammed shut hard enough to rattle the frame.He walked into the living room and stopped when he saw me. His tie was loosened, jacket slung over one arm, and his face was red.“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”I looked up at him. “Alfred…”“Do you have any fucking idea?” He threw his jacket onto the chair and pulled out his phone, shoving it in my face. “This is everywhere. Every news outlet, every gossip blog, every social media platform. My wife caught in an affair with my former employee.”“They’re out there now and my campaign is in freefall because of you.”“Your campaign has been in freefall for months because of your own actions.”“My actions?” He laughed but it came out harsh. “My actions didn’t put photos of me fucking a twenty-five-year-old all over the internet.”“No, you just had people killed instead.”He went still. “What did you just say?”“Including your
EvelynI pulled into the driveway too fast and nearly hit the mailbox. Alfred’s car wasn’t there but both kids’ cars were parked in their usual spots.I grabbed my purse and ran to the front door, my hands shaking as I unlocked it.“Clara?”No answer.I walked through the foyer into the living room and found them both sitting on the couch. Clara had her phone in her hand, tears streaming down her face. Nathan sat beside her with his arms crossed, jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle jumping.“What’s wrong? What happened?”Clara looked up at me and her expression was pure devastation. She held out her phone.I took it and the screen was open to some gossip website. The headline read: “GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE’S WIFE CAUGHT IN AFFAIR WITH CAMPAIGN STAFFER.”Below it were photos. Me and Theo at the coffee shop. Me getting into his car. Me leaving his apartment building late at night with my hair messed up and his hand on my back. The photo quality was clear, professional even. The
EvelynI pulled into Theo’s street just after three and parked two houses down from his house. His car was in the driveway, curtains drawn in the front window.I sat there for a minute looking at his door, my hands still gripping the steering wheel. After the meeting with Richard, after setting everything in motion to strip Alfred’s accounts and secure my own future, I’d driven here. Needing to see Theo. Needing to tell someone what I’d done.I got out and walked up the path. Knocked twice.He opened it almost immediately like he’d been waiting. His tie was loosened, shirt untucked, top two buttons undone. His hair was messed up like he’d been running his hands through it all day.“Hey.”“Can I come in?”He stepped back and I walked past him into the living room. The TV was on mute, some news channel playing footage of campaign rallies and political commentary. His laptop sat open on the coffee table surrounded by papers and empty coffee mugs.“I heard what happened,” I said, turning
EvelynThe restaurant was called Marchand, tucked on the top floor of a building downtown with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. I’d made the reservation under my maiden name and arrived fifteen minutes early.The hostess led me to a table in the back corner, away from the main dining area. I ordered water and sat facing the entrance.RichardHolm arrived at exactly one o’clock. Mid-fifties, gray hair, expensive suit. He’d been Alfred’s personal account manager for the last eight years, handling the offshore accounts and investment portfolios Alfred didn’t want traced back to him directly.I’d called him this morning using a number I’d found in Alfred’s study months ago.Richard spotted me and walked over, his expression just neutral. He sat down across from me without offering his hand.“Mrs. Cole.”“Thank you for meeting me.”“I almost didn’t come.” He picked up the menu the hostess had left. “Your husband and I have a longstanding professional relationship. This puts me
TheoThe email came at seven in the morning.“My office. 8am. Don’t be late. - AC”Theo stared at the message on his phone, coffee mug halfway to his mouth. AC. Alfred Cole. He never signed emails that way unless something was wrong.He set the mug down and typed back a quick confirmation, then grabbed his jacket and keys. The drive to the office took twenty minutes through morning traffic. He parked in the back lot and took the stairs up to the third floor where Alfred’s office overlooked the street.The hallways were empty this early. Most staff didn’t arrive until nine. Theo knocked on Alfred’s door and heard movement inside.“Come in.”He opened the door and stepped inside. Alfred was standing behind his desk, not sitting. His jacket was off, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened. He looked like he’d been there for hours already.“Close the door.”Theo did.Alfred didn’t offer him a seat. Just stood there staring at him with an expression Theo couldn’t quite read. Anger, maybe. Or somet
Evelyn I was sitting on Clara’s bed surrounded by dresses when the news came on. Clara had the TV on low in the background, some local channel she wasn’t really watching while she held up a navy blue gown against herself in the mirror. “What about this one?” she asked. I looked up from the burgundy dress I was examining. “It’s pretty. Try it on.” “I already tried it on like three times, Mom.” “Then why are you asking me about it?” She rolled her eyes and tossed the dress onto the growing pile on her desk chair. “Because I can’t decide. Prom is in two weeks and I still don’t know what I’m wearing.” “You have five dresses that all look beautiful on you. Just pick one.” “That’s not helpful.” I went back to looking at the burgundy dress, checking the hem for any issues. On the TV behind Clara’s voice the news anchor was talking about traffic on the interstate. “Breaking news this afternoon,” the anchor said. “We’re receiving reports of a fatal accident on Route 9 just outside t







