All Chapters of Between Lust and Lies: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

RHEA* I knew something was wrong the moment I walked through the door. That suffocating floral scent that always made my stomach turn hit me first. Oh god, not today. Not today that I just came from another failed IVF consultation, another appointment where I cried in the car for twenty minutes before driving home. I don’t have the energy for Patricia Ashton today. I could hear hushed voices as I walked into the living room and I noticed they stopped talking as they saw me. Dave sat on the couch, his mother beside him, both wearing expressions I couldn't quite read. And standing by the window, glowing in a cream maternity dress that showed off a small but unmistakable baby bump, was someone I hadn't seen in years. Teyana Harris. Dave's ex-girlfriend. His college sweetheart. Dave shifted on his feet, like he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. Patricia’s fingers tightened around the armrest beside her. Teyana smiled at me, one hand resting protectively on her

The snow got heavier the second I got outside. The freezing air hit my face, but I barely felt it. My hands shook so badly I fumbled my keys before I finally unlocked the car. I got in my car and drove. I didn’t know where I was going. I didn't know what I was going to do. All I knew was my husband had just given me the ultimate betrayal, wrapped it in good intentions, and expected me to smile and accept it. All I knew was that in six months, his ex-girlfriend would give birth to his baby and everyone would expect me to play mother to a child that had nothing to do with me. All I knew was that there wasn’t a single place left that still felt like home. My phone rang. Dave. I declined. It rang again. His mother. Declined. A text came through: Rhea, come home. We can talk about this like adults. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be. —Dave. It rang again. I was ready to throw it out the window when I saw the name. Nathan. I bit down on my lower lip, willing myself to

“You're not allowed in here,” Dave said. “Only two visitors at a time.” “Then get the fuck out.” His voice was flat. “Riri?” I couldn't answer. Tears were streaming down my face. I touched my cheek. It was burning. He looked at my cheek, his jaw tightening. Rian hand came up, gently tilting my face toward him. His eyes moved over my cheek, and the warmth in his eyes disappeared. He turned to my father slowly. “Did you hit her?” “That's none of your concern.” “She's in a hospital bed!” Rian's hands clenched into fists at his sides. “She was in a car accident fifteen hours ago. And you hit her?” “She was disrespecting her mother's memory.” “So you hit her?” Rian took a step toward my father. “You hit your daughter? While she's… it's taking everything in me not to put you on the ground right now.” “How dare you speak to your father that way!” “You're not my father!” He spat. “She is your daughter! Your blood! And you treat her like this?” He gestured at me. “Right after she c

Dave’s voice: “No, like this. The back needs to be able to breathe or the drawer will stick.” Teyana laughed: “You’re so good at this. You’re going to be such a good dad.” I stopped in the doorway. The room was half-unpacked. Teyana’s clothes were hanging in the closet. Her shoes lined up by the door. Her perfume bottles on the dresser. A stack of pregnancy books on the nightstand. Dave was on the floor, kneeling beside her, helping her assemble a dresser. They moved around each other as though they’d done this a hundred times before. Like I didn’t exist. Dave’s hand was on her shoulder, steadying her as she held a piece of wood in place. They looked… easy together. My hand gripped the door frame to keep from falling. The bruises along my ribs protested with every breath, but I barely felt them anymore. “What are you doing?” The words barely made it out. They both looked up. He rose to his feet, composed, his gaze locked on mine. Something in my chest sank at the look in

Dave stood in the doorway, one hand thrown up in frustration. “Ever heard of ‘knocking’?” I asked, making air quotes. “This is our bedroom,” he made a gesture pointing at both of us. “What the fuck are you…” “Language.” I held up a finger. “There’s a baby in the house. Let’s not have ‘fuck’ be the first word they learn.” He let out a deep breath. “I got a call from the lawyer’s office.” “Mm.” I turned around. “That was fast.” “You filed for divorce.” “Huh, that’s an odd way to say thank you, Dave.” I folded my arm across my chest and turned back to face him. “I just saved you the trouble of having to pretend you still want to be married to me. You’re welcome.” “Call the office and cancel it.” I blinked at him and scoffed. “Cancel it,” he repeated. “Why?” I stepped toward him. “Give me one reason that doesn’t involve Teyana, the baby, the house or the prenup. One real reason, Dave. From you. Not from your lawyer, not from your mother, not from whatever version of yourself h