Eleanor pulled into the office park a little earlier than planned. She usually took her time, but a knot of anxiety in her stomach had made her press a little harder on the gas, as if arriving on time would somehow prove her importance in her husband’s eyes. Mark had promised to meet her in the parking lot, and Eleanor was hoping for a few quiet minutes to discuss their plans for the upcoming weekend.
She parked near the edge of the lot, not getting out right away, and glanced in her rearview mirror. By a bench nearby stood Mark and his long-time business partner, David. The two men, both in expensive suits, both radiating confidence, were deep in conversation, oblivious to their surroundings.
They stood angled toward each other, their every gesture revealing men accustomed to being in control. At first, Eleanor had no intention of eavesdropping. She picked up her phone to check a message, but the tone of David’s voice caught her attention. It had a particular mocking quality that made every word sting.
— So, Mark, who are you bringing to my anniversary party? Your wife or your girlfriend? — David narrowed his eyes slightly, a smirk playing on his lips.
Eleanor felt the blood rush to her cheeks. She slowly lowered her phone, cracked open the window, and held her breath.
— Don’t twist the knife, — Mark snapped, nervously flicking ash from his cigarette. — I haven’t decided yet.
Those words hit Eleanor harder than a direct confession of an affair. Her husband had never spoken about their family with such cold detachment. There was no respect for his wife in his voice, not the slightest urge to defend her in front of his friend.
David pressed on:
— How long can you drag this out? Your Amber is due any day now, and you’re still silent. Are you just going to keep hiding it?
The name landed like a verdict. Eleanor knew Amber: Mark’s young, overly chatty assistant, a little too confident in her own charm. A few times, Eleanor had noticed her gaze lingering on Mark a moment too long. She’d always dismissed it as harmless flirting, but now everything clicked into place.
Mark exhaled sharply and tossed his cigarette butt into a nearby trash can.
— Do you have any idea how this pregnancy has ruined all my plans? I never intended for things to get serious with her. I have a family; I wasn’t going to throw away everything Eleanor and I have built over the years. But Amber became obsessive, constantly demanding attention. Gifts and dinners aren’t enough for her anymore; now she’s using the baby as leverage. She wants me to leave my family. The fool! How can I afford a move like that? My wife and I have accumulated so much, we’d be tied up in court for the rest of our lives.
Every word from Mark was a fresh stab of pain for Eleanor…
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