3: 3
After I left the hospital, I went back to the house I shared with Nathan.
That night, I had just stepped out of the shower when Nathan wrapped his arms around me from behind.
Just like always, he rested his chin on my shoulder, his voice soft and doting.
“Sweetheart, today was my fault. I didn't protect you and the baby, and I spoke to you far too harshly.”
“But it all happened so suddenly. Gail was only worried about you. You can't accuse her of something just because you were upset.”
I turned my head and looked at Nathan's face, as calm as ever, and my heart felt as if a ton of wet cement had been poured into it, pressing down until I couldn't breathe.
His acting really was good. He wanted nothing more than to throw me out the door that instant, and yet he could still play at loving me this much.
I pulled free of his arms and turned, my eyes falling on the gift bag he'd set down by his feet.
Feeling my gaze, he bent down, picked up the bag, and drew out the gown inside like he was showing off a treasure.
“Grandfather's birthday banquet is the day after tomorrow. I picked out your favorite brand just for you.”
“The color's the pink you love, too. Try it on?”
The brand and the color were both Gail's favorites. Even the size was Gail's size.
I let out a cold laugh and stepped back. “When did the two of you start?”
Nathan froze, then immediately gripped my hand, all tenderness.
“Gail and I were just an accident. Three months ago I got drunk, and I didn't mean for it to...”
He tightened his hold on my hand, his eyes fixed on me, uneasy.
“Madison, you're the only one I love. We've been married ten years and I've never once done anything to wrong you.”
“I'm begging you, just forgive me this one time. Please?”
I flung his hand off in disgust. “So you admit you cheated?”
“I did not!”
Nathan cut me off sharply, then in the next second suddenly changed the subject.
“Madison, don't you love children?”
“When we did the IVF, the doctor already said that if we couldn't save this pregnancy, you'd never be able to be a mother again.”
“You and Gail are best friends. Once she has the baby, I'll have her hand the child over for you to raise.”
“With a child to lean on, there's no way Gail could ever threaten your place as Mrs. Henson.”
If I hadn't known this was the trap he and Gail had laid for me for the banquet, I probably really would have given in, because I loved him.
But now, all I wanted was to see him ruined.
I tightened my grip on the phone that was still recording, and nodded.
“All right. After Grandfather's birthday banquet, the three of us will sit down and talk.”
Nathan's face lit up, and out of habit he pressed a light kiss to my forehead.
“Good. Tomorrow I'll come pick you up for the banquet myself. Get some rest. I'll sleep in the guest room tonight.”
Once the bedroom door was shut, I scrubbed at the spot where Nathan had kissed me with the back of my hand, over and over, and the tears fell without my being able to stop them.
With shaking hands, I sent all of the recordings to Blake.
A message came back almost at once:
“I already have all the proof that Gail hired a man to hurt you.”
“At the banquet tomorrow, neither Nathan nor Gail is getting away.”
