Page 14 of Keeping Skylar (Fractured Hearts #1)

Skylar

School holidays are over, and it’s the first day of a new term. I’ve gotta admit, I can’t remember ever feeling this relieved to be back at work. Even if it means dealing with Lucia more than I’d like, at least it’ll keep me busy—and out of the house.

I sit behind my desk, watching my teaching assistant—also my husband’s mistress—as she crouches beside a student, discussing the book we’re covering this week.

I study her closely, noting every detail of her appearance and movements.

She’s dressed in a floral dress, her hair neatly pinned in a bun; she gives off an air of innocence and grace, though I know she’s anything but.

It’s almost hard to believe that the bitch is sleeping with my husband.

The conversation with Kaden on Saturday night really shook me.

I’ve barely slept since, clinging to the hope that it was just a spur-of-the-moment comment, and that he’s already forgotten about the whole ‘baby’ talk.

Maybe he has. Maybe he hasn’t. Only time will tell.

But the thing is, time isn’t exactly on my side.

I just need the real estate agency to come back with some good news.

My thoughts are quickly interrupted by one of my kindergartners, now standing in front of me. “I’m finished now, Mrs Grant,” Emily says proudly, showing me her drawing of her favourite scene from the book we’re reading.

“That looks wonderful, Emily.” I smile warmly. “Would you like to tell me a little bit about your drawing?”

“I drew Sasha when she beat Tommy in the potato sack race. This is her laughing at Tommy because he was crying like a big loser ,” she clarifies, giving a very dramatic eye roll at the end.

“You mean, he cried because he lost the race,” I correct her.

Emily shakes her head. “No, because Tommy is a big, sore loser just like Hayden who cries when he loses in a game of tag,” she casually informs me.

I purse my lips as I attempt to hold back a giggle. “Do you think, maybe, Hayden gets upset because he just wants to do well in the game?” I ask gently, hoping to soften Emily’s strong opinions about her fellow classmate.

Emily lets out an exaggerated sigh, as if I’m the one who’s utterly clueless.

“No, Mrs Grant. Everyone knows—all boys are losers and cry-babies!” With that, she sets her drawing on my desk, and strides back to her table with more sass than any six-year-old should have.

I cover my mouth to hide a laugh. I think this girl might be on to something.

The school bell rings and I quickly dismiss the class for lunch.

Lucia approaches after collecting the students’ work and places the stack on my desk.

“We’re off to a good start,” she says with a grin.

Just the sight of her face makes me want to punch her on the nose. Sure, she might be great at her job, but that doesn’t erase the fact that she’s still having an affair with my husband.

I smile wordlessly, then grab my phone and purse from the bottom drawer of my desk, and walk straight to the staffroom. She follows close behind.

“You okay?” she asks, noticing I haven’t said a single word to her.

“I’m super. Just hungry.”

She nods, falling silent until we reach the staffroom. “How was your weekend? Get up to anything exciting?” She pulls her sandwich and bottle of iced coffee from the fridge, then pauses, waiting for me to choose a seat.

I grab my chicken and avocado wrap and a bottle of orange juice from the fridge, my movements slow and deliberate as I settle on one of the sofas in the far corner of the room.

Lucia follows, taking a seat directly across from me, her nervous gaze never leaving me.

“Nothing exciting. Kaden took me out on a date Saturday night, that’s about it.” I shrug like it’s no big deal.

Her head snaps up, and she looks at me, surprised.

“Oh? How romantic. That must’ve been quite a shock for you.

I know you mentioned you haven’t been on a date in a while,” she says, striving for composure.

But I know the thought of her lover spending real, quality time with his wife is gnawing at her.

I can’t help but relish the look on her face, so I decide to push a little more.

“Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised, to be honest. He took me to dinner at Morelli’s, you know, that fancy, upscale restaurant with the perfect view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Then, we strolled around the harbour, hand-in-hand, stealing kisses as we went.

Honestly, he just couldn’t keep his eyes and hands off me. ”

Her expression twists into something murderous, and I have to duck my head to hide my laughter.

Just as I’m about to take a bite of my wrap, Lucia interrupts with a snarky remark.

“It might just be a phase. I wouldn’t get your hopes up.

” And then, the claws come out. “You’ve said it before—he goes through these stages of spoiling you, and then it’s back to nothing again, like he’s just ticking the ‘keep the wifey happy’ box.

” Her bitter jealousy is thick, almost too painful to watch.

“Maybe. But that doesn’t explain why he’s suddenly so eager to start a family.”

“What!” she screeches, her eyes practically bulging out their sockets. “Are you fucking kidding me!”

“I wish I were joking, but Kaden was insistent that we start trying soon. Can you imagine—me, pregnant with his child in just a few months?” I sigh, feigning a dreamy expression.

Lucia’s entire posture stiffens, her face contorting in anger.

She slams her food onto the coffee table, then leans back on the sofa with a heavy thud, arms crossed and her gaze penetrating through me.

I can feel the heat radiating off her, like she’s ready to combust. I guess she’s done playing nice—her fury and irritation is written all over her.

My smirk is hidden behind my wrap—this is just too fucking entertaining! I’ll leave it to Kaden to deal with her rage. In fact, I’ll actually pay top dollar to watch that shitshow upfront.

Suddenly, an idea begins to form in my head. “What are you up to tonight?” I ask.

“I was going to go for a long workout, but I don’t feel like it now.” She huffs.

“Well, great. Come over for dinner.”

She shoots me a flat, disinterested look, like I’ve just asked her to co-host a bake sale fundraiser to help save the planet. “Umm ... I’m okay, thanks. I don’t want to impose.”

“Not at all. We’d love to have you over. It’s been a while since you came by our place for dinner. I’ll be cooking enough to feed an army anyway. What do you say?”

She hesitates for a moment, her jaw tightening, before giving a curt nod. “Alright, I’ll come,” she says, her tone devoid of any enthusiasm.

“Great, dinner starts at six.”

“Looking forward to it.” She fake grins, then rolls her eyes, thinking I don’t notice.

Oh, my dear friend. I notice everything!

I pull my Kindle from my bag and continue reading while finishing the rest of my lunch. The whole time, I can feel Lucia’s piercing gaze shooting arrows at me. She must have lost her appetite, seeing as her food remains untouched on the coffee table.

Inviting my husband’s mistress over for dinner might be the worst idea ever, but honestly ... my care factor is practically non-existent at this point. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what tonight brings.

Day one of school is done and dusted. Before heading home, I decide to catch up on the emails I missed while sitting in my car.

As soon as I switch on my phone, the screen lights up with three missed calls and five new texts from Kaden.

Strange. He hasn’t reached out to me this much in months.

I quickly open the messages to see what he wants now.

Kaden: Good morning, my beautiful wife. I hope you have a great first day back at school. I love you xo.

Message sent straight after I left for work this morning. Sigh! I read his next lot of texts.

Kaden: I know you’re working at the moment, but I just wanted to tell you that I miss you and have been thinking about you all day.

I roll my eyes so hard; I swear I can almost see the back of my head. Next .

Kaden: I had fun on our date Saturday night. You looked breathtaking; it was hard to peel my eyes off you. I should take you out more often : )

Kaden: And also, I’ve been thinking, I’d like us to plan a weekend away. Just you and me, somewhere coastal. Making love all day with the sound of the ocean just outside our window like old times. How does that sound?

Sounds like my worst fucking nightmare. I’d rather drown in the ocean. NEXT!

Kaden: I can’t wait to see you tonight, baby. I’ll be home before 6pm, just in time for dinner. I love you. Forever and always xo.

What fresh hell have I woken up to this morning? Is he possessed right now? Why is he acting so fucking weird ... and clingy?

I stare out my windshield, stunned and speechless.

I’ve been doing everything I can to avoid being alone with Kaden, so the thought of spending an entire weekend with him fills me with double the anxiety and nausea.

I don’t know why I keep being punished like this.

It’s as if the universe itself has it out for me and is determined to make me suffer.

I lean my head back against the headrest and close my eyes.

It’s going to be alright, Sky. You’re going to be alright, I remind myself. I’ll just have to tell Kaden I can’t go away anytime soon because I’ll be swamped with school preparations. But damn it! He’ll know something’s off—he knows I never turn down a trip with him.

Taking a few deep breaths, I decide to call Kirstin instead. She always knows exactly what to say to calm me. Just as I’m about to tap the call button, an email from the real estate agency pops up.

Oh my God!

My heart races, and my finger trembles over the notification icon. I tap it, and the email opens on my screen in an instant.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: 10 October, 2022 at 3:20 pm.

Subject: Application Approved.

Dear Skylar Grant,

Congratulations! Your application has been approved by the landlord for 17/21 Harper Avenue, Brightly Bay. Please click on the attachment to view your rental agreement.

To secure the apartment, you are required to pay a deposit of $400 (1 week’s rent) before 5:00 pm tomorrow evening.

You will also be required to pay a bond of $1600 (4 weeks rent) directly to the Victorian Bond Authority (VBA) before signing your lease.

A link with instructions on how to pay the bond to the VBA is stated on the agreement.

The agency will be notified once the payment has been successful.

You will find all relevant details regarding your 12-month lease, including the weekly direct debit payment details, enclosed on the agreement. Your lease will commence on October 24th, upon signing the contract.

On behalf of Diamond Real Estate, Melbourne, thank you for choosing our services and we look forward to meeting you.

Kind Regards

Diamond Team

Holy shit! Is this really happening?

The lease starts in exactly two weeks from now, which means I need to get my shit in order, fast. I’m bursting with excitement, filled with hope for a new future, one without my lying, cheating bastard of a husband and his whore mistress. At last, things are finally going my way.

I spend the next hour in the car, taking care of all the necessary payments to the agency and the bond authority. There’s no way I’m waiting another second longer. I’ll drain every last bit of my savings if it means I can get out of here sooner.

Once all payments are made, I dial Kirstin’s number to share the exciting news.

It rings and rings, and after the fourth ring, the call finally connects. “Hey, girly.” She chirps.

“Guess what?”

“Kaden and Lucia were found at the bottom of a river?”

I chuckle. “Wishful thinking, my friend. But no, I have even better news.”

“Shoot, baby girl.”

“I’ve been approved for one of the apartments I applied for. I get to move into the apartment in two weeks time,” I announce with bubbling excitement.

She squeals in my ear, so loud, I almost burst an eardrum. “Oh my God, babe! This is fantastic news. I’m so fucking happy for you!”

“I’ve been such a mess for the past week and a half, so it’s refreshing to finally have some good luck come my way.”

“Oh, honey. You deserve this and more. How’s everything going at home anyway?”

For the next ten minutes, I recount every detail of the last forty-eight hours to my best friend.

“Well, let’s see. Kaden took me out on a date Saturday night, then dropped the bomb that he wants to start trying for a baby right before wanting to have sex with me.

He was practically glued to my side all of Sunday, but at least he didn’t bring up the baby talk again.

Then, while I was at work today, he texted to say he wants to plan a weekend getaway for just the two of us.

So, yeah. That’s pretty much the gist of it. ”

“What the ever-loving fuck! He took you on a date then tried to make a baby with you, and now he wants to guilt trip you into going away with him for the weekend? What is that insignificant butthole up to?” she spits out.

“Right? It’s so strange. I don’t understand where all of this is coming from. My theory is that he and Lucia got into a fight, and so, he’s filling his time by spending it with me. I’m sure once they kiss and make up, he’ll be back to his old deceiving ways.”

“Well, they’re going to need each other soon, because you, my dear friend, have just scored yourself a one-way ticket to freedom.”

We both squeal in excitement.

“Let’s celebrate this Thursday night. It’s my only free evening this week and I need to see you before you up and leave me. Drinks on me,” Kirstin offers.

“Hell yes! Want to meet at Hawkins Bar at eight?”

The line goes quiet for a moment. “Are you sure you want to go back there after what happened last Friday night?”

I shrug. “Meh! I’m riding such a high right now that I really don’t care. Plus, it’s Thirsty Thursdays at the bar, so all drinks are half-price. We’ll invite Mila and share the good news with her.”

“Well, if you’re fine with it, then I’m all in!”

We say our goodbyes and hang up. I release a sigh of relief as I place my phone back in my bag.

I’m turning over a new leaf, and everything is finally falling into place.

In two weeks, I’ll be starting a new life in a new city, all on my own.

I feel both anxious and excited, but I know I need to do this. It’s now or never—I deserve better.

No matter what happens from here onwards, I know I’ll emerge from this as a changed woman—a stronger and more resilient version of me—a Skylar 2.0.

But for now, it’s time to head home and whip up a delicious home-cooked dinner, for three.