Page 8 of Keeping Skylar (Fractured Hearts #1)

Skylar

Just like that, the weekend is over.

A wave of anxiety hits me as I step through the front door, my small luggage trailing behind me. Kaden is currently at work, and I know he won’t be back until eight tonight. That gives me some time to myself without his insufferable presence lingering around.

Kirstin and I spent the last day of the weekend shopping at the farmer’s market, and catching a movie at the cinema. It was a refreshing escape from reality; a distraction I desperately needed. Even if just for a fleeting moment, I felt a sense of peace.

But as they say, all good things must come to an end. And now here I am, back at the one place that fills me with dread—pretending that my life and marriage aren’t on the verge of being blown to smithereens.

After leaving Kirstin’s apartment this morning, I was sitting in my car in her basement garage when a panic attack hit me out of nowhere. My hands clutched the steering wheel tightly as I fought to steady my breathing, trying to calm the hammering in my chest.

Kirstin, standing only a few feet away, immediately noticed I hadn’t moved. As if sensing my struggle, she rushed over, ripped the door open, and gently helped me out of the car. We stood embraced in each other’s arms until I was calm and ready to leave.

Before I got into my car, Kirstin reached into the pocket of her denim jacket and handed me a spare key to her apartment, silently offering me a refuge whenever I needed it. That simple gesture was all the reassurance I needed to drive safely back home.

I’ll play the dutiful wife. I’ll carry on like nothing’s wrong—as if my lying, cheating husband isn’t sneaking around with my best friend. I’ll let him enjoy his side piece for now while I wait for the perfect moment to leave his sorry arse for good.

I’m just about to put the finishing touches on dinner when I hear the front door slam shut. Minutes later, Kaden’s heavy footsteps echo through the house as he strides into the kitchen and heads straight for the fridge.

Forcing myself to face him, I muster a weak smile. The effort of pretending to be the supportive, attentive wife is beginning to wear me down. It’s downright exhausting.

He grabs a bottle of water from the fridge and walks the short distance to where I’m standing. I turn my back to him to avoid his gaze and his need to touch me, pretending to stir the curry in the saucepan even though it’s long since done.

Unfortunately, my feeble attempt to avoid his touch fails when I suddenly feel his solid arms wrap around my waist and his warm lips on my neck. Heat and goosebumps ripple across my skin at the sensation of his touch. God dammit!

“That smells so good. What are you making?” he whispers into my ear.

“Thai green curry.”

“Yum. What’s the occasion?”

“No real occasion. I just felt like cooking something nice, that’s all,” I reply, carefully masking the disgust in my voice.

A minute later, Kaden pulls away and heads to the cupboard to grab a set of plates, eating utensils and wine glasses for the two of us, and begins to set the dining table.

He returns to the kitchen shortly after, to retrieve a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from our collection in the pantry.

He brings it back to the table, filling our wine glasses to the brim.

“Those girl trips are doing wonders for you. I should let you go on them more often.” He smirks as he takes a sip of wine from his glass.

Of course, he would say that. He has someone to occupy his time with now that he has Lucia at his beck and call. Wouldn’t he just love that. Bastard!

Kaden sits at the head of the table while he waits as I serve the curry and rice onto our plates. Dumping the saucepan in the sink, I make my way over to the table, taking my seat adjacent to him on his right.

For the next several minutes, silence envelops us as we eat our meal in relative peace. I try not to shift awkwardly in my seat from the discomfort of having Kaden sit so close to me. I only relax when he breaks the silence first.

“This is really good, babe,” he praises as he pops another piece of chicken in his mouth.

“Thanks. How was your weekend?” I ask.

He peers down at his food, likely contemplating the lie he’s about to spew. “It was great actually. Had a barbeque with Jason and Jake on Saturday, then we went up to the mountains on Sunday for a hike,” he explains while maintaining a neutral expression on his face.

I don’t believe a word he’s saying. All I hear in that nonsense are lies. What I really gathered from his whole speech is that, yes, he was busy on Sunday, but not hiking up a mountain—he was hiking up Lucia’s skirt before fucking her brains out . Two-timing son of a bitch!

“That would’ve been fun for little Jake. I’m sure he would’ve loved that.” I play along.

Kaden nods and takes another sip of his wine. “He had a great time indeed. We all did. What about you? How did your trip with Kirstin go?”

“It was great actually. We saw some incredible art, went out to eat and drink, sang karaoke, watched movies ...” Planned how I’m going to leave you. “That was pretty much it.”

“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed yourselves. You both deserve a relaxing getaway.”

Fighting the urge to scream that I deserve a better husband than him, I swallow my frustration and sit quietly—like the good wife I am.

For the rest of our dinner, the conversation grows stale. We talk about work, his training, and an upcoming work event this Friday night he needs to attend. Feeling bored and a little devious, I decide to stir the pot and bring up the topic of Lucia.

“Lucy suggested that she and I go on a girl’s trip soon. I might consider it. Could be fun.” I smile a disingenuous grin.

His fingers tighten around his fork, and his jaw clenches at the mention of his mistress and his wife alone together for a couple of days.

Maybe it’s worry I’m sensing. Or is that fear?

Perhaps his mind is thinking of all the different ways Lucia will slip up and accidentally reveal their affair. Who fucking knows?

“Oh? When are you two planning to go on this trip? You know how I feel about you spending too much time away, Skylar,” he barks, his tone filled with a mix of nervousness and irritation. He only ever calls me by my full name when he’s angry, but most of the time I’m just Sky to him.

“Didn’t you just suggest that I should go on trips more often?”

“I was being sarcastic, Sky. Learn to take a joke. If you want to go on a trip, we can arrange something together. I barely see you as it is.”

And who’s fucking fault is that, arsehole!

I roll my eyes at the hypocrisy. We barely see each other because he’s too busy creating another life with his mistress.

For the next few minutes, silence fills the air as we finish the last of our food and wine. Once we’re done, Kaden clears the table while I load the dishwasher.

Following our usual nightly routine, he heads to our ensuite to shower and spend some time in the study before bed, while I read a romance novel on the couch.

Before discovering the affair, I used to hate the distance between us, but now, it feels like it’s not far enough.

I’m sitting on the couch, holding a book in one hand, and my phone in the other. With Kaden in his study, I decide it’s the perfect time to text Kirstin and update her on my progress.

Me: Hey lovely. You free to chat?

Kirstin: Always for you. How are you holding up over there?

Me: Could be better. It is what it is.

Kirstin: Oh honey. Have you heard from the real estate agency or Loretta?

Me: I just received a couple of emails from the agency confirming they’ve received my application online. I’m not sure when I’ll hear back. But Loretta responded to my email this afternoon. She’ll call me sometime this week to discuss potential job opportunities.

My heart leapt when I saw the email from Loretta. I hadn’t expected a response so soon, but it brought the hope I needed to get through this slow and agonising day.

Kirstin: That’s great news, hon! I’m proud of you for taking the first step.

Me: Thanks, my love. I’ll feel more at ease as soon as I hear some good news.

Kirstin: The waiting is always the hardest part. But it will all be worth it if it means getting out of that place.

Me: I hope so. I barely made it through an excruciating dinner with Kaden. There were so many times I wanted to fling my curry right at his head.

Kirstin: HAHAHAHA! Babe, you should’ve! I would’ve traded my soul to watch that.

Me: Yeah, well, it was damn good curry, unfortunately. Anyway, I desperately need to get out of the house. Kaden has a work thing this Friday night. Can we please go out for drinks?

Kirstin: I’m down. Meet me at mine at 7pm?

Me: It’s a date!

Kirstin: And don’t go throwing anything at his head without me there to watch.

Me: LOL! Will do. Love you, boo xoxo

Kirstin: Love you too xx

I set my phone down on the coffee table then open my book up to the last chapter I was on. After my fifth attempt at reading the same paragraph, I slam the book shut, throwing it onto the cushion next to me and lean back. My eyes immediately glance up at our photo wall.

The once-beautiful memories encased in black frames have now become tarnished relics of a happier time, a reminder of what we once had. I spent ten years completely devoted to him. Ten fucking years of my life wasted over some stupid, reckless affair.

Sitting through dinner with Kaden tonight was pure fucking torture.

Every brush of his hand, every glimpse of his smug face, and every inflection in his voice, sent a wave of disgust washing over me.

His overall presence grates on my senses, and his words are an insult to my intelligence, with each spoken lie from his mouth amplifying my revulsion .

The thought of being intimate with my husband again fills me with both disgust and fear. It’s been nearly two weeks since we last had sex, and I’m surprised I’ve managed to hold him off for this long. Kaden usually has a high sex drive—he’d have to, to juggle two women at once.

Oh God! Did he have sex with me right after coming home from seeing her? Are they using protection? Is he fucking her raw?

First thing tomorrow, I’m booking an appointment with my GP to get tested.

I know I have to tell my family soon, especially Mila. To her, Kaden was always like a protective older brother, the ideal husband. Hearing about the affair will undoubtedly send shockwaves through her.

Knowing how much my mother adores Kaden, I can’t bring myself to break the news to her just yet.

I’m not ready to see the hurt in her eyes when she finds out the truth about her beloved son-in-law.

For now, I’ll settle for telling Mila first. I snatch my phone from the coffee table and unlock my screen to text Mila.

Me: Hey baby sis!

Mila: Hey! What’s been going on?

Me: Too much, but can’t explain it over text. Can we meet for dinner sometime this week?

Mila: I’m free tomorrow night. Everything okay?

Me: Great! I’ll explain everything over dinner tomorrow. I promise.

Mila: Okay? Now I’m worried.

Me: Don’t be, I’m fine. How about we meet at Cedars Steakhouse at 5pm?

Mila: Sounds good to me. Can’t wait to see you.

Me: Me too. See you then. Love you xoxo

Mila: Love you too, sis x

And so, it begins.