Page 67 of The Family Guest

Knowing Alexa’s age, I did the calculations in my head. It must have been a couple of years before I met Matt and gave birth to Anabel.

“What happened between you?”

“I got smashed and went back with him to his hotel. We had sex and…”

“And what?” I held my breath in anticipation of what would come next. She took a long swig of her drink, then vomited the words…

“He knocked me up.”

My eyes grew wide as saucers. “You got pregnant?”

“It was wild and impulsive. Neither of us was using protection…”

“And…?”

She picked at her thumbnail. “I had his baby.” The cuticle began to bleed. “And gave it up.”

I tried to swallow back my shock and the sick feeling that was rising inside me. “A boy or a girl?”

“A girl. She was quietly taken from me before I set eyes on her. Given to some wealthy, infertile British couple. A closed adoption.”

Meaning she couldn’t contact them and vice versa.

“Does Matt know about this?”

My kids have a half-sister…somewhere in England?

She shook her head. “No, I never told him. I didn’t see him for years…not until Noah and I moved from New York to LA after our kids were born.” She took another sip of her Kir. “Believe me, it was quite a shock. I’ve tried to avoid him, but it’s hard when we travel in the same circles.”

“What about your husband? Does Noah know?”

“He doesn’t know a thing.” She fidgeted with her diamond wedding band, twisting and turning it. “Nat, you’ve got to promise me not to tell them. Especially Noah. It would destroy our marriage.”

I digested her words, my marriage already destroyed by my husband’s actions.

“Please, Nat, can you keep a secret?” implored my former best friend.

“Yes. Don’t worry.” I was the best secret keeper I knew. My skin bristled.

Alexa smiled with relief. “Thanks, Nat. I owe you.”

“You don’t owe me anything.”

The smile on Alexa’s face faded. “Yes, I do. I owe you the whole truth. You need to know.”

My heart began to pound. “Know what?”

“There are others…” Her hushed voice, now in full gossip mode, trailed off.

More bastard love children?

“I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”

“The Lunch Bunch. The women who lunch with Matt at his office or the suite he maintains at the Century Hotel.”

A cold wave of nausea rolled over me. I felt my throat constricting, my stomach churning. My mouth opened, but words didn’t come out.

“Everyone knows about him.”