Page 25 of The Liar I Married

TWENTY-TWO

My mind is a whirlpool of emotions as I leave my father’s office.

It’s as if the weight of his denial and evasiveness is pressing down on me.

I desperately want to speak to John. I need his comfort and level-headedness but Michael’s strained expression when he saw me arrive spoke volumes.

I guess mentioning about John’s meeting with Ms. Lawson was to soften the blow if I see them together.

I bite back a laugh. I need comfort and someone to talk to but the person I want most is the one I can’t trust. As I head for the foyer, as if on cue, I see John and Ms. Lawson emerging from the conference room.

They walk, heads tipped together, their body language too close for comfort.

They are so involved with each other they don’t notice me.

I keep walking and head for the wide glass doors.

“Jessie, are you okay?” Alex is at my side. His eyes fill with concern.

I stop walking and turn to look at him. “I’m not sure.” My bottom lip is trembling and I wrap both arms around my stomach. “My dad told me to mind my own business. I’ve never seen him so angry and then I come out and see my husband with her. ” I indicate behind him at the couple walking toward us.

“Oh, I see.” Alex shuffles his feet. “You never mentioned you had problems with your husband.”

I snort with the absurdity of the situation. “I don’t. I have problems with her .”

At that moment, John’s eyes meet mine and his expression shifts. Is it guilt or just surprise? In a flash, he composes himself and walks toward us with Ms. Lawson a step behind.

“Jessie, what are you doing here?” John glances at his watch. “If you’d told me you were coming, I would have made time in my schedule.”

I shake my head slowly. “Some things you can’t plan for, John.”

“What exactly do you mean by that?” He checks his watch again. “I have a call from Hong Kong in a matter of minutes. What’s wrong?”

Ms. Lawson’s eyes flick to John and then back at me.

She raises one perfectly arched eyebrow but says nothing.

The tension in the air is thick enough to cut with a knife.

I can feel Alex behind me and I meet John’s curious gaze as it flicks over him.

“Our house is on fire and our children are gone.”

“What on earth are you talking about?” John narrows his eyebrows. “Is that some kind of sick joke?”

I laugh. “Well, I guess if it were true, I wouldn’t need an appointment to see my own husband—or would I?”

“I really don’t have time for this.” John comes to my side and grips my arm to pull me into an alcove. “I don’t appreciate you making a scene in front of my staff. If you have something to say, say it.” He glances over one shoulder and then turns his attention back to me. “Who’s he?”

I glare at him. “He’s the moral support I need when you’re too busy.” I swallow hard, fighting back tears. “Never mind. I’ll work it out like I always do.” I drag my arm away from him. “You’d better go, you wouldn’t want to be late for your dinner with Ms. Lawson.”

Before he has time to reply, I toss my hair over one shoulder and head for the door.

Alex follows close behind me. In the elevator, I turn to him.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drag you into my problems. I had no idea I’d see John with her again.

The last time I ran into them it was in the new bistro.

They walked right past me as if I wasn’t there. ”

“Ouch!” Alex squeezes my arm. “I’m so sorry. Did you get things figured out with your dad?”

I shake my head. “Nope. He’s so angry with me. It was terrible and now I’m more confused than ever.”

“Maybe you should talk to Michael?” Alex follows me from the elevator and we take the stairs to the underground parking lot.

I stop, aware of the exhaust fumes in the enclosed area, and shrug. “Maybe, but I’m not sure if bringing him into the situation is the right thing to do. I sure as hell can’t tell my mom. The information would destroy her.”

“Oh, jeez. Maybe you should go and see the woman in the photographs?” Alex pushes both hands into the front pockets of his jeans and leans against a brick wall, eyebrows raised.

“I’ll go with you, if you want me to. Just as moral support.

I don’t need to know the details. You can’t be expected to cope alone with lies and deceit, especially when you need an appointment to see your husband.

Heavens above. I can’t believe he said that to you. ”

He’s right, of course. Going straight to the source is aways the best way of discovering information.

Right now I’m confused and hurt. Both the most important men in my life have turned against me.

I’m empty, drained of hope. I must at least try and turn things around.

“I don’t either. I’ll get more information and then go and see the woman.

I owe it to my grandma to discover the truth—whatever the cost.”