You basically had permission to do what you wanted if I'd known he was a twisted snake I'd have stayed the hell away the elevator dinged down the hall security approached them. Trey stiffened yanking a stethoscope from around his neck stepping back like a cornered animal damn it he muttered under his breath I've been summoned to HR might as well be my execution Marcy's lip curled. She felt no sympathy she still remembered how he had gloated when Rick first called mocking Rick's supposed weaknesses and telling her that real real men don't whimper well look at him whimpering. Now she gave him a cold glare enjoy the open relationship she spat echoing Rick's taunt. Then she turned and walked away leaving Trey to fume in Security's wake Marcy was nearly out the hospital door when a familiar voice spoke from behind she spun around to see Leslie from next door the very neighbor with whom Marcy had tried to orchestrate a swinger lifestyle behind Rick's back Leslie's arms were crossed her face.
A study in disappointment well if it isn't the famous World traveler. Leslie said icily eyes flicking up and down Marcy's still stylish outfit I assume you've read Rick's letter by now Marcy's stomach flipped. What are you doing here Vincent had a checkup I thought I'd drop by HR to file some paperwork for a new part-time position I'm taking and guess what I see your face all over the building hard to miss Marcy swallowed her arrogance colliding with the stinging shame of being recognized in the middle of her downfall. I'm sure you're having a grand time save your judgement I hear you and your husband are into swinging so don't pretend to be righteous Leslie's lips parted in a bitter laugh swinging yes but not cheating there's a difference Vincent and I share everything openly no lies or secrets. You tried to rope me into your fling with Trey behind Rick's back that's not how it works.
You got yourself into this mess Marcy bristled don't you dare lecture me you fed ideas to me for months flaunting your open lifestyle and look what it did to my marriage. Leslie shook her head don't blame me for your choices Rick's a good man if you'd had an honest conversation with him. Who knows what arrangement you could have reached. Instead you lied manipulated and humiliated him I had no clue you never even told him about your plan Marcy clenched her fists you're defending him after he's destroyed my entire life he sold. My house took my money turned everyone against me he's the real monster here Leslie's gaze hardened you made him that way actions have consequences.
Marcy I told him as much over dinner he wasn't interested in Sleeping With Me by the way. He found the idea nauseating given how you tried to drag us into your deception fire lanced through Marcy's cheeks. She wanted to hurl an insult but the words wouldn't form. Finally she managed to sneer tell him I hope he has a great life in that crummy RV. You can both keep your sanctimonious nonsense she pivoted on her heel and stalked off ignoring ing the Gathering stairs by the time Marcy left the hospital dark clouds loomed and rain fell in sync with her mood.
She was suspended likely to be fired her credit cards were cancelled the house she once called home now belonged to a young couple she pictured the backyard deck. Where she had once dreamed of Freedom. Now it was theirs digging out her phone she called two former co-workers for help one hesitant mentioned. Rick had sent evidence the other refused to answer their rejection fueled her her anger so what if she'd strayed marriages survived worse how dare they judge her with nowhere to go she returned to the Ambassador Hotel forced to survive on Rick's humiliating gift card in the taxi she simmered. She had to find Rick she tried old neighbors even the real estate agent who had sold them the house no one answered.
He had erased every trace of himself that night Marcy stayed in her hotel room staring at the city lights mocking her with their normaly she checked her phone no calls no texts no support but her inbox overflowed daring to look. She found forwarded emails from Rick photos of her in bed with try disgust Twisted in her stomach the subject line stung my wife's new life Doctors Without morals open relationships her side only. He had sent them to friends family even Church acquaintances rage shook her she paced imagining Revenge suing him dragging him to court but was it slander if the photos were real. He had the upper hand collapsing onto the bed she gripped the sheets seething how could he do this he had turned their private mess into a scandal if only he had handled it quietly. They could have salvaged something instead he was tearing her life apart piece by piece still a small voice inside her whispered that she had lit this fuse she quickly crushed that thought mourning brought a flicker of hope her daughter returned her call leaving a voicemail that was heartbreakingly stiff mom.
I just got your message I'm not sure what to say dad told me everything we saw the photos he was thorough I'm really disappointed mom and I'm worried about him too he's hurt and bitter. He said he's leaving for a while look I love you but I can't support what you did. I don't want to be in the middle of your war with Dad maybe someday we can talk but I need time I'm sorry. Marcy closed her eyes tears threatening her own daughter had condemned her she called again voicemail she tried her son no answer desperation crept into her voice as she left message please just let me explain It's Not. What It Seems but she knew Rick had controlled the narrative she spent hours searching for lawyers hoping to sue Rick but every firm rejected her one was blunt if the evidence is real it's not defamation and without money.
You can't challenge asset sales she hung up cursing she had nothing no job no assets no support for the first time true desperation hit that afternoon a strange email appeared her heart jumped. Rick she opened it scanning quickly Marcy you're probably ignoring me but I'll try anyway I set up this temporary email so don't bother tracking me I'll shut it down soon. Now you know how it feels to have your life Twisted without your say you created this system I left a few of your things in a storage unit address below just random knickknacks old letters nothing valuable it'll be unlocked Saturday 8:00 a.m. to noon after that it's all gone. Don't expect me to be there I've already started my trip let's say I'm a few states away the open road is beautiful. I guess this is me being generous one last time I'm only doing it because I used to love you and I know you might want some trinkets from your past or maybe not R Marcy's chest clenched.