Page 44 of His

I stop. Valerie is speaking again? To someone besides me?

“Valerie?”

Both women turn to me. Brittney backs away from the bed.

Brittany’s cheeks are flushed—though I don’t think that’s anything new. I’m beginning to think embarrassed is her natural resting state.

“Can Valerie and I have a moment, please?”

Brittney dips her chin and all but runs out of the room.

“Were you and the nurse just speaking?” I ask as he closes the door.

Valerie frowns, then sputters a deep cough. She shakes her head.

“But I’m sure I heard whispering when I came in.”

She waves her hand dismissively.

I’m certain she and Brittney were speaking when I walked in. Why would she tell me they weren’t?

She’s playing you . . .

I slide the tea cup onto the nightstand. Usually, we’d have a pleasant surface-level exchange here, then I would leave. Not today.

“I know about the affair, Valerie.”

“Which one,” her eyes narrow, “mine or the dozen you’ve had while we were married.”

“Fair enough.”

“It doesn’t matter anyway. He’s dead.”

I pause. “How do you know that?”

“What do you mean?”

“You told me you don’t remember anything that happened that day.”

“I don’t. I saw it on the news days later.”

I don’t know what to say here. I’m sorry for your loss?

I sigh. “We never should have gotten married.”

“Hand me the tea.”

I lay the bed tray over her lap and set the tea on top. “I’m not mad about your affair. But I am confused.”

“I don’t know why you’re confused. You married me because I got pregnant and then sent me away after my baby died.”

“Our baby. I understand why you’re mad and I understand your feelings. And I understand why you had an affair. What I don’t get is why create such an elaborate scheme? You faked a kidnapping and your own death. Why not just divorce me?”

“You wouldn’t have allowed it.”

I open my mouth to respond, but close it. She’s right. I wouldn’t have allowed it, not only from a safety standpoint, but also because she knew too much about me, my life, our daughter, our home life together. I would have thrown more money at her, more leniency.

God, I am an asshole.

---