Page 6 of They All Own Me

My wedding ring catches the light as I write. The diamond's so big it's gaudy - just like everything else in this gilded cage. I twist it around my finger, thinking.

I tap my perfectly manicured nails against the granite countertop, scrolling through my phone. Every news article, every social media post - it's all Thomas, Thomas, Thomas. Our perfect little town's golden boy who can do no wrong.

"Bastard's got everyone eating out of his hand." The words taste bitter in my mouth.

My phone buzzes with another notification from his schedule sync. Dinner with the mayor tomorrow night. Of course.Another opportunity for him to parade me around while he probably eye-fucks the waitress.

Going public with his infidelity isn't an option. The evidence would mysteriously disappear, just like those "accounting irregularities" from last year's campaign. Even that journalist who tried to investigate ended up with a DUI charge and lost his job.

"Think, Tatum." I pace the kitchen, my Louboutin’s clicking against the tile. "You're smarter than this."

Chapter 4

Tatum

I smoothmy dress for the hundredth time, checking my reflection in the hallway mirror. The house sparkles - literally sparkles - after six hours of cleaning. My hands still smell like lemon Pledge and Windex. Let him say something isn't in pristine condition. I fucking dare him.

The security system chimes its familiar melody as headlights sweep across the living room walls. I straighten my spine, shoulders back, chin up - the pose that's been drilled into me since before I can even remember.

The front door opens and Thomas stumbles in. His perfectly pressed suit is somewhat wrinkled, his tie slightly askew. His hair - usually immaculate - sticks up in the back like someone's been running their gold digging fingers through it.

Truth be told, he's probably came home in this condition many times before, but I've never really cared enough to analyze him. But now that he's so bold as to leave evidence of his adulterous behavior right in front of my fucking face, I'll be sure to try and notice every subtle detail from here on out.

"Rough day at the office, darling?" I keep my voice honey-sweet as I approach him.

"What's it to you?" He shrugs off his jacket, dropping it on my freshly polished entryway table.

"You just look... disheveled." I pick up his jacket, noting the faint trace of perfume that definitely isn't mine. "Let me fix your tie."

He jerks away from my reach. "I don't need you fussing over me."

"The diplomats will be here soon. We wouldn't want you looking less than one hundred percent, would we?"

His eyes narrow. "What's with the attitude?"

"Attitude? I'm just being a concerned wife." I tilt my head, examining a smudge of lipstick on his collar. "You work so hard at the office. All those late nights. Those emergency meetings."

"Just doing my job." He loosens his tie, avoiding my gaze.

"Of course you are." I smile wider. "Would you like a drink before our guests arrive? You seem... tense."

"Make it a double." He heads upstairs, probably to destroy the evidence in his office. Too late for that. I've already seen it, dumbass.

The ice clinks against the crystal tumbler as I pour his scotch. My hands are steady now, my rage crystallized into something sharp and purposeful. Let him think I'm still his docile little wife.

I have other plans.

I hand Thomas his scotch when he returns, watching as he downs half of it in one gulp. The ice cubes rattle against his teeth.

"I need you to go take my grey suit to the dry cleaner," he says, checking his Rolex. "And maybe grab dinner somewhere. Take your time."

I look up at the beautiful clock that was gifted by some pompous asshole at our wedding. "The cleaners closed at six."

"Then go to the one across town. The twenty-four hour place."

"That's forty minutes away." I gesture to the spread of appetizers I've spent hours preparing. "And I've already made enough food to feed an army."

He slams the tumbler down. "Just do what I fucking tell you to do. I need you gone for a few hours while these diplomats are here."

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