Page 42 of Mean Moms
Then, soon after, Morgan had asked him to seduce Belle Redness. She didn’t tell him why. Morgan never told him anything. It was killing Paul that he’d been unable to get Belle to relent. He knew she wanted him, but she refused to give in. It was unexpectedly admirable, he supposed. Maybe she just really loved her husband, who Paul had always thought was a bit of a twerp. Atherton was full of surprises.
Morgan was still rubbing his head. He stifled a cough; he’d been fighting something off these past few months, feeling tired and weak, though perhaps it was just stress. He stood up.
“Would you like a glass of wine? I opened a bottle from the Finlays’ vineyard.”
She shook her head. She didn’t drink, but he always offered her something anyway. She was a woman of few appetites. He’d have a glass alone after she left.
“I’ll make you a special tea,” she said to him. Morgan always carried expensive tea bags with her, and she’d often make him a calming cup after they’d finished. She went into his kitchen, and a few minutes later the kettle whistled.
“Listen, I know that everything is getting… complicated,” said Morgan as she came back to the living room, handing him an Atherton mug. Paul pursed his lips, blowing on the hot liquid before taking a sip. He’d thought many times over the past few months about untangling himself from Morgan. If they were somehow discovered, it would mean the end of his career. What if someone saw her walking out of his building? What if Alice came back early from an appointment? What a field day theNew York Postwould have the story—DR. BROKER IS A CHOKER: HEAD OF TONY ATHERTON ACADEMY CAUGHT GETTING KINKY WITH CLASS MOM.Paul couldn’t let that happen. He had to get out of this. But he didn’t want to. He couldn’t.
“I know you’re doing your best with Belle, and I think we have enough, for now. You can also drop trying to get Sofia to do the Altruist ceremony. It’s almost over,” said Morgan, pulling her turtleneck sweater back on, concealing the imprints of Paul’s fingers. “I promise.”
iMessage Text
Belle Redness, Frost Trevor
Frost Trevor
I wanted to say hi and sorry. I should have told you sooner about the pictures, but I honestly thought that it was better if you didn’t know. I regret you finding out from Clara Cain, of all people. I deserved the drink in the face! It was pretty refreshing.?
PS we never have to speak about you-know-who again. I believed what you said about him. Anyway, can we please make up? You have to come to my opening tonight. I need you there!
Belle Redness
You should have told me. That is my DAUGHTER. And I had to tell her about it, because I didn’t want her hearing from anyone but me. She’s already getting teased about lice, and now she hears this? It’s not great.
Frost Trevor
Poor Hildy, I’m so sorry. Is she okay?
Belle Redness
She’ll be fine. She knows they were fake, so it’s not like it washer. But she doesn’t know who would do that. I’m convinced it was the same person who sent me the flowers! Though there was one person Hildy mentioned…
Frost Trevor
Who? Ozzie Cain, that little shit?
Belle Redness
Weirdly, she said Gertrude.
Frost Trevor
Gertrude??? Hmmmm. Now that you mention it, the boys recently said that Gertrude was an oddball.
Belle Redness
Anyway, Hildy seems intent on ignoring the situation, so I’m going to let her do that. PS what do you think Sofia was going to tell us when you-know-who came out of the closet? I wonder sometimes what Sofia is hiding. Maybe she’s the one who’s been ruining our lives?
Frost Trevor
Sofia? Why would Sofia want to ruin our lives? She’s our friend.
Belle Redness
I don’t know, ask Morgan, she’s so suspicious of Sofia. She told me something about her divorce, that she needs money or something… Has she ever told you?
