Page 20 of The Liar I Married
“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 withher.” 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 withher.”
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.”
TWENTY-THREE
NOW
Time is moving fast and excitement builds as I wait in the office for the arrival of Mr. Collins. Just speaking to someone from the outside world gives me hope of finally going home and discovering the truth about my girls. As the family lawyer, Mr. Collins has been my go-to person for legal advice for ever. I refuse to change him, even with John’s insistence. He is the one person I know I can trust. I hear his lumbering footsteps coming along the passageway and push my hair behind my ears. He enters the room with an air of practiced authority; his gaze moves over me, sharp and assessing. I see him nod as if I have passed his scrutiny. “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Collins. Thank you so much for coming to see me at short notice.”
“Good morning, Jessie. It’s good to see you up and about.” Although his tone is detached, his face holds an expression of compassion. “Now what’s all this about John wanting you to give him power of attorney over your portfolio and the running of the estate?”
My pulse races. “This is why I called you. I feel as if Ms. Lawson is pressuring me into making a decision I’m not convinced is right. I’m sure it’s not something my grandma wanted me to do. She was very specific that John was to havenothing to do with the running of the business. You know that, don’t you? Before Grandma died, I became suspicious that John is having an affair with his lawyer and told Michael in confidence and he told Grandma. I’ve no proof, but I’m concerned because John spends all his time with her.”
“As she is the corporate lawyer of his firm, it would be normal for him to spend time with her.” Mr. Collins peers at me over the top of the glasses balancing halfway down his nose. “I know his occupation is extremely time-consuming and lunch meetings are quite normal in that profession. Many stockbrokers hold dinner parties for prospective clients. As we’re talking about millions of dollars, no expense is spared. If this is what you’re seeing, it would be easy for you to assume John is having an affair. Have you spoken to him about it? I’m sure after all this time he would have divorced you by now, if there was any interest in another woman. He is wealthy in his own right and the prenup you signed means he can literally walk away. As this hasn’t happened, I believe you should give him the benefit of the doubt until you know for sure one way or the other.”
I shake my head slowly. “Let’s take John out of the equation for just a moment. This is about respecting my grandmother’s last wishes. You will recall I was at her bedside when she died?” I fold my arms across my chest. “She was so torn up about what she discovered about my father; when Michael told her about John’s alleged affair, she freaked out. I believe toward the end she didn’t trust anyone.”
“Is this something you need to discuss with me, Jessie?” Mr. Collins’ concerned gaze meets mine. “Everything we speak about is confidential.”
I tell him everything I remember. “I did have photographs and a report from a private detective but I hid them somewhere and I can’t recall where. They’re probably at my house.”
“How did this all come about?” Mr. Collins’ eyebrows raise.
