Page 98 of Open Secrets
Instead, I sink into my chair, elbows on my knees, and just stare at it.
It’s been a week since I sat across from Cece in that hotel room, since I told her to find the real father and leave us alone. A week of waiting for the other shoe to drop, of watching Lyle’s shoulders stay tight, of pretending to the kids everything was normal.
And now this.
This envelope.
This grenade.
I can’t decide if I should open it now or wait till I get home. My teeth worry at my lip as I stare at it. Finally, I give in, sliding it closer.
It feels wrong in my hands. Whatever’s inside is smaller than I expected—flat, flexible. Papers or pictures. God, what if she took pictures while they were together and decided to send them to me? My stomach lurches, nausea swirling. Lyle already swore there were no pictures, no texts, no paper trail. But he could’ve been asleep after a romp in the sheets.
A shiver runs down my spine.
“Arrgh, I can’t wait.” I rip the side open and let the contents spill across my desk.
Another, smaller envelope falls out. I open the sides of the manila folder and pull out a folded sheet of paper. Hotel stationery. The same one Cece’s been staying at. I unfold it and read:
You win. I’m leaving. You won’t hear from me again.
My stomach flips.
I tear open the second envelope—it’s already been slit. Inside is an official-looking document. A cease-and-desist order. From us to her.
What the hell? Lyle.
I grab my phone and dial.
“Hey,” he answers. “What’s up?”
“I just got a letter from Cece, she’s gone. Did you send her a cease and desist?”
He pauses, then lets out a low whistle. “Wow, she works fast.”
“You told Anna, didn’t you?”
“We met yesterday,” he admits. “Let’s just say she was pissed. At me. And Bethany. I don’t think we have to worry about seeing Bethany at the wedding—or ever again.”
Relief crashes over me. I can’t stop the grin. “Was she okay?”
“Yeah,” he says gently. “Look, I’m heading into a meeting. Talk tonight?”
I nod, though he can’t see me. “Love you.”
“Love you too.” He hangs up.
I lean back in my chair, rolling until I bump the wall. Then I fling my arms into the air and shout:
“Yippee!”
The door bursts open. Debra skids in, eyes wide. “What’s wrong?”
I beam at her. “The bitch is gone.”
Debra blinks, then nods slowly. “For good?”
I throw my hands up again, triumphant. “Forever.”
