Page 114 of Checkmate
“It’s funny,” Marcus said before she could speak. “You’ve been married to her for all that time and yet you don’t know how little money means to her.”
“Because she’s never had to worry about it before, dickhead.” Alex had never spoken to anyone with the pure hatred with which he spoke to Marcus. “But you’re gonna change all that for her now. What is it Sophie said you do again? A professional role-player, whatever that means. How are you going to support her with that?”
Marcus’ ears tinted pink as his nostrils flared in anger. She couldn’t stand to see Alex belittle him so much.
“He won’t support me,” she said, cutting Alex off before he could continue. “We’re going to support each other because we’re in this together. Business partners, remember?”
Alex scoffed as Marcus squeezed her hand. “How fucking romantic. Well, go on and be poor together, see if I care.” He paused, looking Erica in the eye. “You’re throwing away a life you love for no good reason. So I had sex with someone else, whoopdi-fucking-doo. It was just sex. You’re acting like I killed someone.”
She laughed.
What else could she do? Surely he heard himself and how pathetic he sounded. “God, Alex. You know, you’re right. What the fuck was I thinking?”
“Exactly,” Alex agreed, his eyes looking too hopeful. “I mean, come on, Eri. You know this low life isn’t for you. We belong together, you and I, we both know it. Just let go of his hand—”
“You misunderstand me,” she said, interrupting loudly. “When I say you’re right, it’s because it is ‘only sex’. That’s why you won’t be mad when I bring Marcus home and fuck him all over his flat.
“The hell you will!” Alex took an angry step towards them. Marcus folded his arms over his chest, pulling her further behind him.
“I thought it was just sex, mate?” Marcus said, amusement in his tone.
“Don’t you fucking talk to me,” he said, standing nose to nose with Marcus. Erica found it immensely satisfying to see Marcus had at least two inches on him. “Get the fuck out of my house.”
“Oh, I plan to. Just as soon as my lady has everything she needs.” He glanced over his shoulder at her. “Have we missed anything?”
Erica shook her head, not trusting herself to speak.
It was such a simple gesture, but Marcus’ stance in front of her, keeping her from harm’s way, made her want to cry. Perhaps it was because it was another stark reminder that it wasn’t just the affair that made her marriage to Alex so shit. He’d never come to her aid like this. He’d never protected her from the men around her.
Never.
In fact, Alex encouraged the men who thought they had a chance with her, just so he could claim her in front of them as though she were a prize to be coveted.
That was until Marcus showed interest in her, of course.
“Let’s get out of here, baby doll. This place stinks.” Erica nodded in agreement, her acting long gone. She didn’t have to pretend to admire Marcus anymore. Her admiration was truly genuine.
“Literally,” she agreed, glancing at Alex. “I’d try some air fresheners if I were you. Or at least crack open a window. It fucking reeks.”
Without waiting for an answer, she made a grab for her suitcase, only for Marcus to beat her to it. He grabbed both suitcases as though they weighed nothing and smiled at her. “I got these, pretty one. You just focus on yourself.”
“The next time we speak will be through our lawyers,” she said, facing Alex once more. “I do not want to hear from you or Sophie any longer. We are done, Alex.”
“We’re not… You don’t get to decide that on your own.”
“I’m not. You decided it when you stuck your dick in your receptionist.” She glanced up at Marcus. “Let’s go.”
“Erica. Erica, wait.” Ignoring him, Erica followed Marcus out of the room and down the stairs. Waiting nervously at the bottom was Sophie, clearly trying to eavesdrop. Poor sod didn’t know what she was letting herself in for. Alex ran after them, following them frantically down the stairs. “Erica, stop!”
She paused at the bottom of the stairs, giving Marcus a chance to say his piece. An awkward silence settled between the four of them before, finally, he spoke. “I wish you both well,” he said earnestly. “I hope that in six months, all of this was worth it for you.” He turned his gaze on Sophie, searching her face for something. “Keep your eye out for divorce papers. I’ll have them sent here.”
“This is where I’ll be!” She said, her voice too cheery for the situation.
“Right.” He stared at her for a moment longer before looking down at Erica, his features softening. “Ready baby doll?”
Erica glanced around the foyer one more time, her gaze moving right over Alex as she said goodbye to the house and the life she once had.
It was easier than she thought it was going to be. After all, this was the house of a stranger, someone she didn’t recognise anymore.
