Page 29 of Checkmate
Telling you isn’t about revenge.
While I’m pissed off at Sophie, this letter isn’t about getting back at the guy who fucked my wife. In the end, Alex doesn’t owe me anything, and if he’s the type of scum to sleep with a married woman, that’s his problem (and yours too, I suppose). Sophie is the one who promised herself to me, who took those vows with me, so she’s the one that I’m angry at.
But with that thought in mind, Alex may not owe me anything, but I’m certain he made the same promises to you that Sophie did to me. Therefore, I think it’s only right if you know the truth so you can make your own (informed) decision.
I’m only sorry that the truth is so hideously fucked up and is likely to cause you a great deal of pain. No one deserves this.
I don’t know what you plan to do with this letter, or if you want to contact me further, but just in case, I’ll attach my number and email address. If I don’t hear from you, I wish you luck and hope you can find some peace.
Please, believe me, I didn’t want to send this letter. But I couldn’t, in good conscience, sit on this information without saying something.
I’m sorry again.
Best wishes,
Marcus.
“Shit.”
Erica met her sister’s gaze as she finally finished reading the contents of Marcus’ letter, nodding in agreement. “Shit indeed.”
Lottie had arrived expecting a day out with her siblings after she couldn’t make dinner last night. Instead, she found an emotional Erica and a letter that changed everything.
“Does Josh know?”
“Nope. He has no idea,” Erica said, lighting another cigarette - her third since Lottie had arrived. “Do you really think Alex would be standing if our brother knew he was cheating?”
“I suppose not, no,” Lottie admitted. “Honestly, I don’t know how you got through dinner last night.”
Neither did Erica.
It was so difficult for her to sit there playing the loving wife. Especially when Alex had arrived late. He apologised, explaining he had dropped off his secretary.
And whatever else had happened during that car ride.
“And Alex doesn’t know?”
“I don’t see how he would. He didn’t get laid last night, but I told him I’d got my period, and he dropped it.”
Silence fell between the sisters as Lottie read the letter again, turning it over in her hand.
“Do you believe this guy?” She asked finally.
“Yes. I spoke to him after—”
“You spoke to him?”
Erica resisted the urge to laugh at the shock on her sister’s face. “Of course, I spoke to him, Charlotte. You don’t get a letter like that and ignore it!”
“Well, no. I suppose not.” Lottie reached for her cigarette, burned away to nothing in the ashtray, and tutted. “But still, I can’t believe you contacted him. What did you say? Did you lose your shit?”
“No,” Erica said, shaking her head. “No, I thanked him for his letter, and—”
“You thanked him?”
“Lottie, if you interrupt one more time, I swear.”
“Okay, okay. So, you thanked him for the letter, and then what?”
