Housewife Gone Wild

The storm howled outside, rain hammering against the windows as Jared’s words made my blood run cold.

Why was he asking this now? Was he worried I’d discovered his secret, or was this his way of coming clean? Would he sit me down again to negotiate his relationship with Tracy, just like before? My mind raced with questions.

Back then, I’d been such a fool, clinging to that worthless marriage certificate, refusing to surrender my place.

This time around, I would gladly accept if Jared offered the same deal again, taking only the money and nothing more when I left.

“What’s wrong? Got something to hide?” I asked, forcing a teasing tone I didn’t feel.

Jared was dangerous–a man who could smile while burning with rage inside, and then retaliate in ways his victims never anticipated.

I couldn’t risk provoking him. If he dropped the act of caring about our marriage, I’d lose everything. My safest move was to take the money and run. As for child support, I knew that wasn’t coming.

“Don’t believe anything you hear. They’re just rumors without substance. Yvonne is still young,

him in disbelief, unable to reconcile this behavior with the Jared I knew. His suggestion to ignore the rumors while using our daughter’s youth as justification made me wonder if he was avoiding

making me question myself while denying every rumor. Still, I knew one truth–rumors didn’t start without reason,

darling,” I said, stepping closer with a carefully crafted

face. “How are you settling in at the

toward the rain–smeared window. “You should go home ahead of me. Yvonne and I… we’re

I had Tracy take Yvonne to my mom’s place. Tonight, it’s just the two of us.” Jared’s voice

knit top, the fabric

my shoulder. “Don’t work late. Go home

strangely proper about intimacy. He’d always ask before kissing