Page 22 of The Divorce

My phone began vibrating again, and this time, it was a call. Seth’s name flashed between us like a beacon. I ignored it to focus on Grant.

“You know I've been seeing Seth for the last few weeks,” I said. “We are still married and trying to work things out, but I had no idea you felt that way.”

Seth called again, and I put the phone on silent.

“I thought as much, but I had to try. I regret not beating him to the punch,” he said, nodding to the phone. “Eliza doesn't know.”

I gave him a rueful smile. “I won't tell her.”

“Thanks, I would never hear the end of it. I finish up the job I’m doing next week. If he fucks up again—well, you have my number.”

“Uh, thanks, Grant,” I said awkwardly. “Sorry.”

Sure, I thought he was handsome in my early twenties, but he was my roommate's brother. That would have been weird. All the joking and teasing felt more brotherly to me. I never suspected that he was attracted to me because he was never short of female companionship. Eliza kept me up to date on that front.

He leaned over towards me, and I froze, but he pecked me on my cheek before he stood up to leave. I briefly wondered about his penis as he walked out of my bedroom. I shook my head and rubbed my hands over my face.

My phone vibrated again, and I glanced at Seth’s name. It was almost weeks since I left our home. Seth had done a complete 180 and more than proved sustainability with his new and improved mindset. I never expected him to fight dirty like he did, but it proved the lengths he was willing to go for us. Perhaps it was time to go home.

Better the dick you know than the dick you don’t know.

Chapter 16

Seth

It was my worst nightmare coming alive before my eyes. Eliza’s brother was making a move on Katya. Why wouldn't he? She was young, attractive, witty, and fertile. My only consolation was Katya knocked him back. I couldn't have hungry dogs sniffing around my wife. I tried her number again as I grabbed my keys and ran out of the house, unaware of whether the door was locked. If I got burglarised, so be it.

The apartment wasn't far, and it was time to implement my last-ditch entrapment plan. There were only a few weeks left until her six-week summer break was over. As I drove into autopilot, the panic subsided when I focused on the end result. We would have a baby. An offspring that we would love and nurture together, an unbreakable bond that no one could penetrate. It was time for my sperm to swim for their lives because Kat’s egg should be ripe and ready.

I was calm and composed by the time I reached Katya’s apartment. She had tried calling me back, but it was best to speak to her face to face. When Grant opened the door, I put my hand on his chest and pushed him out of my way.

“You try hitting on my wife again, and they won't find your body,” I whispered to him with a smile as Katya walked towards us.

I couldn't bring myself to look at him in case I began to choke him to death. Katya would wonder how I knew about him hitting on her. Everything always came back to my wife.

“Oh, this is a nice surprise. Is that why you were calling me?” my gullible innocent wife said as she reached me.

“I missed you, baby. Working from home only exacerbates matters,” I said before I wrapped my arms around her and dipped her down to kiss her.

She held my arm and put her other hand around my neck as I kissed her with everything I had in me. The rage from jealousy, passion from my deep love, and the need from my self-imposed celibacy. Her soft lips were like a drop of water in the desert. Grant was the last person on my mind as I felt her soften, but her muffled moan against my mouth made me harder than ever.

When her eyes opened, they were soft, and I could feel our connection. It wasn't lust alone this time. She looked at me the way she used to, with love and affection. We both ignored Grant, clearing his throat before I heard him scuttle away like a cockroach.

“I need to show you something in the bedroom,” I said, watching her eyes widen before scrutinising me.

“You do?” she asked sceptically.

I rolled my eyes and lifted her upright before dragging her towards the bedroom. I’d watched her go to town on the vibrator I bought her when she was down, horny or just wanted a good night's sleep. I could get her to come home with me if I played this right.

She had cleared the clothes that were on her bed, and my lips pursed together from the memory of Grant trying to hit on my wife. She wouldn't think of him in this room by the time I was done with her.

“I called Lizzie and told her not to cancel the divorce paperwork,” she said when I shut the door behind us.

“You did?” I asked, pausing before I tugged my T-shirt over my head.

Her eyes wandered over my naked flesh, and she slowly nodded. For all my scheming, I was proud of her for not allowing anyone to rush her decision. I leaned forward and pulled her navy top off. She put her hands on my chest and spread her fingers over my flesh.

I was weak and couldn't take my eyes off her pink nipples poking through the white lace of her bra. Her hands slid upwards until I felt her fingers in my hair, and she pushed her breasts against me. My arms automatically wrapped around her waist as I gazed into the dark blue pools that beaconed her desire.