Allowance, Lies, and a Secret Ex

Chandl

lacing it on my nightstand. He even made Leo pancakes, an unusual Sunday treat. The scent of maple syrup filled the air, a sickenin

gaze was fixed on Leo, who was happily devouring his pan

an, his voice soft,

alk," I said, my voice flat. "But first, I want to know abou

e shifted from foot to foot. "What do you mean

aining a hard edge. "You always said it was 'irreconcilable differ

signation. "It was... a difficult time. She was going through a

picion forming. "Is that what you're saying?

sed, then looked up, meeting my eyes with a desperate plea

ping my lips. "So there was an emotional affair

s... I was just confused. Lost." He looked down at his hands.

is contradicted everything he had ever told me. He had alwa

er. "She said she needed to be free.

voice laced with a newfound cynicism.

r. "She... she just asked for the house.

still paying, five years later, at our family's expense. "So, you agreed to pay her mortgage

"I felt like I owed her. For e

bout this 'obligation'?"

hard. "Yes.

urse, they did. A whole family in on the se

ing to do, Karly," he said, trying to

lf off the bed. "Certainly not for your current wife and son, who

y face. His presence, his attempts at reconciliation,

ly, I love you," he pleaded, his voice thick with what sounded like gen

d that love by building our life on a foundation of lies? By letting me str

nsisted, stepping closer. "It was... a

inances, about your salary, about why we were always so tight for money-you lied. R

, his eyes fix

parated?" I asked, changing tack, a new

ng moment, then mumbl

y stung. "And how often do you see Sam

hould," he admitted, his voice barely audible

ng Leo that extra science class he wanted, claiming we can't afford it?" I demanded, the unfairness of it

otested, his voice weak. "I do

ur guilt. You do it for your image. You do it because you ca

ling like a dead end. I needed to e

ed, trying to block my path.

nk. Don't follow me." I push

his voice desperate, "I'm not still

with her, beyond these payments?" I asked, my voi

aze, a tell-tale sign. "No, not real

ommanded, my hand outstretched. "S

arly, it's nothing. Just little things."

d, my patience com

crolled and scrolled. Nothing from Jackie. No recent conversations. Until I clicked

parties, holidays. All recent. All sent by Jackie. And under many of them, short, loving re

ckie, just two days ago. "Sam's fever is still high. Doctor says it might be ser

ile I was struggling with Leo's own ear i

ssed fury. "You said you only saw Sam every other weekend. But you rushed to h

rp with accusation. "You always put them first, didn

eone who would understand and help me navigate this wre

Karly. I need your help. I found out Jerrold has been hiding money from me for five years,

serious. "Karly, what are you

"I just need to know what I' m

Don't you worry about a thing. I'll get starte

ound could confirm my worst fears, or uncover even more layers of betray