The Gilded Betrayal

Ethan insisted we

ike old times. We

s living a double life under my ow

wntown, the kind of place where conversa

t erupted from

with her!" a woman shrieked, her voice

omething, placa

a dropped for

blic, and horr

ss the table, his

it? Some people h

his eyes full of that

ve those kinds of prob

d on mine. His touc

Ethan?" I asked, my voice q

on, then his expression softened

urse, I do. You are my everyth

hearsed. He probably said

way slowly. "Sometimes I wonder if anyon

y mouth. He was so good

ice earnest, dropping to

of my being. You and me, forever.

oking my cheeks. It was a gesture he' d used a

lt like a

. Die before he betrayed me? He was

a hypothetical challenge. "What if y

a theatrical f

ever broke our vows..." He paused for dramatic effect. "I'd want to be struck by light

me, so over-the-top,

mo

pocrisy of his words twisting the knif

my voice barely a whisper. "You'd

a low, conf

ought is absurd. I love you too

nd again, lacing his

my world

He had sha

ed, this man who had saved my physical

eal concept of loyalty beyon

bly real, but it wasn't born of

loe Vance mad

d to be there. Thi

eyes lighting up wit

! Fancy meeti

, a vision in a dress that l

licker of annoyance in his ey

What a s

te," she pouted, perching on the edge of the empty

er arm brushing his, her scent – that same cl

darling?" she cooed, looking at a man who had

ed. "He's a business

is tone. He didn't like othe

"So, what are you two lovebirds up to t

me, a knowing, tau

oo hearty. "Actually, we were just about to head to the

parents. Eleanor

ir world, not "old money." Their obsession was w

h, the Hamptons. Sounds l

then stood. "Well, I see Mark.

ing a trail of her perf

d family estate in t

mall talk, but I resp

disliked me. They m

always found a way to remind me of my "inferior" background. Arthur, hi

t, had always defen

other. You will trea

loved about him, his loyalty in

alty felt lik

had a minor health scare, and Eleanor had insisted

was as cold

kiss that was more air than co

Eleanor said, ignoring me comple

d my waist. "We're fine, Mot

us living room, all antiqu

d," he said, giving

one with Elea

she turned to me, her

ars. Arthur isn't getting any young

meant a grandc

careers, Eleanor," I said,

heir is more important than any

now, knowing what I knew about Etha

smile playing on my lips, "you might get you

plucked eyebro

, Ethan returned. "Dad's

to me, sensing the tensi

her eyes still on me, a new

an exercise in s

k of contribution" to the fam

son, the loving husband

ne rang. He glanced at the c

aid, stepping out

nch doors. His posture was te

wasn't invited to the Hampton

in, his expre

sis at the office. Something urgen

n a Sunday

I said. "Yo

l you be okay here with M

said, my voice

ick, distracted pe

ushing back to the city

lded cage with his d

desperate to keep up appearances, yet

s farce had to end. And