Chapter 59
In public, Bryant always carried an air of aloofness.
His black trench coat only added to his aura of unapproachability.
As he moved closer, a knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach.
This could either go down easy or get real messy.
The least of it could mean coughing up some cash, but at its worst…
Given Bryant’s clout in RiverCity, getting Christine thrown behind bars would be a piece of cake for him.
And it was a no-brainer that he’d stand up for Margaret.
Sure enough, he took his place by Margaret’s side, gaze lowered, lips parting slightly to ask, “How do you want to handle this?”
My palms clenched at my sides. Before I could say anything, Christine pulled me behind her.
“I’ll take the fall alone. This has nothing to do with Jane.”
“Christine!”
Panic surged through me, but Christine turned to me, her tone mocking, “And what are you going to do? Beg your ex in front of everyone, or plead with the other woman who tried to muscle in on your marriage?”
Before her words could fully sink in, the tension escalated.
Margaret scoffed, “Who are you calling the other woman? Bryant and I have known each other since we were kids, so it’s definitely not me. And I’m definitely not the unloved one
either.”
Her words cut deep.
By her logic, the marriage I thought was happy for three years was built on lies.
I forced a bitter smile, looking into Bryant’s cold, deep eyes. “Is that how it is, Bryant?” I asked.
After loving him devotedly for seven years, to be labeled the “other woman”….
What others thought didn’t matter to me; I only cared about his view.
Margaret, clinging to his arm and tilting her chin up, challenged, “Isn’t it, Bry?”
“Enough.”
Bryant’s brows furrowed slightly as he smoothly withdrew his arm, “It’s just a car
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Chapter 59
pick up another one tomorrow.”
I was taken aback. Was he not going to stand up for Margaret?
Her face fell at his attempt to calm the waters, “Is it that simple? They didn’t just smash a car, they were slapping me in the face!”
Bryant glanced at her, his voice cool, “Didn’t you slap Jane last night?”
That comment surprised not just me, but Christine as well.
We exchanged looks, both finding confusion in the other’s eyes.
Was Bryant… taking my side?
Despite Margaret’s guilt, she wasn’t ready to let go, her eyes teary as she insisted, “That’s not the same. You’re clearly on her side.”
“She’s my wife. It’s natural for me to be on her side,” Bryant stated flatly.
I was stunned, feeling a flicker of hope reignite somewhere deep inside me.
“Jane, pull yourself together,” I reminded myself.
Margaret’s face soured for a moment before she regained her composure, “But you are going to divorce her for me.”
Bryant’s expression darkened, “Margaret, who told you I’m…”
“Aren’t you?” Margaret interrupted, defiant.
Suppressing the bitterness inside, I couldn’t stand to hear their bickering anymore. My gaze fixed on Bryant, “You’re not going to pursue this matter, right?”
“It’s my car, you should be asking me,” Margaret interjected forcefully.
“But it’s his money, right?” I shot back, standing tall, “Bryant and I are still married. Legally, any property
he buys you with marital assets can be reclaimed by me. My advice? Cut
your losses.”
“What do you mean?”-
“It means, this isn’t up for your discussion.”
I only needed Bryant to let this go.
Margaret wouldn’t be able to press charge on her own.
Hearing this, Margaret glared at me, wishing she could tear me apart, then turned to Bryant, frowning, “Your dear wife sure is petty and domineering…”
I couldn’t stand another moment of embarrassment, “Bryant, since you’re not pursuing this, we’ll be leaving.”
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With that, Christine and I handled the formalities and left promptly.
As we walked away, Margaret’s nagging voice floated behind us.
“Bry, living with her for three years must have been exhausting…”