“Wednesdays are the hardest for me. It started when Shannon began showing up to taunt you at your place of work. Then it somehow spiraled to her blackmailing me to see her in Encino to talk—”
“What do you guys have to talk about?” Lily rushed out asking, seeming none too pleased.
“She indirectly threatened me, and I couldn’t for the life of me take a risk with your safety. Most especially when you’re pregnant. Since she was checked into a psych ward, this could unfortunately turn in her favor, if she does decide to do something stupid again, like breaking into our home and harm you.” I then began telling her what had happened the day after I had come back from New York. In some ways, it also explained my absence.
We were in the same spot Shannon had chosen when she brought up a subject I found so chilling I couldn’t stand back and not do anything that might trigger her lunacy.
“So, I went grocery shopping, and guess who I saw in the produce section today?” She was toying with the olive in her martini, appearing to be composed, but her eyes showed something troubling, like she was holding something dark, something unfathomable. However, since it was Shannon, one could never truly understand what went on in her head.
Without hiding my morbid distaste of her, I spat out, “Don’t know. Don’t care.”
She snorted before laughing at me. “You’re wife. Duh.” The moment she saw me register what she had said, she instantly changed. “You didn’t tell me she is very pregnant, Drake.”
She had this peculiar demeanor that truly unsettled me. Nothing about it seemed right.
“Why are you keeping secrets from me?” she accused stonily, as if I had committed the biggest sin of all by getting my wife pregnant.
“I am not keeping anything, Shannon! I’m married. Married men get their wives pregnant all the goddamn time, or has that escaped your notice?” I could hardly contain the rage that was vibrating inside my chest, yet I knew we were around other folks. I needed to contain it, or I would attract unneeded attention. Trying to calm myself, I took a sip of water and looked her in the eyes once more. “She and the baby are both none of your concern.”
“Hmmm…” The evil smile she gave me evoked immediate terror and made my stomach churn with fright and disgust.
“I swear, I will kill you with my bare hands if you touch her.”
“So much anger in your heart, Drake Tatum.”
“Oh, you have no idea just how much, Shannon.”
“I didn’t see her,” Lily whispered, as if trying to recall the exact time she had gone grocery shopping. “But what you just told me, Drake, are you sure about her? I mean, she did get inside here, and she knows this house as much as I do. And that’s very unsettling.”
“I know,” I murmured, taking her hand in mine. “That’s why I tricked her into believing I wanted to take her on a vacation. In reality, I was taking her to a treatment center. Once there, I promised that, if she cured herself—if it’s even remotely possible—I would be there to support her, that I’d visit her as much as I can, and on the times I can’t, I’d call her to make sure she’s okay.” I could have easily gone the other route, going straight to the police, but the guilt inside me knew better. It pushed me to this direction, taking charge to seek help for Shannon who desperately needed it.
“Wow, that’s quite a commitment.”
“It is, and I intend to keep my word, Lil. So, if you have any objections, and I know you must have a lot, I need you to understand I’m partly to blame for why she has spiraled out of control. I broke her heart and didn’t even feel the slightest sorry when I left her. I owe her this much, or my conscience won’t let me sleep at night.”
Lily nodded, deeply understanding my stance with Shannon. “I applaud you for doing something most people wouldn’t have done. She was a terrible person to me, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t deserve another chance at trying to live life like a normal person, if that’s even possible. But you have to explain to me … about the others?”
“The others?” What others?
“Yes, the women, Drake.” She took a deep breath, holding herself together, despite the brimming tears in her eyes. “If you had someone else, please tell me now so I can find it in my heart to forgive you. However, if you lie and decide to tell me later on, I might not be as forgiving.”
“I didn’t have anyone, nor did I attempt to,” I confessed, speaking the truth. “I partied with Katie and her friends, but apart from that, I haven’t really done anything.”