CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Kelly had lain on the bed, her eyes filling with tears. What a fool she had been. “Stupid, stupid, stupid” she chided herself. Had she really thought that one night of passion would make him love her the way she loved him.
Closing her eyes she remembered his words from the previous night “off the market” he had said and now he was already planning on ensuring she had all the trappings of her new position….that of his mistress.
By now tears were streaming down her cheeks as her whole heart and body yearned for him, her head mocking her. Kelly had known that she couldn’t live like Trudy waiting for the day he tired of her and moved on to the next woman, and another tear had slid its way down her face, questions flooding her mind.
How short was his attention span?
What had happened to Olivia?
Did she even know that she had been replaced?
When would it be her turn?
and what then?
Return to her role of …..What was her role….. mother to Max?, unpaid nanny to the child that was his?.
A wretched sob had escaped her. Would he want her to go, after all she had no real right to stay. Max was his child, and although she had brought him up from birth he and his lawyers had made it perfectly clear that he had all the rights. She pictured Marc with Max and knew that he loved his son more than he could ever love any woman – including her, and with a heavy heart she realised that Max’s place was with his father, also realising that hers was not.
Kelly had remained in Marc’s bed for another half an hour, her mind making plans as she forced her body to ignore the smell of him which still clung to the bedding and the crumpled pillow in which his head had rested on, resisting the urge to hold the pillow to herself and breathe in his musky aroma. When she was calm enough she had stood up, retrieving the towel from the floor and making her way back to her own room.
Silently she had taken a shower before retrieving the suitcase she had brought with her only weeks ago and slowly she had began to pack her clothes, neatly placing them carefully in the old beat up case. The dresses which he had insisted on purchasing for her against her better judgement were left hanging in the large closet, as with a wry smile she knew that she would never need them again. Finally she was ready, her insides cold and calm all her plans now in place.
Carefully Kelly had carried her case down the stairs, ensuring that she met nobody on the way, silently letting herself out before placing it inside the boot of her borrowed car before returning to her room. After making several phone calls she had sat to write a short note, her hands shaking as she had written the few words which disguised her feelings, dashing back the tears from her already stinging eyes, before sitting on the bed and waiting.
It was at this point that Max began to stir and she had risen to see to him for one last time. Holding him in her arms her tears had once more began to fall as she had looked into his face and her resolve had nearly crumbled. How could she leave her boy, her heart breaking as her head had countered with how could she not. In the long term it would be better for Max if she left now, he would miss her to start with but would forget her soon enough, biting back yet another sob realising that she would never forget him.
Kelly had spent the rest of the morning enjoying her last day with Max, knowing that nothing was going to ruin this time with him. By lunch time Max had become sleepy and after eating she had lain him back down in his cot for his afternoon nap. As she had kissed his forehead one last time, her eyes had soaking in every detail of his vulnerable and beautiful sleeping face, before standing with resolve she had gone looking for Beth finding her busy in the kitchen.
“Hi “she said
As the housekeeper had flashed her a warm smile
“Hello Kelly” she had said before fixing her with a sharp look
“You OK, you look a little pale”
Kelly had given a small laugh “Just tired” she said brushing off the remark
“Beth would you mind watching Max this afternoon, he’s sleeping just now. I need to go into town for some things. I don’t know when I’ll be back”
The older woman had smiled
“I’d love to hon. That child is a little angel” she said with a grin
“You go enjoy yourself. He’ll be safe with me”
Handing over the baby monitor she always carried, Kelly had thanked the woman, surprising her by giving her a hug, before leaving Marc’s house for the last time, stopping only to leave a note on his bedside table. Manoeuvring down the long driveway she had taken one last look at the building which she had grown so quickly to love, along with the people in it.
Reaching the town square Kelly had parked the car, before removing the case from the boot and walking into the small newsagent store. After exchanging pleasantries with the owner she had asked if he would hold onto the keys until they were collected, the owner agreeing, his face showing his surprise at the strange request.