Chapter 3 - THE WIFE HE NEVER SAW
Arthur knew I served in the Army.
He simply never cared enough to learn how far I had risen.
When we met, he admired my discipline.
After we married, my career became inconvenient.
He complained about ceremonies.
He ignored invitations to promotion events.
He changed the subject whenever I discussed deployments.
Two years before the twins were born, I coordinated the evacuation of twenty-seven American personnel from a collapsing overseas airfield.
I received a Bronze Star.
Arthur did not attend the ceremony.
Brooke called him about a public-relations problem at Vance Capital, and he left before my name was announced.
When I returned home, he asked whether I had enjoyed “the military dinner.”
Months later, I was promoted to colonel.
Arthur attended the beginning of the formal ceremony, then left early because Brooke claimed his father needed him.
The official photograph hung in the estate hallway.
My colonel insignia was clearly visible.
Arthur walked past it dozens of times.
He never noticed.
His ignorance was not caused by secrecy.
It was caused by indifference.
When I became pregnant, Victoria told me to resign.
“A child needs a present mother,” she said.
I reminded her that fathers were also parents.
Arthur accused me of being difficult.
Brooke, meanwhile, made herself useful.
She praised Charles.
Flattered Victoria.
Listened to Arthur complain about me.
By the time I was eight months pregnant, she had moved into a guest suite at the estate.
Arthur claimed she was coordinating the property rescue.
Then I found a hotel receipt in his jacket.
Two guests.
May you like
One room.
Dated the night I had been hospitalized with premature contractions.
