Alton returned soon after, winking at me. “Hey! Seen my phone?”
“On the table.
Right where you left it.”
“You’re a lifesaver.”
Not today, Alton. I watched him send a quick text and leave again. No goodbye kiss.
“I’ll be late! Meetings. Don’t wait up!”
Meetings.
Sure. I slipped out, hailing the first cab I saw. Minutes later, we stopped outside a quaint house with blue shutters.
Her voice drifted through an open window—bright, sugary. I sat in the cab, watching Alton wrap his arms around a striking brunette. “Okay, love.
Let’s play your game together…”
I needed to see her face. So, I waited until Alton drove off, then stepped out and approached the house. Verona looked barely thirty, her dark hair cascading over an oversized cardigan.
She blinked at me, puzzled. “Yes? Can I help you?”
I took a raw breath.
“I think you can. I’m Alton’s wife.”
Her mouth fell open, then closed. “His… wife?”
“Adelaide.
The one footing the bills. The one he’s building his vineyard with.”
She gave a sharp, humorless laugh, her eyes darkening. She opened the door wider.
“Come in. We’re not doing this outside.”
I stepped inside. Her hands shook slightly.
“What do you want? To call me names? Tell me to back off?”
I almost laughed.
What a mess Alton had made. “Who are you to my husband? Why’s he here instead of at a business meeting?”
Verona’s gaze flickered, but she lifted her chin.
“I’m the woman he’s going to marry. After he leaves you.”
“Marry you? He said that?”
“Yes.
He told me you’re suffocating. Controlling. And I… I’ll help him start over.”
“With money?”
“Yes.
For lawyers, he said. To cover the divorce and alimony for your son.”
I stared. “I sold my parents’ lake house for his vineyard.
I was on my way to deposit every cent I had for him.”
“You didn’t?”
“No, Verona. Your call stopped me. I picked up his phone by mistake.
Heard your voice.”
She stared, like seeing her own reflection in a cracked mirror. “I sold my inheritance for him. He said we’d buy a place together, far from here.
He swore he was done with you.”
“Then why hide you? Why tell me the vineyard was for us?”
Verona’s mascara smudged as she wiped her cheek. “So what now?”
“If we let him think he’s got us both, he’ll walk into his own trap.”
She gave a faint smile.
“And then?”
“We take back what’s ours.”
“Tell me everything.”
I told Alton I’d wired the money to his account, smiling like the trusting wife he expected. “It’ll clear in three days.”
Verona played her part, telling Alton she’d have her money ready, just as he wanted. They planned a dinner date.
We agreed I’d be there, hiding in plain sight. I arrived early, taking a seat one table behind. I wore Verona’s old jacket and a cheap brunette wig that itched under my scarf.
I didn’t care. I just needed to listen. Three days, Alton.
You thought you’d scam us both and vanish? Ten minutes later, it began. “Hey, gorgeous,” Alton said, kissing Verona’s cheek.
“Sorry I’m late. You look stunning.”
Of course she does, I thought. She’s your latest investor.
Verona’s smile was tight. “I want to talk about the money again.”
Alton frowned. “Again?
Verona, we’ve been over this.”
“I need to be sure. Why so much, Alton? Where’s it going?”
His voice was laced with forced patience.
“It’s for us, love. You know that. I have to keep Adelaide off my back.
Lawyers are expensive. She wants to ruin me in the divorce.”
I bit back a laugh. Ruin you?
I’m about to. Verona tapped her nails on her glass. “So you’re really leaving her?”
Alton sighed, irritated.
“Of course. Trust me, Verona. I’m doing this for us.”
She dropped her napkin—our signal.
I stood, approaching slowly. “Hi, honey,” I said, yanking off the wig and tossing it on the table. “Your big deal’s almost done, huh?”
Alton’s face went white.
“Adelaide? What the—”
Verona smirked. “Surprise, Alton.
Your wife and your girlfriend finally agree on something.”
He tried to laugh, but it faltered. “You were both ready to hand me your money. Who’s the fool?”
Verona raised an eyebrow.
“Not me. Not anymore.”
“Fine. But Adelaide already wired me everything.
You should learn from her loyalty.”
I leaned in. “No, Alton. I didn’t send a cent.
One call from Verona saved me. Next time, don’t leave your phone behind when you’re playing two women.”
His mouth opened, then shut. I pulled a dollar from my purse and dropped it on the table.
“Enjoy dinner, sweetheart. I’ll pay what you’re worth.”
Verona grabbed her coat. “We’re getting pizza.
Honest food.”
We walked away, laughing, as Alton sputtered behind us. Outside, Verona nudged me. “Ever think we’d end up here?”
“Not once.
But if you need a partner in crime, I’m your girl.”
She laughed. “Deal. Extra cheese?”
“Extra cheese.
And a strong drink.”
We strode down the street, two women who’d given too much and finally took it back.
