Their marriage was transactional and they both knew it, but along the line Allyson became enamoured with him. She was nothing more than a stand in for him.

Taking a deep breath, she fought to control the whirlwind of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

Brushing away her tears, she rose and made her way out of the bedroom. Until tonight, she had clung to a sliver of hope. She knew she had to fight for her marriage, but seeing Hazel tonight and the way Roderick looked at her, she stood no chance. She has lost.

Before leaving the room, she mustered the courage to speak.

“Did you sleep with her? I mean I know you've been sneaking around to see her.” She already knew the answer to her question, but she wanted Roderick to prove her wrong.

“Allyson please, can we just drop it already?” unprepared for Roderick's lack of empathy, he seems frustrated with her.

“You still love her, don't you?” Her voice quivered, betraying her attempt to hide her vulnerability. “I called your office the day you said there was an incident, but surprisingly you weren't in the office the whole day. This was what you were hiding from me.” She continued.

Allyson raised her eyes to Roderick, a silent plea flashed across her face.

Roderick was caught off guard by her blunt revelation. He hesitated, his mouth opening slightly but no words came out.

Deep down, she's always understood Roderick's heart was not in their union.

She quietly sauntered out of the room, walked down to the bar, she dropped down on the floor and cried herself to sleep.

When Allyson woke up the next morning, the house was painfully quiet. She was completely at a loss.

All she knew was that she felt exhausted, hurt and wanted to flee from everyone she knew.

The sound of cascading water filled the bathroom as Allyson absentmindedly shreds her clothes and stepped into the running water.

Although the warm water fell on her skin, it did nothing to thaw the cold grip of sadness in her heart.

The events of last night came flooding back in her mind, she sank down curling into herself and burying herself against her knees. The relentless roar of the shower, muffled her sobs as she finally let go, tears streaming down uncontrollably.

Why did he have to be so cruel and self-centered?

Exhausted from crying, she stood up, dried herself and stepped out of the bathroom.

The sound of her phone jolted her back to reality. Searching around for her phone, she finally found it on the sofa.

Liam was calling.

He called her last night, and when he got no response, he sent her a message, asking if she was okay.

She picked up after the third ring.

“Hey,” his voice was so smooth and soothing, making her immediately forget her troubles.

“Hi, I'm so sorry about yesterday,” Allyson was sincerely sorry. She felt terrible for ruining the show for him. She owes Cassie an apology too. Her outburst towards her best friend was only transferred aggression, for her husband.

“About that, did I do something wrong?”

“Yesterday had absolutely nothing to do with you and I feel bad about what happened.” She said, fiddling her hair.

“If you want to be forgiven, you'll have to let me take you for lunch, please.” He smiled and continued with a softer edge.

Allyson knew she shouldn't be doing this, but to hell. Roderick shouldn't be the only one having all the fun, besides Liam didn't know she was married.

“Fine. 4pm would be great.” She hesitated for a while, but later gave in.

“4pm it is, I'll text you.” He did his happy dance, after he hung up.

Liam has always believed that Allyson was the one for him. He knew that the reason he left her was because he was struggling. He knew she deserved better, and he couldn't afford to give her that. But right now he's in a good place, his career is at its peak and he can afford to give Allyson anything and everything she wants. His law firm was indisputably the best in Salt lake city.

Tonight he needed to make a statement, he was going to wear something really special.

Allyson knew exactly what she was going to wear. Her favorite red dress from Chanel. There were pearls scattered around the fitted dress, and it cost a fortune.

She remembered her first date with Roderick, they had dinner in an outdoor Asian restaurant. She was wearing a red dress that night. He was stunned and he kept complimenting her looks. Years later after their first date, he kept telling her there was something magical about her red dress.

……..

Roderick walked into his office, wearing a long face. He looked gloomy and exhausted. He had an amazing night. The memories of all the orgasms he had, and Hazel’s soft moaning in his ears sent chills down his spine. But Allyson ruined everything.

He couldn't stand her.

There was a knock on his door, before he could respond, Pete walked into the office.

“How was last night?” Pete asked, taking the seat opposite Roderick. Pete was his account officer.

“Allyson knows,” Roderick uttered, unfazed.

“Allyson knows? What are you talking about?”

“She knows I've been seeing Hazel, she confronted me last night. I really can't deal with her anymore. I want to get a divorce.”

For the first time since their conversation, Pete looked genuinely concerned and surprised.

“But I can't do that now, Malcolm is running for Mayor and we're trying to avoid any scandal,” he continued.

“You don't have to do this Roderick. Allyson loves you and you know it.” Pete knew Roderick had already made up his mind. He was surprised that their marriage lasted this long.

“You can have her if you want,” he joked.

Roderick's phone rang, and the name across the screen made him blush.

“Hello pookie,” Roderick spoke.

“We need to talk,” there was a sound of urgency in her voice.

Now Roderick was beginning to panic. Did Allyson call her? He was furious.

Pete excused himself, he exited the office, his silhouette disappearing into the hallway.

“Sure, I'm listening.”

Nothing prepared Roderick for the news he was about to receive. This was worse than he had imagined.