The man I had an affair with was the marriage counselor my husband paid a fortune to bring us together-9
The Late-Night Computer
2 AM. David snored rhythmically. I stared at ceiling shadows, sleepless. I needed distraction. Proof? Proof this wasn't just weakness? Compelled, I slipped from bed. Bare feet on cold floors. Into the study. David’s laptop glowed on the desk, charging. Password: our anniversary. The screen awoke. Blue light bathed my face. Heart pounded. Fingers icy, trembling. What did I seek? More on Lucas? His nature? Self-flagellation? Browser history: blank. Files: Reports. Spreadsheets. Plans… Dry names. Email? Work required verification. Personal… My password guesses failed. Stalemate. Frustration mounted. I moved the mouse absently. Passed a small bank app icon—auto-login enabled. The cursor hovered. Clicked. Interface flashed. Username: David’s work email. My heart skipped. I held my breath. Opened "Transactions."
The Blinding Records
Rows of cold numbers, merchant names flooded the screen. I scrolled fast. A date leaped out. The day before my first Lucas session. Payee: W. Ashton Consulting. Amount: $5,000.00. Notes: Blank. My heart sank. The "premium" fee? Continued scrolling. More entries surfaced. Consistently, 1-2 days post-Wednesday "session," a fixed sum transferred. $1,500.00. $1,500.00. $1,500.00. Payee: Always W. Ashton Consulting. Notes: Empty.
Clockwork precision. Fingers froze. Blood hammered temples. Standard counseling fees? Fixed weekly? No detail? That "coincidental" cafe afternoon flashed. My stomach lurched. Scrolling frantically. Last week’s records. After the motel. An entry glared! Date: Yesterday. Payee: W. Ashton Consulting. Amount: $15,000.00. Notes: No longer blank! Words, icy bullets, shot into my eyes: **Additional Service Fee - Performance Bonus** $15,000.00. Additional Service? Performance Bonus?! Meaning? What service? The motel’s sordid chaos exploded in my mind!
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2 AM. David snored rhythmically. I stared at ceiling shadows, sleepless. I needed distraction. Proof? Proof this wasn't just weakness? Compelled, I slipped from bed. Bare feet on cold floors. Into the study. David’s laptop glowed on the desk, charging. Password: our anniversary. The screen awoke. Blue light bathed my face. Heart pounded. Fingers icy, trembling. What did I seek? More on Lucas? His nature? Self-flagellation? Browser history: blank. Files: Reports. Spreadsheets. Plans… Dry names. Email? Work required verification. Personal… My password guesses failed. Stalemate. Frustration mounted. I moved the mouse absently. Passed a small bank app icon—auto-login enabled. The cursor hovered. Clicked. Interface flashed. Username: David’s work email. My heart skipped. I held my breath. Opened "Transactions."
The Blinding Records
Rows of cold numbers, merchant names flooded the screen. I scrolled fast. A date leaped out. The day before my first Lucas session. Payee: W. Ashton Consulting. Amount: $5,000.00. Notes: Blank. My heart sank. The "premium" fee? Continued scrolling. More entries surfaced. Consistently, 1-2 days post-Wednesday "session," a fixed sum transferred. $1,500.00. $1,500.00. $1,500.00. Payee: Always W. Ashton Consulting. Notes: Empty.
Clockwork precision. Fingers froze. Blood hammered temples. Standard counseling fees? Fixed weekly? No detail? That "coincidental" cafe afternoon flashed. My stomach lurched. Scrolling frantically. Last week’s records. After the motel. An entry glared! Date: Yesterday. Payee: W. Ashton Consulting. Amount: $15,000.00. Notes: No longer blank! Words, icy bullets, shot into my eyes: **Additional Service Fee - Performance Bonus** $15,000.00. Additional Service? Performance Bonus?! Meaning? What service? The motel’s sordid chaos exploded in my mind!
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