Unfaithful (The Complete Trilogy) Read online

  Her mind raced as she suddenly felt overwhelmed at the prospect of pregnancy, disturbed sleep and a screaming newborn baby to contend with. She'd put all that behind her years ago. She loved her son, Christopher, with all her heart, and would have loved to have given him a brother or sister years ago, but it hadn't happened. She had had a very difficult pregnancy with Christopher. She'd developed very high blood pressure and so had spent the last few weeks of her pregnancy in hospital, mostly bed bound. She certainly didn't relish the prospect of that experience being repeated.

  There had been some serious complications during Christopher's birth. She'd gone a week past her due date and had had to be induced, which was a horribly invasive, painful experience. She was still only one centimetre dilated after thirty six agonising hours!

  Rebecca thought with a smile about how she had called her sister, Tamsin, from the hospital bathroom, refusing to leave the safety of the cubicle. She remembered saying that she'd rather eat the used sanitary towels in the waste disposal unit than have to face another minute of labour! Her sister had ordered her out of the bathroom in no uncertain terms. Tamsin was living in Australia at the time and hadn't been able to afford the flight home for the birth of her nephew.

  Rebecca and Christopher's heart rate had dropped dangerously low so in the end he'd been delivered by emergency Caesarean section. Rebecca sometimes wondered how she hadn't turned her sister off ever having a baby of her own.

  She felt a momentary pang for all that her sister had experienced over the past few years. She'd been living her dream life in Australia as an artist and had been madly in love with her boyfriend, Mike, a musician, until she fell pregnant with baby Lilly.

  Mike completely freaked out at the prospect of impending fatherhood and refused to have anything more to do with Tamsin or Lilly. He moved out when Tamsin was four months pregnant and Tamsin had made the sorrowful journey home alone from Darwin to Dublin. Rebecca had been there to help her pick up the pieces of her broken life, and slowly Tamsin was returning to her old, happy go lucky self. Tamsin had suffered dreadfully with post natal depression after Lilly's birth, which hadn't been much of a surprise to Rebecca, considering everything that her sister had endured over that year. Her condition was gradually improving and she was starting to realise what a joy and blessing she had in her beautiful baby daughter, Lilly.

  Rebecca and Mark had tried for a few years after Christopher's birth to get pregnant but had been unable to conceive. They had been desperate to give Chris a brother or sister, ideally close to him in age.

  Rebecca didn't believe in IVF and thought that if she couldn't get pregnant naturally then she didn't want to try any other options. Here she was, eighteen years later, unexpectedly pregnant by a man who she was planning to leave! She picked her diary up off the floor and scanned the dates again. According to the calendar she was seven weeks late. She vaguely remembered that her last period had been very light and had only lasted a few days. At the time she hadn't thought much of it. Could I be two months pregnant?

  She had noticed that her stomach was looking a little rounder lately, but she'd put that down to over-indulging on junk food. She always ate when she was worried or stressed and she'd felt quite upset in herself recently, especially with what she'd discovered about Mark and his shenanigans. Her breasts had been aching during the last week and they had been quite tender at times, but she'd dismissed that as pre-menstrual tension. I'll give it another week before I go to the doctor, she decided, hopefully my period will start and there'll be no baby.

  She got up and switched on her computer. She spent the next hour scanning the internet for ways to bring on a period that was overdue. Most of the advice was to have a hot bath or do some extensive exercise as well as eating very spicy food and vigorous sex. Well, I can do all of those things, she told herself, feeling relieved that she could at least try to do something to fix her problem. She went upstairs and had a boiling hot bath and winced as she lowered her body into the hot water. Slowly she began to feel better as the warm water cocooned her in its comforting blanket and the relaxing lavender bath oil began to ease her addled mind. She drifted off to sleep and woke an hour later, shivering in the cold bath.

  It was dark outside. She knew Christopher had football practice that evening and would be off to his friend's house afterwards. She barely got to see her beloved son any more. He was always out at some activity or other. I wonder what time Mark will be home, she mused as she struggled out of the now cold water. She wrapped herself in her bathrobe and made her way downstairs. She checked her mobile phone. She had a text message from Mark saying not to cook dinner as he had to meet a client after work.

  Yeah right, she sighed, client is the new code word for bimbo. She sighed again and poured herself a glass of red wine. Then she took a few sips and immediately felt guilty. I shouldn't be drinking if I'm pregnant, she scolded herself, going to the sink and pouring the remains of the wine down the drain. She wished she had somebody to talk to, to confide in. She used to tell Mark everything but that had all changed.

  It's amazing how quickly someone can go from being your best friend to your worst enemy, she mused, as she sat in front of the television, channel-surfing, with Pepper resting his head companionably on her feet. She'd never had many female friends, just acquaintances and had never really gotten on very well with other women. Then again, she and Mark had always done everything together so she'd never really felt the need for anyone else.

  She had her sister, Tamsin, of course, but she hated burdening her sister with her problems. There was Laura, her old college friend, but they'd lost touch over the years. Laura had a young family and was consumed with them. They still met occasionally for lunch and talked on the phone, but Laura was so busy and Rebecca didn't really want to share her problems with her old friend, not yet anyway. She was still coming to terms with Mark's betrayal herself.

  I need a hobby, she thought. I need to make friends and start rebuilding my life. The sooner I'm out of this so called sham of a marriage, the better off I'll be, but not before I put my plan into action. She was determined to get her fair share of the business and also to punish Mark for ruining her life, the life that she had built with the man who had promised to love her forever. Oh, well, she thought, trying to be pragmatic, no point dwelling on the past.

  She was just about all cried out about the state of her marriage, she was determined not to waste any more tears on it. Her new mantra was "don't get mad, get everything." It was a line that she had stolen from Ivanka Trump's character in the film "The First Wives Club.” She'd recently watched the film about three women who had been dumped by their husbands for younger women. It was time to put the madness behind her and start formulating her own plan to get even and to get everything that she believed she was owed. Now, all she had to do was work out the fine details, before putting her master plan into action.

  Chapter 13

  "Where are you off to all dressed up?" Colm asked Jackie, trying to keep the suspicious tone from his voice.

  "Oh, I'm meeting some other mothers in town for lunch, darling," Jackie replied nonchalantly as she tied an in intricate knot in a silk scarf around her neck, "I'll collect Emmett from school on my way back and Shona offered to drop Charlotte home around two o' clock, if that's ok with you?"

  "I'll be here," Colm managed to force a smile.

  "It's nice to have you home for a few days," Jackie kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Anyway, I must dash. I'm late already. See you later, darling," and with that she breezed out of the front door leaving a faint but unmistakable waft of Chanel Number Five perfume in her wake.

  “A lot of effort for lunch with the girls,” Colm muttered as he poured himself another cup of coffee.

  Jackie had spent half an hour in the shower that morning, singing happily to herself. When she'd finally re-emerged downstairs, having spent at least another half an hour agonising over what to wear, He was amazed to see the outfit she'd chosen. She was wearing
a tight-fitting black A-line skirt with skyscraper black stiletto heels and a low-cut cashmere jumper. He found it even more suspicious that she was clearly wearing a push-up bra as she seemed to have suddenly developed a lot of cleavage. Her hair was carefully blow-dried and perfectly straightened and her make-up was immaculate.

  I wonder why she's making such an effort? He mused as he slowly stirred sugar into his coffee.

  Jackie was always well-presented and took good care of herself but her usual day time attire was jeans and a top and a pair of well-worn knee- high black leather boots. She rarely wore perfume during the day and if she did it was something light and fresh, not heavy and sexy like Chanel Number Five.

  He reflected on his wife's change in behaviour and attitude over the past few weeks. She'd suddenly developed a voracious sexual appetite. It was like she'd had a transformation. Gone was the shy, sexually submissive Jackie and in her place was this new woman whose libido seemed to have increased dramatically.

  At first, he'd been very pleasantly surprised at her initiating sex and wanting to try different positions, but he'd begun to feel slightly used. It was like she wasn't making love with him. She would close her eyes and go off into her own world. She had never orgasmed like that with him before and he wondered what had caused this sudden change in her.

  Who are these mothers she's meeting anyway? he pondered. I remember Jackie being less than complimentary about several of the mothers from Emmet's school. The only person who I recall her meeting for lunch anytime was Shona. Maybe it's time I started working from home more often, he thought, just to see exactly what goes on around here in my absence.

  ~~**~~

  Jackie beeped the horn in annoyance at the driver in front of her. "Are you blind?!" she yelled, pointing meaningfully at the traffic light which had just turned green. The car sped off with a jolt and she turned left on to the quiet road that led to the Travelodge. She and Sean had arranged to meet for an hour there and Jackie was already ten minutes late. She was lucky to have been able to make it at all. She had considered cancelling, especially when Colm had would be working from home for the next few days, but she'd decided against it. Why should he ruin my fun, she'd convinced herself, who knows what he gets up to when he's away on his business trips.

  She resented him questioning her that morning. It had felt like an interrogation. She'd seen the suspicion in his eyes as he'd watched her getting ready and she'd wanted to snap at him, but she'd managed to restrain herself. Oh, well, she dismissed the negative thoughts from her mind, there's no crime in having lunch with the girls, and what he doesn't know won't hurt him.

  She screeched to a halt outside the Travelodge and made her way quickly inside. She checked her mobile phone and saw that Sean had texted her.

  "Room 12. Cum and get me xx" she read.

  She smiled to herself, switched off her mobile and swiftly walked past reception and down the corridor. She stood outside room twelve and knocked on the door. Sean opened the door and grabbed her. He was already naked and she soon saw how hard he was for her. He pushed her against the wall and pressed himself against her.

  He pushed her skirt up around her waist and ripped her panties off unceremoniously. Then he rammed himself full force into her soft wetness. She gasped as he filled her completely, and wrapped her legs around him. Half an hour later and they were both completely spent. He lay on top of her, his head nestled between her breasts. She stroked his hair which was damp with sweat.

  "When can I see you again?" she asked, hating the need she heard in her voice.

  "Soon baby, soon," Sean hovered over her and silenced her by kissing her full on the mouth again.

  "You're gorgeous," he said, tracing the curve of her hip with his fingers. She smiled at him, and took his hand, pushing his fingers between her legs.

  "Greedy.” He expertly moved his fingers in delicious circles.

  "I know," she moaned, as she opened her legs. He moved his fingers harder and faster, driving her to the brink of ecstacy. Then, just as she was about to cum, he pushed his fingers inside her, making her scream with the most amazing orgasm she had ever experienced.

  "That was unreal," she whispered, gasping for breath.

  "Plenty more where that came from," Sean grinned cheekily at her and jumped out of bed. "It's time to go, baby," he whispered, "want to share a shower with me?"

  Another delicious twenty minutes later and Jackie was back in her car, heading towards Emmet's school. She felt tingly and relaxed from her morning of debauchery and couldn't stop smiling to herself.

  Chapter 14

  “So how's that gorgeous husband of yours?” Penelope asked her sister as she sipped the hot sweet tea that Laura had just handed her.

  “Oh, Luca's great, as always,” Laura's face lit up just talking about her husband.

  They'd met five years previously when Laura had spent a summer travelling around Italy and working in a vineyard. It had been love at first sight and they'd been inseparable ever since. Luca had relocated to Ireland to be with Laura and had quickly found a position working as a translator. Luca proposed within three months of their meeting, and six months later they were married. Their happiness was complete with the arrival of the twins, Isabella and Maria, three years ago.

  Penelope couldn't believe how her sister had changed since she'd fallen in love with Luca. She used to be totally career focused, almost as obsessed with her image as Penelope and always wanted to be the best at everything.

  Before she'd met Luca she was training to be a barrister with one of the top legal firms in Ireland. She'd gotten first class honours in her university final law exams and had passed her solicitor exams in the top three in the country. She'd specialised in family law for several years before deciding to take on the challenge of studying to be a barrister.

  Laura was like a different person now; gone were the power suits, immaculate makeup and sleek hairstyles and in their place were long, floaty dresses and skirts which skimmed her once slim but now curvaceous body, her auburn hair was long and wavy and her face was bare of any makeup.

  “You look very well,” Penelope complimented her sister, “serene, I think is how I would describe you.”

  “Thank you,” Laura graciously accepted her sister's words. “I must admit this is the happiest I've ever been in my life. I know I'm so blessed to have such a loving husband and my wonderful girls. Life is good.”

  “Well domestic life certainly suits you,” Penelope agreed.

  “I think back sometimes to my days in the Four Courts and as much as I enjoyed them, I'm relieved I don't have that sort of stress anymore. I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd be content to be a full-time stay at home mother and housewife, but honestly, it's so rewarding. It can be hard work at times, but it's worth it. I'd rather work hard and have a happy family than sacrifice my family to have a brilliant career. I'm so grateful that Luca's job pays well enough to allow me to stay at home. I realise some mothers don't have that luxury.”

  “Would you ever think about working part-time when the girls are a little older?” Penelope asked curiously.

  “Perhaps,” Laura replied thoughtfully, “but I don't want to go back to law. It's too much of a rat race and that lifestyle and mentality is not for me anymore. I tried it once and I know I don't want to experience it again. It was soul-destroying for me.”

  “What are you thinking of doing instead?” Penelope asked.

  “Well, I've actually been considering writing children's books and illustrating them,” Laura paused momentarily, waiting nervously for her sister's reaction.

  “Wow!” Penelope exclaimed. “That's a fantastic idea! Remember those prizes you won in school for your essays and you were always very artistic?”

  Laura smiled at her sister's enthusiasm. “I remember you used to steal my drawings,” Laura grinned.

  “Oh, yeah,” Penelope laughed. “I'd wait until you'd get distracted and then I'd snatch a few and hide them in my doll's house.”


  “Mum found a load of them years later, hidden in the bottom of one of your trunks,” Laura reminisced.

  “She used to kill me for stealing your pictures cos you used to get so upset.”

  “Brat,” Laura punched her sister lightly on the shoulder.

  “Enough about me, Pen, how's your modelling career going?” Laura asked as she made her way towards the oven where the overwhelming smell of chocolate cake was making Penelope's mouth water.

  “What career?” her sister sighed. “I'm still trying to get my portfolio together. I've done some catalogue work, but that's about it.”

  “It sounds promising.” Laura cut the chocolate cake into thick wedges and spooned whipped cream on top, "any developments on the acting front?" She placed a huge bowl in front of her sister. “This will cheer you up.”

  “I'd love to but I can't,” Penelope tried to resist, her eyes and mouth watering at the heady chocolaty concoction.

  “Of course you can,” Laura insisted, “you could do with putting on a few pounds.”

  “I could not!” Penelope pinched a tiny bit of fat on her perfectly flat stomach. “I'm chubby by comparison to some models.”

  “I don't understand the fashion industry's size zero mentality,” Laura groaned disparagingly. “Imagine going into a shop and the sales assistant asks for your size and you say its size nothing. It doesn't even make sense.”

  “Well, size zero is the American size which is actually an Irish size four.”

  “Size four! Even that's ridiculous. I was probably a size four when I was aged four. What fully developed, grown woman is a size four? Nobody should be less than a size eight, and that's only if you're very petite. I feel sorry for these women prancing up and down the catwalk with their bag of bones for bodies. I see their emaciated faces and bodies in magazines and I am in no way encouraged to buy the clothes or products that they are trying to sell. I just feel sorry for them. I don't notice the clothes, I only notice how painfully thin a lot of the models look.”