Chapter 11 - THE AFFAIR ON THE SCREENMark came to Dana’s apartment next day.
Olivia opened door but kept chain latched.
“We need to talk.”
“Yes.”
She held printed screenshots through gap.
Mark’s face collapsed.
“Olivia…”
“How long?”
He said nothing.
“How long?”
“Four months.”
“Sex?”
His eyes answered.
Olivia nodded once.
“Your mother knows.”
Mark looked up.
That hurt more because it confirmed.
“How long has she known?”
“Three weeks.”
Olivia laughed.
A terrible sound.
“She saw you?”
“Yes.”
“And she didn’t tell me.”
“No.”
“She encouraged it.”
Mark hesitated.
Wrong move.
Olivia closed eyes.
“My God.”
“Olivia, I was unhappy.”
“So was I.”
“You made me feel small.”
She stared.
“How?”
“Everything you did…”
“What?”
“You were always better.”
“Better at what?”
“Work.”
“Money.”
“People respected you.”
Olivia’s face changed.
This was confession she never expected.
“So you asked me to quit.”
“I didn’t force you.”
“My God, Mark.”
“Mom suggested—”
“And you agreed because my success embarrassed you.”
“That’s not fair.”
“No?”
She stepped closer behind chain.
“I gave up partnership track.”
“I gave up company I planned.”
“I put three hundred sixty thousand dollars into our home.”
“I stayed with Chloe while you built career.”
“And your mother tells people you provide everything.”
“You never correct her.”
Mark whispered:
“I’m sorry.”
Olivia held screenshots.
“And while I was becoming smaller so you could feel bigger…”
“You found another woman to make you feel important.”
Mark cried.
Olivia didn’t.
Not then.
She had crossed into clarity.
“Do you love her?”
“I don’t know.”
“Good.”
“What?”
“Then you destroyed us for something you don’t even understand.”
She closed door.
Mark stayed outside almost ten minutes.
Eventually left.
Dana came from hallway.
“You okay?”
Olivia shook head.
“No.”
May you like
Then looked at Chloe asleep on couch.
“But I will be.”
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