Chapter 7 A Perfect Husband
(This chapter contains a shift in POV)
~Walter.
A smile parted my lips, watching Haven as she waved innocently at me…..
Naive….. isn't she?
I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my lips.
Who wouldn't know?
The hair, the demeanor…. everything about those two are different. And plus, Hannah's all skinny now.
But Haven still has some flesh. Soft, grabable ones.
Oh, and…. Wouldn't I be bad son in-law not to carry my father in-law along?
My eyes were fixed on the road, one hand held the staring while the other grabbed my phone.
“Alexa, call father in-law.”
The phone rang and I cleared my throat.
He answered almost immediately like he'd been waiting for me to call.
“Father, good morning,” I spoke, a sense of melancholy etched in my voice.
“Is everything okay, Walter. You sound quite… disturbed. We haven't heard from neither you or Haven since last night,” he said, worried.
Obviously, about me. Like Haven was a demon who would reap my insides.
Maybe she was …. Laughs. She rides like she's not human.
“Oh, that. I thought Haven called. Turns out she didn't and….maybe she just can't,” I answered.
His curiosity lingered.“She can't?”
“Something happened last night, Father. Shortly after Haven came, she…. she tried touching me in ways that aren't right. I love Hannah. I can't stand cheating on her.
It didn't feel right and it breaks my heart already that Hannah is sick….I just couldn't to that to her so I had to send Haven out of my house.
I'm sorry that I disrespected a member of your family I just….. didn't have a choice,” I sniffled.
“Oh, Walter,” Mr. Sutherland heaved a sigh. “I'm sorry you had to go through that and please. It's not your fault. I caused it. Haven did. Forgive me.” He begged. “And that you so much for loving Hannah this much.”
“Who else will I love if not her? She's my wife. It's only right that I love her the way I do,” I answered.
“Thank you, Walter. I'm sorry I have to leave now. Hannah and my wife are alone. And once again, I'm sorry. I promise to out Haven in her place.”
“Hmmm,” I answered before ending the call.
I burst into a loud bout of laughter.
What a good actor I am, isn't it? Not many can do this so well. Hollywood should be jealous.
My eyes strode towards the dashboard, spotting a picture of Hannah and the smile on my face vanished.
“Motherfucker,” I spat.
…..
“You still haven't told me why,” Harrington's eyes met mine.
“Why what?” I asked, not sparing him another glance.
“Why did you decide to trick your wife's sister into sleeping with you last night? It makes no sense. You make it sound like it's nothing,” he said. A sense of confusion and anger etched in his voice.
I raised my head, a scoff escaping my lips. “I make it sound like it's nothing because it is…. Nothing. And plus, you're getting this all wrong. I didn't trick Haven into sleeping with me. She also wanted it. It was obvious. Why didn't she stop me?”
“Haven is obsessed with you and you know that. She wouldn't have possibly said no. You took advantage of that!”
My brows creased. “you seem more interested in this than you're supposed to Harrington. The only reason I'm entertaining…this because you're my friend. Not like you would have known anything anyways.”
Harrington shook his head. “At least tell me why you did it.”
“You want to know? Fine,” I dropped the pen in my hand and looked straight into his eyes. “I did it because I always have. . .”
My phone rang.
I paused, rushing to pick it up.
“Hum hum,” I cleared my throat before answering.
“Good evening, father,” I said, my voice trained to remain calm.
“Will you still be visiting?” He asked calmly.
“Hmmm. Is there anything you need?”
“No. Hannah has been the one dying to see you,” he chuckled.
I laughed too. “Tell her I miss her, and I love her. I'll be there soon.”
I slowly placed the phone on the table as the smile on my face vanished.
SML glared at me like he'd seen a devil in a suit.
“For how long do you plan to put up with this?” He asked.
“None of your business.”
It's my life. Isn't it?
“Now tell me. Why?” He asked, his curiosity lingered.
“Stick to fucking your hoes and stay out of who I fuck. Yeah?” I answered before storming out of the office.
“Not like they are going to understand anyways,” I mouthed.
……
I turned the door knob, making my way in as I met Mr. Sutherland's warm gaze.
He stared at me with a soft smile hanging on his face. I was some God he was meant to worship.
It wasn't a surprise.
I love Hannah … or so they think.
I smiled.
Forced.
I turned and Hannah laid on the bed next to her mother.
It didn't look like she was getting any better. Truth be told, the sight of her grated on my nerves.
She made me angry. She always does…but that smile always hung on my face…. unfailingly.
“Hey darling,” I said, kissing her forehead.
I wanted to wipe my lips that instant.
“Hey baby,” she smiled. “I missed you,” she whispered.
“I missed you too, darling,” I said, tucking her loose hair behind her ears.
“Thank you,” Mrs. Sutherland whispered.
I nodded.
Hannah held my hand, taking deep breathes. “I'm here now.”
Somebody get me out of here!
My phone rang. Just the excuse I needed.
“Work.” I said, letting go of her hand. “I'll be back shortly.”
Hannah nodded.
Sigh.
It felt like I couldn't breathe in there.
I wiped my hands with a napkin. I couldn't help it.
“Hello?”
“Hi,” the voice said. It was soft. Familiar.
It was the voice that moaned in my bed last night.
Haven.
“We need to talk, Walter. Why did you do it? Why did you fo it when you knew I wasn't Hannah?”