How Did I Never Know She Was Such a Bitch?
David sat in the driver's seat of the SUV, navigating through traffic while Dan sat in the passenger seat, staring blankly out the window. They were headed back to Dan's home to go over the villa build before they began filming their social media content, but Dan was miles away.
His mind was a hollow space, his body numb after the Two Minds Private Eye interrogation. Omar had asked questions Dan wasn't ready to face. He had answered honestly, but the process had been a cold wake-up call. It was numbing to realize exactly how oblivious and inconsiderate he had been for the last five years.
He tried to shake it off. He needed to get himself together for the social media videos; going online when he wasn't 100% made him come off as useless, and he couldn't afford a lapse in his public image now.
Just as he was about to ask David about the day's video topics, a loud engine revved nearby. The screech of tires sounded way too close. Dan looked out his window, frowning, and immediately cursed.
Jessica was pulling up alongside them in her Lexus, pointing and yelling for them to pull over.
"If I close my eyes, will she disappear?" Dan muttered.
"I wish," David replied, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.
David turned off the main road and pulled into the parking lot of a large, busy department store. Jessica's tires screeched as she whipped in behind them. Dan jumped out of the SUV before David had even cut the engine, fury brimming within him.
Jessica was stepping out of her car when he let her have it.
"What the hell is wrong with you? You're pregnant and driving like that? Can you think of anyone besides yourself for one second?"
Jessica blinked several times, her hand moving involuntarily to her belly. For a long moment, she was silent, seemingly stunned by the raw accusation in Dan's tone. David came around the front of the vehicle, his face set in a deep frown.
Jessica recovered quickly, flashing an awkward, practiced smile. Inside, her mind was already elsewhere. She needed these babies to seal her deal with Christopher. She knew twins would make him do even more for her; when she had heard the tremor of excitement in his voice upon finding out, she knew the extra fertility steps she'd taken had been a smart move.
Christopher had already denied Amber Ann's loan, citing a poor business model and high risk. Jessica smiled inwardly, reminiscing about the news that two investors had backed out of Amber's project altogether.
"Are you even listening to me, Jessica?!"
"Of course I am listening, Dan, and you are absolutely right."
Jessica brought herself out of her musings, refocusing on her current objective. She didn't actually care what Dan did anymore; Christopher would ensure she had what she needed. For her, this was now about the sport of tormenting her "perfect" sister. Dan had simply become collateral damage.
"I need to think about our babies," she continued, her voice softening into a purr. "I was being selfish. I just wanted them to hear their father's voice."
Dan was surprised. Jessica never admitted fault. He frowned, his eyes roaming over her as if trying to determine if this was actually the same woman he'd known for years.
She pouted and sauntered closer. "I just want what's best for them. I have been trying to tell you about the doctor appointments, but you aren't receiving my calls or texts."
"That's because I blocked you."
Her expression turned instantly aggrieved. "Dan. How will we co-parent if you won't talk to me? How will we raise our precious children effectively like that? I only want what's best for them."
She held her relatively flat belly protectively and looked pleadingly into his eyes. Dan pursed his lips. This was the Jessica he knew—the one who used "the children" as a weapon against him.
"I'm sorry, Jessica. I cannot make a full commitment to you until the babies are born. I will help with expenses, and if you'd like, I can hire a Doula or a nurse to go with you to appointments. But you can forget about me being a full support system until I know for sure that these are my children."
He took a deep breath and looked directly into her eyes, his voice turning to steel. "Amber Ann is my wife, and I plan on keeping it that way. You will not break up my marriage. You and I are finished."
With each sentence, he saw the rage bubble up behind her eyes. He knew she was about to explode.
"Is that it?! My word is nothing?!" she shrieked. "Who else could be the father, Dan? Who? I have only been with you since I've been back! Fine! You want to shirk your responsibilities?"
She paused, nodding furiously, her body spinning back toward her car. "We will see. I will speak to Daddy about this. You will take responsibility for what's yours."
She got into her car, and Dan noticed she pointedly took a moment to calm herself before driving off. She was always performing, even when she was losing. But this time, interestingly, she thought about someone other than herself.
David stepped up beside him. They both watched the silver car speed away. "How did I never know she was such a bitch?" Dan asked quietly.
"Because she's beautiful," David said bluntly. "I still don't understand how you ever thought she was better than Amber Ann."
Dan physically cringed as his friend turned to get back in the SUV. Once again, David was being brutally honest. But as he climbed back into the passenger seat, Dan found himself smiling as Amber Ann's image entered his mind.
The encounter hadn't broken him; it had strengthened his resolve. If Jessica was going to "Daddy," then Dan needed to get there first. He needed to speak with Mr. Damon Lance Sr.