Chapter 23

Erica

"And you're absolutely sure you want to do this today?"

Nope .

"Of course," Erica said. "Everything is all set up, and I'm ready to get the ball rolling."

She sat in front of her mirror, preparing for the day ahead. Despite her bravado, the dark circles under her eyes betrayed her nerves, along with her pale skin.

Alex, still in the shower, was in a fantastic mood and didn't know what was coming for him. She couldn't wait to see the blood drain from his face as he realised she had caught him.

"And you're sure I can't give mum and dad a heads up?" Lottie asked.

"I wish I could say yes," Erica replied. "I hate the thought of ruining their day. But if they knew, they'd act different, and Alex would know something is up."

"Right. You've said that before."

Erica could picture her younger sister sitting on the edge of her childhood bed, chewing the end of her hair as she was prone to when nervous.

It was almost enough to make her call the whole thing off, but the plan was already in motion. Soon, Sophie would wake to the beginning of the rest of her life.

"Is Marcus still coming over?" Lottie asked, as though she could read Erica's mind.

"I haven't heard anything to suggest otherwise, and I don't see him changing the plan."

"So, it's really happening. You're going to be a single woman in a matter of hours. "

"Depends who you ask, I suppose," Erica said, pondering her sister's words. "I feel like I have been since Marcus' letter."

"Have you been acting like a single woman? You and Marcus have been getting awfully close. I saw you two flirting at rehearsals."

"We were not flirting," Erica insisted. "And I wouldn't call sitting in a pub getting pissed while we argue over which dead person we're going to pretend to be a rehearsal ."

"I would, and stop changing the topic. Are you into him?"

"Lottie, I swear—"

"Hey, I'm just asking as a concerned little sister."

"I'm sure. Look, I have more important things to worry about right now and a plan that requires my attention—"

"What plan is this, then?"

Erica jumped at Alex's voice at her side so suddenly as he emerged from the bathroom. "Never you mind," she said coyly, quickly recovering from her surprise.

"Lottie, that's Alex out of the shower, so I'll see you later, yeah?"

"Oh, shit. Did he hear anything?"

"No, you'll have to wait."

"What? Oh, right. You can't talk properly. Right. Well, okay, so I'll see you soon. Love you."

"Love you too," Erica said, ending the call. She smiled over at Alex and felt emotion prick in her eyes.

This would be the last time they'd have a morning together, and though she knew this was the right thing to do, she couldn't help but mourn for the relationship she thought she had.

"Everything all set up at your parent's place?" He asked.

"I think so," she replied, keeping the emotion from her tone. "Lottie didn't sound too stressed."

"Good. I don't see why she would be. Your parents are experts at Christmas."

"You're not wrong," she agreed, turning back to her reflection. She had to make herself look more presentable, or her mother would know immediately that something was up .

She grabbed her moisturiser and worked it into her face as Alex approached from behind her, still only in a towel.

"Wanna fool around before we get ready?" He asked, winking at her reflection.

"Sorry hon," she said, wrinkling her nose as though she would have taken him up on his offer. "Time of the month."

Alex sighed, his eyes lingering on hers before he nodded and pulled away. So far since their ‘reconciliation' she'd had a UTI, thrush and a worrying number of headaches all to keep Alex away from her body.

She wasn't sure he believed her. She didn't care. At least he left her alone.

"So, what's this plan you were talking about?" He asked, grabbing his clothes from the bed.

"Surprise," she murmured, focusing on her make-up. "Can't ruin the surprise."

"You're so thoughtful," he said, blowing a kiss in her direction. "Seriously, I don't deserve you."

Nope. He didn't .

"And yet somehow you have me. Lucky son of a bitch, aren't you?"

"What can I say? God chose his favourites, and I made the cut. I'm handsome, wealthy and charismatic, with a beautiful wife and everything a man could ever want."

Arrogant bastard.

"Careful, love," she warned. "Pride is a sin and if God cast his own son out of heaven. I'd hate to imagine what terrible fate he'd send your way."

"Merry Christmas!"

Erica chuckled as her parents greeted them on the front doorstep, decked head to toe in Christmas cheer.

"Mum, you look lovely," she said, leaning to kiss her mother on the cheek. "You've gone all out on the tinsel this year."

"If you can't go overboard at Christmas, when can you?" She kissed the top of Erica's head and ushered her into the house. "And where is my favourite son-in-law?"

Erica's heart gave a painful thump as she walked into her dad's open arms, hearing Alex's reply.

"Debra, you're looking as beautiful as ever. Bill is a lucky man."

Her mother waved off his compliments, but Erica knew she'd have a flush of pleasure on her cheeks. Right then she had never hated Alex more.

How dare he do this to her parents?

"Are you okay, pet?" Bill asked, murmuring against the top of her head.

"I will be soon," she promised. She couldn't lie to her father and pretend everything was okay.

"Well, you let me know if I can help, you hear me?"

"Thank you, Dad." She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "And Merry Christmas."

Moving through to the dining room, her eyes scanned the immaculate table decorated with such elegance. It was in stark contrast to the mayhem of the rest of the house.

Santa's Grotto had nothing on the Starling family home.

"Erica!" Strong arms pulled her into a bear hug, the familiar smell of her brother's favourite aftershave invading her nostrils. "Grab some eggnog. Mum's put an entire bottle of brandy in it this year.

"I have not!" Debra protested, testing her own creation. "It tastes just the same as it does every year."

"Or your tolerance has just improved, Ma!"

Josh wrapped his arm around Erica's shoulder and squeezed it once. "Slipper incoming in three, two…"

Erica dodged out of the way as a slipper flew at Josh's head right on cue. Rolling her eyes, she pulled Liv into a warm hug, chuckling in her ear. "You chose this family," she reminded her. "You crazy woman."

Everyone was in good spirits, as one would expect on Christmas day. Even the family dog, Baxter, who was perpetually grumpy, wagged his tail as he bounced around, greeting everyone.

The only exception was Lottie .

Sat by the bay window, still in her pyjamas, her hand curled around a mug of eggnog, she looked completely out of place. Erica sat next to her, resting her head on her shoulder.

"I've told them I have period pains," she said in a low voice. "They've left me alone since then except to bring me drinks."

"I used the same excuse," Erica replied. "Sorry, Lottie, I feel like I've already ruined your day."

"You haven't, he has." She nodded in Alex's direction. "Look at him, just acting completely normal. It makes me so angry."

"Believe me, I get it," Erica replied. "Today, most of all, I get it."

Erica watched as Alex and Bill exchanged a joke or two before glancing at the clock. Dinner would be another hour or so, which meant…

"Marcus will be waking her up any minute now." Her stomach knotted at the thought, her heart beating erratically.

"No going back now," Lottie replied, her narrowed eyes glued to Alex.

"I don't think there was ever any going back."

Snuggled up with her sister, Erica watched the festivities, although she had seen them unfold a dozen times before.

Josh had joined Bill and Alex, the three men ribbing one another while they drank far too much, far too early. Her mother sat next to Liv, Baxter resting his head on her knee while she absentmindedly stroked his ear.

A collection of familiar Christmas tunes played through the TV, the higher volume causing everyone to speak that little bit louder.

The unopened presents still sat under the tree in the adjoining room, waiting until dinner was over before they exchanged gifts.

Debra's rule.

She said they'd be a lot less likely to voice their displeasure with a shitty gift if their stomachs were full, and so far, her logic had proven sound.

Up and down the country, in every loving household, was a familiar sight. Christmas brought people together in a way that nothing else could, and it was hard to believe that Alex wouldn't be there to celebrate with them next year.

"You're fine," Lottie said firmly as Erica sniffled. "Don't let him win."

"You're right," she whispered back. "I just want to get this over with so he can stop acting as though he gives a shit about any of us."

The scene before her shifted as her mother went to check on the dinner. Alex and Josh rejoined Liv as their father excused himself to let the dog out.

"I think it's time we joined the conversation," Lottie said. "Otherwise we'll be sitting here clock watching.

Erica nodded her agreement, helping Lottie to her feet as they joined the group.

"I think some men just don't realise what they've got," she heard Josh say as they approached. "You wouldn't catch me sleeping with another woman."

"What's this about?" She asked, finally grabbing a drink.

"The couple on the corner finally broke up," Liv said. "He got caught cheating when his bit on the side showed up with a sonogram."

"Goodness," Erica said, a sinking feeling in her stomach. She glanced at Lottie, who tightened her grip on her mug.

Was this the future she had to look forward to? The neighbours gossiping about her broken marriage? Alex moved his arm around her waist, pulling her away from Lottie and kissing the top of her head.

"The guy is a fool," he said. "It's one thing to cheat, but to get her pregnant too? Stupidity."

"Oh, yeah?" Josh said, an amused smirk on his face. "So you wouldn't knock up your affair partner?" Erica caught herself before she flinched.

Did Josh know?

No. Absolutely not. He wouldn't keep that from her. Just a stupid joke. Lottie stared at Josh for a moment before shaking her head and relaxing.

Right. Josh wouldn't do that.

"I wouldn't cheat." Alex sounded so sure in his words, so confident. Anyone would believe him. Hell, even she wanted to. "But not everyone has a wife like mine. "

She forced herself to smile up at him, resting her head against his shoulder. She felt sick. This entire thing was sick. "Anyone who cheats is the Scum of the Earth, if you ask me."

"Well said, Erica." Liv raised her drink to her. "Hear hear."

Erica pulled away from Alex, taking a seat on the sofa that faced him. She wanted to see his reaction to the conversation.

"You don't think there's ever a reason?" Josh asked.

"Never," she said, shaking her head. "Most of the time, there is no reason. Just some asshole getting their jollies by screwing around."

"Agreed," Lottie said. "It's disgusting, actually, what some men would do for a bit of pussy."

"You're lucky mum isn't here to hear you talk like that," Josh teased.

Alex chuckled as he took his seat next to Erica, resting his hand on her knee. "Apparently, we have some very strong opinions on cheaters."

"Lucky I don't have to worry about that, hm?" She met Alex's gaze, wanting to see something there. A shred of sincerity, an ounce of regret.

Instead, she only saw the confidence of a man who believed he'd never get caught.

"You never have to worry, Erica. I doubt anyone could love someone as much as I love you."

"Aw!" Liv cooed, slapping Josh's arm playfully. "Why aren't you romantic like that?"

Erica joined in with the laughter, a stilted smile on her face. Inside, she was reeling. How could he stare her in the eye and lie like that? Was he really that arrogant? Did he think himself untouchable?

The conversation continued without her, all the while Alex sitting there and relishing the praise lavished on him.

What a perfect husband he was. How romantic were his words? Did a more beautiful relationship exist?

Erica could feel the rage bubbling. How dare he sit there and pretend he was something he wasn't!

Was his ego so big that he needed to feed it lies and pretence? Clearly, he had no respect for her, nor did he care for her on the level he said. He was just an arrogant prick who liked a pretty lady on his arm.

"Dinner!" Debra shouted from the kitchen. "Everyone at the table, please."

"Finally," Josh said, helping Liv to her feet. "Time to get fat."

"You go ahead," Erica said as Alex reached for her hand. "I'm just gonna finish my drink."

Shrugging, Alex sat at the table, back to joking around with Josh.

"Eri?" She looked up at Lottie, raising her eyebrow. "When the time comes, you make sure you go for the jugular, okay? I want this mother fucker to hurt. "