Deep in Desire - Page 31

“You’re being so utterly fucking selfish,” Jenny snapped. “You’re ruining everything I’ve built. You think this…flingis worth that?”

“It’s not a fling,” Deborah said, her voice shaking. “I love her. And let’s make things absolutely clear here. You left me. You fucked off with my sister-in-law. We were married, ‘for better and for worse’ and all that crap, and you ran off with my brother’s wife. I mean, that’s got to be thefor worsepart. So, I think you caused enough damage to your reputation. You certainly didn’t need my helpwith that.”

Jenny laughed bitterly. “Love? You’re deluding yourself. This is just coming off as so incestuous. You’re best friend’s kid? She’s using you, Deborah. Everyone can see it but you. Mel said you’ve got her working for you. The girl’s landed on her feet, hasn’t she? As if by magic! Some fucked-up, jobless child who’s been living off her mommy’s money is now living off yours. You’re so naïve!”

Tears pricked at the corners of Deborah’s eyes. “You don’t know anything about us. And it’s so ironic that you’re calling this incestuous! My brother’s fucking wife, Jenny! You took his kids! Just get out of my fucking life!”

“You’ve no idea what a mess you’re getting yourself into, Deborah. And if you don’t end it, I’ll make sure everyone knows just how unstable you are. Think about what that will do to your career. To your life. I don’t like the sound of this Holly kid, but to be honest, I think she’d be better off without you. You’re a fucking mess, and I’m going to tell anyone who’ll listen.”

The threat hung in the air like a guillotine. Deborah felt like she was being suffocated, the air trapped in her lungs. “You wouldn’t dare. All it would do would bring out the story of you andHailey. The kids really would be upset, then! And Danny. Have you no thoughts for him? You know he hasn’t spoken to me in months! It’s just too fucking awkward for both of us.”

“Try me,” Jenny said, her voice cold. “End it, Deborah. Before it’s too late.”

The line went dead, and Deborah sat there, staring at the phone in her hand. Her mind was spinning with fear, anger, and confusion. She felt the walls of her office closing in on her, the weight of Jenny’s words pressing down on her heart. Jenny was a cold-hearted, cruel bitch.

That fucking Mel… And fucking Jenny! Fuck you!

She needed to get out of the office. She needed space to think. Without a word to anyone, she grabbed her coat and left, heading straight for the Indigo Lounge. The familiar darkness and velvety furnishings felt like a small comfort as she walked in. Esme had done a lot of work remodeling the place, but the Indigo Lounge would always be the Indigo Lounge. She was praying that she’d find her old friend there as her eyes scanned the room.

Esme was sitting at a corner table, and as she spotted Deborah, her expression turned to one of concern. She stood up as Deborah approached, pulling her into a tight hug.

“Debs, what is it? What’s going on?” Esme asked, guiding her to one of the chairs.

Deborah collapsed into the seat, her composure crumbling. “It’s Jenny. She’s threatening to ruin everything if I don’t break up with Holly. I’m going to have to tell Holly it’s over. I can’t do this.”

Esme’s eyes widened in shock. “God, she’s such a bitch. She was always such a bitch, Debs. What did you ever see in her? She treated you so bad. She ruined you. Anyway, that’s not the point. What did she say?”

Deborah recounted the conversation as her voice shook with despair. Esme listened attentively, as she always did, but her expression grew darker with each word.

“She can’t do this to you,” Esme said fiercely. “She has absolutely no right. After what she did?”

“But what if she does interview with the press or something? You know what she’s like. She’ll spin it so she’s the victim. Look what she did in the divorce. She said I’d abandoned her because of Webflix when all the time she was screwing Hailey. Do you know Danny doesn’t reply to my calls? I haven’t seen my nieces in over a year?” Deborah’s voice broke. “What if she destroys everything? What if I lose it all? I’m spiraling here.”

Esme reached across the table, taking Deborah’s hands in hers. “Just take a breath. You got this. We can fight her. We’ll figure it out. But breaking up with Holly isn’t the answer. You and Hols splitting up would have been music to my ears a few weeks ago, Debs. You know that. I wasn’t happy about it. But I was wrong. I’m on your side now. I can see it’s real. I’ve never seen Holly this happy, or you.”

Deborah’s tears streamed down her face. “I’m so scared, Esme. What if she’s right? What if Holly is better off without me?”

Esme’s grip tightened. “Holly loves you. And you love her. Don’t let her take that away from you.”

Deborah sobbed, the fear and pain pouring out of her. “I don’t know what to do.”

Esme pulled her into another hug, holding her tightly. “You’re not alone, Debs. I just don’t get why she’s doing this. What’s in it for her?”

“That’s what I’ve been wondering, but I can’t think straight. Maybe it’s because Danny still has access to the kids? Maybe she’s still angry that she didn’t get what she wanted in the divorce settlement? I can’t think. Maybe she just wants to fuck things up for me?”

The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Esme’s comforting presence was a lifeline, but Deborah’s mind was a storm of doubt and anxiety. By the time she returned to her apartment, she had made a decision.

She had to break up with Holly. For both their sakes. This was getting out of hand. Her life was spinning out of control. It was a deep reminder of her avoidance of love and relationships. They just caused problems, and the only thing she could truly count on was her work.

The next evening, Holly arrived at Deborah’s apartment, a bottle of wine in hand and a smile on her face. “I’m starving! I don’t know what you’ve cooked, honey, and I don’t care! I’m here for it! I’m kinda hoping it’s half a cow with fried potatoes,” she said, leaning in to kiss Deborah.

Deborah forced a smile, her anxiety moving up a notch at the sight of Holly’s happiness. “I’m afraid not. I made black truffle tagliolini.”

“Oh, Debs! Why sofancy? Sometimes a girl needs meat for energy, you know? Especially considering what I’m planning to do to you later. Idon’t think black truffle tagliwhatever is going to cut it!”

“Got it, Holly. Let’s just eat before it gets cold.”

They sat down at the dining room table. Deborah could barely taste the food, her mind consumed by what she had to do. She needed to cut out her emotions and go back to the ice queen soul she had tried to bury within her.