Confessions of an Heiress

Chapter 21 - Drowning in Bathtubs.

Yeah. I'm hiding in my bathtub. I'm a Professional Party Guest. I'm hosting my son's first birthday party, and I'm hiding in my bathtub. But only because a black hole has yet to arrive and swallow me up.

I always had a bad feeling about today. Atlas' birthday always had a sense of dread for me. I thought I was just worried about Atlas growing up. But this is so much worse. I never meant for this to happen. I had a plan, and now it's all nothing. My whole life has unravelled like some poorly made sweater.

I'm sorry. I know I'm not making any sense. I know you know I went to George's and that awful Gwen was there and it was a big mix up and it blew up in my face. So I came home and I never told anyone, not a soul. Robi never knew I went.

When the cab dropped me off I sobbed buckets. No one was supposed to be home. Robi and my Dad had a meeting and I think my mom had gone to help Izzy out with her kids. I was going to have a good cry, and then go back to pretending like nothing was wrong. I guess.

I just didn't count on Robi being home.

Of course he saw me crying and he came outside. He almost ran, he grabbed me and he hugged me. Hard. I was crying so much it was several minutes before I realized he was crying too. It scared me. I knew why I was crying, but why was Robi crying? Did he know I'd left? Robi sobbed and clung tightly to me for several more minutes. I tried to prepare myself for the reality that my marriage was going to be over. I'd been caught. Robi was going to leave me.

I decided I should start first. I stepped back. I took a deep breath. "Robi, I'm so sorry."

"I know." he said. "I'm just glad you're here. I called, but you didn't pick up your phone. I'm sorry to give you news like that in a message. I just. I was in shock. I wasn't thinking."

"It's ok. I understand." I didn't understand. I was more confused than ever.

"Can we go inside? I don't want to do this on the lawn."

I nodded numbly.

Robi took the suitcase and looked at me "The service will be in town. You didn't have to pack."

I pretended to smile and tried to wipe my nose. What was he talking about?

Next