Chapter 11: Aftermath The refrigerator hummed in secretive indifference as Marlene navigated her morning. Its monotony barely concealed the disarray in her thoughts, each flicker of doubt manifesting in a clink of silverware or the uncertain weight of coffee cups cradled in her palms. Pictures framed a life of bygone simplicity, their frozen grins a silent indictment of the passions now in play. Her routine bore the hollo...

Chapter 1: A Day in the Life of Mrs. Marlene Weppler Morning light spilled over Marlene Weppler's neatly trimmed garden, casting a warm glow on dew-kissed petals. Standing at the kitchen window, Marlene took a deep breath, savoring the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the floral notes wafting in through the open window. The comforting aroma grounded her, a brief respite from the quiet stirrings of discontent t...

Bryan and I remain silent as he drives me back to my real life. I can't believe our weekend together is already over. I look out the window as I recall the time that Bryan and I shared after the evening at the club. He drew me a bubble bath and joined me in it. I got the sweet, caring Bryan. He washed and kissed me as I tried to make sense of what had just happened. "I'm sorry about Sylvia. I was afraid I'd take you to th...

Naked on the sofa, I rest against Bryan. He strokes my hair as I think back to that call with Alexander. I've never been so eager to question all my life choices. I'm so happy here with Bryan. The wise thing to do would be to return home. If my husband comes back early and finds our house empty, everything will fall apart. This dirty call was so out of character for him. Something's wrong, I know it. "You want to talk abo...

My master leads me to the back door and my heart starts pounding. Bryan may live in one of those villas where you can't see a neighbor for miles around, but the idea of walking around in the backyard completely naked and with an anal toy makes me feel uncomfortable. Bryan insists as he open the door, and I gather my courage to step out. It's a beautiful day. The sun warms my skin instantly. Bryan suggests I dip in the poo...

"I'll be there in an hour. Be ready." My hands shake as I read this text message. If my husband knew I was in a hotel room getting ready to spend the weekend with Bryan, I couldn't imagine what he would do. We've been married less than six months, a marriage of convenience. My family believed Alexander was a suitable match. I stare at myself in the mirror. Following Bryan's instructions, I slip into a black dress, long wi...

“Come on, you two, we are going to be late for school,” I called upstairs as they brushed their teeth. Normal school day morning: running late; house in chaos; children can’t find their homework; husband focused on getting himself to the train on time. Finally, I had both children strapped into the back seat of the 4x4 and on the way through the traffic for the fifteen-minute drive to the school. Due to meet for lunch wit...

A steady rain fell as I left the English Lit department. It was only a ten-minute walk to my apartment, but I knew by the time I got home, my new suit would be soaked, and I'd look like a drowned rat. I cursed myself for not bringing an umbrella with me this morning. I was rescued from drowning by Bill Franklin; he was leaving at the same time and asked if he could give me a ride. I gladly accepted, mostly because I didn'...

Tuesday dawned overcast and dreary. The Weather Channel was calling for intermittent rain showers later in the day. It would be a good day to spend my free time between classes catching up on paperwork. I had already decided to wear my new grey pinstriped suit with a black silk blouse and the black undergarments Marsha had skillfully helped me pick out the evening before. After making a pot of coffee and pouring myself a...