It slowly dawned on Matt that Jodi and Kelly were involved even before the honeymoon trip and the accident. Like Joyce he never completely trusted Jodi and even less so knowing that she was sleeping with his wife. He thought the affair started after they returned but this put a different light on things. It could explain a lot about his wife’s behavior and her excessive drinking.

“Kelly I don’t know what happened on that trip but if you or Jodi had anything to do with Tina’s disappearance…”

“Tina was my best friend Matt. How could you even imply something like that?”

“Because I think Jodi is capable of almost anything Kelly. If you are protecting her out of some kind of misguided love… I’d be very careful if I were you.”

“Tina’s death was an accident Matt … just like I’ve said all along. Jodi and I couldn’t help the attraction between us. Our love isn’t misguided; it’s real. I’m sorry about what happened to Tina but I intend to marry Jodi Lerner.”

“Fine. Have it your way Kelly. I’ll contact my lawyer. I won’t contest the divorce but if you recall our prenuptial agreement you won’t get any alimony or property settlement from me. You’ll leave this union with exactly what you entered it with. Good luck supporting Jodi and her exorbitant lifestyle on an Interior Designer’s salary; especially one who hasn’t worked in over a year. You might want to call Ms. Wells and take that job offer.”

Matt stormed out of the dining room. Kelly drained her whisky glass and poured another, and another, and another. She’d forgotten about the prenuptial agreement. She’d signed it willingly. She always felt that Matt would take care of her and never worried that she’d ever have to be self-supporting. She’d underestimated Matt and took his forbearance as passiveness not truly believing he would follow through. Now she was nearly destitute.

***

Kelly spent the next couple of days in a drunken stupor barely able to get herself out of bed. Fortunately Matt was off on another extended business trip. He’d allowed her to stay at the house for the time being but asked her to be gone by the time he got back. She called Jodi’s phone repeatedly and left numerous voicemails and text messages but never received a call back. She eventually sobered up enough to get dressed and drove to Jodi’s house three days after she’d asked Matt for a divorce. No one was home when she got there. She didn’t have a key and Jodi no longer had a live-in household staff. It was the price she’d paid for incurring more of Joyce’s wrath after the last meeting.