Family Affair Read Online Free PDF Page A

somewhat good with her and Maxwell, and how he used to at least pretend he loved her.
    She knew she had twisted his arm and given him more than a subtle nudge to marry her—it was more like a shove, because she knew she was perfect him. She had molded him into the man he was. And after all her hard work and sacrifices, he had the nerve to have another woman. He had the audacity to have a low-class whore on the other side of town. An area anyone with class or standards would shy away from, but somehow, Maxwell found a way to venture to his mistress’ slum neighborhood four or five nights a week.  
    Victoria knew she couldn’t make him stop. Her attempts to combat the situation always ended with him walking out on their conversation. All she could do was threaten his job at her father’s company because he’d probably help her pack her things if she threatened to leave him.
    “Why do you continue to do this to us?” She sighed and stood up.
    After flushing and washing her hands, she headed down to the kitchen to pour herself a glass to keep her company until her husband decided to come home. She sat in her favorite chair near the window and propped her feet up to make herself comfortable while she alternately gazed out the window and watched the clock, hoping she’d see his BMW roll into their driveway. At 1:51 a.m., she finally saw his headlights approach. Downing the last of her wine, she ran up to their bed, got in, and pretended to be sleeping.
    Shortly after, Maxwell came in. He turned on the lamp on his side and she could tell he was trying to move around quietly.
    She decided to talk to him again. This time, she planned to get answers. “Where have you been, Max?” she whispered.
    He paused and turned in her direction. The look he gave her let her know he was surprised by her voice. “I was out with a few of the guys from the office.” She knew he was lying.
    “That’s the third night this week. When are you going to spend time with us? Your children need their father,” she hissed.
    “Look, Victoria, don’t, okay. I’ve had an extremely long day and I want to shower and get some sleep.”
    “Do you talk to her the way you talk to me?”
    “Her who?”
    “Don’t play games with me, Maxwell. I’m not a fool and I know you’re seeing someone else.” She just wanted him to admit it.
    “I’m going to shower,” he said and walked out on her again.
    She sat up, too furious to just go to sleep. She wasn’t going to let him off the hook that easily. She sat up and waited for him to finish his shower. She peered at him when he came out and stepped into his boxers, hoping he’d say something.
    “So you’re not going to be honest with me? You’re going to keep up this innocent act? I know there is someone else, Maxwell. You’re warming someone’s bed, because this one is empty and cold.”
    “Victoria, it’s late okay. Go back to sleep. I’m tired and I’m not doing this dance with you tonight.” He got into bed and buried himself underneath the covers after turning off his lamp.
    Tears burned her eyes. “I love you, Maxwell. I’ve always loved you,” she whimpered.
    Silence
    “I do,” she added.
    Still nothing
    Victoria grabbed a Kleenex in the dark from her nightstand. She knew exactly where the box was and didn’t need light to locate it because she normally cried herself to sleep the four or five nights a week her husband was gone.
    By the time he was snoring, she was crying uncontrollably. She wondered how he could be so heartless and do that to his family. She didn’t understand how he just didn’t live up to the vows that he’d made to her and be around to help her with his children. She just wanted answers.
     
    ~
     
    The next morning, Maxwell got up and went down before Victoria to make breakfast for his two little ones and got them off to school. He was filling his coffee mug when his wife walked into the kitchen.
    “Where are the kids?”
    “School, Victoria. It’s