He didn't know what to say.
"Well done." Dr. Alcott grinned. "For the newest member of your family."
Wesley could barely keep from striking out. "Two weeks?"
That was before they moved to Brighton. Taffy must have been raped by some fucking random male cat when they lived in Oakridge. If he could find him he'd definitely try to kill him.
"Well... You don't look pleased with this information. Shall we get rid of them then?
Knowing pet owners in bunches, Dr. Alcott had gathered a razor-sharp sixth sense. If yes, we can get the kittens out by spaying her but it is a very painful process for her. The cat is pregnant with three kittens, as per the x-ray I conducted early this morning on her. Best of luck to you.
Dr. Alcott was about to continue when he felt himself being skewered with a death ray stare. He stopped mid-sentence instantly.
"Does a pregnant cat throw up like a human mother does?" said Wesley low.
The vet smiled, "no. But you wouldn't know it by some people. They assume the poor cat's got an upset stomach or something."
That's exactly what Wesley thought. He even had Marlena it seemed. He thinks he knocked her down as he left.
In other words, he had accused her of something she didn't do. He growled in frustration and rubbed at the space between his eyes. How was said woman?
"Alright, now tell me about the process. What's the best way to make sure she's comfortable while she's pregnant?" Wesley asked.
The vet then proceeded to spend the next ten minutes explaining exactly how including giving him a cat pregnancy guide. "If a pregnant cat gets too much stress and anxiety, it might not eat. Since your little guy is already pretty skinny, that means she'll have a miscarriage. So I'd say hire someone to do it."
Wesley was at a complete loss for words.
Was this conversation about a dog still happening?
He was suddenly, inexplicably, struck by the memory of Marlena's culinary skills. Perhaps he'd been too hard on her just now, he realized.
Yes, he really need to quit bringing up the subject of her leaving the house when he got back.
When he arrived back at Ambercove Estates,He flicked on the lights and opened the door.
Something was wrong.
The door to the guest room was open and empty; he couldn't find a single piece of women's clothing.
Marlena was gone.
A frown twisted his eyebrows.
Taffy lazily meowed in his arms. She surveyed the room and then put her head down in submission.
He was angry but thought that maybe it would be best if she did leave him.
Either way they shouldn't get that involved in each other's lives.
On the day of their divorce, he could pay her more to make up for it.
Taffy, however, could never NOT get a baby sitter.
10 am
Marlena felt sleepy, so she got up from the couch.
There was so much hair on the bed when she'd arrived at the hotel last night. From a closer look, it hadn't seemed like the sheets had been washed. Since she was fussy to begin with, she'd just fallen asleep on the couch.
Paige's phone rang as she was about to start getting ready.
Are you not living with your hubby, baby? How did you get booked into a cheap hotel?
Come on, in the group chat everyone's talking about it." Her voice had a note of impatience. "Janet Spencer, that nasty piece of work, and by the way, I should add that for some reason Janet Spencer especially went to town with your background; she told everyone you'd been kicked out of the Cray family because your older sister has come back. These hypocrites who were hating on you as the Baird girl have started making fun of you nonstop."
She said, "Oh."
Janet Spencer was the daughter of a Brighton-based wealthy family. They had been school mates.
Never the best of friends, Janet envied Marlena's flawless good looks and academic brilliance. She went about destroying Marlena's character at each opportunity that presented itself.
"Aren't you mad?" Paige demanded, sounding exasperated. "Seriously. What is wrong with you? You've never stayed at a hotel with less than five stars."
"Things have changed. I don't have much money with me now, and my dad canceled all of my credit cards. Wesley kicked me out of the house last night."
Why didn't you come to me?"
"I didn't nannee to wake you; it was late."
You're such an idiot, Marlena. Just give me the address.
Forty minutes later, Paige showed up, looking rushed.
She looked around the small and squalid room and felt a pang of pity for her friend. There weren't even any sour cards brought through the door by prostitutes looking for business.
"Forget it, come back to my place now and get away from this."
No, you are in a relationship. And besides, it is not a long-term wise choice. I plan to rent a space."
Marlena shook her head no at the kind offer.
Paige thought about it for a moment before agreeing. "It's not a terrible idea. Grayson came to my house last night looking for you. He really is insufferable."
At the sound of that name, Marlena's throat locked up.
Once upon a time the man would have always stood by her. But when she thought about what he had said yesterday, she felt utterly hopeless.
"Me too." Paige nodded, but a moment later, confusion scrunching up her face. "But speaking of which. I mean—Why did Wesley kicked you out on the street in the middle of night when Belle got married?"
Marlena winced and made herself give a quick report.
Paige's best friend, though, got to her. "That guy is sick. By law, you're his wife. Does he really love you less than a cat?"
"That's no surprise at all, is it?"
Paige paused. "Well, you chose to marry him in any case,"
Marlena said nothing. She felt badly about that too.
A sigh slipped past Paige's lips. Well, we might as well go to the market. I know this great little diner that has food just like Mom's. After we eat and get our tanks filled, then we can think about looking for a house. We should invite Cindy Orville too.
Marlena called Cindy on her cell phone while they were in route to the diner.
Paige and me are going to a restaurant. Our last meeting was a long time ago. Want to come ?
"I'm taking pictures now . sorry.
It's fine. We can plan to do it some other time."
"Her star keeps getting brighter and brighter." Paige had said after the call. "She wouldn't even be who she is today if way back when, you didn't write and arrange for her."
Still, we're friends. She's usually got a lot on her plate.
..
The new restaurant that came up in Brighton and was becoming a favorite among people was Grapefruit Restaurant. The restaurant had a big outdoor seating at the center of it.
You could often spot luxury cars outside the restaurant as well, because only the rich people can afford to eat at these places.
After brining the car to a stop, the pair of them made their way into the restaurant.
The moment they walked in a few familiar faces entered their line of view, Isla and Janet included.
"Paige!" she called back.
Angry, Paige went to the women carrying Marlena.