Chapter 7: Chapter 7

There was a subtle change in their relationship after that night. Devlin now asks how she’s doing when they eat together in the morning. Violet does the same. Although their responses alternate between fine, good, doing great, and okay, it was still an improvement. Last week, he came home early and found her in the game room. He challenged her to a game of chess and taught her how to play pool.

For the first time since she got married, she felt hopeful. She just might survive the next four and a half months unscathed. She and Devlin might not be best buddies, but at least they’re friendly enough. But she was suddenly given a lethal dose of reality.

Violet was lounging by the pool enjoying a glass of mango shake. She could hear voices and footsteps approaching. Devlin went out early this morning and told her not to wait for him. So she expected he’d be back late this evening. She looked behind her, surprised to see Devlin and Summer together. She quickly put her glass down and got up.

“Violet!” Summer greeted.

She smiled back. “Hi Summer. Great to see you again.”

“How have you been?”

Before she could answer, Devlin stepped between them. “Sorry ladies, let me interrupt you for one second. What would you have for dinner? Thai? Chinese? Italian?”

“Thai?” she answered.

“Italian.” Summer turned to Violet. “You wouldn’t mind, would you?”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Great! Italian it is!”

Devlin nodded and excused himself. Summer sat by the chair beside her.

“So Violet, how is it like to be Devlin’s wife?” she asked, her face not at all the sweet, innocent girl just a few seconds ago.

A sense of foreboding enveloped her. “It’s not bad.”

“Don’t get used to it. You two will get divorced anyway after your six months’ agreement is up,” she sneered.

“I know. It’s just a business arrangement,” Violet assured her.

“I should be wearing that ring, not you!” she spat.

Violet was startled at the look of pure hatred in Summer’s eyes. “You just said it yourself. We’d be getting a divorce after six months. It’s not like we married for love. And I’m sorry, okay, if this situation made it difficult for you.”

“Difficult? Difficult?! I was fucking humiliated! My friends laugh at me, my family hates me. Everyone expected him to marry me, the one person he let get close to him. Yet you, a nobody, dared carry his name. And for what? So you could have a shitload of money in return? Fuck you! You’re a cheap, dirty, gold digger!”

Violet cringed at her words. She couldn’t deny what Summer said. Because she did marry Devlin for money. “Summer, please, can you just calm down for a second?”

“No, I won’t! He’s mine, you hear me?! If you so much as look at him the wrong way, I’ll crush you!” Summer’s face contorted in rage.

“What’s going on?” Devlin stood paralyzed at the door, holding a bottle of wine and two glasses.

“Oh hi, Devlin.” Summer got up and strutted towards him. “Nothing, darling. We were acting out the characters in the book she’s reading. Friends turned enemies.” Summer pointed to the book by the table. “I happen to like the book too.” She slapped his chest, giggling. Violet cringed at the obvious lie. “Is the food ready?”

Violet was shocked and impressed at the sudden change in her demeanor. Somebody please give her an award.

Dinner with the two of them was the most uncomfortable interaction she’d ever had to endure in her life. Summer acted like Violet was not there. She found every opportunity to touch Devlin, like she had to constantly make her presence known. Giggle, pat his arm.

Smile, a hand on his face. Laugh, slap his thigh. Pout, touch his hand. She never once spared Violet a glance. She expertly monopolized the conversation. Devlin tried to steer it to neutral topics in order to include her, but Summer always found a way to insert their shared experiences as a child, through their teenage years, up until adulthood. Violet just let them be and kept quiet to not antagonize Summer further.

When she finished her food, she hurriedly excused herself. But Devlin told her he has something to give her. So she was left alone with Summer while he went to his office. Once he was out of sight, Summer snatched her glass of wine and splashed it at her, hitting her chest.

“Oh, sorry. The glass was slippery. Here, let me wipe it for you.” She pulled out a few sheets of tissue, wiped the soles of her shoes, and used it to dab at the liquid staining the front of her shirt.

She jolted upright and shrieked, “What the hell is wrong with you?!”

Summer towered over her and snarled, “You are! I can’t bear to see he’s living with scum like you!”

Summer suddenly shut her mouth. She glanced around Violet. Violet turned her back to look. Then the sound of something plunging into the water hit her ears.

Devlin bolted to the pool and dove. He hauled Summer by the waist and dragged her to the edge. She was coughing and crying. Violet offered her hand to help pull her up, but she knocked it off. She clung to Devlin’s neck and he carried her to the chair.

Trembling and still crying, Summer turned accusing eyes at her, “Why did you do that?”

“Do what?” Violet asked, confused.

“Push me into the pool.”

Devlin’s jaw clenched and his lips tightened. “What the hell happened?”

Summer pouted her lips and wiped her cheeks. “I accidentally spilled drink on her. She suddenly got furious and pushed me.”

“That’s not true!” Violet shouted.

“Shut up!” Devlin barked. “Go to your room now.”

Indignation engulfed her. “Don’t talk to me like I’m a child, Devlin. What she said is a lie.”

“You dare call her a liar?! I have known Summer since we were kids and she’s never been in a situation like this. Between you two, there’s only one person I can trust. And that won’t be you. So if you value Amara’s life, you better listen to what I say. Go!”

Violet’s nose flared in anger. But with that threat hanging over her head, she dared not say anything more. Before she left, for a second, she saw Summer wearing a devious grin.