Episode 3

The party had ended, David's parents had stayed at the house along with his daughters and son-in-law Mark. They were in the bedroom.

"It went pretty well," Susan commented, standing in front of the mirror removing her jewelry. David Cooper looked at the photos Chloe had sent him on his phone.

"Everything always goes well for you, or almost everything. Do you remember that Thanksgiving turkey? Our first one," he reminded her, laughing.

"You'll never let me forget it. Completely burnt, what a shame," she replied, still laughing.

"In that small apartment, I thought you would leave me," he said, turning off his phone.

"I did think about it at times. It used to get cold at night. But I don't think my dad would have taken me in," she joked, and they both laughed.

"Thank you for believing in me when no one else did. For these years we've shared together, always by my side."

"And we still have so much ahead of us. When these girls get married, our grandchildren – I hope we have many," she said excitedly. David smiled at her.

He went to the bathroom, undressed, and headed to the closet to put on his pajamas. Looking at himself in the mirror, he couldn't help feeling worse. He had already made a decision. Would that change anything, or would it?

Susan entered the closet, took off her shoes, and searched for a nightgown.

"Is something bothering you? I've noticed you've been pensive," she asked.

"No, I'm just a bit tired," he replied.

"It's been tough days. You've been working longer hours. You need to relax. How about we go to the lake house this weekend? You can go fishing, play golf, and I'll relax in my comfortable armchair with a book," she suggested.

He didn't deserve her worrying so much about him. He approached her and kissed her. If only he could turn back time.

The first time David Cooper saw Chloe Morrison, he needed a temporary secretary. His secretary had been involved in an accident that left her incapacitated for two months. He still remembered the first time he saw that stunning brunette walk into his office, wearing a black miniskirt, a tightly fitted white blouse accentuating her figure, her long brown hair. He still remembered how that one button placed so tightly hindered the view of her cleavage – beautiful, sensual, and efficient.

A month after working together, a month of daily torment with those beautiful legs, they attended an event. He needed her to take notes during a talk he had with clients. After the event, he offered to drive her home and in front of her door, he kissed her for the first time. And so, the following month went by, always so exciting. He possessed her on his desk, in the office bathroom, in his car – it didn't matter the place or time, she was always willing.

When his secretary recovered, she returned to her position, and Chloe was transferred to another department.

Four months later, he decided to end it with her. He relocated her to a sales branch, hoping to keep his distance. He tried to get closer to Susan, and they went on a trip. He encouraged her to celebrate that night. Susan was a good wife, if only they hadn't lost that spark.

And there he was, months later, with divorce papers in his briefcase, Chloe waiting for him in their new apartment to start their life together, and Susan making plans for a future they wouldn't share.

That night, after making love and while watching her sleep in his arms, David Cooper made a decision.

...****************...

The next day, after lunch, David's parents returned to the retirement home, his daughters and Mark headed back home. David Cooper, using the excuse of meeting some friends for a poker game, went to the apartment to see Chloe.

The lights were completely off, with candles on the floor drawing a path. Soft music played in the background. He followed the path and then he saw her standing next to the jacuzzi. There were candles and his favorite bottle of wine.

"I was waiting for you," she said, as she opened her silk robe and let it fall to the ground, revealing a tiny set of red lace lingerie that barely covered the essentials.

"Well, here I am," he replied.

"I told you I wanted to try it on with you," she approached him and began undressing him.

He kissed her passionately, and once they were both naked, he led her into the jacuzzi, holding her hand, and they made love.

In the early hours of the morning, when he returned to his house, Susan was fast asleep. He looked at her and then headed to the kitchen.

There was a note on the kitchen table: *I left you food in the oven, turn it on for ten minutes*.

David poured himself a glass of water and headed to the bedroom.

The next morning, Susan was preparing breakfast. She noticed that the food was still in the oven. Surprised to see that David had not yet risen, she decided to go to the bedroom to see if something was wrong.