* * *
Janna popped the casserole into the oven and set the timer. She then grabbed her crutches and moved into the hallway, intending to inform Brice of their lunch plans. But as she moved down the hall, she heard voices. Brice and a female voice. She slowed, unsure what she might be interrupting. Their conversation floated down the hall, and she stopped to listen.
"Brice, five years ago I was in a bad place. I met Jason, 'the accountant' as you call him, at a party three months before I met you. He was fun at first, and it didn't take me long to fall for him. That was before I realized what a monster he was. He started scheming, talking about how easy it would be for a girl like me to seduce a rich man like you, to take your money and laugh."
"I wouldn't agree at first. 'I'm not that kind of girl,' I insisted, but Jason kept at me, manipulating me, playing on my emotions, until he had me convinced that it would only strengthen our relationship. So I agreed."
"That night we met, Jason had it all planned. He pointed you out to me, then told me to take you into the bathroom and...well...you know."
Janna blushed, hearing her words. She now knew who the voice belonged to, and it chilled her blood. Evetta. She was here.
"I felt horrible that first time, and I swore that I wouldn't do it again. But that night Jason beat me. He told me if I wouldn't follow through with his plan, he'd ruin my face so no man would want me again. So I continued on, I seduced you, I agreed to marry you, all for your money. All for him."
"If this is true," Brice interrupted, "why didn't you tell me?"
"I couldn't. I was too ashamed." The emotion in her voice sounded real. Janna couldn't help feeling sorry for the woman as she continued. "And the more we got involved, the more I wanted to leave Jason, the more he tightened his hold. It was his idea to fake the pregnancy. I didn't want to. I was upset, you see. I regretted everything I'd done to you, once I realized what a good man you were. And...and I didn't want to see you again because I knew then that I'd fallen hopelessly in love with you."
"But you did it anyway," Brice responded, his voice heavy, and Janna wondered suddenly what effect this confession was having on him. Her heart constricted in her chest, fear flowing through her veins.
"I know." Evetta's voice was small, repentant. "But that's why I left, why I ran back to Jason. I knew you'd never forgive me for manipulating you. I left so that I wouldn't hurt you any worse than I already had."
"What about the phone call? You didn't sound sorry then."
Evetta let out a sob, and Janna leaned against the wall, suddenly feeling like an ass for listening in on such a private conversation. "He was standing right next to me then, so I knew I had to put on a show, had to prove to him that you meant nothing to me, or he'd punish me. So I...I said all those...horrible things...but I didn't mean them!"
"Calm down," Brice said, but Evetta kept sobbing. Janna couldn't stand lurking anymore. The woman was torn apart. And she might be getting to him, an inner voice warned. He'd loved her then; it wasn't so crazy to think that he's still got feelings for her. Maybe they were meant to be, and she was the interloper, the crazy woman who lurked in hallways, listening in on private conversations.
Janna shook her head and made her way down the hall, at last arriving at the sitting room.
The most beautiful woman she'd ever seen sat on the couch, tears streaming down her high cheeks, past pink pillow lips, all framed by a cloud of sleek black tresses. Evetta was supermodel gorgeous, and Brice stood beside her, offering her his monogrammed handkerchief.
The sight ripped through Janna. They were perfect together. Her darker beauty beside his golden radiance. Suddenly she felt like a trespasser.
Brice looked up and caught sight of her. "Janna," he said, his tone unreadable.
The beauty on the couch looked up and gasped. "Oh, I'm sorry...I...I didn't know you had a guest."
"I apologize for interrupting." Janna began stepping back into the hall.
"No," Brice said, halting her movement. "Janna, this is Evetta. Evetta, Janna."
"Hi." Janna didn't know what else to say. What do you say to the ex that broke your ex's heart? "Uh, I wanted to let you know lunch will be done in a half hour. I'll leave you alone."
"No need," Brice said, turning his gaze back to the woman on the couch. "Evetta was just leaving."
Evetta stood up, confusion evident on her face. "Yes," she said, gathering herself quickly. "I'm sorry...Janna, was it? Are you Brice's girlfriend?"
"No," Janna replied quickly, with too much force. She caught Brice's frown but turned her attention back to Evetta.
"I see," the woman said, and for a second Janna thought she saw a smile flit across her face before she covered it with the handkerchief.
"Evetta," Brice said, taking the woman's arm and leading her out the door and onto the porch. Janna started back down the hall toward the kitchen, confused. Worried. Alone.