better. You can go into town satisfied and I can remember this as I talk to Eve.'
She sighed, pul ing his hand out of her jeans. 'That was a mood kil er.' She stomped out of the bedroom and down the stairs, pausing near the front door to put her coat and boots on.
'I'm taking your car,' she cal ed out but of course he was right behind her, holding out the keys. 'I love you, Katherine.
Please drive safe. Looks like we had more snow last night.'
I love you too. I'l be back in a while. I have my phone if you think of something you want me to pick up in town.' Just come back to me.'
He looked so vulnerable for just a brief moment, her anger melted. He did love her, she knew that. He had spoken to Eve multiple times. He wanted Kate to be happy.
'That's never in doubt. Even with your needy ex-wife. I'l be back.'
Once Kate had pul ed away from the house, Dix turned, anger burning low in his gut. 'Eve? Where are you?'
I'm right here, Charles. I see she's left and now I'm to expect some sort of warning from you?' Eve swept into the room looking perfectly coiffed. He'd ceased to wonder about what he'd ever seen in her. She was stil beautiful albeit went a little hard with the cosmetics since Kate had become a regular part of his life. But she lacked the fire Kate had. Kate took things head on, much like he did. But Eve had always been passive-aggressive and he'd always let it go.
Don't start. You're wrong and you know it. First you showed up here total y uninvited.'
This is my house too. I'l show up when I please and your little girlfriend has no say in that. God, Charles, are you so desperate to have sex with her that you've forgotten about your family?'
He took a deep breath, seeking calm. No. You won't.
Because in the divorce decree, we share this house and we have a schedule for that. This week is mine. We decided on that last December. You do not have any right to come here when it's not your week. I let you stay last night because you put our daughters in the middle and it is unconscionable to me that you wil again. You do not use them to get at me, or at Katherine. Or for that matter, at anyone. Only one of us has forgotten about her family, and it's not me. You're leaving.
Today.'
Then you can explain to Adrienne and Kendal just why you're making me leave when we have plans to go shopping tomorrow and the three of us have lunch plans the fol owing day.' She crossed her arms and he realised Eve had total y played him. He was in a place where it would be impossible to get rid of her without involving his daughters.
'You bitch. You manipulative, needy, psycho bitch. How dare you use those girls like that?' It was over. His semi-friendly relationship with his ex-wife had just burnt to ash. In that stroke, adding in al the things she'd done over the last months, he'd lost every last bit of respect he'd ever had for her.
'I'l thank you to keep your language civil.'
'Here is how it's going to go from today on. Listen up and don't interrupt me, I'm on my very last nerve with you right now. First, you wil not intrude in my activities with the girls.
You wil not invite yourself along, period. From now on, we wil keep things total y separate. Do not include me in your plans with them either. If this is how you act, I do not want any part in it. Your destructive selfishness when it comes to our children has stunned me. I'm ashamed I ever loved you. You've kil ed any positive feelings I've ever had.' He held up a hand and shook his head.
'Don't do it. Additional y, you wil not step one foot on the third floor where Kate and I are sleeping. You won't needle her or use the girls against her. Katherine is my girlfriend and if I have my way she'l be my wife. That means she'l be part of your daughters' lives and I'm asking you to be a fucking parent and not harm them due to your own failings. She is very good to our girls and she completely respects my role as a father and wants me to put them first. I wish you felt the