Chapter 8 - Mark Tries To Gaslight Laura Over The Missing Funds
I walked slowly up the stairs, stopping just a few feet away from Mark on the landing. The scent of his expensive cologne mixed with the faint, lingering trace of Brenda's cheap sweet perfume hanging in the air. Mark winced slightly, taking a half-step back as if suddenly remembering the excuse he had used a few days earlier.
"How's your migraine, Mark?" I asked sweetly, tilting my head with feigned marital concern. Mark cleared his throat, forcing a tight, awkward smile across his face as he adjusted his gold wristwatch.
"Oh, it cleared up, honey. Stress from the Chicago investors, you know how high-stakes commercial real estate can be," he lied smoothly. "Must be exhausting running an entire company all by yourself," I replied, holding his gaze with unblinking steadiness.
Mark frowned, a flicker of irritation crossing his handsome features at my unusually calm demeanor. "It is exhausting, Laura. That's why I keep telling you to stay out of the office and focus on relaxing at home."
He reached out to pat my shoulder condescendingly, but I sidestepped his touch with fluid, deliberate grace. Mark’s hand hovered awkwardly in the air for a second before he dropped it to his side with a scowl.
"You've been acting awfully distant lately, Laura. Is something bothering you?" Mark asked, testing the waters with fake innocence. "Not at all, Mark. Just thinking about our future and everything we've built together over the last twenty-eight years," I answered softly.
Mark let out a relieved chuckle, clearly believing his gaslighting efforts had successfully averted any suspicion. "We've got a great future ahead of us, babe. Just trust me and let me handle the heavy lifting."
"I always have trusted you, Mark," I said, suppressing the bitter storm raging beneath my chest. "More than you will ever possibly know." Mark nodded approvingly, turning around to walk back toward his home office down the hallway.
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"Make that tea for my mother quickly, will you? She's complaining again," he tossed over his shoulder without looking back. I stood on the landing, watching him disappear into his office, a cold smile forming on my lips.
He could enjoy his illusion of control for just a few more hours while his world slowly imploded.
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