Chapter 45: You Are A Disappointment
Alex smiled, but it was a cold, triumphant one. He took his phone back, navigated to his photos, and held up a picture for Claire to see. It was a snapshot of Jake entering Vanessa's house late last night after he left.
He had anticipated them meeting either after he left or early this morning, so he had called Mark on his way back to keep an eye on Vanessa, and if Jake didn't go there or Vanessa didn't leave the house after midnight, he should return the next morning.
Jake saw the disgust and disappointment glaring at him through Claire's eyes, and he couldn't help the beads of sweat tickling down his temple.
"What were you doing at Vanessa's place at that hour?" Claire asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and disappointment.
Jake stammered, his excuses faltering. "I... uh... she called to say she sprained her ankle and as her friend... I had to.... it was just coincidental..."
Claire shook her head, disgusted. "A friend? Checking on her sprained ankle at that hour? I'm very disappointed in you, Jake!" She said, and without wasting any more time, she turned and stormed out of the house.
Jake hesitated, glaring at Alex one last time before following Claire out the door with Margaret trailing behind him.
When the house fell silent, Alex turned to Emma. Her eyes were red and glistening with tears, and she tried, unsuccessfully, to hold back the tears.
Without thinking, Alex stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry for all the distress I've caused you," he said softly.