CHAPTER 5

Peyton announced to Mia, who was staring at her as if she would pass out, "I'm going for a shower." "Cassie will arrive shortly."

Mia remarked, "I might take off then." Mia avoided spending as much time as possible with Cassie since she intimidated her.

Peyton responded, "You don't have to leave."

"Yes, I believe I do."

Peyton pulled Mia into an embrace and whispered, "I don't blame you, Mia, and neither will Cassie."

"Nevertheless, I'd rather not be here just in case," Mia remarked.

Peyton cluckingly responded, "Okay, chicken," as Mia made her way to the front door.

Peyton took a deep breath and fought back the tears when she was alone herself. How could she always get caught up in this?

Chloe and Becky accompanied Cassie as they arrived. They carried gifts that could be eaten when they entered Peyton's flat. Chloe was ready to break into any database in order to assist Peyton—she had already purchased her laptop. Peyton felt her tears well up again as Becky gave her a firm hug.

She followed them into the kitchen, blinking back tears as Becky started preparing breakfast. Eggs with bacon. Just what Peyton needed to ease her upset tummy from the hangover.

"So," Cassie remarked while seated at the kitchen counter next to Peyton on a stool. "Tell me what took place."

With a sigh, Peyton tried not to get upset with her flawless sister. While Cassie appeared to be in charge of her life, Peyton's life felt distinctly out of control.

She went to Chloe and said, "I got home from work yesterday. It was a really shit party too." Chloe just smiled and caressed her baby's belly. "I finished my dinner and dozed off in front of the TV."

Becky arched an eyebrow as she turned from her bacon-frying station. "Did all of this occur while you were asleep?"

"Well, not quite," Peyton sighed. "Mia stopped by. She pounded on my door to wake me awake. It was she who first informed me about Dale.

Cassie raised a hand and whispered, "Wait." I take it that Dale failed to inform you directly?"

Peyton gave a headshake. "I was sorry," was all that was in his text message when I checked my phone later.

"The idiot! Cassie spat out. She gave herself a shake, inhaled deeply, and turned back to face Peyton. Alright. Proceed now.

Peyton bit her lip and spat the word "wife" as if it tasted horrible. "So Mia showed me F******k and Dale's new relationship status and then we checked out the photos of his new wife." "And after that, we drank."

There was silence for a while. The sound of the cooking bacon and the scrape of Becky's spatula were the only sounds coming from the flat.

"And what about the video? Chloe timidly enquired.

"At the time, it seemed like a good idea," Peyton said, lowering her gaze to the counter. "I don't think I really thought Mia would share it."

It's been viral, Chloe reported.

Peyton let out a puff of breath. With defeat, she murmured, "I gathered that." "My first clue was the five million notifications on my phone."

Chloe replied, "I can try to delete it, but I don't think it will do much good right now."

Yes, Peyton groaned. "I suspected that as well." Mia removed the original, but a blog named In Like Finn found it and shared it along with a plethora of other websites.

Like, Finn? Cassie enquired. "I am aware of them."

"Have you? Peyton gave her a startled glance.

Cassie gave a nod. "Our PR company collaborated with them and a men's magazine on certain cross-promotional projects. It is a really well-liked blog. a blog that costs money.

"A blog that costs money?"

To read it, men must subscribe to it. I'm not sure if this is a single individual or a group of authors, but this guy delivers dating advice. Similar to a hybrid between Hitch and a sidekick.

Fantastic, Peyton replied. "I'm not going to be laid again, are I?"

With a laugh from the girls, Cassie wrapped an arm around her. Remember, you don't even need a man for that."

Peyton let out a moan. "I really am such a fool."

No, sweetheart, you're not. Just now, a cowardly asshole injured you. It would be a blessing for any person to have someone like you in his life.

Peyton gave Chloe a grin. Despite being Cassie's buddy initially, she was a fantastic employer and friend as well.

What then will I do?"

Becky said, putting a full plate in front of her, "Nothing until we eat."

Peyton felt her tummy churn with eagerness.

Cassie handed them the to-go cups from their favorite espresso café and remarked, "Oh, I forgot the coffee."

Closing her eyes, Peyton took a big sip of the life-giving coffee and enjoyed every bite. If she drank enough coffee, she could handle this new problem in her life.

As she stood across from them, savoring a large mouthful of bacon and eggs, Becky murmured, "You know." "The video has received some really wonderful comments."

"Mia expressed the same thing, but I was unable to look."

It's accurate, Chloe stated. Many ladies agree with you and what you said. It's true that some men view the equal rights movement as an opportunity to kick back and do nothing. They hire a lady who puts in a lot of work, gets paid handsomely, and then comes home to take care of the cooking and cleaning.

Cassie gave a snort. "It's not me," she murmured. "I divided the tasks equally with Brian. It's only fair that he works as hard at home as I do, considering how hard I work as much as he does outside the house.

Yes, but Brian is not a Neanderthal; he is an advanced guy.

She said with a dreamy smile, "True."

Dale, not in that way.

"Aside from your fit of rage, you don't seem overly upset about the split."

Peyton sighed once more. She remarked, "It made me realize something."

"What is that? Chloe enquired.