Devastating Discovery

Chapter 4

Janet

I stared at her certain I’d misunderstood.

“I’m so sorry Miss. Janet,” she said sadly, “ I really am. You don’t deserve this.”

“You’re mistaken Fran,” I said with certainty.  "You’re making a big mistake.”

“It’s true, believe me. It’s been going on for a while. I didn’t tell you because I hoped it would stop, but it hasn’t. She’s gone to see him now.”

I felt as it some had plunged a knife into my chest. Anna and Tony? The two people I loved and trusted? There was no way they’d betray me like that.

“How do you know?” I didn’t recognize my own voice.

“I’ve over heard their phone conversations. Twice he’s come to see her in the afternoon when you and your dad were at work, and they’ve had sex in her room.” She paused. I sensed there was more.

“And?” I asked.

“Lois knows about the affair. She caught them the last time and they made a deal, Anna would persuaded your dad to ask Lois to move in permanently, and Lois would keep quiet about it.”

I’d heard the expression numb with shock, and now I was experiencing it. I didn’t feel anything.

“You say she’s there now?” I asked calmly.

Fran nodded. “ They arranged the meet yesterday.”

“At his house?” 

Fran nodded. My calmness seemed to frightened her.

I stood up. “I have to see for myself.”

“Please Miss. Janet don’t-“

“I won’t do anything. I just have to see it myself, please. Thanks for telling me. I promise you won’t get into trouble."

I walked to my handbag and rummaged it looking for my key to Tony’s house. He’d given me one the day he proposed to me. 

I found it and hurried from the room, despite Fran’s protest. Dad and Lois were in the garden. I didn’t even look at them but made for my car, then not trusting myself to drive, changed my mind and ordered an Uber.

While I waited for the Uber I kept replaying Fran’s words over and over.

Anna is sleeping with Tony

Anna is sleeping with Tony

Anna is sleeping with Tony

I remembered her unusual behavior and Tony’s recent reluctance to spend time with me.

I shook my head Anna would never do that to me. Fran was wrong.

Or was she?

The Uber arrived and I gave him Tony’s address.

I was surprised at how calm I was throughout the ride. When we got to the apartment building where Tony lived, I asked the driver to wait for me then headed for Tony’s flat.

I opened the front door and stepped into the hallway.

I heard them even before I reached the living room, but stepping into the living room and actually seeing them, shattered my already fragile heart.

They were both naked Anna on top of Tony, riding him hard.

“Anna.” I exclaimed hoarsely.

They immediately pulled away from each other and stared at me, as shocked as I was.

“Janet!” Tony exclaimed. “Please I can explain, it’s not what you think”

I rushed from the house and back to the Uber.

I cried throughout the ride home, much to the alarm of the driver. He kept asking me what was wrong but I couldn’t tell him. I’d lost everything, even my power of speech.

*********

“How could you do this to your sister?” Dad demanded, furious at Anna.

I was sitting on the love seat sobbing into my palms while Fran comforted me.

I had come home sobbing and told Dad what I’d discovered. Anna had come home an hour later. Now she sat in an armchair, arms folded on her chest defiantly, while dad stood glaring at her.

Lois sat on the sofa trying to look sympathetic but clearly enjoying the whole drama.

“I’m sorry dad but it happened. Tony and I are in love.” Anna explained.

“He’s set to marry your sister damn it! What the hell is the matter with you?"

“How could you do this to me Anna? You are my sister! I trusted you.” I sobbed.

“I’m sorry Janet but Tony and I love each other. We are meant to be together.”

“Enough! End it now!” Dad demanded. “As for Tony Sands, he’ll hear from me!”

“I can’t. I’m pregnant.” She declared.

I stared at her feeling as if I’d been struck with a hammer.

“Anna!” Fran exclaimed.

Anna looked unfazed.

“What?” Dad said.

“I’m pregnant and Tony and I are getting married.” She declared.

I jumped up. “ You treacherous little bitch!” I said furiously lunging at her.

Dad held me back. “Calm down Janet.”

“Janet please take it easy.” Lois said. “ Anna is your sister.”

I glared at her and opened my mouth to tell her I knew all about her deal with Anna but held back. I didn’t want Fran to get into trouble.

“I’m sorry, I really am.” Anna said remorselessly. “ But Tony and I are going to get married.”

“Over my dead body!” I declared.

The door bell rang. Fran went to answer. She came back and announced.

“It’s Mr. Sands”

“Send him in.” Dad growled.

Everyone stiffened as Fran walked in followed by Tony, who looked unconcerned. The sight of him made me so angry had dad not held me back, I would have seized him by the throat and strangled him.

“You have the nerve to show your face her after what you’ve done.” Dad said furiously.

“I’m sorry Mr. Benson, I know you’re mad at me. I came to explain.”

“Leave us Fran.” Dad told her.

Fran took a concerned look at me then left.

“I sorry Jan.” Tony began. “ I never meant to hurt you-“

“You thought I’d be pleased you betrayed me with my sister!” I yelled furiously.

“Calm down Jan,” Anna said. “ We didn’t want you to find out this way. We meant to break it to you gently.”

“You remorseless bitch!” I screamed. You have the nerve to tell me to calm down.” I tried to break from Dad’s hold and get my hands on Anna or Tony. I would have given anything to squeeze life out of them.

“Janet please!” Dad forced me into a sofa and sat besides me, incase I made to get up again.

“You both have disappointed me.” Dad told them. “Janet loves you Tony, and you are her sister Anna!”

Tony sat next to Anna who put her hands in his. I was boiling so much I thought I’d catch fire.

“Like I was saying,” Tony continued, “ I didn’t mean to hurt Jan, but I love Anna. She’s pregnant for me and we’re getting married. I’ll still be part of your family Mr. Benson, the business deal you have with my dad will still be on, and Jan can always find someone else, so it’s a win-win.”

“We haven’t printed Janet and Tony’s invitation cards yet so it won’t be any inconveniences.” Anna put it.

I felt as if I’d been punched in the face. Now I realized why Anna had delayed printing my wedding cards. This had been her plan all along!

I stared at the two people I had loved with all my heart. They stared back. My sister was defiant, Tony was nonchalant as if he’d done nothing more serious than belching in public.

I looked at dad expecting him to explode, instead he seemed to be considered what they had said.

“Well it can be considered.” Dad said hesitantly.

“What!” I screamed.

“You can’t force love Janet honey,” Lois said insincerely. “If Anna and Tony love each other they should get married, for the sake of the baby.”

I felt as if I were running mad! Unable to take anymore I jumped up and faced my betrayers.

“You treacherous bastards deserve each other! But I promise, you both will regret this! If he did it with you sis, he’ll sure as hell do it to you!"

I ran from the room sobbing.