Chapter 3 of 3 today … Don't miss Ch 43 and 44!

(17/03/2019)

CHAPTER 45

Elizabeth had been having mood swings, fluctuating between miserable and frustrated for the past day. Even though she had locked herself in her room to avoid a confrontation, she had also wanted to walk out to the lounge room in the early hours of the morning and bop her husband over the head for the mess that he had caused.

Instead of going to work that day and having to deal with Shelly in class again, Elizabeth called in sick and went to Angel's jeweller for the day. She told her friend everything over coffee before the store opened. As usual, Angel sat there and listened attentively until Elizabeth had finished her spiel.

"So, what do you think?"

"You need to let him explain, Elizabeth."

"I know but I'm just so angry. And I'm scared as to what he is going to tell me. I never would have picked Jack as someone that wasn't 100% loyal but then she alluded to sleeping with him but not saying when it happened and Jack was out last Friday night until late ... I know that's stupid, right? He would have never cheated on me."

"No, I think she was trying to trick you and make you angry. Jack would never do that."

"Then there's the other thing with Shelly's son. Jack has always been adamant he doesn't want kids and now I find out his ex-girlfriend has a little boy."

"Do you know if it's his?"

"No, but he would have been born when they were together."

"Something doesn't add up though. Jack would never abandon his own child."

"I wouldn't have thought so but then I thought maybe that's why he doesn't want kids with me. Because he already has a child to someone else and it didn't work out."

"Elizabeth, you need to get the answers directly from him. You can't stew about it and worry about things that are likely not true."

Elizabeth stared at her coffee cup. "I'm thinking of going home for a bit."

"Home? As in back to your apartment or back to the city?"

"Back to the city. My sister has been asking me to come visit and I thought that would give me some space."

Angel looked at her friend uncertainly. "How long are you talking, Elizabeth?"

"I don't know. Maybe just the weekend. I think I'm going to resign from my job at the school. I can't work with that woman anymore."

"That's understandable but don't run away without talking to Jack" Angel cautioned.

"I'm not running away."

"Well, it sounds like you are because you don't want to face the truth. Just hear him out Elizabeth, or this whole thing could blow out of proportion even more than it already has."

"I guess so. I'm just so angry with him. Why couldn't he have told me when he figured out that she was his ex? I knew something was wrong last week and then he was weird all weekend but I put it down to the casualties from that accident that he had to help treat. Now I'm not so sure. What if he was distant because he had hooked up with his ex-girlfriend? I mean he loved her and then he found her cheating on him. Maybe there are still unresolved feelings between them. I just … I …" The tears spilled down Elizabeth's cheeks again, unrelenting.

Angel reached out for her friend, wrapping her in a hug. "I do understand where you're coming from but I have seen how that man looks at you and he adores you. I would like to believe that he never would have done any of this intentionally."

"I hope you're right."


After spending most of the day with Angel, Elizabeth headed to Andy and Tanya's to help unpack some boxes before the two women got ready for their night out. They walked into Mike's Bar half an hour early and found a free booth in the corner and ordered a drink each.

Elizabeth hadn't mentioned her argument to his cousin or his girlfriend. She didn't want to bother any of her friends but her mood was down and admittedly she would rather be with Jack - if she didn't think he was such an idiot right at that moment.

Faith, Rosie and Clara arrived around the same time as each other and Rosie quickly dominated the conversation. Faith sat beside Elizabeth and leant in to ask her a question when the others were talking about something else.

"I didn't think you would be here tonight."

"Why?"

"Jack called in to say he was off due to personal reasons. Carson went in to cover his shift."

Elizabeth looked at the glass in her hand before taking a long sip of her wine.

"What is it, Elizabeth?"

"Nothing, it's just … Jack and I aren't exactly talking at the moment."

"Oh, is everything okay?"

"No."

Faith didn't push and they sat there quietly for a moment. Rosie was talking animatedly about her job and Clara and Tanya were hanging off her every word. When Elizabeth was sure that Rosie couldn't hear her conversation, she resumed speaking to Faith.

"Jack's ex is back in town and he has apparently spoken to her and didn't tell me about it."

"Oh. You mean Shelly?" Elizabeth nodded. "How did you find out?"

"I work with her. She's a teacher at my school. You know that one who has been quite painful and put in a complaint about me?"

"You're kidding? That's Shelly?"

"Yeah."

"Wow."

"That's not the 'best' bit. She alluded to the fact that they have slept together – which of course they would have when they were together – but she didn't indicate if it was back then or more recently. I know that was her intention – to have me question his loyalty and I don't believe he would have but now there's just this doubt niggling away at me."

"Jack wouldn't cheat on you. He abhors cheaters!"

"I know. That's what I thought. But he didn't mention any of this to me and it's been almost two weeks since Jack and Shelly met up. Then Jack was weird all weekend."

"That would have been because of the accident though."

"Why? Was Carson the same?"

"No, but he didn't lose a patient."

Elizabeth looked at Faith in shock. "Jack lost someone?"

Faith nodded slowly. "Yes. One of his patients died from severe internal bleeding. He couldn't save her, Elizabeth. He was devastated."

"On Saturday night?"

Faith nodded again.

"He didn't tell me" Elizabeth muttered under her breath.

"Carson mentioned it but since we are doctors, we've often discussed a lot more that happens in the hospital. I worked in emergency before specialising in paediatrics. I understand what they're going through."

"Of course, you would. You're a doctor. But that doesn't mean he couldn't tell me. I still understand why it would be devastating."

"Jack has always kept things close to his chest. He's just that type of person. You need to teach him to share these things with you."

Elizabeth nodded and both women took a sip of their drinks.

"What are you going to do?" Faith asked, quietly.

"I don't know. Shelly said all this stuff to me yesterday afternoon and I just don't know what to think, you know? I'm not sure if she was trying to scare me off or she was just being blunt."

"I always thought Shelly was nice but it just shows you can never really know a person. When things ended between her and Jack, we saw just how manipulative she could be. I honestly wouldn't put anything past her."

"You knew about how things ended? Jack indicated he never told anyone."

"Once again, Jack never mentioned a thing. He didn't tell Carson but Carson figured it out by putting things that Jack said together over time. They do spend more time together then they spend with us, you realise? I doubt Jack has ever talked about it directly though."

"I don't know what to do. I feel lost."

"You can't let Shelly win. Whatever game she is up to now, don't let her get to you" Faith said adamantly.

"Thanks Faith."

"Anytime."


Lee dropped Jack back home that night on his way to pick up Rosie. Jack was surprised to find Elizabeth was already at home. The bedroom door was closed and locked once again.

Jack set his alarm for early the next morning and after barely sleeping all night, flew out of bed as soon as it went off. He found a screwdriver and went to work, jimmying the bedroom door open.

Elizabeth woke up to a noise at their bedroom door. She could hear it rattling and assumed Jack was trying to get in. She got up, grabbed a change of clothes and went into the bathroom and locked that door as well before getting in the shower. She took her time, all the while considering that she was being immature for avoiding Jack and at the same time she missed him more than anything. But as soon as she thought about Shelly and Blake the tears fell, mixing with the warm water that cascaded over her head.

Eventually she turned off the taps and took another thirty minutes to blow dry and straighten her hair. Staring in the mirror, her skin looked pale and washed out from all the crying again. She spent another ten minutes doing her makeup, adding concealer, bronzer and highlighter to make her skin appear less washed out.

When Elizabeth finally stepped out of the bathroom, it was close to eight in the morning and she knew Jack was supposed to be working that day. The bedroom door was open and even though Jack must have gotten into the bedroom, he still surprised her when he spoke from behind her as she emerged into the room.

"You won't even let me explain?"

Elizabeth jumped slightly before turning toward him. She took in his appearance. He had dark circles under his eyes and his hair was a mess from running his hand through it like he did when he was anxious.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were working today."

"I called in to say I'm running late."

"You had better get going then" Elizabeth dismissed him.

"Not until you talk to me."

"Jack, what do you want me to say? You lied to me." Her tone was bitter and the disappointment was clear.

"I didn't lie" Jack said quietly. "I just hadn't gotten around to telling you."

Elizabeth fumed. "And in the process, you made me look like a fool!"

Jack looked down at his hands that he was wringing together in front of him. "I'm sorry. I didn't think it was a big deal. You knew things didn't end well between Shelly and I."

"What else have you lied about?"

"Nothing."

"Is the boy yours?"

"What?!" Jack asked in surprise.

"IS HE YOURS?!" Elizabeth's voice was now raised as the emotion behind the whole situation got to her.

"No. Is that what you think of me?"

"She's your ex and you told me you don't want kids. It's not unreasonable to think that it's because you already have a son with her so you don't want any more."

"Is that the type of person you think I am? One to abandon my responsibilities."

"You said it didn't end well …"

"Because she cheated on me!" He yelled louder than he anticipated and saw he flinch away further from him.

"It's still possible!"

"No, he's not mine. He's not her biological son anyway."

"So you've spoken to her about it? And when this all went down you didn't think to tell me? You went behind my back to talk to your ex-girlfriend and now you're wondering why I'm upset?!"

"It was hardly a friendly catch-up. I just told her to leave you alone, that's all."

"That's all? Sure, Jack. You keep telling yourself that."

Jack ran his hand through his hair again, his frustration pushing forward. "That's all it was. I promise."

"But you know the story behind her son. You must have been worried for a moment."

"Sure, because she mentioned him but didn't say how old he was. But as soon as she told me how old he was, I knew it couldn't of been her biological child because he was born to her sister when we were together. About four months before we split."

Elizabeth just shook her head slowly. "I can't do this … I just …"

Jack stepped forward, his hands open toward her. "Baby, I …"

Elizabeth immediately stepped back. "Don't 'baby' me. You should have told me as soon as you figured out who she was to you."

"Shelly is no one to me."

"She is your ex! Of course she is something to you. And I had to stand there in the classroom listening to what a good person I am for understanding that you two had a past and how you two slept together!"

"Beth, I'm so sorry. I never thought she would bring it up like that. I didn't think."

She took a long slow breath. "Have you been with her since she's been back?"

"Been with her? What do you mean? I spoke to her that Monday."

"Have you slept with her?"

"What? Recently? No of course not!" Jack said angrily. "You really think I would do that? Are you insane!"

"Am I insane? Good one, Jack. She said she saw you on Friday and then you came home late that night … I'm just putting things together the way they appear to me."

"And she said I slept with her? Are you crazy?"

"Stop saying that! I'm not the crazy one here." Elizabeth's finger came out as she stepped toward him, pointing it at his chest. "She told me you slept together and she was surprised that I was handling things so well. How am I supposed to interpret that, Jack? Especially when you hadn't even mentioned who she was or that you had spoken to her."

"Not like that! I'm your husband. You are supposed to trust ME!"

"How am I supposed to do that when you don't tell me anything?! You were acting sullen all weekend. You don't think I could interpret that as you being guilty for doing something you weren't meant to do."

"I lost a patient!" He yelled at her.

"Sure, but why didn't you tell me that either?!" Elizabeth yelled back "Why haven't you told me anything? We are supposed to be a team, Jack. We're supposed to trust one another, talk and rely on one each other. How can we do that if you don't let me in?!"

They both glared at one another. They were at a stand still – neither knowing what else to say. It was clear that they both needed time to cool off.

Elizabeth broke the silence. "I'm going to resign from the job at the school on Monday. I don't want to be anywhere near that woman."

"Okay. If that's what you want" Jack said softly.

"It's not what I want, Jack, but I don't have any other option."

Elizabeth went to her closet and pulled out her carry-on suitcase and went to the bed and flung it open. She moved to her drawers and began pulling clothes out and throwing them in her suitcase.

Jack stared at her, unmoving as he watched. "What are you doing?"

"Leaving. Clearly."

"Beth. No" he said coming closer, reaching for her.

"Don't touch me" she snapped.

"Beth, please think about this."

"I have. We both need time, Jack."

With a few more movements between her closet, the bathroom and her suitcase and an unnerving silence between them, Elizabeth closed the zipper. She picked up the suitcase and moved toward the door.

"Isn't this a bit extreme?" Jack asked from behind her.

The unfortunate thing was that he was right in some ways but Shelly's words had dug deep. Jack had always struggled with communication and Shelly had made it sound like she had been through it all before and it was the reason for the deterioration of their relationship amongst other things – and to a degree, Elizabeth agreed that it was a problem.

Elizabeth knew she shouldn't believe a word that came out of her husband's ex-girlfriend's mouth but they had been together for longer than Elizabeth and Jack had been. That also concerned Elizabeth. And not to mention the fact that Jack had loved Shelly and perhaps still did.

Now she felt like they were back at the beginning again. Truthfully, the image of Shelly and Jack in bed together wasn't helping Elizabeth to think logically either. She just needed some more time to process everything – at least that is what she told herself.

"No, Jack. It's not."

With that Elizabeth left. She got into her car and pulled out of the drive, heading straight for the airport.


A/N: Next chapter is nearly done. I will try not to leave you hanging too long! (Don't worry I'm a happy ending kinda girl - it will all work out soon :) ).