The Not-So-Good Wife

by toryjames27

After rejecting Logan's proposal at graduation, Rory becomes a journalist for several years before giving it all up to become the political wife that Emily Gilmore would be proud of. But what happens when her husband's infidelities are publicly exposed, and Rory attempts to revive her journalism career in her 30s? Rogan meets The Good Wife, AU. Pre-AYTL

1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

She stood in the hallway, her senses heightened, dread and adrenaline pulsing through her. It was an odd combination for an odd situation. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The hallway smelled of years of stale sweat, chalk dust and rubber soles.

She saw the bright flashes in the auditorium, as he grabbed her hand and pulled her up the stage, next to the podium. She had stood by him many times before, always as the proud wife, beaming, campaigning for him - in places not unlike this, through countless school auditoriums, town halls, community centres - extolling his virtues, his passion, his strength.

"Today, I stand before you a flawed man, and I take full responsibilities for the hurt I have caused to my wife . I have hurt my wife, my family and for that I am deeply sorry. I ask that you give my family and I the privacy to heal in these difficult times".

She raised her head slightly and tried to look at him, to play the part – so accustomed she was at being the perfect society wife. The camera flashes went off again, blinding her momentarily. She swallowed and blinked the tears away quickly, careful to keep her face blank.

"Congressman Montgomery, will you be dropping out of the race?"

"Congressman, the accusations against you by your opponent that you paid for sex using campaign funds.."

The floodgates had opened, the questions were relentless, microphones were thrust at them from all angles, the questions melded into one another "corruption charges", "criminal proceedings", "sex for political favors"

Rory Gilmore never thought she would be in this position – the good wife, cheated on, publicly humiliated, but still dutifully standing by her man. Five years ago, she would have been down there with the rest of them, doing her job, asking questions, covering the story, analysing what this would mean for the Democrats seeking to control the House.

She took another shaky breath, her hand still in his. More camera bulbs went off and then she was whisked off the stage.

Rory looked at her husband – her tall, handsome husband, his skin clammy, his eyes slightly bloodshot. She felt a wave of disgust and disappointment rise up from her insides. Almost involuntarily, she swung her hand, her palm hitting his face, unleashing all the anger and pain and frustration that she had kept bottled up over the past 24 hours. She heard the sharp crack reverberate through the hallway as she turned and walked away from him and his aides as quickly as she could, trying her best to preserve the last shreds of dignity as tears of exhaustion rolled down her cheeks.