*~Chapter Sixteen: Undecided~*
"Marty, where have you been?" Jason demanded when Marty walked in the door.
"Jason, we can't talk about this in front of Cassandra," Marty said quietly. "Let me get her to bed first... then we can talk."
Jason reluctantly agreed. Marty took Cassandra into her bedroom to get her ready for bed. She tucked her daughter under the blankets and placed her rag doll into her arms. "Good night, Cass. Good night, Ellie," Marty said.
"Mommy," Cassandra spoke as she let out a yawn. "Why can't we stay with Daddy?"
"Because, honey... it's complicated," Marty replied softly.
"Don't you love him?"
"I do," Marty said.
"Then why can't we stay with him?" Cassandra asked. "I will miss him."
"I know you will... but didn't you miss Daddy Jason?"
The little girl nodded as she hugged her doll tight. "Uh huh, but I'll miss Daddy's stories."
"Get some rest," Marty said as she kissed her daughter's cheek. She couldn't talk about Todd or his stories. Her heart was aching because she knew that Cassandra didn't want anyone else but Todd to read her bedtime stories.
"'Night, Mommy," Cassandra whispered.
Marty switched off the light and left Cassandra's room. She barely had a chance to step out into the hallway and close the door before Jason was questioning her again.
"Where have you been?" he asked.
"I was with Todd," Marty replied.
As they walked into the living room, Jason was frowning. He was extremely upset. "You and Cassandra were with Todd? Why didn't you call me?" he asked, his voice filled with anger and hurt.
"I'm sorry, Jason. I couldn't call you..."
"What the hell is going on here? Did he kidnap you again? Did he hurt you, Marty? Talk to me!"
"Todd didn't hurt me," Marty said as she began to cry. "What am I going to do? I still love him."
"What about us?" Jason demanded. "You're my wife, Margaret Anne... or have you forgotten?"
"I am your wife, but our marriage has been in name only. You KNEW I loved Todd. I went to the prison to see him every month. It was never a secret how I felt for him."
"And you want to go back to him?" Jason asked. "Is our marriage over?"
"I don't know what to do," Marty admitted. "I need you to give me some time."
Jason said nothing. He walked away in anger as Marty sunk down on the sofa to cry.
Author's Note- There will be only be one more chapter.