One look was all it took. I knew exactly what he'd done. The suit that belonged to me was on Cindy's body. She stood in front of the mirror admiring herself, then turned to Brendan with a simpering smile. "Brendan, don't I look so much better in this than that old hag Debbie?"
Brendan dipped his head and tapped the tip of her nose, indulgent as ever. "You're young. Of course everything looks good on you."
A few days apart and she's already calling him by pet names. I could have laughed.
"Sure, it looks good," I said, stepping forward. "But I wonder if people would still compliment you once they found out the suit was stolen."
Brendan's expression darkened. He turned on me with a sharp rebuke. "Debbie, do you have to come in here throwing ugly accusations right off the bat?"
"But it's the truth!" I pulled at the hem of the suit. "My name is stitched right into this jacket. My suit ended up on her body without my knowledge. If that's not stealing, what is?"
Cindy's eyes turned red instantly. She tipped her face up, the picture of wounded innocence. "Brendan, she has so many clothes, and she's singling me out over this one? I honestly don't know what I did wrong!"
"Enough. It's just a suit!" Brendan waved me off. "Cindy starts her new job tomorrow. A decent outfit would help her make a good impression on her colleagues. How can you not see what actually matters here?"
"What actually matters?" I repeated the words slowly.
"You're telling me my father's birthday gala is less important than her job?"
"Debbie, will you stop twisting everything?" Brendan could barely keep the irritation off his face. "You have a closet full of clothes and you're fixated on this one? I'm begging you, just give it a rest. Stop stirring up drama."
"Please, Debbie, I'm begging you, stop fighting with Brendan!"
Cindy wept like a willow in a rainstorm. "You don't care how exhausted he is, but I do. Do you have any idea how draining it is for him to run a company that size every single day?"
"As his wife, you're not gentle, you're not supportive, and you can't even give him children. You are the definition of a failed woman!"
"And yet someone like you still has Brendan's love. What more could you possibly want?"
Brendan looked genuinely moved, as if he'd finally found someone who truly understood him. "Cindy..."