The End

Chapter 37: Glass House

"Chris Ivery's infidelity strikes again." The news anchor echoed through the now silent kitchen. "A sex tape leaked early this morning, featuring him and up-and-coming 23-year-old pop artist Beks. The video has been circulating fast, and sources say it was likely shot during the COVID lockdown era."

They both stood motionless in front of their Echo Show. Radar Reporter flashing blurred images of the leaked tape. Clearly showing Chris. "Prick," Patrick said sharply unable to contain himself.

"Ivery, who is married to Grey's Anatomy legend Ellen Pompeo has been linked to affair rumors before. However, nothing has ever surfaced quite this public — or this undeniable. While neither Ivery nor Pompeo have issued statements yet, fans are already flooding social media with reactions."

"Do you think it's real?" Jillian questioned.

"Of course it's real," Patrick shook his head, "He's cheated on her for years."

He paced the kitchen, desperately searching for an excuse to leave the room and call her.

"Why does she stay?" a tinge of vulnerability in Jillian's voice. He froze mid step.

All the reasons collected in Patrick's chest like weight of guilt. "I don't know," he sighed, "We've never really talked about that stuff."

"Seems hard to believe," Jillian eyed him, "You never asked..." Knowing he was the kind to ask hard questions or insert his opinions.

He was saved by the ring of his phone. Patrick glanced to the caller ID. His managers name flashed across the screen. He groaned and raised it in the air as if he was annoyed, "Let the damage control begin," he said walking from the room.

"Hey," Patrick answered as he stepped out onto his back patio.

"Patrick," his managers voice already stressed, "I'm sure you saw the story on Chris Ivery."

"Yeah," Patrick answered, "Just now. I'm assuming it's real..."

"Oh yeah," his manager bellowed, "I hope he has a good attorney because if he doesn't he's not getting a damn cent."

Patrick huffed, "I hope he doesn't."

"Anyway," his manager was smooth and straightforward, "I doubt anyone will but you know how these bastards get. Don't comment anything. Just stay the hell out of it. It's going to be a messy one. I think she filed the papers already." his words sent a flutter through Patrick's stomach.

Ellen hadn't been single in nearly 15 years. It was a statement that was both invigorating and terrifying. His concentration on this call had immediately dissolved,"Got it," Patrick nodded, "Thanks for calling."

His anger was filled with hypocrisy. He knew that but it didn't change his urge to protect her. Their parallel life was full of the deepest kind of intimacy. A marriage in its own way. Quietly growing alongside reality. They had spent most of their real marriages committed to each other. He had been her sounding board, her ally, the one to wipe her tears after fights and fetch her coffee after a sleepless night with a newborn.

Patrick walked the path from his house to the beach. The years between them heavy on his mind. For a moment he couldn't help but take the blame for whatever pain she found herself in. If he hadn't complicated her life so much perhaps she wouldn't have justified Chris' behavior for all of these years. After all he was the reason she had stayed.

It took everything in him not to call Chris and tell him off. But he knew that wasn't what Ellen needed. She needed his calm support. That's how he made up for the years he had cost her.

The sun sparkled on the water as he pressed his phone to his ear. Anxious to hear her voice.

"Well that was convenient," her first words surprised him.

"El," he said softly.

"Oh, don't El me," she said firmly, "I've been cheating on him since the day I met you."

"It's a little different," Patrick countered hoping she knew that.

"Yeah," Ellen agreed, "For him it's just sex. We had an affair just looking at each other."

Patrick laughed, "I'm not sure that's the definition of an affair..."

"I'm pretty sure we've hit every definition of an affair and then some..."

He huffed a laugh again, "True," he let the dust settle for a heartbeat, "I'm sorry you didn't get to handle it on your own terms. You have enough on your plate already."

"Should save me a few million dollars," Ellen said flatly, "I think we are going to have to change our plans a bit though," she paused, "I already filed the divorce papers. My reps are going to release some kind of statement tomorrow."

"Good for you," he said genuinely.

"It's a decade late, but seems like the trend," her words a little pointed. Her vulnerability peeking through for the first time in the conversation. He didn't take it personally. A long moment passed, "It isn't that he cheated," Ellen began, "I obviously am not going to throw stones from a glass house but it's just that he did it at a time that was so careless. I didn't touch you for months." she sighed, "And we had a history a decade long. It just... it's irresponsible."

"I know," Patrick agreed quietly. "He put you all at risk."

"Exactly," Ellen's voice was strong but emotional. A weighted groan escaped her lips.

"I'm-," he began.

"What are you doing right now?" she cut him off, "Want to counter his sex tape with one of our own."

"Hah," Patrick laughed, "Could you imagine?"

"I am imagining actually," Ellen said, her tone sultry and dark.

"On that note," Patrick cleared his throat, "I can be there in 20 minutes."