Overcoming The Lie

Chapter 4

Who was she, David?

She is my fiancé; her name is Mandy. Addison, I came down to LA to apologize to you and tell you about her. but seeing you again reminded me of how much I loved you. So after our coffee meeting, I went back to my hotel and told Mandy about you. She said she understood that we had some unresolved history, and if I needed to work through them with you, then she would be okay with it. Mandy is so amazing, she was even ok if you and I slept together. I promised her that if we did have sex, that it would be for closure before I told you I was engaged. I was planning on telling you today. You were not supposed to find out this way. But those feelings I had for you, they are officially in the past and I hope you can be happy for Mandy and me.

You are getting married to another woman and slept with me. I feel like a dirty mistress! I cannot believe you did that! You are disgusting, and I do not ever want to hear from you again. So please, leave me alone, leave Mark alone, and leave LA alone.

I am sorry, Addison. I never really meant for you to get hurt. But I respect your decision and you will never hear from me again. Addison felt hurt and dirty and used. There was only one person she could tell, so she quickly called Mark and asked to him to meet her at her house. She then explained everything to him and he held her as she cried for hours. Eventually Addison dozed off on Mark's shoulder, and he carried her to her bed. After he made sure she was asleep, he left her a note that he would be back, in case she woke up before he returned. Then Mark drove over to David's hotel and found his room. He knocked on the door and when David opened the door, Mark sucker punched him. He punched him a few more times, until he was barely conscious. Then as he was leaving he said to David that if he ever showed his face anywhere near Los Angeles or Addison again, that he would much worse to him.

Mark then stopped by a cupcake store and picked Addison's favorite flavor before returning to her house. Addison was still sleeping when he returned, but when he waved the cupcake by her nose, she started to wake up.

"Mmm, that smells delicious. Thank you, Mark. You are the best."

"Anything for you Addison. I am sorry you got hurt again; if I had known that he was engaged or planning something like this, I never would have told you."

"Mark, this is not your fault. It's mine, for trusting David again even though I knew what he was capable of. He had everyone convinced he was a changed man, but nothing changed. He is still that same awful person who has now broken my heart twice. Mark, I really don't know how to go through this again."

"Addy, you are one of the strongest women I know. David is an idiot for hurting you. But I promise you will find a man who will care for you and love you each and every day. Do not ever forget that."
The rest of the day Addison and Mark stayed inside watching movies and eating junk food. By the time Monday morning came around, Addison was feeling more like herself again, and her friendship with Mark was even stronger.

The next week was busy and stressful for everyone, between cases and preparing Marli, Addison had her hands full. Mark was not aware that his sister was going to have this baby so early, but Adam made sure Mark cleared his schedule for the following Tuesday. He faked plans for a guy's golf day, but really, Adam knew was going to need Mark there when Marli had the baby and underwent surgery.

Quicker than they wanted, the day came for Marli to deliver her baby. Marli sat anxiously in the waiting room of the clinic with Adam while Addison finished making the necessary arrangements. Because of the complexity of Marli's case, they would need to perform the Cesarean and surgery at the local hospital, and then transfer them both back to the clinic to complete recovery. Marli was also waiting for Mark to get out of his morning meeting so she could tell him she was having her baby now. She knew that he would not take the news well, and she still refused to tell him the truth about her cancer. However, she hoped that the news he was going to be an uncle a few weeks early would outweigh the dangers of her delivering so early.