C.A.K.E

Flanked by two of her eternal protectors, Arden spends the duration of the car ride being coddled by them both at alternate intervals.

Warren allows Elliott the lead role, keeping his inquiries about how she's feeling to a minimum and resisting the urge to place her in one of his impenetrable bear hugs.

Taking notice of her father's restraint, she lifts her head from Eli's shoulder and reaches over to take Warren's hand. They share a quick look, as he gives her hand a gentle squeeze.

Traffic is more of an issue heading south than usual at this time of day, which leaves Arden with more time to mull about in her own headspace than she'd like.

On nights when the past isn't haunting her dreams, Casper fills that time slot. The stress of today has pulled her even deeper into the guilty pleasure.

Until a few weeks ago, she was a married woman who enjoyed her life. She had a husband and two kids whom she adored, and a successful business. Things were far from perfect. But everything made sense.

Then he showed up with his deep brown eyes, six-foot-three build of hard-won muscle, and his smooth words. And that damn British accent was just the cherry on top.

She doesn't even know Casper. Yet she's risking her relationship over him. And for what? A couple of intoxicating, passionate kisses?

Trouble always comes knocking when she's the least prepared to deal with it. Now that the portal's been opened, it'll be one problem after the other. She can feel it.

Elliott shifts beside her, snatching focus from her thoughts for a moment. The bit of sun that's permitted past the window's heavy tint hits his face and illuminates his blue eyes. The light casts broken shadows across his skin, providing the perfect backdrop for his fair features.

His pensive pose reminds her of the first days of their relationship when she used to spend much of their time together just staring at him. All of that goo-goo-eyed infatuation gifted her with the ability to decipher his mood by his body language. His current posture gives rise to a new level of anxiety for her.

He's leaning against the door with one hand perched on his chin. The lines forming on his forehead and the frown turning down his lips tell her that he's blaming himself for all this.

Eli is quick to shoulder the world's burden, a trait that makes arguing with him impossible. She can't be upset with a man who always admits when he's wrong and tries to see her side. It's like having a shouting match with a monk who broke his vow of silence just to assure you that he feels your pain. At some point, you just look like an asshole who gets off on the harassment of a gentle soul. And she sure as hell feels like one right now.

She betrayed her marriage vows today, several of them. There's been attention from a few men over the years. Especially from black men who feel compelled to inform her that she's missing out on being with a “real,” man.

She realized a long time ago that a real man is much more than his skin color or whatever might be stretching out his boxer briefs. A real man doesn't have to inform the world that he is such. It's very apparent in the light in his woman's eyes, and her willingness to shout his praises from every mountain top and anthill alike.

Her husband is everything she ever wanted and needed. She can't figure out how a stranger has managed to turn her world on its head in such a short time. If she could just put her finger on whatever it is that has her drawn to Casper like a moth to a scorching flame, she could stamp out the culprit and get back to her usual self.

Arden steals another glance at Eli, relieved that he seems too absorbed in his own emotional sludge to notice that her palms are sweating despite the crisp climate of the car. The inner tempest that's roiling in her gut keeps her as the lone passenger of its displeasure cruise.

Before her grip on reality can become any rockier, they're driving through the gates of her family's estate. Coasting up the tree-lined road that leads to the main house, she's anxious to see Rowan and Teagan.

Their driver brings the car to a stop right in front of the steps of the wraparound porch. Eli's parents and the kids must have been watching for them because they're all outside before Othello has a chance to put the car in park.

when she sees Rowan and Teagan running down the steps. The

her sweater. Then she removes the pins from her hair

a couple of smaller scratches and bruises. The bandage on her hand can be explained away as a

taking turns smothering them both. They all hang onto each other like the other might float away. Rowan puts a death grip on Arden, while his sister throws her arms

Ro bends to rest his head on her shoulder. She closes her eyes and embraces him even

a kiss on Rowan's cheek, she softly rubs his back as he cries into her hair. She breathes through the tears that are cracking at her own voice. "We're

after another minute or so. When he pulls back from her, she reaches up to wipe the tears from his face, earning a

kiss Arden with as much enthusiasm as the kids. They spend more time fussing over her than they do with their own

She latches herself onto Ardi's other arm and doesn't show any sign of leaving her side

to the house's main living area. They all settle into the sitting room and start in with a line

about things that might be best left unsaid. They haven't had a chance to discuss the most diplomatic way to tell Ro and Tea that their

to your hand?" Tea asks, pointing

uneasy laugh fills

seems to be buying that explanation either. Before anyone can ask about the reason

hamper in the linen closet.

a hesitant touch to the faint markings that are now visible on her neck and upper arms. Those will be

lets the tears flow at will. The

package of a new toothbrush, she scrubs at her teeth and tongue until her gums are sore. Then she grabs a bottle of

over her body. As the water courses over her skin, she envisions the filth of the day running off her body and disappearing down the drain. If only shedding what's on her

a beating of near-boiling water, she covers herself in an embroidered robe. She rests her foot on the settee at the end of the bed and massages cocoa butter into her skin. When she switches to

Arden walks into the closet and takes a seat at the vanity. She sets out an array of makeup and begins

chignon and secures it with a pearl hair comb. Then she moves to the opposite side

white tea-length garment might be a bit

lady of the house was at the other end of the table wearing a full skirt and a silk blouse, looking like the definition of poise and femininity, a t-shirt and jeans just looked cheap by

pushes its long sleeves up to her elbows. Stepping into the skirt, she pulls it over the sweater and tugs

as she's pushing the other

it is. But

Diane. Come in." She smiles at Eli's mother as she opens the door for her. "I didn't mean to keep everyone waiting. I

I came up here." She waves away Arden's apology. "I wanted to speak with you . . .

sudden dip of a roller coaster upsets her stomach. She offers her mother-in-law a seat on the Victorian chaise.

upholstery. Diane takes Arden's hands and opens her mouth to speak, but then falls silent. Instead, she stares at her daughter-in-law with a faint smile on her

“Are you okay?”