Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO WAS ALWAYS THERE
Mallory Keene had never considered herself the other woman.
That was what she told herself.
She had known Ryan since they were twelve.
They went to the same school.
Attended the same parties.
Shared the same friends.
When Ryan started dating Katherine, Mallory was supportive.
At least publicly.
Privately, she thought Katherine was too serious.
Too ambitious.
Too determined to control every detail.
Mallory liked Ryan because he was spontaneous.
Funny.
Easy to influence.
And because he always answered when she called.
Even after he fell in love with Katherine.
Even after they became business partners.
Even after he proposed.
Mallory believed their friendship was special.
Something Katherine could never understand.
When Ryan invited her to Provence, she didn't hesitate.
He said she could visit for a few days.
That it would be fun.
That Katherine wouldn't mind.
Mallory knew Katherine would mind.
That was part of the appeal.
Now, sitting in her rented apartment outside Gordes, Mallory stared at Ryan's message.
KATHERINE LEFT.
She smiled faintly.
Then typed:
I'm sorry.
A pause.
Then:
You deserve someone who understands you.
She waited.
Ryan didn't respond.
Mallory frowned.
She typed again.
Do you want me to come over?
Still nothing.
For the first time, she wondered whether she had miscalculated.
She had wanted Katherine to feel excluded.
May you like
She had not expected Katherine to leave.
And she certainly had not expected Ryan to look devastated.
