Caught In A Lie

By Linda Burson

An unexpected visit to Brad’s apartment by Marcy and Liam brings Brad more trouble than he could’ve ever bargained for when his past returns in the worst way. Marcy decides some revenge is in order, and with Brad and Liam on board, she gets it.

A bachelorette party provides Marcy with an interesting meeting, and New Year’s Eve is celebrated with a perfect, long-awaited wedding. After a wonderful honeymoon, the happy couple returns home, but the bliss is short-lived.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Class Act Books
• Release date: Aug 16, 2017

Book preview

Caught In A Lie

The Marcy Series

Book 6

by

Linda Burson

Published by

CLASS ACT BOOKS

121 Berry Hill Lane

Port Townsend, Washington 98368

www.classactbooks.com

Copyright  2017 by Linda Burson

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-946523-18-1

Credits

Cover Artist: Mallory York

Editor: Florence Weinberg

Copy Editor: Anita York

Printed in the United States of America

Dedication

To all my readers…

Acknowledgements

A continuing thank you to my publisher, Class Act Books, my creative and talented cover artist for the Marcy Series books, Mallory York, my copy editor, Anita York, and my new editor for Book 6, Caught In A Lie, Florence Weinberg, for catching my mistakes and making my story better.

An acknowledgment would not be complete without thanking my family who always supports me and my dreams, and thanking my readers who continue to encourage me by reading the books I write.

Chapter 1

Friday morning it’s difficult to wake because of our celebratory evening, but Liam, Brad, and I know we have to get a move on if we’re going to drop Evan off at Josie’s place and make our appointment with my psychiatrist, Dr. Bengali.

Not only did we have quite a few drinks at dinner after our exciting purchase of the property for our new home, but we stayed up late celebrating in another way that always pleases us. After I teased Brad and Liam at the restaurant about the beautiful woman in the sexy red dress who was dining with the old man, they decided they needed to tease me back about it. They couldn’t believe the story I told them was actually true. They thought I was making it up. I guess I did go a little overboard on my description, but if it did anything to encourage them to ravish me in bed, more power to me.

Brad, Liam, and I drive together to Dr. Bengali’s office since Brad is taking the day off. We decide we need to spend the day discussing our future and how we will deal with explaining our three-way marriage to our children one day, not to mention to other people.

We drop Evan off with Josie who’s excited to be spending the morning with him. She said we didn’t give her enough time with him last Friday when she watched him during our appointment.

We’re barely in the waiting room three minutes when Dr. B exits his office seven minutes early. Brad glances at his watch. He must remember me telling him when Dr. B is interested in knowing what’s new, he seems to donate extra time to me. Dr. B greets us and welcomes Brad back.

I’m happy we’ll have the extra time today to delve into more and for me to get to know you a little better, Bradley.

Please feel free to call me Brad. Last week you said you hadn’t seen Liam more than twice. You must not know him well.

Unfortunately, Marcy had some serious memory recall last year. I got to know Liam rather well during this time. She was with us in the hospital. Liam was there every day visiting her. He actually stayed with her the first few days. We couldn’t get him to leave her alone.

I see, Brad acknowledges. I do remember Marcy mentioning she was hospitalized for a while. I just didn’t put together the time frame.

Brad, may I ask you a question?

Sure Dr. Bengali.

Marcy expressed some concern about your father’s feelings toward her at our last meeting, not the appointment with the three of you last week, but the one before that. Would you say she’s accurate in those concerns, or do you feel she may have been overreacting?

Oh no, she’s not overreacting at all. He’s an asshole. I haven’t spoken to him in months.

I see. Would you like to share the reason why you haven’t spoken to him or is this a private matter that we should discuss some other time?

Not at all, Doctor. Marcy, and I believe Liam, knows exactly why I don’t speak to my father anymore. I assumed she told you at one of her appointments.

She hasn’t said anything to me, but we haven’t seen each other for a while, have we Marcy?

No, I believe the last time was when Brad was away on his business trip. I told you when his father spoke to me at our wedding he seemed a bit strange. Brad was concerned his father might say something to me. I didn’t know why. Then it occurred to me that his dad must’ve said something to him previously.

Brad, is this true? Did your dad try to warn you against marrying Marcy?

He told me he wasn’t pleased, and he wished I’d reconsider. He said he knew what it’d be like for me not knowing if the baby was mine, and if it wasn’t, why would I want to be married to her?

And how did that make you feel, Brad?

Angry, pissed off, annoyed. He had no right to tell me what to do. He was always telling me what to do my whole life. Nothing I did was ever good enough for him.

So, you decided you’d show him, right? You were going to marry her whether he approved of her or not.

You damn straight. If he didn’t like it that was too damn bad.

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. The palm of my hand automatically slams against my slightly ajar mouth. After seconds, the tears build from deep inside my soul. I know it’s only a matter of time before they explode. Liam and Dr. B are looking at me as I lower my hand and lay it upon my chest. They realize what Brad said, but Brad doesn’t. He’s oblivious. I try to remain calm so I don’t flee the room. My head is moving in disbelief. Is this true? Is this the only reason he married me? Does he really have any feelings for me at all, or is this a ploy to annoy and piss off his father even more and teach him some kind of lesson? My lips are quivering. I start biting them to help stop me from crying. Dr. B nonchalantly raises his hand toward me holding up one finger.

What happened then? You were still talking after the wedding, correct? He remained at the wedding, took part in it, and congratulated you both. Did he give you a wedding present?

Brad lifts his head looking from his lap toward the doctor. Yes, he and my mom, but I’ll bet it was more of my mom’s idea.

Why do you think he didn’t walk out of your wedding?

He was hedging his bets. He couldn’t leave just yet. What if the baby was mine? Then what would he do? No, he played his hand well. He waited until after the paternity test was done. Then he told me to leave Marcy and the baby. He even offered to give me money to get rid of her. Can you believe that? The woman I love more than anything on earth and he insults not only her, but me. He thinks I fell in love with and married a woman who’d take money from me to let me out of a marriage. He doesn’t know Marcy at all, and he obviously doesn’t know me at all. He treated her as if she was just any woman. He disrespected her right to my face. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My wife, my beautiful, special, loving wife, and he spit on her right in front of me. My mother heard him, and she went ballistic on him. She left him you know. She threw him right out of the house. I was ecstatic she did.

Oh thank, God. He really does love me. My breath I was holding releases. Liam gives me a delicate grin and slight nod. Dr. B blinks at me and pats the arm of the chair. I know this is his way of expressing that I just had to give Brad a few moments.

You really love and respect your mother? Dr. B asks Brad.

Yes, absolutely. She always loved me for who I was, her son. He never wanted to know if I was his son because if he found out I wasn’t, he would’ve had to give up my mother. His pride wouldn’t let him stay married to her even though she was the woman of his dreams, the one he loved more than anything. He would’ve had to let her go. Instead, he chose not to know whether I was his son and treated me as such my entire life. Nothing I did was ever good enough for him. You know, I could’ve become a doctor, a surgeon. I was smart enough. I just didn’t want to be anything like him. Do you know he even has a problem with Marcy because she’s adopted? He blames her and thinks she’s not good enough for me. He says, ‘You don’t know where she came from. You don’t know what kind of people they were.’ Can you imagine that? You don’t want to know what he said when he found out about her father murdering her mother. My God, I don’t know how I got past that one. I guess I blame myself for telling him. I don’t know why I did. What was I thinking?

I take it he proved his point to you that you can’t determine the kind of people adopted children come from.

Yes, he thinks they’re trash and delinquents or something. I should’ve killed him for that one.

Now, I’m stunned. I didn’t know any of this. How much more can I despise this man? Brad’s distraught right now; he probably doesn’t even know what he’s saying in front of me. Maybe he thinks I already know? Or maybe he forgets I’m sitting in the room?

Brad, why do you think you told him about Marcy’s biological parents?

I’m not sure.

Now, think about it a minute. You knew your mom was and still is fine with Marcy. She likes her very much. She respects Marcy, but your father doesn’t. By telling him about Marcy’s parents you thought you were accomplishing something. You certainly didn’t want him to dislike her even more. Did you think he might feel something else?

How could he not? Look at her! Look at what she’s accomplished. Look how beautiful, and smart, and funny she is. Look how wonderful she is even though she’s had to endure something so tragic. She’s overcome so much, and she’s still moving forward. How can you not respect that?

Seems like you thought your father would see that even though Marcy’s parents were troubled and their lives ended in violent and unhappy deaths, that she still persevered and overcame great odds to achieve a wonderful life. You thought he might respect that, didn’t you?

Yes, don’t you?

And when he didn’t, you were stunned, upset, and disappointed. What did your mother say?

Thank God for her. She actually said all those things I was thinking. She agreed with me that Marcy was a spectacular woman, and she deserves everything she has and more. She did overcome great odds and most of that had to do with Marcy’s upbringing with a wonderful family. She said her parents must be wonderful people. This was before she met them. My mom’s aware that when children turn out well, it’s usually because of good parenting. She said things could’ve been very different for Marcy if Tom and Mary Jenson hadn’t adopted her and loved her the way they did. She said some of it is personality and innate abilities, but parenting is vital.

She’s definitely right about that. They did save me from God only knows what.

But your father just didn’t accept this.

No, he didn’t.

Brad, what made you still want Marcy in your life? I mean, your father disapproved of her. She was in love with another man, and then she got pregnant and you had no idea if the baby was yours. Why would you put yourself through all that? Why not move on and meet someone else? You’re a handsome, successful young man. I’m sure many women would love to meet you and have a relationship with you.

Dr. B’s right. I always said the same thing. I love him too much to let him go, but I wouldn’t hold onto him if he wasn’t happy with me.

You don’t get it either, do you Dr. B? Deep down I don’t think I ever respected my father’s opinion. I always thought him to be wrong. I loved him because he was my father, but he’s egotistical, arrogant, obnoxious, patronizing, rude, and just not a nice man. He held everyone up to his highest standards. If you didn’t cut it, you didn’t deserve his love. It was never an unconditional love from him. That was always so important to me. And Marcy…Marcy’s love is pure and simple. You don’t have to do anything for her. She doesn’t expect anything. All she ever wants to do is give. She always loved me, was there for me, took care of me, was faithful to me, understood me, accepted me, praised me, and I broke her heart. So yes, she opened her heart to someone else who wanted her desperately. He loved her freely and she fell for him. I can’t say I blame her. You ask why I didn’t move on? I did. We said goodbye. I let her go, and it was the worst time in my life. I was miserable. I woke up every morning and had no joy, no excitement. I felt empty. It was like I was walking around in a bubble. Marcy doesn’t just look at me and see the outside. Is she physically attracted to me? Yes, I hope so, as I am to her, but there’s more there. In the end, it doesn’t have anything to do with my looks, money, job, home, or the kind of car I drive. She’s seen me at my best and worst and loves me anyway. She’d rather give me up then see me miserable, even if she’s despondent. She loves with every inch of her being. When she loves you, you get all of her, and that I can’t live without. And Evan…he’s a beautiful baby. He’s as precious as his mother. I love him whether or not he’s my child. He’s a part of her and that’s enough for me. Sometimes I don’t understand how my father could love my mother the way he says he does and yet not love a child that came from her. I can’t imagine that especially now that I have Evan in my life.

I am trying with every muscle in my body to keep control, not run over to hug him, and not cry. He just spoke from his heart and said the most special words I could ever imagine hearing.

Brad, that’s some testimony to Marcy and your feelings for her. I gather your father’s broken relationship with you is nowhere near being repaired?

Oh no, never; not unless he comes to me, apologizes, apologizes to my wife, means it from the bottom of his heart, and treats Evan with love and respect. There is not now nor will there ever be any repairing of my relationship with him.

Do you think Marcy feels guilty about this estrangement?

"I hope not. I suppose I haven’t given it a lot of thought. I know she didn’t want to be the reason for my father and me not speaking anymore. She even offered to leave her home and take Evan with her so my father could visit me if I wanted. I wouldn’t let her do that if he was on his death bed. I don’t have that kind of guilt Dr. B. When I make a decision, I don’t make it lightly, which is why I don’t have issues of regret or guilt. I’m certain about any decision I make or it doesn’t get made. So, as I said before, the ball is in my father’s court. If he doesn’t do what I said, then there’s no repairing our relationship ever."

I can certainly understand that, Brad, but it must make you sad that it has to be this way.

Yes, maybe a little. It’d probably be very disappointing if I had this wonderful relationship with my father, then this happened. But considering we’ve never been that close, this isn’t as upsetting as you might think. I’m angrier that he has the role of my father, father to my brothers, husband to my mother, then treats my wife and son so poorly. That’s just despicable behavior on his part. Unfortunately for him, it’s his loss.

Well, I’d have to agree with you there, Brad. Not having Marcy in one’s life is definitely a loss.

Awww, I grin at Dr. B. What a sweet thing to say.

You know, Brad, if you’d ever like to talk more about your family or your father, I’d certainly like to offer you that. Right now, though, I’d like to ask you how you’re doing with having Liam in your life. That must’ve been quite a surprise. I know we touched on it briefly last week, but how are you really doing with it?

To be honest Dr. Bengali, much better than I ever imagined. I think we tend to get worked up over incidences and situations more than is necessary. If we spent more effort and time coming up with solutions, we may all live a less stressful life.

You do have a point there, Brad. I want to bring up one small comment you made. You said you don’t have guilt or regret when you decide something, but I remember you mentioning your guilt when you were keeping the fact that Liam was alive from Marcy. You said the guilt almost ruined your marriage.

I don’t have guilt about decisions I make, but hiding things from people, keeping secrets? Now that’s different. That guilt, I don’t like to carry, especially hiding things from Marcy. I’m not comfortable doing that and it eats away at me little by little.

I take it you were relieved when she found out you were hiding this fact from her?

Yes, definitely, and though she wasn’t pleased, it was better than dealing with the secret. Liam was also aware I knew he was alive. She was angry at him as well for not telling her I knew.

Liam, it doesn’t seem like you accomplished what you set out to do when you faked your death for Marcy.

I had accomplished it; it just didn’t last as long as I thought.

Yes, her finding you at the house in Vermont. Brad, what did you hope would or wouldn’t happen when Marcy found out about Liam?

I’m not sure. I was hoping she wouldn’t leave me. I was hoping she wouldn’t regret marrying me, and that she wouldn’t go to him and be with him.

But you knew she was engaged to him; she loved him and wanted to marry him.

Yes, I knew all that, but since she married me, I figured she’d honor that commitment.

Did you feel angry knowing she married you because he was dead?

She never thought he was dead. She even told me that. She believed he was alive, was lying and having his friends lying to her.

Yes, she told me that as well. Amazingly enough, she was quite correct. So, she came back to you even though she felt he was alive?

Yes. That’s what made it more bearable for me.

If she came to you and told you Liam was dead and she wanted you back, do you still think you would’ve married her?

Yes, I would’ve because as I told you before, I couldn’t be without her.

Even though you would’ve been her second choice?

I don’t think I was her second choice. I think she couldn’t choose at all, and Liam made the choice for her.

Ah, interesting that you say this.

Why?

Remember the last time we met together, Marcy and Liam? We discussed just that.

I remember, I say.

I remember, too, Liam admits.

Dr. B asks if he can discuss that session with Brad. Liam and I agree. He explains our conversation to Brad. And Liam said the exact same thing. She was waiting for one of you to decide. However, this time, Liam wasn’t going to let her off the hook so easily. He said she’d have to leave him. He wasn’t going to leave her. He knew she was torn and he understood that, but she would have to make the decision all by herself. She knew she had to tell you about Liam. She was just going to let it play out. If you left her, she knew she’d be devastated, but the decision would be made for her. We discussed that it wasn’t fair to you, Brad. She said she knew that, but she didn’t know what else to do. She also said when she told you about Liam, if you didn’t leave her, she would honor her marriage vows and wouldn’t be unfaithful no matter how difficult it may be. But she wanted him, and she couldn’t lie about that. The one positive was she could still see Liam all the time because of Evan. She could have the best of both worlds, and no one could say it was wrong.

I’m aware of that, Dr. Bengali. I knew I could give her an ultimatum. We’re married. She has no choice, but then what would I have? An unhappy wife who would always be thinking of another man, Liam, when she was with me. No, I didn’t want that. I want all of her. I want her to be with me and know it’s me, not pretend it’s Liam. I don’t know how Liam feels about that. Is he okay with her thinking it’s me when she’s with him? I never asked him.

Liam, how do you feel about that?

I wouldn’t be happy, but I’d hope ultimately her feelings for me would become stronger and eventually she’d let go of her other relationship and be content with me.

But that’s only if Brad left her, correct?

That’s correct. If he left her that’d be her only option. She wouldn’t be upset at herself for letting him go. It wasn’t her choice.

Brad, if Liam left her, and she was left with you, it would be the same scenario, but Liam wasn’t leaving, ever, because they have a child together. His memory would always be right there in the forefront. Even if he said he wasn’t waiting for her anymore and he was starting a relationship with another woman, he would still always be there haunting the both of you. What do you do? Who’s making the decision? Certainly not Marcy. She’s in love with both of you. She can’t let either of you go.

The decision is left to me, obviously. Liam says he’s not letting her go. She has to let him go. She’s not able to do that. I’m all that’s left. I have to leave her and disappear out of her life, or I stay and accept Liam being in our lives.

Obviously, you’ve all figured this out on your own. You’re aware those are the only options. No one is surprised by this, I see. Brad, all three of you seem to be quite amenable to each other.

That’s true, Dr. Bengali. None of us are surprised by this and yes, we’re all amenable.

May I ask why this is the case? It does seem like you’re in a healthy place, but I can’t imagine why or how when nothing seems to be resolved.

Everything is resolved, Dr. Bengali. The confusion lies in the resolution. You’re expecting a particular outcome as is everyone else who knows the three of us. We just chose to handle it differently, Brad says.

I see. Is this something you’re willing to share?

I don’t know. Marcy, Liam, and I have found that most people are quite judgmental and unless they walk in your shoes, they can’t imagine your path. We decided to walk in each other’s paths and form our own outcome based on that perception.

I’m impressed. You all seem well-adjusted with your decision, so I won’t push right now. If any of you feel the need to discuss it, please let me know. I’ll be happy to lend an ear and any advice I may have to offer.

I look at Dr. B and then at Liam because he’s glancing at me. I turn my attention toward Brad who is looking down at his hands. Then I glance back at Dr. B.

Marcy, is there something you want to say? Dr. B asks me.

Now Brad turns his head toward me. I’m still silent as I look from one to the other.

Chapter 2

Marcy, you seem a bit uncomfortable right now. Is there something on your mind that you’re nervous telling me because it might upset Brad or Liam? Brad, Liam, you know everything we discuss here stays here. It doesn’t leave these four walls.

Yes, we’re aware of that, they both answer.

You have to understand, Dr. B; I’m more comfortable with you. Brad has just met you, and he’s a very private person. I’m even surprised he agreed to come, but I know he did it for me. The fact that he opened up this much to you is a testament to your ability as a doctor. To be honest, I’m astonished.

Is this true, Brad? You’re not totally comfortable being here, and you’re here only for Marcy?

Yes, normally, I wouldn’t have come, but I know how much you’ve helped her, and how important it’s become to her. I came for her. I have to admit I didn’t think it’d be easy at all talking here today, but… he pauses. I don’t know why I did.

Brad, when we’re surrounded by people who love us, and we’re in an environment where we don’t feel threatened, it’s easier to express ourselves. You’re obviously comfortable around Liam, something the two of you achieved on your own, or maybe with Marcy’s help, and I have to say I’m quite impressed. You know how much Marcy loves you. You know she trusts me and has been seeing me for a long time. It’s understandable why you opened up. I’m glad you did. I think ultimately it’ll be beneficial to you.

I think there’s something Marcy wants to tell you or ask you, but you’re correct. I believe she’s hesitant because she’s worried about Liam’s and my reaction.

I see. There’s something that concerns you, Marcy? Dr. B questions.

"Well, it’s something that concerns all three of us, Dr. B. Maybe it just bothers me more, or maybe I’m not as patient as they are. What am I saying, maybe—I’m not as patient as they are. I know this."

I don’t know if it’s a matter of patience, Marcy, as it is being more willing to express. Not always, but on the average, most men have a more difficult time opening up. Women tend to be more forthcoming with information. I’ve had the opposite, but as I say, on the average. You can wait until we have another appointment alone and express whatever you want to me. It’ll stay just between you and me, but that’s entirely up to you.

What’d be the point of that? They’ll know I’m telling you anyway.

They won’t know you’re telling me. They won’t be here to hear our conversation.

Then, the next time I have an appointment, they’ll ask me, and I can’t lie to them.

Do you gentlemen ask Marcy what she talks about with me?

I don’t think I’ve ever asked you specifically, Marcy. I always asked how it went, but that was because of everything we were experiencing last year, Brad declares.

I know that, but that’s because it was about me and not you. Now, this is about the three of us, and you’re aware of that.

I guess I can see your point, Marcy. Okay, we’ll just play it by ear. We don’t have to discuss anything in particular.

Marcy sweetie, I understand what you’re concerned about, but I don’t think the doctor can help us at this point in time with regards to that, Brad remarks.

I stay quiet and Dr. B glances at all three of us but doesn’t respond. Liam does add one thing. No one says we can’t readdress this or anything else at a later date.

Good point, Liam, and you’re correct, Dr. B annotates. So, is there anything else we can address that might be helpful? Marcy, how are you handling being a mother, and a wife, and running a business?

Um, Um,

You’re not sure? Are you struggling with anything in particular? I know Liam is concerned about postpartum depression. Has that improved any with time? How old is the baby now, six months old?

Yes, he is.

You obviously have someone watching him today. Are you able to acquire babysitters so you have some time for yourself?

Occasionally, yes. I have wonderful friends. I was taking him to work with me every day, but now Liam is around and he watches Evan all day. That makes it much easier.

That’s sound like a good compromise. Liam, do you enjoy spending the days watching Evan?

Yes, Dr. B, very much. I love being with him.

Brad, how are you with this?

I think it’s great that Liam gets to be with his son every day. I wish I could do that occasionally, but my job doesn’t afford me that opportunity.

You really only get what most fathers get, those couple hours in the evening and most weekends, that is, if you’re not traveling.

Yes, that’d be about it.

Marcy, I imagine your schedule allows you more flexibility.

Yes, since I have wonderful employees that cover for me.

So Brad’s the one who has the least amount of time at home with you and Evan, Marcy, correct?

Yeah, unfortunately. Are you trying to make a point, Dr. B? I ask.

Marcy, when you all first sat down, Brad was surprised Liam had been here. I think it disturbed him slightly. I’m curious if you feel you’re missing out on a lot of the day to day goings on because everyone is around more than you, Brad?

I guess at times I do. I mean, Marcy and Liam always fill me in on the day, like when they took Evan to the pool to teach him how to swim.

You’re kept apprised, but you can’t participate. Is this affecting you in any way that you want to discuss?

"No, I