The next day, Marjorie woke up, she made her way downstairs and prepared herself a coffee. She stood, stirring her coffee.. until Reece walked in. She smiled at him slightly- but he didn't even acknowledge her.
About half an hour later, Reece left the house and drove to work, since he was on the early shift. He rolled his eyes as he noticed Roger's car in the carpark of the nursery.
He entered the nursery and walked into Marjorie's office, where autumn was sat working at her desk.
"Morning aut." Reece smiled slightly. He then looked down at Marjorie's desk, which was tidy, but he also noticed a framed picture of himself and Marjorie on their first holiday together.
"What are you looking at?" Autumn asked.
"Just that picture of Marjorie and I." He responded.
"You know- she really misses you." Autumn said.
"She does?" Reece asked.
Autumn nodded. "Yes." She spoke bluntly.
"I miss her too." He sighed. "I'm just trying to move on."
"You're not going to move on by avoiding her." Autumn reasoned.
At that moment, Marjorie walked into the office.. she'd overheard the whole conversation.
"Reece?" Marjorie called out.
"Oh- hey gorgeous," Reece smiled.
Reece hadn't called Marjorie by that nickname since before the argument, hearing it again gave her butterflies.
"We're meant to be forever, right?" She asked.
Reece nodded. "Of course we are, don't be silly." He giggled.
"Can we move on from this?" She asked. "I really miss you."
"We can certainly try." Reece smiled.
"I'm sorry." She sighed. "I'm sorry for everything."
"You've apologised enough, and I forgive you." He smiled.
"No more secrets?" Marjorie asked.
"No more secrets." Reece nodded in agreement.
"Promise?" She asked.
"I promise," Reece smiled.
All promises are meant to be broken..
-
While Marjorie and Reece were talking in the office, Carly and Roger were alone in the meeting room.
Carly sat with her arms crossed, she rolled her eyes. "Roger- I'm done with this whole spying situation."
"I'm not here to speak to you about that.." Roger smirked. "I'm going to do you a favour."
Carly scoffed. "I don't want any favours from you."
"But I'm sure you'd like to know where your real father is.. wouldn't you?" Roger asked.
Carly paused for a moment. "I've wondered about it my whole entire life.." she spoke. "Do you know him?"
"You and I both know him.. Carly." Roger smirked.
"For the love of god!! Just tell me." Carly huffed.
"Your father is..." Roger hesitated.
"Tell me." Carly hissed through gritted teeth.
"Reece." Roger spoke.
"What?" Carly laughed. "You're messing with me!! You're joking.. right?" She asked. Roger didn't respond. "Right..?"
"I'm being serious. I've even got the paternity test." Roger spoke as he handed Carly a piece of paper.
Carly held the paper in her hand, it was proof. After all this time.. her questions were answered, but it was NOT the answer she had hoped for. The results were 99.99% certain that Reece was Carly's biological father.
"How did this happen?" Carly asked.
"Reece, and your mother had an affair, obviously it was over once your mother found out that she was pregnant. Reece and I had promised to never tell a soul." Roger spoke.
"So why did you tell me?" Carly asked.
"To get back at Reece- I'm angry at him," Roger said sternly. "Let's call it... revenge."
Carly was lost for words, she was fighting tears. She didn't know how to react, part of her was angry- she felt betrayed and lied to.
"Can I keep this DNA test?" Carly asked.
"Do whatever you want with it.. it's all yours." Roger smiled.
"O-okay, thanks." Carly stuttered as she stood up and left the room, she folded the paper and shoved it into her back pocket. She then made her way to Marjorie's office.
Roger left the nursery, he was happy, because his plan was working.
*
Marjorie and Reece were in the office, when Carly walked into the room, with tears in her eyes.
Marjorie immediately noticed the tears in Carly's eyes. "Carly, my love. What's wrong?"
Carly sat down, and cleared her throat. "I need to speak to you, Reece, and you need to be honest with me."
"Okay.." Reece was suspicious.
"Do you know who my biological dad is?" Carly asked.
Reece immediately shook his head. "No- why would I?"
"I said be honest. Do not lie to me." Carly said firmly.
Marjorie could sense Carly's anger. "My darling, calm down, why are you so angry?"
"Reece- I have a serious question." Carly spoke.
"Not now.." Reece shook his head.
"It isn't optional." Carly hissed. "Answer me."
"Whatever." Reece rolled his eyes.
"Are you my dad?" Carly asked.
Marjorie was stood with her laptop in her hand, she dropped the laptop, and froze. She was in utter shock.
Reece didn't respond, he stayed silent.
Marjorie laughed. "Carly, sweetheart. You must be confused.. have you been drinking?" Marjorie asked.
"Marjorie, she isn't confused." Reece said.
"What?" Marjorie questioned.
Carly reached into her pocket and handed Reece the paternity test. "Is this true?" She asked.
Reece nodded. "Yes." He sighed.
Marjorie snatched the test out of his hand, she gasped as she read it. "What the fuck?"
"I can't believe you haven't told me- you know I've always wondered about my dad, how could you?" Carly asked.
"I-I don't know.. I'm sorry.." Reece stuttered. "I guess I didn't want to ruin our friendship.."
"What friendship!?" Carly scoffed.
"Reece- when did this happen?" Marjorie asked.
"He had an affair with my mum." Carly snapped. "Isn't that right?" She asked.
"Is that true?" Marjorie asked in an angry tone.
Reece nodded. "Yes, it's true."
"Correct me if I'm wrong.. but you had an affair with Carly's mother, eighteen years ago.. meaning, you cheated on Mia?" Marjorie asked.
"Yep." Reece nodded.
"Poor mia." Marjorie shook her head. "Reece- I don't even recognise you right now, we said no more secrets, did we not?"
"I'm sorry." He sighed. "Don't you ever wonder why I avoid Carly's mum when I drop and pick her up?"
"It makes sense now that I know the truth." Marjorie rolled her eyes. "You're sick."
"Marjorie.. you don't mean that." Reece was fighting tears.
"I do mean it." Marjorie raised her voice. "You owe me an explanation, you owe mia an explanation.. and most importantly, you owe Carly an explanation." Marjorie snapped.
"I know." Reece said, his voice was dead and lifeless.
Carly paused for a moment. "Does this mean that my work parents are actually my parents..?"
Reece shrugged. "Yeah.. I guess." He rolled his eyes. "I may be related to you by blood, but that means nothing."
Carly turned to face Marjorie. "You're my stepmother.."
"I suppose so.." Marjorie rolled her eyes. Her voice was full of anger. "I'm going home,"
"I'm coming with you," Reece insisted.
Carly was still in shock, she had no idea how to react or feel.. truthfully.. she didn't know what to do with herself.
*
Reece followed Marjorie home, he walked into the kitchen, where he found Marjorie pacing.
"Marjorie.." Reece began. "I'm sorry."
"No you're not." Marjorie snapped. "I don't even want to look at you."
"I'll admit it.. I lied to you." Reece began. "But you lied to me too,"
"And you forgave me, things were getting better.. and now you've fucked it up.. why?" She asked.
"You're right, I forgave you.. but I haven't forgotten about it, you lied to me about my own mother." Reece argued.
"And you lied to me about your own daughter! And according to Carly.. I'm her 'stepmother' i didn't ask for any of this!!" Marjorie yelled.
"Neither did I." Reece spoke. "But we have to deal with it."
"I wish sorry was enough right now, because I love you, but I don't know if I can handle this anymore." Marjorie said as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"I love you too.." Reece said shyly.
"Oh- stop acting like you were ever in love with me." Marjorie scoffed. "Were you? Or was this whole relationship ANOTHER lie?"
"No, it's not like that." Reece shook his head.
"You were my only happiness." Marjorie said, she was now crying.
"And you were mine." Reece replied. He paused for a moment, and wiped a tear. "What happened to us?" He asked.
"Ask yourself that same question." Marjorie snapped. "This isn't going to work, because right now- I do NOT trust you."
Reece slipped his wedding ring off, and held it in his hand. "So it's over then?" He asked.
Marjorie shook her head. "Put that ring back on." She demanded. "It isn't over, I think we need a break from each other."
"I'm going to miss you." He spoke.
"Whatever." Marjorie responded.
"One last kiss?" He asked.
Marjorie didn't respond, she just stared at him. He walked over to her and placed a soft kiss onto her lips, but neither of them felt anything, it meant nothing.
"I don't hate you Reece, remember that." Marjorie began.
"But you still lied to me?" He asked.
"You lied to me too!" She snapped.
"I don't care, you lied to me first." He argued.
"Get out." Marjorie yelled, she looked him in the eye and repeated herself. "Get out."
"Before I do.. promise me one thing.." he began.
Marjorie shrugged. "What is it?" She asked.
"Don't treat Carly any differently." Reece begged.
"I won't treat her any differently.. just because she's the 'product' of your affair." Marjorie said sarcastically.
Reece made his way upstairs, he packed a bag, of his most important belongings and necessary items. He then made his way downstairs. Marjorie was stood staring at him.
"Love you." He said. It could've been the last time he'd ever say it to her, but he didn't even know if he meant it or not.
Marjorie didn't respond, she just watched him storm out of the home they'd bought together, had he really just given up on everything?
To be continued.
A/N: I have no words.ð¢ I apologise for that cliffhanger. (This may or may not be the saddest chapter I've ever written)