H.G. Tudor - Narcissist: Ensnared

Youve won.

That was what she had said. He had won. Peter was gone. She had chosen Wynne and was finally free of the sadistic bully that she had spent twenty years with. Wynne did not dare to believe what he had heard.

Well please say something, said Ashleigh down the phone.

I, well, I just didnt expect you to do it, not to so close to Christmas.

I could not stand another day with him. Thats why I decided to tell him, she admitted. Wynne felt excitement surging through his body. This was one early Christmas present he had not expected. Not that he was concerned by that.

So what are you going to do now? Do you want me to come to you? asked Wynne. There was a pause and Wynne could hear the sound of the wind passing through the trees. He pictured Ashleigh, stood on the bridle path, her blonde curls swaying in the breeze and no doubt her face a picture of relief now that their affair had been revealed.

I do, but I dont think that would be for the best. He stormed off. He said he was going to his fathers house, but I dont know whether that is true. He might reappear.

I think I should come and see you. I want to. He knows about us now and I would rather be there to protect you.

I appreciate that. It will just be fuel to the fire. I need a bit of time to myself; it has been quite a night.

Im sure it has.

He questioned me over and over again. It was relentless. I tried to make him stop, but I guess he is entitled to know everything isnt he?

Well, I dont know. Is telling him everything really going to help?

At first I refused to tell him about you.

I see. So what happened?

Well, as I said, he said that I had been acting strangely and that I looked too good, too immaculate when I arrived home.

I dont understand that. You are usually home before him arent you? You have probably got changed and showered anyway by the time he would get home.

Well, yes, you are right, that is what I thought, but he was adamant about the point.

Go on.

He wanted to know how long it had gone on for. I told him three months. He kept saying that he thought it had been going on for longer than that, said Ashleigh.

Why would he say that?

He said it will have started when I went back to work, in June, after maternity leave. He said that he knew he could not trust me to go back to work. At first he thought it was somebody I work with at Novobank.

Well he is half-right, it is someone who did work with you there.

Yes. He kept pressing me as to who you were and in the end I told him.

What did you say about me?

I just told him your name and that you were someone I had known for a long time.

Is that it?

Yes. I didnt say where you worked or lived. He did ask but I refused to tell him that, saying it did not matter.

What else did he ask? Wynne wished he had been privy to the conversation. He imagined it would have been unpleasant and savage. Nobody liked to have the dirty done on them but he should imagine that an egomaniac like Peter would have gone ballistic at learning that his trophy wife had chosen someone else.

He asked how many times we had had sex.

Well he wont be pleased with that answer will he?

I told him just the once and that it wasnt very good.

Oh thanks.

Well, I am just trying to limit the damage; you know how large his ego is.

Yes, but does it matter, once or hundred times, we still slept together.

I know, know, I just need to handle him in the right way. He asked if we used a condom, so if he asks you just say you did.

What?

Just say you used a condom if he asks you.

Why would he ask me that?

He will be terrified he has caught something.

Well, Ive not got anything, remarked Wynne indignantly.

I know that, but he doesnt.

So fucking what, I dont care what he thinks.

Just do it for me. Please?

Come on Ashleigh. First of all, is he really going to come and see me? He has no idea where I live and even if he did turn up, I may not open the door to him. He is history now. He is finished. He needs to get a grip and realise that he has paid the price for years of being a total bastard to you. It is his loss. Secondly, if I did somehow end up speaking to him, do I seriously think he will ask me about whether I used a condom?

Knowing him yes.

Well, I will happily tell him that I fucked you scores of times and I will tell him where and how.

Why do that?

So he knows how much we belong together and want one another, answered Wynne.

We both know that. Does it really help him knowing that?

Hes brought this on himself; he has to suffer the consequences Ashleigh.

I know, I know, its just, well you know, I have broken his heart.

He doesnt have one.

Thats true enough. I dont know. I just want this to go as smoothly as possible. I dont need the drama. I have had enough of that living with him.

Sure. I can understand that.

He might be coming for you, he said he was going to break your legs suggested Ashleigh.

He doesnt know where I live. Still, if he turns up I will be happy to put him straight on his behaviour towards you. He doesnt frighten me. I will kick him all over the place if he turns up here and wants trouble.

He does judo you know. Well he used to.

I will still deal with him. To be honest, I very much doubt that he will come near me.

I wouldnt be so sure of that. He was raging.

Well, yes, he would have been angry because he has been made to look a fool. He doesnt care about what you want does he? He is just concerned with how it makes him look. He will be annoyed because he wont appear to have the perfect home life anymore.

Yes, you are right. You always work it out. You are so clever Ian.

Glad you think so.

Has this really happened? Im not dreaming am I? asked Ashleigh.

No, no you are not. You are free of him and his poisonous influence.

I hope so. I really do. I want to be with you now. I just want to close this horrible chapter and move on. You know, I am not at all tired. I feel invigorated actually.

Thats good. It is most likely the relief. This has hung over you for such a long time, suggested Wynne.

True. You know, in all of the discussion we had last night, not once did he mention how this might impact on the children. It was all about how I hard hurt him. How I had betrayed his trust after he had given me so many chances.

Well we know it always has to be about him. Thats all he cares about. That should come as no surprise, said Wynne.

No it doesnt. He said that nobody could love me the way he does. He then went on to list all the things he has ever done for me, helping me with my anorexia, putting up with my affairs, putting up with my apparent hysterical outbursts and so on. He even took me around the house pointing out things such as pictures, furniture and electronic items, saying that it was all down to him. That was why he worked so hard, for us and now I had thrown it all in his face again.

He seems to forget your contribution to the family, both maternal and financial, pointed out Wynne.

I know, she gave a sigh. Wynne fought to keep his elation under control. He had not expected this moment to happen at all and he certainly had not envisaged this monumental change now. He sensed that Ashleigh actually felt sorry for Peter. It was understandable. He always managed to drag her into thinking about him, rather than herself. Wynne often wondered if she knew who she was anymore.