“I think,” I said slowly, “we need to compare a few things.”
Chapter 6 — The Lies He Told Both of Us
Within twenty minutes, Heather and I understood the pattern.
For months, Seth had been supplying each of us with false impressions of the other.
When Heather asked about my career, he claimed I avoided discussing it.
When I wondered why Heather seemed distant, he insisted she disapproved of my work.
When she proposed contacting me about childcare, he told her direct conversations made me uncomfortable.
When I expressed a desire to become closer to Heather, Seth claimed she considered me unfriendly.
The deception had required surprisingly little effort.
He’d simply relied on us trusting his explanations.
I recalled a Sunday when I’d voluntarily watched Maddie and Ben for three hours while Heather attended a medical appointment.
Afterward, she’d thanked me and offered to buy lunch.
I’d declined.
