Chapter 14

Three days later, Jenna drove down the road and stopped in front of Sloane’s apartment complex. She had been discharged from the hospital only that morning. Her doctor’s diagnosis was not too difficult to predict - severe abdominal distension and expansion with the addition of a relentless case of bloating, cramping, and a good measure of constipation. All called for several days of a liquid diet, plenty of fluids, cleaning enemas, and rest. Vince had not tried to see her. Then again, he wouldn’t be able to from his prison cell. The hospital had contacted the police and she pressed charges of spousal abuse. But, that wasn’t what was holding him in jail at the moment. Information had been leaked to the government of his shady dealings with solid evidence of fraud.

It was a good thing that Jenna had been able to collect the information and drop it in the mail just before her stay in the hospital. She would be protected. With the order of protection in place and the fact that he was being held without bail, would keep her and her children safe. She had called her parents. They were hysterical, barely able to believe what had happened. They would keep the children while she got back on her feet.

She had it all planned out. Step one would be to go to the bank and pull out as much money as possible to hold her over before the government or Vince froze their assets. Step two would be to visit the attorney and begin divorce proceedings. Jenna knew there would be a delay especially with Vince’s other legal hassles, but she was sure she would now have no problem with getting the divorce – money would be another problem. Step three would entail starting the job she already secured with the magazine and looking for an apartment. If she lived frugally, she should be able to support herself and the kids. But, before any of this, she had to confront Sloane.

Jenna was about to ring Sloane’s bell when someone opened the main door to leave the building. She caught the door before it closed and walked purposefully up the stairs to Sloane’s apartment. She banged at the door. The door opened. Jenna gasped. Sloane’s belly mounded out in front of him through the soft flannel shirt that had once been loose on him. The hard round swell was so stressed it was if a medicine ball had been shoved into his enormous belly. And, Jenna didn’t think he could possibly close his pants. His ass which had always been well defined looked as if it had been blown up with a bicycle pump. Both orbs were now well-rounded and plump – two corpulent melons.

Sloane was flabbergasted at seeing Jenna. He knew he had gained a tremendous amount in the two short weeks they had been parted. He felt like a prize hog. He had never been so aware of his plumpness. Love handles swelled over the top of his pants in addition his extremely prominent gut. Sloane flinched as Jenna reached out to tug his shirt up, revealing the rest of his ballooned belly. The skin on his ball belly was tight and almost had a shine to it. He’s such a pig! I can see he’s been busy unmercifully stuffing himself all morning, Jenna thought to herself.

“I’m so glad to see you’re okay,” Sloane began. “I went over to your house, but it was empty. I need to tell you a few things…”

“I need to tell you only one thing,” Jenna cut in. “We’re through.”

“Please, Jenna, please listen. I can explain everything,” Sloane pleaded seeing her mouth set in a thin line – already knowing it was too late.

“Vince told me everything. How could you? How could you lead me one like that! You’re disgusting and I want nothing to do with you,” she said, turning her heel to leave.

Sloane put a hand on her shoulder. “Jenna, what you don’t know that I wasn’t really working for your husband. I’ve been working for the FBI assigned to investigate your husband’s suspicious business practices. That’s why I was asking about him a few weeks ago. I’ve been trying to collect information on him. But, some new information has come to light and he’s going to be put away for a long time. You’re free of him.”

Jenna shook her head. “I wish you had leveled with me. Of course some information has come out. I put it out there. I was the one to tip off the FBI to begin with. I’ve always been uncomfortable about his dubious methods. You could have told me.”

Jenna put distance between herself and Sloane. “You used me. How could we have a trusting relationship with this between us? It’s over and you know it.”

She turned away from him and walked out of his life.

NEXT INSTALLMENT: "CHANCES ARE..." COMING SOON.