"Hold the hell on...WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"

You should've been there when those damned words fell from Jess' lips. I stood abruptly in so much surprise because she couldn't be serious. Though she shouldn't have been judged for her decision, it's still odd to me.

Did she really want to go through this? How long has she been with Jana? Is this really worth leaving Jana like that? How do Carmon, Rena, nor Tiff not know about her decision? Why do I have to be the first one she come to about this?

"Seriously, Trent? I came to you because I needed your help and you know that divorce is difficult. You've been through all of this before so I figured you'd give me a few pointers on this. Maybe you can talk me out of it if this isn't really what I should be doing. What am I giving up with this break of a long union? All of that?"

I couldn't even tell her how much she was letting loose because it was astonishing to me. She is actually going through with this...after all of these years she's been with Jana. Plus, you can hear it in her voice that she's apprehensive about this.

"Jess, I'd really think things through before deciding on this. Divorce isn't fun and it's a pretty big deal. Did you think about everyone else that'll be involved? What about your kids, your family, her family-"

"Thanks for telling me everything I already know. You're making this easier to decide on. Those people weren't in my marriage. Did you all have to suffer with Jana and her antics? No matter what I did, her eyes were still on other women. How do you think I feel? They said that dating women was better than dating men. What a bunch of liars. Then gaslighting me into staying after I mention my departure. I'm the bad guy here?"

Well, when she puts it that way, why not give her some advice? Jess never informed me on her relationship but Carmon knew a few things and would rant to me every chance she got. This was all before Jana moved in and, over the years, my eyes saw what they wanted to.

Not to mention, my family doesn't believe in divorces. Divorces aren't allowed and, when the family realizes it, they go bananas. It's unethical to them and you're put on the chopping block while suffering through what your spouse is pushing on you. You become the family's bad guy.

At least, that's how they treated me when I went through my divorce. I was the alien of the family for a while. Only a fool wouldn't know the first person that gave me hell that day. Those days were the worst and, of all the people who made them that way, it just had to be my mom and brothers. Kirsten was the last person to give me problems.

It was a normal day in the city and I'm in the office panicking over a lost business partner due to the negligence of a co-worker. What happens when your best friend joins the team and ruins everything? You keep him on payroll because he has nowhere else to go.

"Look, Trent, that's my bad. I'm sorry that deal never went through but that's their loss, boss. They weren't trustworthy, anyhow. Look at it this way; more opportunities to work with other companies that deserve the attention."

"You're one to talk about who deserves what. I'm about two seconds from strangling you because you've done something so stupid. Dad had a close relationship with them and you've probably ruined it now. Sometimes, I wonder if they just passed you a college degree just because they were tired of dealing with you. I could fire you but you're my best friend so I'll give you another chance. Lastly, hit on my wife again and you'll be seeing stars. Got me?"

So much for being a friend. His eyes were stuck on my then-wife as if they were part of her body. He could've cared less if I was in the room. You're allowed to slap your best friends upside the head, right?

"Well, since we're best friends and we're telling each other the truth, I have something else to tell you." He was interrupted by a phone call from my dad, complaining about a specific amount of money disappearing from one of our biggest accounts: The Music City Instruments account.

You can hear Dad roaring over the phone, furious because of the misinformation that Justin provided. Doing my research, I realized that Dad was correct. Thousands of dollars gone from that account by an unauthorized user.

What was strange was that only five people had access to that account due to how much money stays in it: me, the owners, my dad and my accountant. Luckily, my first stop was by her office. Maybe she could give me some insight on what's happening.

After leaving the office, I made that pit stop and things didn't get better from there.

"Mr. Carter, after looking over the statements, it appears that someone else had access to this account for the past several months-"

"Past several months, Harper?! And you knew about this? You couldn't tell me what was going on? Now, my dad has to fuss at me about all of this! What's really going on? Only five of us have access to that account."

"Honestly, I have no clue, Mr. Carter. However, I will find answers as soon as I possibly can. This isn't normal and I apologize for the miscommunication."

Yeah, you better be sorry. When you're as dedicated to something as you say you are, you stand by that and prove yourself right. This just goes to show that Harper had something to do with this and it made me feel so much worse because I trusted her. Or so I thought it was her fault.

Sighing at Harper's tense response, I immediately left with a sour attitude. There's never been an issue financially and, all of the sudden, she forgets how to do her job? Could she possibly be covering up for someone?

I ran a couple of errands and took about an hour-long lunch break at Taco Bell. Can't blame a guy for being basic and staying within budget when it came to food. Finally coming back to the office, Justin hounds me about whatever he was attempting to tell me earlier.

We went back and forth about the conversation until "I know why there's money missing from that account, Trent! It isn't because of Harper. Just let me talk for a minute."

Jaw dropped and eyes widened, I gave him the attention he wanted since he knew something I didn't. Justin was one of those nosey co-workers that knows everything about everyone.

One time, he gossiped about Richard's scandal with Dillon. To this day, Richard denies what happened with Dillon in the marketing room. A low-down dick for Down Low Dick, I swear. If you were bumping uglies, just say that. As you can see, I have no problems with it.

Anyway, leaning in to listen to Justin's confession, my eyes lit up at the sound of him sighing with depression. My fingers intertwined just thinking of what he could be thinking about or what he was going to admit. I was ready for him to confess until Kirsten came in with this sexy red ensemble on. Six-inch heels and curled blonde hair with a smirk on her face. She knew what she was up to.

We met up with each other at the office door as we greeted each other with a hug and a quick kiss. In that time, our relationship was a little rocky but stable nonetheless. Nothing that was going on was something we couldn't get through....at that moment.

"I wanted to surprise my hubby before leaving for Florida. It's disappointing that you can't go with me but I'll have fun in your place."

"You planned it so soon that I couldn't just take off work. With this new account issue, I couldn't have gone on vacation anyhow. You can thank Harper for that."

"Didn't I tell you that it wasn't Harper's fault? This is something we need to talk about privately so if Kirsten could leave, we could-"

Interrupted by Kirsten clearing her throat, Justin's eyes move to Kirsten in frustration. This is how I knew something was going on between them. Wasn't he not warned to keep his eyes off my wife?

"Well, if there's something going on, please stick around while I get some work done-"

"Trent, Kirsten's the reason why thousands of dollars were taken from the Music City Instruments account. It's a long story but I can't tell you if she's still lingering in here."

And there it was. The confession I should've seen coming but never thought I'd have to hear. How was I supposed to react to a revelation of the love of my life stealing money from me? You don't expect that to happen with someone that claims to love you, right?

In my mind, Justin lying on my wife made more sense than his confession being true. Plus, what was hers was mine so she wasn't exactly stealing from me. She was stealing from the owners of Music City Instruments. We were married so it shouldn't have been a huge deal, right?

Wrong because what she did, I had to take accountability for. Plus, I wanted to know where that money went. It better not had gone into this extravagant trip to Florida because, if it did...

I sat against my desk with my fist underneath my chin. Wrapping my leg around my thigh, my elbow rested on that leg while I contemplated the idea of Kirsten stealing anything. Why would I believe this fool over my wife? Kirsten's acted on a few things that almost broke our relationship but she wouldn't steal from me, correct?

"Trent, are you seriously about to listen to this liar just because he's your best friend? You do realize that he's attempted to get with me, right? Some best friend he is to lie to you like that and want your wife behind your back," Kirsten called me out as she stood with her arms folded.

"And get with, I did, but you can't tell him that? At least, be honest with the man. You know he doesn't deserve to be lied to. How come his friend, since middle school, has to be honest with him but his wife can't? You want to know something else, Trent? Since it's confession time, Kirsten, why can't you tell him about your trip? You can't tell him that both owners are taking you on this trip to Florida? Another reason why you can't go, Trent."

Nodding to cope, I bit back my bottom lip to keep from screaming. If my body could, it would've melted onto the desk. How are you supposed to feel when you find out your wife was involved with your best friend and owners from a supporting company?

I didn't want to believe it. The woman I was in love with for ten plus years was cheating on me? That doesn't sound right to you, does it? But the same thing happened to Dad and, to this day, he's still with her. Good thing I'm not my dad.

"Nah, Kirsten! Tell your husband the truth! You're still scared to admit that you've been sleeping around with almost every partner we've worked with? Did you tell him that was how we lost so many companies to sponsor with? You tell him about the time you bumped uglies with Dillon? That's how he quit because he was so guilty-"

"You know what, Justin? I'm gone. Since this is what you want, I'll leave. Have a plane to catch anyway. Trent, we can talk when you get off so I can tell you what's really going on. I love you." And she left the office without even explaining herself. No kiss on the cheek, no apology, nothing. That was odd coming from her.

Justin had plenty of time to explain as I fixed myself at my desk and threw my head into it, dealing with the depression.

"Trent, listen here. When a female bird is ready to fly from the nest, she takes twig after twig and moves it somewhere else for security."

All this noise was pissing me off even more, so I had to say something "Justin, just get on with it. Be honest with me."

A deep sigh later and he finally tells me that Kirsten somehow persuaded Harper into transferring money to a private account that only Kirsten had access to. She slept with Justin so she could have her fun and not throw him under the bus. There was only one person that could be blamed.

She hooked up, on and off, with those business owners and they were taking her to Florida. That was a story I could believe but didn't want to. As stated before, I'm not my father. I can't stay with someone who hurts me just for her to hurt me again.

Can you see why I'm lenient with Carmon though? At least, she'll tell me when she wants to sleep with someone else or participate in a threesome. She was upfront with me from the beginning and that's one of the reasons why she was scared to marry me.

Back to this situation with Kirsten though. When she came back, her things were at her mother's place and her poor father cried when he figured out what happened. After that, she eventually came around to telling me the truth but it was too late at that point.

Kirsten was nice about it but it didn't mean we were staying together. The paperwork for the divorce was filled out on my end and my lawyer was prepared for this somehow. Our divorce ended with Troy staying with me, spousal support on my end, and her having the house. As much as she caused me heartache, I couldn't leave her on the street or with her parents.

It's good to know that things are better with her. During my years of messing around and bouncing from bedroom to bedroom, I heard both owners left her due to her neediness. I was too drunk and could care less because my friend below was rock hard but, in my right mind, I would've missed her.

She was my first love and I couldn't get over that for the longest time. She definitely wasn't my last. Mom loved Kirsten but hated whenever we got a divorce. Those years after were complete hell with the harassment, the insults, losing money, and everything else she could throw at me.

It took me years with a therapist to get back on track and reassign the people over our company's accounts. Nicole was the greatest help after finding her at an office that treated her like a dog. Changed doctors so fast and took Nikki with me.

Nikki helped pick the greatest receptionist, the smartest accountant, the funniest friend, and the sexiest wife I ever had. Carmon can't be beat.

As much hurt and women I've been through, Carmon's proven to be different from everybody else. She shows it every day so no thoughts of divorce any time soon.

"Ahem, Trent. Will you help me? I deserve to be loved the same way you love Carmon." Jessica interrupted my blast from the past and made me think on her words.

She was right because I was a man that was once in her situation. She needed help no matter how much it was seen as wrong. Jess needed sincere love in her life.

"I'll call my best lawyer."

****
What's up, folks?!

If you haven't realized, I'm bored as hell due to problems with myself so I'm updating more.

Also, welcome back to my special hell hole that is The Screwed Series! (I'm proud of this little hell hole so...yeah)

Anyway, please tell me what you all think?

Do you believe that Trent shouldn't get involved? Is Jess making the right decision?

Now that you know a little bit about Trent's past love life, how do you feel about it?

See ya around the Wattpadisphere! Love ya!