Heartbreak in Paradise

"What's your name? Let me see your ID."

Andy reached into his pocket and retrieved his wallet. Not surprisingly, the cash he had in it the night before was gone, but he retrieved his driver's license and handed it to the officer.

"We have him," he spoke into his radio. "Mr. Murphy, your wife has had us searching the town for you. Have you been here all night?"

"I'm not sure, officer. I was at my buddy's bachelor party last night. I don't know how I got here." Andy lied, and he felt awful for lying to a law enforcement officer. "What time is it?"

"It is 2:30 in the afternoon. We'll bring you home." He held a hand out to help him up from the sand, and Andy took it.

Oh, how he hoped his alibi would hold up. It was imperative that Danae not discover his infidelity. Ever. "Thank you. I can't imagine how worried Danae is."

"She was worried enough to call us and initiate a town-wide search. I wouldn't want to be you, mister. She was pretty scared."

Ugh, he thought. "I'm not sure I want to be me, either," he chuckled. For more reasons than you know.

They put him into the squad car and drove the short distance from where he was found to the Murphy home. The house where he had spent the night was at the beginning of the dead-end road where they lived, and the beach was somewhere he had taken the children many times. This isn't good, he thought, not good at all.

The police pulled up in front of the house, and Danae came running, sobbing all the way, calling his name. When he stood up and saw her, he felt guilty and wept.

"Andy! Andy!" she cried as she flung herself into his arms. "Where were you? Oh my gosh, you had me worried sick!" She struck his chest with her fists as she cried, and then wrapped her arms around him, weeping into his neck.

"Baby, I'm so sorry I didn't call you," he sobbed into her hair. "I woke up on the beach down the street, but I don't know how I got there."

"No more drinking, Andy! This is the last straw. I can't do this anymore! The deputy, who watched the exchange, shook his head.

"Listen to your wife, Mr. Murphy. You obviously don't hold your booze very well. Have a good day, you two. It sounds like you have some healing to do." He tipped his hat and walked back to his patrol car, and drove away.

"Honey, I'm so sorry." He kissed her face repeatedly. "You're right. I promise―"

"Where was that promise last night when you were getting drunk? What if you had alcohol poisoning? Andy, you could have died on that beach, and I wouldn't have been able to help you!"

"Baby, I'm sorry. I get it." He pulled her close, and he felt her stiffen. She pulled away from him, sniffing the air around him.

"Is that perfume I smell on you?"

"I don't know how it could be perfume, baby."

"What did you do?" Andy never saw the lipstick on his clothing, and it gave him away.

"Nothing. I just got drunk and ―"

"Don't you dare lie to me! You think I'm blind? That I can't see the lipstick on your shirt?" She pulled away from him, repulsed by him. "Oh my gosh, Andy, did you fuck her?! And where is your wedding ring?!" The guilt wore on his face like a mask.

"Let's go inside and―"

"Fight in front of the children? That's not going to happen, Anduin." Uh oh, he thought.

"Um... Uh..." he stammered. He winced at the Paparazzi that stood within earshot of their conversation. I'd rather fight in the garage than out here.

"Is that all you have to say for yourself?" She was pissed, and he knew she had every right to be pissed. He'd never seen her this angry.

"Baby, I love―"

"I don't want to hear those words from your lips! If you loved me, you wouldn't have cheated on me!" She shoved him hard, nearly knocked him off his feet and made him drop his phone. "Get out of my sight!" she screamed at him. "I don't want to see your face!" She opened the gate and slammed it shut behind her. Danae stomped away from him, slammed the door of the house, sobbing all the way.

Andy picked up his phone from the ground and dialed Aaron's cell.

"Hello?"

"Aaron, can I crash at your house for a few days? Danae and I just had a huge fight. I think it might be over."

"Whoa, I know she was angry, but I don't think she wants to end it."

"I fucked up, Aaron. I can't even get a word in my defense. She just doesn't want to hear it."

"Yeah, I'll unlock the door. Come on over." They hung up, and Andy began the lonely walk to Aaron's house, just about 7 doors down.

Aaron was waiting at the doorway for him when Andy walked up the sidewalk. The first thing he saw was the lipstick on his shirt. "Oh Murph, what did you do?"

"Not you too," he sighed. "I royally fucked up, that's what I did."

"That lipstick is not even close to Danae's color. It's too pink." He patted Andy on the shoulder. "Who was she? Was it that dancer that was all over you?"

"Troy's wife, Sam," he choked out. "I woke up in their bed this morning. She had me tied up and blindfolded. I thought I was home making love with Danae."

"Oh man, you're not kidding you fucked up. If Troy ever finds this out, he will kill you. He's a big, mean SOB."

"No one can know this but you, Aaron. Devin will destroy me if this leaks out." But he knew it was too late for that. The Paparazzi had himself a sweet scoop, and there was no way it wasn't going to leak.

"It looks like you've done a decent job of that yourself, Murph. I love you like a brother, but you really screwed the pooch." Aaron couldn't help but be disgusted by him, too. Most men on the island, Aaron included, would kill to be in his shoes, with a drop-dead gorgeous wife, three beautiful children, a dream job and home. He pissed it away like it was nothing.

Andy took his cell from his pocket and dialed Danae's phone. But she would not answer it.

*****

Danae's heartbroken sobs woke Elyse from a nap, and she walked to the master suite.

"Mama? Are you okay?"

"I don't know, baby girl. I really don't know."

"Are you sick?"

Oh, was she ever. "Yes, honey. I'm going to go see Aunt Darcey."

Elyse hugged Danae. "I'm sorry you don't feel good, Mama."

"Me too, Lysie." She snuggled her daughter into her embrace and cried into her hair.

Trixie had just finished changing Emmitt and laid him down for a nap. She took one look at Danae and knew she needed a hug.

"What happened? You look like you've lost your best friend."

Danae choked on the growing lump in her throat and only nodded. "I hate to impose on you longer, but I should be home later. Please, don't let Andy in should he come back here."

Trixie understood, taking Danae into her hug. "I'm sorry, but I'm sure you'll work it out," she whispered into her ear. "You guys are the perfect couple."

Danae shook her head. "It would take a miracle." She picked up her car keys. "I'll be at my sister's house."

Danae cried all the way to Darcey's, praying she was home. The door opened and Clint stood before her. "Darce!" he called to her. "Nae is here."

Darcey walked from the laundry room and spotted Danae, looking totally broken. "What happened?!"

"I need to talk in private. I'm sorry, Clint." she sniffled.

"I don't mind. I'll pick up where you left off, Kitten." Hearing Clint's pet name for Darcey made Danae cry harder.

Darcey led her to the family room and closed the door behind her. "What is going on, sweetie?"

Danae took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Wyatt's bachelor party was last night. Andy went, with the understanding that he would not drink to excess, and if he did, he would stay with Aaron."

Darcey nodded her head. Danae continued. "So when I woke this morning, he wasn't home, and he hadn't called. Long story short, Darce, the police found him on the beach this morning, just down the street from the house. When he got out of the patrol car, I saw the lipstick on his shirt, and smelled perfume around him."

Darcey shook her head. "This all sounds so familiar." Their father had done something similar back in the day, and it sickened her.

"I think he cheated on me. He didn't deny it when I accused him. It was just a guilty look and tears."

"Wow, I did not see that coming, Nae. He loves you so much. Are you certain?"

"I kicked him out, and I'm not sure I want to know the truth. I would be a fool to forgive him, so he can do it again and again."

"What do you need, honey?"

"My husband." She sat there in Darcey's family room, devastated, her heart shattered into millions of tiny shards. "My gosh, Darcey, I told him to go last night! I sent him from our house already turned on, and I pushed him into another woman's arms! How could I be so stupid?" She sobbed into her sister's embrace. "What if this wasn't the first time? What if he's been cheating on me for a long time?"

"Do you know for sure? I know you said he didn't deny it."

"He didn't come right out and say he betrayed me. But it was written all over his face. He isn't a very good liar."

"Oh Nae, I'm so sorry. After everything you've suffered, I can't believe he did this. I mean, we left our lives in Starlight Shores, the house, our brother. All our memories. We did it all for him. I can't believe Andy threw your love away like that."

"I don't want to tell the kids. He should have a good relationship with his children. I won't keep them from him. He's a good daddy, even if he is a shitty husband. What am I going to do now?"

Darcey shook her head. "I don't know, Nae. Talk to a lawyer, I guess. File for separation, maybe divorce."

"I wish Daddy was here. I've never missed him more than I do right now." Danae cried into her hands.

"Daddy would kill him for hurting you like this, Nae. It's a good thing he isn't here."

"You're right. He would be a dead man walking." Danae's cell phone rang. Andy.

"Is that him?" Danae nodded. Darcey took the phone from her and answered it.

"What?" she answered, annoyed.

"Danae?"

"This is Darcey. What did you do, Andy?"

"I made the biggest mistake of my life. Can I talk to her?"

"Come to my house if you want to see her. You don't get to be alone with her."

Andy nodded. "I'll be there soon."

"I don't want to see him. I am done."

"At least hear his side, Nae. Maybe it isn't as it sounds"

"How do I trust him? How will I ever be with him again? I don't want to have sex with him anymore. Period. I'm repulsed."

"I get it, sweetie. I'm so sorry."

A few minutes later, Andy's single knock sounded at the door. "I have it, Clint," she yelled to him. "Andy," she greeted him coldly.

Danae choked on a sob when she saw him and felt like she would vomit. He took a seat near her and reached for her hands to hold. But Danae recoiled from him.

She spoke first and broke the ice. "I've never been so shattered, Andy. I hope your night of fun was everything you needed."

"I have no recollection of going home with her, Danae. The only thing I remember was this morning, but I thought it was you. I truly believed I was with you..."

His words shredded her heart all over again. "So you don't deny it. You did cheat on me, more than once, from how you describe it. Was she good at least? Did you like it better than you like having sex with me?"

"Oh honey, I would give everything I own to redo last night so it had a different ending. I never ever would have done anything like this if I wasn't drunk."

His words were very little comfort. "Was this your first time? Have there been others, Andy? Do I need to be tested for diseases?"

He sighed deeply and shook his head. "Never before, and never again."

"So, how many of Daddy's promises have you broken now? Because this one is a big one."

"All of them. I am a piece of shit, Danae."

"I'm not disagreeing with you right now."

"Can we talk privately somewhere? Just you and me? Please, sweetheart. I'm begging you."

She shook her head. "Lawyer up, Andy. That's all I'm going to say. I don't want you, I hate you right now, and as far as I am concerned, we're done."

"You hate me?" He choked on a sob. "Oh Danae, say it isn't true. Baby, you're killing me."

"Andy, right now, I hate you with the fury of a billion suns. I hope your betrayal was worth it. We are done. I won't tolerate being disrespected like this! I don't understand. Wasn't I enough for you? Didn't I satisfy you? You make me sick," she spat. And then she thought of the kids. This would break their hearts.

She continued. "You are not to mention your betrayal to the children. I don't want Elyse to know her daddy is a cheat and a liar. At least not yet. Someday, she will figure it out for herself. But you will be a father to those kids, and you will not neglect them. I will not bad mouth you to them, and I expect the same from you. We will NOT use our children as weapons against each other, am I clear?"

"I would never do that." He sighed deeply. "I am so ashamed of myself."

"You should be. Not once have I ever put myself in a position where I could be unfaithful to you. NEVER!"

"For the record, I don't have anyone else. This was it, and I can't tell you how sorry I am, Danae. That I hurt you. That I betrayed you. I violated your trust in the worst way, and I will never forgive myself for that. Also for the record, I will never cheat on you again, even if we split, even if this is over. You are the only woman I will ever want for the rest of my life."

"Well, don't count on that ever happening again. I don't want you, and with how I feel right now, I don't see that coming back. You're disgusting."

He nodded in tearful agreement. "I know."

"What happened to your wedding ring, Andy? I see you're not wearing it. It is very convenient it would disappear on the very night you betrayed me."

"I don't know, Danae. I haven't been able to find it, and I've looked everywhere. Pockets, my wallet. It's gone. It was on my finger when I left the house last night." He neglected to tell her his wallet had been cleaned out as well. That was a whole other problem he needed to handle in the morning.

She grumbled at him and shook her head. "That ring was a symbol of our love, and you took it off when you were on the prowl. You make me sick!"

"I don't remember taking it off, baby. I swear it." He didn't understand anything anymore.

"How did you get here?" she spat.

"Aaron brought me."

"I hope you have a place to crash and a ride to get there. You are not allowed in my house until you see the kids." She cried deeply, her ragged sobs hit him in the heart. She hates me, he thought to himself. She truly hates me.

Danae stood and hugged Darcey. "Thank you for being here for me, sissy. I love you."

"Call me if you need anything, Nae. I mean it. I love you." Darcey only gave Andy a look of disgust as he walked out of the house.

They both left Darcey's house. Danae got into her red sports car, the one he bought for her, and spun her tires in the gravel, leaving Andy to fend for himself.

*****

Andy called a cab and had it bring him to Aaron's house. When he knocked on the door, Aaron greeted him. "Hello, loser," he half-teased. How he could betray Danae like this shocked him.

"Fuck you, Aaron. My life is falling apart, my wife hates me and she's kicked me out of the house. I don't need your shit, too."

"Sorry, man. I know you need a friend. What can I do to help?"

"I'll pay rent here until I get my bearings." He sat on Aaron's couch. "I never expected to hear 'I hate you' from her lips. I'm broken."

Aaron opened the door to his spare bedroom. "You can crash here. Do you need clothes?"

"I have nothing except what I have on me right now. My wedding ring is gone, and everything in my wallet was taken, except for my identification. I swear I don't remember leaving the bar, but I do remember a woman who wore her hair like Danae's. Samantha doesn't wear hers like that."

"Samantha. My goodness, Andy, you'd better pray Troy doesn't find out, or Danae will be a rich woman."

"I'm aware. He will kill me, and it won't be quick. He'd make me suffer. At this point, I'd deserve it, too." Andy wiped tears from his eyes. "I'm exhausted, and I don't feel well. Thanks for the room. I won't bother you."

"Anytime, buddy. I hate this for you. I'm here when you need a friend."

Andy closed the door and stripped his clothes from his body, climbed into bed and sobbed until he fell asleep.

*****

Andy woke Monday morning still feeling sick. Coughing, achy, sneezing and plain miserable. But he had to work. It was the only thing that he had to look forward to, that seemed normal. After a shower, he felt a bit better, so he dressed in the clothes he had worn to the party Friday night, still bearing the strategically placed lipstick stains, and carpooled with Aaron into work.

He opened his office door and hadn't had the chance to sit before Kirby appeared in his doorway. "Can I see you, Andy? My office, please." He swallowed hard and wiped his sweaty hands on his slacks.

Slowly, he made his way to Kirby's office. He stopped at the door, took a deep breath, and knocked.

"Come in, Andy."

Kirby looked at his manager. The press was all over the story, and it was big news on the island, even throughout the country. It was already reflecting badly on the team, on Kirby. And he hated this.

"Good morning, Kirby," a broken Andy greeted him.

"Andy, what happened to you? I know this is not your character."

"Kirby, to tell you the truth, I'm not sure. Aaron and I got started before Wyatt and the team arrived, but I don't remember anything past when the dancers got there. The last thing I remember thinking was that Danae was going to reap the benefits of those dancers." He shook his head. "The next thing I knew, it was morning and I was with Danae, or so I thought. I really thought it was her, Kirby. She had a blindfold on me. I didn't know."

Kirby was blushing, obviously getting more information than he wanted. "I don't know what to say, Andy."

"I'm sorry for the TMI, Kirby. I'm so out of sorts, I'm not myself. I never realized how much I need her until I didn't have her. Without Danae, I'm half a man."

"I can't say that I completely understand. Everyone makes mistakes, Andy. Some are bigger than others. Unfortunately, this scandal is negatively impacting the team, and business has dropped off at the restaurant with terrible reviews, your name is always mentioned. I don't know how much of this is false outrage, but I can't take a chance. As much as I hate to kick you when you're down, I have to let you go."

The news took his breath away. "I understand, Kirby. I can't tell you how sorry I am about this whole mess. I'll be out in an hour."

Despondent, he walked back to his office and grabbed a box from the storage room. Aaron was on the way to his own office when he passed Andy in the hallway.

"What's up, Murph?" Aaron noticed the box. "Going somewhere?"

"Yeah. Kirby let me go. I'm not having a good week, and it's only Monday."

It was difficult to feel sorry for him, but Aaron didn't want to see him lose his job, either. "I'm sorry, Andy. Truly."

"Where am I going to go? Who will want me now? My gosh..." He finally reached the limit, and he sobbed. "I don't even remember it, Aaron. How? How did this happen?"

"I don't know, bud. But I'm sorry it's happening to you. You don't deserve this."

"Actually, I guess I do. I can't give an account of where I was, only that I woke up literally cheating on her. How I got there is beyond me."

"Here, I'll help." Aaron started packing things into the box. In less than twenty minutes, his office was cleaned out. Aaron carried the box to his car while Andy reported back to Kirby to turn in keys and passwords.