A "Jewel" of a Wife Ch. 02

I stand by my intitial comments, re: Ch. 01...

...however, I'd like to add that Austen and Arlene deserved each other. They are two of the most off-putting (to put it mildly) characters in any story I've read here on Lit. Perhaps outshone only by the husband character in radk's Nuclear Option, who basically turns himself into a mass-murderer because of his butt-hurt reaction to his wife's infidelities (well, her activities were more complex than infidelities, but there were mitigating circumstances, to say the least; if you're that much of a glutton for punishment, read the story).

Beware, Gillian, beware...

How Stupid Can One Woman Be

Let me get this straight...Arlene risked her marriage to Austen by voluntarily having a sexual affair with Traylor in order for him to feel a trust or bond with her as they carried on shady dealings. Furthermore she allowed Traylor to photograph her having sex with him so he could blackmail her to Austen. Then she involved Austen's sister Jen, in wrapping up this shady deal. I expect her to remove the paintings and ride off into the sunset, leaving Austen holding the bag.

FD45 - you forgot one part...

She told hubby twice that if he divorced her that she would get the kids and most of the assets. He also tried to get her to take a fair split, which SHE refused - her greed and arrogance. She brought the "nuclear" strike down on her own head.

Further Thoughts

“If you don't come this Sunday, don't bring the girls ever again, and I'll be sure that they know why I won't see them again." – Okay, he framed her and her lover to get them in prison, so he isn’t flawless. HOWEVER, I believe that SHE forced his hand threatening to keep him from the kids. In any case, this kind of emotional blackmail is wrong, especially as, if he doesn’t give in to it, she will hurt the children!

“your resolve to destroy rather than listen ultimately killed my love for you," – How much love could there be if she a) cheated and b) CONTINUED to cheat even after he BEGGED you not too?!

“Three, because I hoped that it would throw you off about what I was doing; I guess the last one didn't work," – Yep, it just made him suspicious.

The comment that she could somehow frame HIM for the art fraud is meaningless, since she already said that she used his sister to complete the deal, after the divorce, so that he’d have no claim.

Yeah, it's easy to fuck over

little kids and other people who love you. Wife was a whore and a lawyer, but I repeat myself. How about that sister of his? One of the only people in the world he really loved and trusted and she sold his ass out to the bitch at the drop of the hat. I would have burned the whole bunch of them right to the ground. You were right, we shouldn't of read this second part. Gave us a Larry McMurtry type of sequel that was so bad no one will ever ask you for another one on a story you said was complete. Another thing that was screwy about the whole thing is that he married another lawyer. How stupid is that?

Inconsistent with first chapter

"There was absolutely no sexual relationship whatsoever"
I think I remember a DVD showing their thryst that would argue otherwise, she also admitted to four sexual encounters in court.

Oh, seems like she backtracked later, but that should probably have been worded differently.
On another note, a bit of time should have been spent on Jen and what she did, she should have been loyal to her brother and told him about the deal, rather than colluding with a cheating ex-wife.
For that matter she should have taken his word, over that of the aforementioned ex-wife who was judged as guilty in a court of law, after all she had no proof that he was actually the one behind it all.

Goo

A sequel ready to go two weeks after the primary story...okayyyyy.

So you felt guilty about BTB, scraped up the ashes, did some authorial voodoo, and viola, a near RAAC, but you're still banging the DA. Cool...***

Intriguing and fun story.

Arlene was an arrogant and stupid, mean spirited whore who was a narcissistic waste of skin. She didn't get everything she deserved.

Jen should have had harsh repercussions for siding with the whore and keeping secrets from her betrayed brother.

Gave it 5* though for entertainment value.

Further Thought

I'm not sure if I said this here, though I've said it elsewhere, why do wives expect their husbands to "allow" or "accept" the wives adultery because they LOVE their wives, but the wives' LOVE of their husbands doesn't stop them from wanting to cheat?

Over all quite good

Each chapter in its own way was convoluted and a bit off the wall. Also each chapter was rather unbearable. However, this is a story, a fantasy, and that is what makes it an entertaining and enjoyable tale to read.

A better ending might be...

Instead of colluding with the jailbird ex to allow her to keep the paintings, go to the DA and see that she gets charged with the fraud that she has perpetrated. And cut ties with his traitorous sister.

Most commenters missed

It seems that most commenters from Part1 totally missed the DIRECT THREAT that Arlene made AT Austen on the 4th tryst. She directly stated "if divorced she would take all and the kids", plus remember she was a lawyer too. And we all know lawyers are honest, fair, and trustworthy never striking FEAR into their victim.!@#$%^&
She pushed him into going nuclear so he could keep his kids and even then he gave her an out, but Arlene's was just too egotistical lawyer to take it. Not only was she committing Adultery, she did not respect him enough to be honest with him about the painting deal - pure ego. She intentionally kept all hidden via 401K and even later Jen (which I'm sorry, I'd have a problem NOW trusting my sister Jen too).
Actually, Arlene's conduct over this painting deal does not pass the stink test and rings of 'intent to eventually divorce', since she disrespected Austen that much! With Arlene's ego I'm truly surprised she did not have an off shore bank account (for her work bonuses and backroom paint deals).

My concern now would be when Taylor gets out and what he will do.

Austen needs to liquidate this painting ASAP then put ALL the proceeds into Trusts for the kids - screw Arlene and Taylor's verbal split. It's ALL Austen's property now hanging in his house. And with the DA about to be Austen's wife, Taylor does not stand a chance. I assume that all previous art/jewelry was liquidated for the divorce 50/50 or since criminal collusion Adultery 75/25?

Oh BTW, what happen to the dirt bike? Didn't the Insurance company go after Arlene for claim fraud? And the four loose ends could still blow this up or even blackmail Austen?
Babysitter
Buss boy
Actress
Muscle/car man